If any one were so sanguine, a glance at
the faces of our Conscript Fathers along the benches would soon bleed
him. (I have no doubt that the custom of wearing hats in the House
originated in the members' unwillingness to let strangers spy down on
the shapes of their heads.) But it is not unreasonable to expect that
the more active of these gentlemen will, through constant practice,
not only in the senate, but also at elections and public dinners and
so forth, have acquired a rough-and-ready professionalism in the art
of speaking. It is not unreasonable to expect that they will be fairly
fluent--fairly capable of arranging in logical sequence such ideas as
they may have formed, and of reeling out words more or less expressive
of these ideas. Well! certain of the Irishmen, certain of the
Welshmen, proceed easily enough. But oh! those Saxon others! Look at
them, hark at them, poor dears! See them clutching at their coats, and
shuffling from foot to foot in travail, while their ideas--ridiculous
mice, for the most part--get jerked painfully out somehow and anyhow.
`It seems to me that the Right--the honourable member for--er--er (the
speaker dives to be prompted)--yes, of course--South Clapham--er--
(temporising) the Southern division of Clapham--(long pause; his lips
form the words `Where was I?')--oh yes, the honourable gentleman the
member for South Clapham seems to me to me--to be--in the position of
one who, whilst the facts on which his propo--supposition are based--
er-- may or may not be in themselves acc--correct (gasps)--yet
inasmuch--because--nevertheless.
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