222 NOTES OF THE MONTH. 



sprigs of semi- ton, small wits of the minor clubs a brace of ambi- 

 guous bipeds of the family of Simla. These soldier legislators may be 

 very appropriate persons to devour a given number of messes at the 

 Guards echo the small talk of bright-coated brethren and be 

 very great men in their own eyes east of Pall-mall ; we make 

 no complaint on that score. All we say is, that these gallant captains 

 know no more of legislation than they do of the march of an army ; 

 and that will be quite sufficient, in their case, to ensure the public 

 against the pensioning of another Marlborough. They belong to 

 those suspiciously juvenile sages who dress smartly, punch their 

 companions in the ribs, and tumultuously exclaim " We young fel- 

 lows !" and are more ticklish on the score of their incipient senility 

 than on that of political reputation. Let Lord Melbourne put the 

 extinguisher on so foetid a snuff as Stafford ; and, as we said before, 

 he may draw six months in advance upon the confidence of the 

 country. As for Warwick, he must also take up its case afresh, for 

 the Lords are merely making a play-toy of it, and putting the country 

 to additional expense for witnesses to prove what is self-evident, and 

 for printing intelligence already known. 



PARLIAMENTARY AMUSEMENTS. M.P.s indulged themselves with 

 a game of hunt the slipper on Saturday, July 20. The sapient Mr. 

 Poulter was principal performer in the amusement, and introduced 

 with much gravity his measure, which his holy impudence has called 

 " Lord's Day, No. 2, Bill." The third reading was met by an 

 amendment for its being brought in again in six months, but this was 

 lost by a majority of 33. There was a triumph for the saints, who 

 expect to drive every one headlong to heaven by making this world 

 a hell. However, the exaltation of the godly was somewhat abated 

 by a clause, by way of rider, being carried to the effect, that all games 

 in open air, not played during hours of Divine Service, should be 

 legal. But the third reading being gained compensated for so trifling 

 a drawback as legalizing games in open air. Nothing more was 

 wanted ; the work of piety might be commenced forthwith, and soul- 

 saving as regularly registered, as the tonnage of ships at Lloyd's. A 

 mere form remained to be gone through, which, when the bill had 

 been read a third time, was a very superfluous exhibition of ceremony. 

 It was moved " that this bill do now pass." The devout were pre- 

 pared to receive the announcement of success to their darling scheme 

 with, we can't say, how many rounds of applause. But, woe's the 

 day ! " that this bill do now pass" was negatived by a majority of 

 four ! Thus has the country once more escaped the fangs of canting 

 Pharasees, fanatic imbeciles, and raving enthusiasts. We have also 

 to congratulate] our readers that the proposal (the Upton Tithe 

 Bill) to increase the already princely revenue of a church dignitary 

 has been indignantly thrown out. 



