Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/56

 Balfour," a prognostication that proved unfortunately only too true. Like many others his defeat was a great blow to him, and, although he fell in good company, he did not long survive a bitter disappointment coming late in life. With his disappearance the House lost a genial personality, popular on both sides. Some amusing verses were written by Mr Harrison Hill which appeared under the title:

"In the House of Commons dining-room four men were dining well (With intervals for exercise at each Division bell), And Henniker Heaton was the host, a genial host was he, And Harrison Hill the humorist was Heaton's vis-à-vis. That's two H. H.'s opposite (I speak in fides bona) And Frankfort Moore the novelist sat opposite Macdona, The Honourable, Reverend, Learned, Gallant man of larks. Who sits so blithe for Rotherhithe, when he ought to sit for Barks. Two M's, two H's opposite, and two of them M.P. And two of them were visitors, and two were vis-à-vis. We talked Imperial Postage, and G.G. Clubs, and dogs, Of Marriage Acts, and derelicts that float about in fogs. We talked of many subjects, and in every kind of tone, But we left the Army Estimates religiously alone, Except for the Division bell, when each man quenched his drouth, And toddled off and voted with an entree in his mouth. But Heaton told Macdona he thought it most unfair That though there was a pair of them they couldn't even pair. And every time the waiter would fresh delicacies bring That wretched old Division bell would give another ring. Then we went into the smoke-room for a coffee and cigar Which the waiter went and brought us from the House of Commons bar, Till Heaton and Macdona, when the stars began to peep. Said they'd have a dose of Estimates, which meant a dose of sleep. Then a novelist and humorist stole through the Commons door, For they heard a Member speaking and two other Members snore; But Heaton and Macdona were wide awake you'll guess, When the House adjourned at midnight for the Whitsuntide recess."