20 DECEMBER 1968, Page 5

A hundred years ago

From the 'Spectrum', 19 December 1868 -Mr. Gladstone is going to utilize the young Peers. Lords Camperdown and Morley, Lords-in-Wait- ing, are to represent departments not represented in the Upper House, and, as the Daily News cleverly puts it. to realize the poet's thought, "They also serve who only stand and wait." Lord Lansdowne. too, being too rich to take small pay, is to be an unpaid Lord of Treasury. It is very nice, all this, and not unwise, but what provision is to be made for apprenticing young Com- moners? The Peers have already twenty years' "pull" upon the Commons, and this arrangement will give them twenty-five.