PERSONALITIES OF THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS.

XXVI.

LORD ELCHO.

In our last sketch of this series which appeared in the December number of THE NEW MONTHLY, we made, so to speak, our bow to the public, and intimated that the series had closed. Since that time, however, we have been given to understand from an authoritative quarter that a continuance of the sketches would be far from unwelcome to several readers of this Magazine; and, therefore, in place of summarily dismissing the "Personalities" of our interesting legislature, in company with the departing Old Year, we gladly take the opportunity of opening the door to a fresh batch of familiar faces with the advent of the New.

Lord Elcho is probably more familiar to the general public from his conspicuous connection with the Volunteer Movement than from his parliamentary personality. When that organisation was first set on foot, in consequence of a general impression some years ago that we were on the brink of a French invasion, Lord Elcho threw himself heart and soul into the movement, and remains to this day one of its most ardent and devoted supporters. Since the rapid expansion of the movement and the universal love of rifle-practice developed amongst the volunteers, which ultimately led to the celebration of a kind of great annual shooting carnival on Wimbledon Common, Lord Elcho's cottage at that bulletwhizzing rendezvous has become a standard institution, and the genial hospitality of its owner a household word. Moreover, his lordship was the popular Colonel of the "London Scottish,"-a post, indeed, which, with much regret, he only resigned about a month ago. But Lord Elcho is more than a colonel of volunteers and a patroniser of rifle meetings. He has sat for a number of years in the House of Commons, and, what is more, he is a distinct, and, in certain respects, a distinguished personality of that assembly. In politics he describes himself as a Liberal-Conservative; but, judging from his speeches, votes, and the general tenour of his public conduct, the proportion would seem to be about three-parts of the latter element to one of the former. He sits, along with Mr. Roebuck, Sir Robert Peel, and others, as an ndependent member, and consequently the Liberal Whip is rown into some degree of perplexity with regard to the direction

which his lordship's vote may take on this question or that There is one remark, at any rate, which should be made respecting that vote, it never has been, and assuredly never will be, prostituted to the infamous purposes of faction. The political circum. stances of the last two years have been crucial to many a politician. Patriotism has been put on its trial; it has been sifted like wheat. The question has been sternly brought home to the breast of this man and of that by the inexorable voice of circumstances, "Is it party or country which is the more dear to you? In the face of national peril will you show yourself to be nothing better than the degraded and unwholesome spawn of a grovelling faction?" Staunch partisans as well as independent irregulars have been put in the furnace seven times heated; and how many among the number have come forth as gold? To the credit of the national name, more, we are rejoiced to believe, than perhaps were expected. And amongst the noble army of patriots must assuredly be reckoned the member for Haddingtonshire. Throughout the late crises his voice and his vote have been unfailingly at the service of the Government. He never allied himself to that brood of political serpents who are for ever crawling on their bellies. Along with many another distinguished legislator, he preferred, irrespective of party, to stand on his legs like a man; and doubtless the sentiment of his heart was that of our immortal patriot-poet :

"This England never did, nor never shall

Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror,

But when it first did help to wound itself."

And now that Bulgarian Agitation has changed its name to Afghan Committee, it may be taken for granted that his lordship will use an early opportunity of aiding, from his place in Parliament, to denounce that presumptuous though imbecile movement. The causes of Lord Elcho's popularity, and of his being a recognised power in the House of Commons, are pretty evident. He has proved that his independence is not merely nominal but real, and that it is for the most part guided by a calm and reflective judgment. His speeches always indicate a considerable amount of carefully-gathered information, and that his matter has been thoroughly digested before being offered to his audience. Then, too, he is one of the really good speakers in the House; that is to say, he expresses with grace and fluency opinions which are always pregnant; he rises occasionally into a kind of elegant oratory; and, above all things, he knows when to stop. In addition to these qualities he is in happy possession of a handsome face and a winning address. Moreover, there is possibly associated with him, both as regards his doings in the House and out of it, a certain atmosphere of chivalry which would insure personality and popu

larity to a man of much meaner parts. The noble lord is without doubt a favourite with the House; his comely presence, as he rises from below the gangway, not to badger a Ministry with petty criticisms, but to speak forth manly words of truth and soberness, would perhaps be missed as much as any figure in it.

XXVII.

SIR WILLIAM EDMONETONE.

"THE Admiral," as he is usually termed, is decidedly the oddity, par excellence, of the House. His queer dogmatic individuality makes him, in his own province, quite unique. In certain things he is a model Member of Parliament. He is like the good school-boy, never a moment behind time, but always in his place when the great academy of St. Stephen's begins lessons. We believe it is notorious that he has never once been known even to be absent from prayers; a piece of exemplary conduct in which we fear he has very few rivals amongst the other young gentlemen. As respects this particular phase of good behaviour "the Admiral" gets a certain reward in the shape of retaining his seat for the remainder of the evening. The seat which he first selected was one immediately behind the Leader of the House, on the first bench behind the Treasury Bench; and as he has never heen late for prayers, that comfortable corner may be looked upon as exclusively his own. There, night after night, was "the Admiral" to be seen in Mr. Disraeli's time, animating his chief with his hearty cheers, and, perhaps, even bending forward occasionally to whisper an encouraging suggestion in his ear. It is scarcely necessary to remark that he now occupies the same position relatively to Sir Stafford Northcote. But the Admiral" is the good boy in more important respects than punctuality. He is a rigid and religious observer of discipline; he is never to be found in the wrong lobby; and as for playing truant from a division, or even from a sitting of the House, there must certainly be something very "rotten in the state of Denmark" when such an event as that comes to pass. "The Admiral," in truth, must be the very pet and darling of the Whips. They must feel such perfect reliance in him. The notion of ever having to "whip 'whip" him would be to them monstrous were it not amusing. He, whose vote is as safe, or safer, than the Bank of England, and whom only the direst circumstances of sickness or bereavement could prevent from being present to give it! He, who is always there at prayers, and on whose patience and constitution the driest of conversations or the lengthiest of sittings has no more effect than a capful of wind on an old salt, but who keeps his place till the very last breath of the words, "that the House do now

adjourn," has issued from Mr. Speaker's lips! He, who never wants to "pair," and who sticks to the House till the end of the Session ! "If all members were only like our dear Admiral !” is probably what they sometimes say to themselves with a sigh. In that case, no doubt Sir William Dyke and Mr. Winn would have a merry time of it. Nevertheless, in spite of all this admirable behaviour, "the Admiral," as we have said, has his oddities. Suppose we take a peep at him as he sits in his accoustomed place behind Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer. The debate going on is one of some import. A Minister is on his legs vindicating the Government. At regular intervals a crisp "Hear, hear," very like the sharp crack of a Martini-Henry rifle, comes rattling from somewhere close behind him. This is "the Admiral "firing his minute-guns, not of distress, but of approbation and encouragement. As we bend our interested gaze upon him we perceive that he holds in his hand a programme of the evening's proceedings, with which he is vigorously fanning his excited countenance. Presently the Minister sits down, and an Opposition gentleman obtains the ear of the House. A curious change is instantly preceptible in the movements of "the Admiral." He has been sitting full-face to the opposite benches; but now, like lightning, he has whirled himself half round in his place, and presents only his indignant profile to the abhorred party, while the "Hear, hears" inspired by a fearful tone of killing contempt, come more sharply, and the fanning of the now exasperated brow goes on more vigorously than ever. This is "the Admiral's mode of expressing his profound scorn for any speaker from the opposite side of the House. The attitude may scarcely suggest what was once said of Coriolanus: "It seemed that whatsoever God that moved him were slyly crept into his human powers, and gave him graceful posture ;" but it is at least significant of the character that Dr. Johnson loved, "a good hater." So exalted is the Admiral's sense of what is due to martinet obedience and strict discipline, that even when a gentleman on his own side ventures to differ from the Government he will not refrain from a har "Hear, hear" to mark his reproach or displeasure. This once got him into a little hot water with Sir Walter Barttelot, who, being interrupted by the usual minute-gun, was actually cruel enough to offer to make a present of " the Admiral" to the opposite benches, This was, indeed, "the unkindest cut of all!" Fancy "the Admiral" fanning himself among those unholy ranks Fancy the stars all falling at once! Fancy chaos come again!

"The Admiral" seldom himself addresses the House; and in this he has shown a wise measurement of his own capacities.

He hardly suggests the idea of one who would charm with eloquence, or amuse with humour, or instruct and assist with the products of a cultivated intellect. The worthy Admiral is probably not much acquainted with "sweetness and light;" there is no poetry in his nature; he is a chip of a ruggedly dogmatic and prosaic old block. Yet "the Admiral" has been on his legs; and perhaps the most memorable occasion of his being so was when he spun a yarn to the House of a most thrilling description. He was once in command of a brig, ploughing the stormy main somewhere off the Gold Coast. He slept the sleep of innocence in his cabin ; a whisper of mutiny is brought to him; he rushes on deck, armed with revolvers, presents them at the ringleaders, and at once restores order! The moral of this tale of maritime heroism was how necessary it is that we should persist in flogging our sailors. No doubt "the Admiral" was a superb disciplinarian when pacing the quarter-decks of brigs and frigates.

In external appearance "the Admiral" is a slightlymade, wiry man, of middle height, with a somewhat narrow face, distinguished by a considerable quantity of nose. A liberal allowance of this member is, the physiognomists tell us, usually significant of either character or genius. In "the Admiral's" case the balance possibly inclines to the first-named quality. A story once floated about fruitful of illustration on this point. "The Admiral" and Mr. Gladstone happened to attend the same church on the Sunday immediately preceding the day on which the ex-Premier was going to bring forward those Resolutions about which so much fuss was at one time made. Mr. Gladstone was about to partake of the Communion, as a preparation probably for the pious work on which he was shortly to enter. "The Admiral" also intended to communicate; but when he saw in whose company he was, he found it impossible to break bread with one whom he considered so dastard a traitor to his country, and accordingly turned on his heel and left the sanctuary. Could Tory loyalty go further? "The Admiral" has about him a certain old-fashioned formality and pomposity of bearing, which is especially noticeable when he temporarily lays aside his fan and leaves the House for refreshment. Still, notwithstanding his adamantine decorum, we can fancy that "out of school," and in hours of convival relaxation, "the Admiral" might prove himself to be a bit of a humorist in his way, and altogether what our Yankee cousins are fond of designating a festive cuss.' Whether his odd personality is relished by all parties in the House may be questionable; but, beyond all controversy, it affords a certain entertainment to some.