THE AUTHORITY OF THE SPEAKER.
The Speaker’s levee is a testimony to (he quasi-regal dienity of his position. The Speaker is alwavs “ Sir,” even to the highest officials of tile State. No one approaches him with a hat on. and if an M.P. passes him in the street the M.P. makes obeisance. His invitations to dinner are commands, which involve the surrender of previous engagements, and are not “ accepted ” hub “obeyed.” At his levee he stands looking very dignified in a black velvet snit. and M.P.s. ex - M.P.s, • and peers make their bows and pass on. Such being the divinity which doth hedge the First Commoner, one can conceive the amused astonishment with which Speaker Brand, when shooting partridges on a hot September dav, heard himself thus accosted by his French cook, who had come out to see the sport ; “Ah. Speakaro, you vat they call perspire.”—The ’ Manchester Guardian.’
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Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 11726, 8 April 1902, Page 8
Word Count
149THE AUTHORITY OF THE SPEAKER. Evening Star, Issue 11726, 8 April 1902, Page 8
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