SCENES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. O 



Mr. O'CoNNELL : I do not do so, feeling the compliment that has been paid to me by 

 the Honourable Member for Knaresborough. 



Dr. BALDWIN : But the other Irish Members do feel it. 1 call upon the Honourable 

 Member to explain the expression ruffianise. 



Colonel PEEL: The Honourable Member, I am "sure, will withdraw the expression ; 

 but I appeal to the Honourable Gentleman opposite whether the tone in which he has 

 conducted this debate is not calculated to call forth angry expressions (hear, hear, from 

 the Opposition Members). 



Mr. RICHARDS : As it appears to me I must have been under a mistake, in the appli- 

 cation of the word kennel, lam at once ready to withdraw the expressions objected to. 



Mr. O'CONNELL: 1 was arguing upon three points introduced into his speech by the 

 Honourable Member for Berkshire ; one on the Poor-laws, the other the Church, upon 

 which he has voted against his colleagues ; the third is the real question before the 

 House, and I was proceeding to comment upon it, when I was called to order by the 

 Honourable Member for Wigan, who was very disorderly in doing so, and who sat 

 down extremely quietly, as he usually does when he is in the wrong (laughter). I was 

 then next called to order by the Honourable Member for Knaresborough, who ;:ot into 

 that species of language which is so familiar that, until it was proved to him 'ie <l!d 

 not know it was improper (hear, hear I laughter and cries of "Order 1") 



Mr. SCARLETT rose to order. He really considered this manner of arguing a question, 

 and this species of conduct, was the best excuse that could be offered for the repeal of 

 the Union (hear, and cheers from the Opposition Members). He appealed to Ho- 

 nourable Gentlemen sitting on the other side whether it was possible that language of 

 this description could be permitted to be used ; when an Honourable Gentleman in 

 speaking used language which was repudiated by the House, he was immediately told 

 it was language so familiar to him that he did not know it was improper (hear ! and 

 cheers from the Opposition Members). He called upon the Speaker. He begged for 

 his interposition, and to use his authority at a time when he perceived that Honourable 

 Members were becoming disorderly. 



Mr. O'CONNELL: Behold! a third advocate. Another cause for congratulation to 

 the Honourable Member for Berkshire ! I do not believe a fourth could really be 

 found in this House (laughter). The Honourable Member for Knaresborough makes 

 use of offensive expressions, I say that I do not require any apology for them, where- 

 upon the Honourable Member for Northwich 



Mr. GOULBURN: It is not for the purpose of making a commentary that T now rise 

 to order, but I submit to you, Sir, whether if j this species of discussion is continued it 

 is calculated to ensure respect to this House (cries of " Order, order"). 



Mr. O'CONNELL: I have done with the subject. I thought, indeed, that a fourth 

 could not be found. I forgot the Right Honourable Gentleman. I forgot that in 

 this House a fourth could be found (laughter, and cries of " Order"). If any gentleman 

 calls me to order I shall immediately sit down to find a fifth is impossible (hear! 

 laughter, and cries of "Order"). And now, Sir, I hope I may be allowed to go on. 

 Mr. Sergeant JACKSON here rose to order. 



Mr. O'CONNELL (pointing to Mr. Sergeant Jackson) : Oh, oh ! (loud laughter, and 

 cheers.) 



Mr. Sergeant JACKSON, having waited for the cheers and laughter to subside, said 

 that he' took the liberty of submitting to the Speaker whether such conduct as this 

 should be persevered in (cries of " Order"). If it was he should certainly move that 

 the House should adjourn the debate. 



Lord JOHN RUSSELL : I must agree in what has fallen from the Right Honourable 

 Gentleman, that any personal expression is, in itself, irregular, and ought not to be 

 persevered in (hear, hear !). No interruption of the kind ought to be permitted, but 

 the debate should be allowed to proceed. Now I cannot help remarking that the last 

 time the Honourable Member for Kilkenny met with an interruption it appeared to me 

 that he was about to proceed with what is the proper subject for discussion (hear, 

 hear!") 



Matters were at length smoothed down, and the debate was permitted 

 to be resumed. .But what shall be said of such a scene in a House 

 which arrogates to itself the credit of being the first assembly of gentle- 

 men in the world ? Why the proprietor of a pot-house, if not abso- 



