HOW MR JOHN GEORGE MILES SLEPT AND VOTED.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 787, 13 November 1865, Page 3

HOW MR JOHN GEORGE MILES SLEPT AND VOTED.

A laughable incident, says the Nelson Colonist, occurred in the House of one evening lately, before tbe change of Ministry, while the House was in Committee on Major Atkinson’s ‘ 4 Milisher Act. ” A division was taken on one of the clauses, and the attention of the Chairman was called to the fact that one of tile members, Air Allies, was fast asleep in his seat, and on the wrong side of the house—as he was expected to vote, as usual, with the Ministry, which this time was for the Ayes. It is reported in the papers that Mr Miles was ‘ ‘ gently awakened by a ministerial whipper-in, and led over to the other side of the house amid roars of laughter.” But this does not tell half the story, and fails to describe the facts and record the flashes of wit to which the occurrence gave rise. The fact is, that as evening approaches, Mr Miles’ visits to and from the smoking-room Bellamy’s, and the house, become generally more frequent, the intervals between gradually growing briefer. On this occasion a general languor seemed to press on the frame of Mr Miles, the product, we presume, of the total absence of that severe mental exercise which (the absence, we mean) he so much enjoys. Satisfied with himself, at peace with the legislative world around him, feeling a comfortable genial glow internally, Mr Miles walked to his seat, deposited his stick, made believe—but very badly —that he was scanning the Parliamentary papers before him (the fact being that he is nearly as innocent of their contents as any lamb), looked up beamingly and blandly at the reporters’ gallery—opposite which he sits, and to whose occupants, in the midst of their dry labors, Mr Miles is a source of mucb amusement. Some of them think they can time their “turns ” by the regularity of his coming and going. By-and.bye he got comfortably settled on the luxuriously cushioned bench, looking the while as if his cravat were too tightly tied. The debate went on, and Mr Miles, wbo appeared to have no special desire to understand the speakers, looked up at the lamps, and blinked like Minerva’s solemn fowl in sunshine. The articulations of the upper portions of the spinal column, as Dr Munro would say, gradually lost a portion of their muscular power ; his head, that “dome of thought,” nodded’ wa ggl e d ; the optics blinked again, tbe dome nodded once more, wagged again, and gently falling back it rested on the 4 4 cushion’s leathern lining;” the jaw relaxed, the mouth opened, and Mr John George Miles was 44 as sound as a church.” We must venture a parody : Balmy zephyrs lightly flitting. Fan him with your gentle wings : While upon that bench he’s sitting, List how somnolency sings. And audibly he warbled a deep-toned trumpet note. Oblivious to the outer word and its carking cares, Mr Miles announced his enjoyment sonorously through his nose. A division was called for, and the bell rang ; the monotony of its sound from the lobbies being varied by an occasional snore in the House. The busy tellers called the names of members. The word “ Miles?” was answered by a snore. “How does Mr Miles vote ?” repeated the opposition teller. Members laughed and grinned ; “ Awake him,” said Mr A., 44 Leave him alone,” said Mr T., “He is smiling; the angels are whispering to him ;” Spirits, you mean” emphasised one of the funny members. 44 ’Tisthe spirit that speaketh in him. ” irreverently quoted the clerical looking Mr G., and the laughing was renewed when the dignified and conscious speaker 4 4 scarce forbore to smile ” At length the youth awoke, 4 4 bewildered and bemused.” 44 Mr Miles votes with the Ayes,” said a Ministerialist. 44 Yes, with his eyes shut,” quoth another ; and he was borne triumphantly off to the Ministerial side, amidst shouts of merriment, and as ignorant of what he was voting for as was the Sleeping Beauty of what took place during her century of slumher. 44 Sleep, image of thy father, lovely hoy 1”