THE BRITISH SPEAKER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1671, 5 March 1890, Page 4

THE BRITISH SPEAKER.

I don't know how many times the gossips have not predicted'that Mr Speaker Peel would cease to occupy his place (wrote a London correspondent). But the tall, gaunt, dignified, rather lanthornjawed gentleman in the bag-wig and kneebreeches, is still there, and does not look like leaving. And yet there are some reasons why Mr Peel's tenure of the chair is not likely to be as long as that of his predecessor, the wiry, cheerful, little Lord Hampden. There are many qualities which go ro make up a good Speaker. and which Mr Peel possesses ; but there are two absolute essentials which I am not quite sure he oan claim. These are — good health and quiet nerves. Now, Mr Peel is not a strong man ; and he is a very nervous one. As he sits in his ohair, his face twitohss- uneasily ; his hands finger his gown, or clutch the arm of his chair ; his legs cross and rccross themselves with the air of a restless. man wi»h sensitive fibres which will not let him be still. In many oases these manifestations are the signs of "rearpiiysicar pain. . On the other hand, when Lord Hampden was in the chair, yon could see him, sitting like a little stone statue, immovable, seemingly indifferent, yet,, as you would presently see when a knotty point arose, quietly alert. Now, one feels that, with all Mr Peel's dignity and conscientiousness, the strain on his physique is burdensome not only to himself but to the House. He frets; and it frets. The machine creaks and groans, instead of going steadily and quietly on. Still, he is a fine figure is Mr Peel, in his way ; and it would be a pity to lose him.