The Supplementary Estimates were passed on Monday, owing to Mr.
Gladstone's intervention ; but Thursday night was spent in conversations on Egypt, and the purchase of the Brennan torpedo," said to be the most formidable weapon yet invented, for £110,000. In the course of the Egyptian debate, Mr. Blain, Member for Armagh, declared that Mr. Goschen had an "indirect personal interest in the vote for the Nile Railway," and when required to explain, said he meant that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was connected with the firm which floated loans, for which money was now wanted. Mr. Gosthen not only denied the charge, but stated that his -former firm, with which he is now no longer connected, had no financial interest in Egypt, direct or indirect. The House expressed strongly its sense of the outrage be had suffered in such a charge being made merely to annoy ; but it is unprepared to expel, and there is no other punishment. If the 'Chairman of Committees interfered, an apology would instantly be made, and ten minutes afterwards the offence would be com- mitted again. Practically, there is hardly more law in the House of Commons than in Kerry.
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