588 NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



useful as articles of food, let them be domesticated like pigs and 

 poultry. It will be quite as chivalrous to shoot them in a farm-yard 

 as in a preserve. Animal murder, which appears to be the chief ob- 

 ject, will be achieved as well in one case as in the other. Besides, 

 the brutal propensities of our oligarchy can always be gratified, while 

 congenial calves are to be slaughtered at Clare Market. 



PARLIAMENTARY ETIQUTTE. We extract the following from a 

 weekly paper : 



"A quarrel of rather a personal nature took place between Capt. Berkeley 

 and Mr. Hume, which was thought worthy of the interference of the house. 

 The member for Middlesex had indulged in some coarse and dishonouring 

 remarks on the character of the naval and military members of the house ; 

 and Captain Berkeley said that Mr. Hume must have made them from a con- 

 viction that he would himself act dishonourably in similar circumstances. 

 Mr. Hume flung the accusation back with contempt. He afterwards explained 

 that he meant nothing, and so the matter dropped." 



These military and naval members are decided bores in the House 

 of Commons what with their notions of honour and punctilio, and 

 such like antiquities, they become a complete check to any thing like 

 free discussion. No honourable member can venture to call another 

 a blackguard, or even a scoundrel, without some Pistol looking fiercely 

 and insisting on an explanation, which usually ends as Mr. Hume's 

 did, and equally satisfactory to both parties. An honourable member 

 launches an accusation against another, which is flung back with con- 

 tempt, and thus continues the pleasant parliamentary pastime of push- 

 pin, to the great delight of such juveniles as Master Berkeley, particu- 

 larly as nothing is meant, and the matter is always dropped. A man 

 may bully cheaply in the House of Commons ; it is astonishing the 

 reputation he may gain at a small risk. This is the reason why so 

 many naval and military heroes are so anxious to tack M. P. to their 

 names. There is no field like St. Stephen's, where a man may gain 

 laurels without risk of life or limb. Honourable gentlemen, whose 

 swords are guiltless of any other stain than rust, and whose services 

 have been limitted to the experimental squadron or the regimental 

 parade, are thus enabled to exhibit their martial ardour on such sub- 

 jects as Mr. Hume or Mr. Cobbett, who will sometimes indulge in 

 sly sarcasms on the legislative abilities of this class of senators of 

 course the whole 46 members of the United Services start up at such 

 provocation, and insist on satisfaction. The culprit trembles. It is 

 but just, however, to say, that the gentlemen of the services are easily 

 pacified they do not appear inclined to press matters ; the culprit 

 has only to hint that he meant nothing, and tranquillity is restored 

 the heroes ground their arms ! 



