Impervious to a Pun.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5271, 30 May 1895, Page 2

Impervious to a Pun.

The Speaker of a great deliberative assembly, if he has perforce to let a member "go unpunished for a pun," is under no obligation to notice that low form of wit, and may eTen consider it infra dig. to smile at an example of it promulgated to his very face. Of Mr Peel, who lately resigned the Speakership of the House of Commons, it is related that he could preserve an appearance of gravity and . dignity when the House was in a state of uproarious hilarity. Ob one occasion Mr John Barry (formerly member for Wexford) thought he would give Mr Peel a cause for laughter which could not be resisted. He had introduced Mr Dalziel to the House on his first election for Eirkcaldy Burghs .— " There's a* difference in the spelling of the member'sname, sir," said Mr Barry, referring to the writ. "What is the difference P" asked the Speaker gravely. " It's an 'ell of a difference, air," replied the member for Wexford. " I beg yonr pardon !" Baid the Speaker, fixing his eyea severely upon Mr Barry. " It's an 'ell of a difference, sir," repeated Mr Barry; '*' I beg your pardon, sir," said the Speaker again, with a voice like the ring of a steel hammer on a block of granite. " It's an 'ell of a difference," pleaded Mr Barry — "an *ell of & difference.' 1 . " I beg your pardon again, sir," replied Mr Peel, with ruing thunder in his tones. " Well, sir ! it t« an 'ell of a difference. In writing Mr Dalziel's name some one has left out the '1 ' in the middle." Not a musole of the Speaker's face relaxed. He bowed Mr Barry severely from the Chair, and that gentleman never tried again.