SCENES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. 



lutely ashamed of it, would be afraid, were it to occur on his premises* 

 of its causing him the loss of his license. 



And yet the Commons, in the face of such scenes, call themselves a 

 deliberative body. Was ever term more glaringly misapplied ? Deli- 

 beration indeed! Truly if it be, it is an Irish kind of deliberation. 



We admit that there is a great deal of cleverness much of quick 

 and happy retort, in some of the scenes of this kind which so often 

 take place on the floor of St. Stephens. A better piece of broad farce 

 is not often to be met with than that afforded by the exhibition to 

 which we have just called the attention of our readers. But then it is 

 to be recollected that we do not select our representatives for the 

 purpose of displaying their capabilities at broad farce, or at any other 

 sort of farce : we send them to Parliament for the purpose of legis- 

 lating for the benefit of the nation, and not to figure as actors of farces. 

 When we want to see a farce performed we go to Drury Lane or 

 Covent Garden, or some other place specially appropriated for such 

 exhibitions ; but we have no wish to witness the antics or the humours 

 of " Irish Tritons," on the floor of the House of Commons. 



A few nights after the occurrence of the scene to which we have 

 referred, another of a rather hostile nature took place between Colonel 

 Sibthorp and Sir John Cam Hobhouse. We cannot afford space for it; 

 but there is something which so strikingly exhibits the deliberative 

 character of the representatives in the one which occurred between Mr. 

 Kearsley and some others, on Monday the 20th, that we cannot re- 

 frain from giving a part of it : 



Mr. Roebuck having denounced the Times, the Age, and John Bull, 

 and strongly advocated the repeal of the taxes on newspapers, 



Mr. KEARSLEY said, The speach of the Member for Bath was the most disgusting 

 one he ever heard. 



The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bernal) was quite sure the Honourable Member could not 

 be aware of the word which had just fallen from him [a voice from the Ministerial 

 side of the House, " Make an apology"]. 



Mr. KEARSLEY : Sir, I am quite aware that 1 might have used language stronger 

 than the circumstances required. I admit that the language was strong ; but I must 

 say, that a more disgusting speech I never heard (loud cries of '' Order, order !"). 



The CHAIRMAN: I am really very sorry to call the Honourable Member's attention 

 again to the words which he made use of, but 1 must beg to repeat it, and in doin- so 

 1 am in the hands of the committee, to be corrected if 1 am wrong, that the 

 language which fell from the Honourable Member was such as was never permitted 

 to be used in this House (loud cheering). 



Mr. KEARSLEY: I am very sorry that the Honourable Member for Bath having 

 charged me with what is not true, 1 cannot characterize his speech by other terms 

 (loud cries of " Order ! Chair, chair !"). 



Mr. ROEBUCK then rose, and, as well as we could hear, said: I trust the House will 

 permit the debate to proceed, and make allowance for what must be looked upon as 



