10 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK 



OH. 



thinking less, I fear, of the argument than whether 

 the pendant would come down on his head. 

 After a while the speaker noticed that he was 

 listened to with unusual quiet, and, glancing 

 round, saw that every one was looking up at the 

 ceiling. He naturally paused and looked up too, 

 and when he saw the pendant rocking over his 

 head he gave a tremendous jump, tumbled over 

 his pile of blue-books, while the Speaker adroitly 

 seizing his opportunity called on the next man. 



" But I think the most amusing scene I ever 

 witnessed in the House was one evening in 1879 

 when a young Irish member got up very late, 

 about half- past two in the morning, to speak 

 on a bill about Metropolitan racecourses. I was 

 about six seats from him, and to my surprise did 

 not hear a word. Nor in fact did any one else, 

 and they soon began telling him to speak up. He 

 only smiled, however, and went on with a good 

 deal of action, but without saying anything 

 audibly. Gradually every one, even the Speaker, 

 was in fits of laughter. But he persevered 

 gallantly. Moreover, his action was good, and his 

 face expressive. Sometimes he evidently was 

 attacking the Conservatives, who cheered deris- 

 ively, while we supported him ; sometimes he 

 appealed, all in dumb show, to the better feelings 

 of the opposite side and we all cheered, and event- 

 ually, after being on his legs about ten minutes, 

 he sat down amidst general applause, having been 

 listened to most attentively, though no one heard 

 a word. Members were a good deal puzzled at 

 such a speech, but my belief is that he was very 

 nervous, and spoke to himself. Mr. Darwin tells 



