4 DECEMBER 1909, Page 17

As we have just pointed out, there are few signs

of either excitement or indignation in the country. After all, and if one reflects on the matter calmly, it would be somewhat strange if there were. The Peers, like the Commons, are the servants of the people, and fully admit it. What they are, in effect, doing is to touch their hats to their master with the very proper question of a servant in doubt : " Are these really your orders, Sir P I would like to make quite sure before they are carried out." Conceivably, though that is not our expects- - tion, the master will reply: " They are." It is apparently the oohfident -expectation of the Government that the master will

then proceed to hit the Lords over the head, and add: "You are an impertinent rascal for daring to ask me such a question, and I mean to teach you never to take such a liberty again." We are bound to say that this seems to us not only very unlike the normal action of masters, but particularly unlike the action to be expected from Englishmen of any class or kind. .