MIXED METAPHORS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. [To THE EDITOR
OF THE "SPECTATOR."
SIE,—If the entertaining and exhaustive collection of Parlia- mentary word comicalities in the Spectator of May 21st has not exhausted the subject, a few more kindred specimens which I noted down some thirty years ago at the table of the House may perhaps be accepted :— Metaphorical blunders.—" A loan to India is a mere fleabite in the ocean of expense." Thirlmere "I trust that I have saved one of our most beautiful lakes as a brand from the burning." "In every line of this Bill they have hatched &chicken which will come home to roost." "Shunt a question by a side wind." "I cannot endorse the phantom that the hon. Member has evoked." "This Bill effects such a change that the last leap in the dark was a mere fleabite."
Oratorical oddities.—" The House will observe how these acci- dents depended on the most capricious circumstances, on winds and waves and Providence." Marriage with a deceased wife's sister : "The man who marries does it with his eyes open, and the child as soon as it is born is aware of its legal position." "I see several faces around me who I know would oppose the Bill, and who are not here on the present occasion." "There is not a shadow of an atom of truth in that statement." "The ships broke over the sea repeatedly."
—I am, Sir, &c., REGINALD F. D. PALGRATE.
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