MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Ye Commons Ressolved into a Commyttee of Ye Whole Hovse.
[Friday, April 27, 1849.]
TO the Houſe of Commons, where an Iriſh Debate on the Rate-in-Aid Bill, which did make me drowſy. The Houſe in Committee; the Iriſh Members moving all Sorts of frivolous Amendments, abuſing the Government, and quarrelling among themſelves. Sir H. Barron did accuſe Mr. Reynolds of being ready to Vote away other People's Money becauſe he had none of his own, and Mr. Reynolds did ſay that he never ſaw fuch Miſery as on Sir H. Barron's Eſtate; whereupon Sir H. Barron up in a Rage, and did deny the Fact
with vehement Geſtures, flouriſhing his Fiſts gallantly. Then Mr. Reynolds did fall foul of Mr. Bateson, one that had been a Captain, for queſtioning the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning young Reynolds's Place; and did make a Joke upon Mr. Bateson's Muſtachios: whereat much Laughter. But a ſmall Joke do go a great Way in the Houſe of Commons. Before the Debate, Lord John Russell marching up one of the ſide Galleries, and taking the Meaſure of the Houſe through his Eye-Glaſs: a ſharp delicate little Man, with a mild Voice, but do carry himſelf vtately. Methought his Obſervations amuſed him, for he ſmirked a little, and looked as if he knew the Cuſtomers he had to deal with. But to ſee him and the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer trying to perſuade the
