Various

“ Ballykilbeg is the manorial seat of one of the most ancient and honourable Irish families, long settled in County Down. The O'Hnstons were in the train of Borrhoimi when he first essayed, and succeeded in, the difficult task of forming a United Ireland. Jake O'Hnston is a name that lingers lovingly in tradition of Youngest Ireland. Gradually, being always on the people's lips, it began to take a new form. J. O'Hnston naturally became Johnston; but Ballykilbeg was always there. To-day House of Commons contains no more esteemed Member than he who is known as Johnston of Ballykilbeg. ”

“ Just now Henry Fowler moved provision in Parish Councils Bill, making it possible for Lovely Woman, whether married or single, to stoop to folly of being elected on Parish Council Board. Up jumps Horace Plunkett with some charming reminiscences brightly told of residence in the State of Wyoming. In that happy land women enjoy equal political and municipal privileges with their brother men. ”

“ Not a cricket-ball or a foot-ball had been made for months, and the lawn-tennis industry was paralyzed. The papers of the day urged the Government to intervene. "After all, it was only a matter of figures. Surely a compromise might be reached. If players would only meet payers, all would be well." ”

“ Arises out of circumstance that Johnston has approached Mr. G. with suggestion that Treasury shall purchase an estate in Ireland, and there plant out the Duke of York. If the Duke, making a survey of Ireland, should find no more attractive place than Ballykilbeg, the descendant of the O'Hnstons is not the man to allow personal predilections or old associations to stand in the way of gratification of Royal desire. ”

“ If Henry Fowler had put his back up, declared that Woman delighted him not, nor Walter M'Laren either, Opposition would again have joined forces with Radicals, and Government would once more have suffered defeat. Since they resolved to obey Instruction carried by majority last Thursday, Prince Arthur shakes his head; Edward Stanhope shows this is quite another pair of sleeves; whilst Joseph, back bronzed from breezy Bahamas, bluntly says he will oppose new Clause Henry Fowler has promised to bring in.
"It is the duty of an Opposition to oppose," says Prince Arthur ”

“ Then, Pa, let me inform you that you have been encouraging the acquaintance of a person who gains his living by singing ribald songs at music-halls under the name of Walter Wildfire!
Alth. (to herself) . Walter Wildfire! Then it was——Oh, if I had known!
Mr. Toov. A—a music-hall singer! He! Oh, dear, dear me; how one may be deceived in people! ”

“ Was foot-ball to perish because its professors could not get a "living wage"? No, a thousand times no!
Then the Minister suggested that he had better hear the complaints of the men, the women, and the children. So the cricketers, the golfers, the polo-players, and the lovers of lawn-tennis spoke at length.
"And what may you want young lady?" ”

“ Later, when this difficulty temporarily out of way and it seemed progress with Clause might be made. Proportional Representation was dragged in neck and crop. Courtney took charge of the puzzle business, and tried to explain it. No prizes offered, and attention a little slack. Squire of Malwood defined the theory in admirable phrase. "It is," he said, "an ingenious system by which a man is to vote for a person he does not prefer in order to secure a majority for some purpose he does not understand." ”

“ Toovey enters with Charles, and stands transfixed.
Mrs. Toovey. Althea, don't tell me I'm too late! You have not accepted that man?
Curph. (releasing Althea's hand) . On the contrary, I have just had my dismissal, Mrs. Toovey; we were merely saying good-bye.
Mrs. Toov. Thank Heaven! But I knew I could trust my daughter to detect instinctively the designing serpent in wolf's clothing— (correcting herself angrily) —the sheep in dove's plumage, I should say. ”

“ And there were other complaints. Everyone wanted a wage, and the cries for salaries waxed louder and louder.
Then the Minister asked for a few minutes' grace, and began writing. After he had finished his despatch, he put it in an envelope, and requested someone to read it when he had taken his departure. Then he went away.
"Dear me!" said the person to whom the despatch had been entrusted. "This is highly unsatisfactory. I find the arbitrator has resigned without making an award, and has left the matter in the hands of Lord Rosebery." ”

“ It must be a young one, as there is not much room for any side-shows. If you can jump, and don't mind water, so much the better. If you would leap from the organ-loft into a tank on to the stage, carrying on your back the boxing-kangaroo, the feat might be accepted, and prove a feature. ”

“ Minute and a half in English History in twenty minutes. Also comic scene with the Clown. The engagement must have clause allowing transference. Can find places for your wives (if they are really nice ones) in the Transformation Scene. If you can imitate the cries &c., of wild beasts, &c., think I can get you a turn at the Palace. Writing a first-rate part for you in Autumn drama. A sort of gentlemanly demon, who appears in the West End during the first and third Acts, and in the last scene, appears in national costume with a real army and the whole bag of tricks. ”

“ There is surely room between the seas that circle Ireland for the Duke of York and Johnston still at Ballykilbeg.
Business done.—Clause I. added to Parish Councils Bill.
[pg 263]
LIKA JOKO'S JOTTINGS.—No. 5. HUNTING.
[pg 264]
Tuesday.—Parish Councils on again. That was order of day, but human ingenuity dragged in other matters. First Woman's Suffrage, on which there was livelier debate than has yet arisen in Committee on this Bill. Last Thursday Walter M'Laren raised question in form of an Instruction. Government resisting were beaten, the Opposition coalescing with revolting Radicals. ”

“ Another of Plunkett's lady friends in far-off Wyoming had her domestic duties broken in upon by summons to attend a jury. Case proved protracted; husband had to stay at home and mind the baby, whilst she was locked up all-night with eleven good men and true.
After hearing this, Committee unanimously, without division being challenged, agreed to Fowler's Amendment.
Business done.—On Clause III. Parish Council Bill.
SHAKSPEARE IN LONDON.
Buy no more, Ladies ”