During the cross-examination of Mr. Houston by Sir Charles Russell
yesterday week, as to his relations with the Loyal and Patriotic Union, and the pamphlet, " Pamellism Unmasked," which he purchased from Pigott for circulation by that Association, the question arose whether the Commis- sion had or had not power to order the production of the
books of the Loyal and Patriotic Union, to show how the charges subsequently taken up by the Times had originated. The Commissioners decided that they had no such power, that they were appointed to investigate the truth or falsehood of the Times' charges, but not the history of their origin,— whereupon a great stir arose in Court, Sir Charles Russell telling the President that, as a consequence of that ruling, he and Mr. AsqUith had received a communication from Mr. Parnell, which amounted almost to an instruction, rendering it necessary to ask for time to consider their position, especially as they wished to act with all due deference to the Commission. Thereupon Mr. Parnell and Mr. Davitt left the Court, and were followed by Sir Charles Russell. Soon afterwards, Mr. Reid and Mr. Lockwood intimated their wish for an oppor- tunity of conferring with Sir Charles Russell before they went on with the case ; and in the end, the Court adjourned till last Tuesday at ten minutes to 1, instead of at the usual 4 o'clock.
