There was a curious scene in the House of Commons
on Thurs- day, the Ascot Cup day. A five-lined whip had been issued for half-past 4, but nobody supposed that any division would be taken till half-past 5. After question-time, Mr. Storey, who on Tuesday had been in the middle of a speech on the first clause of the Bill, was going to resume his speech, when some signal was given him that a snap division might turn out unfavourably for the Government. No one else rose to con- tinue the discussion, the Conservatives being off their guard, and the Chairman suddenly put the question. A good many Liberals, and a good many Liberal Unionists, and a good many Conservatives were all absent, but more of the last two classes than of the first, and the clause was carried by only 4 votes (228 against 224), the clause being only saved by the timely appearance of Lord Hartington and three friends, who arrived at the moment from Ascot. Thereupon Mr. T. P. O'Connor moved to report progress, as a protest against going on with a Bill of which the important clause had been carried by so small a majority. But Mr. W. H. Smith insisted that the smallness of the minority was a mere accident, due to a surprise ; and Mr. Gladstone himself, having reflected, perhaps, on the unsatisfactory impression produced by the conduct of the Opposition on Monday and Tuesday nights, discouraged Mr. O'Connor's motion, which was withdrawn. In subsequent divisions the Government majority rose again to 43 on the merits of the Bill, and to 53 on the Closure.
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