ELIGIBLE ADVERTISING MEDIUM.
WHEN Lord Hotham carried a resolution renewing the prohibi- tion on payment of Members for personal services, he might have Mcluded the prohibition upon a gratuitous use which is made of the House. It is in danger of being converted into a monstrous advertising van. A grand example of this new utility was given in the paper debate, on Monday, when Mr. Herbert Ingrain brought to notice a journal with which he is understood to be con- nected— He knew something of the cheap literature of the day. The journal he held in his hand circulated to the extent of nearly 500,000 a week, which was a greater circulation than the people who distributed tracts could obtain even when they gave them away. What amount per cent did they think this cheap periodical paid to the paper duty ? Why-, not less than thirty per cent. (A Member—What is it ?) The London Aetna. But a novel in three volumes, published at 308., or a history of England, only:paid 1 per cent ; and was it just to lay so heavy and unequal a tax upon that cheap publication which circulated through-out the whole kingdom and was doing a great deal of good ? In another debate, Mr. Roebuck advertised his own virtue, and put in "a card" signifying that he was not open to engagement by the job or otherwise. This is a form of puffing not likely to prevail extensively, and it is mischievous only so far as it makes the House the vehicle for personal announcements. It is an abuse too which there might be some difficulty in checking. Great in- terests might either appoint their own Member to be their touter, or a gentleman might obtain a seat in Parliament for the purpose of being touter general, with the prospect of pretty pickings. u a seat in the House would facilitate the acquisition of a seat at various "boards," with the due perquisites of Chairman, why should not great companies seat their own agents at the most general of all boards—the Commons ; and we do not see that such Members hide the joint-stock candle under a Speaker's bushel. Drury Lane might have its Member ; and "the per- formances might appear in the Notices of Motion with the Votes and Proceedings. There is no reason why Moses and Son should not adopt speeches as a variation on their poems, and so command the circulation of the Times. Nay, why should Parr's Life Pills be debarred the benefit of a call of the House ?
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