THE MAN IN COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 590, 30 November 1871, Page 2

THE MAN IN COUNCIL.

[by geoffbby softsawdkb, es«j.]

Mb Mephisioi\heiIEB1 E8 was the centre of much interest. He was considered to be •a\ marvellous clever "person. He' w«i something more than a "smart" man. He was invited into Bellamy's. ,He objected at first because he.w^s no teetotaller. We was reminded that the teetotallers were highly respectable men. ne replied with dignifLd courtesy that he had not the slightest doubt of it, but he had a great experience of the world acove and below*, and he generally found that""" demonstrative dlServance" was the relic of some, forim-i- vrfakness, and added that the taut of a man being a teetotaller at fiity was prima facie proof that "he was not always &o, but the contrary." But he thoroughly agrees with teetotnlism as the only n-iugeof sinners. I believe Mr. usmund Le.\is was much edifi d with this speech, and when I looked at the countenance of the two beings 1 could not help'discerning something of a family likeness. MLr. O. L., however, assured me that there was no relationship whatever.

When.my friend entered Bellamy's, he

was immediately recognised by Mr. Crei^bton, of whom he appeared to be a Tery intimate acquaintance. This Provincial Councillor was once a leading man on the press—an avocation which traces its genealogy a loiiff way b<4<>w th« •■> quator. IWhon. member for Newton reuiiudtd his brother councillors that., however he may have erred, lie had always the best iutenii<>n*. My company had a to distinguished c urtesy to deny this, but that th re was " another place" very famous for good intentions •' below the line.'' tie. ante Mr. Crei^h ton a Hpeciul invitation to dine with him the day [aiier the Greek Calends. His Worship the Mayor was keeu enough to perceive the drift of the conversation, ami referred to the mshphaltum pivemen about to be tried in n>e ciiy by Mr. Ui* t -11, in VVynyard atreet. An application whs giveu ta Mr. H>i i^hton'it " K°"d intentions" which he did not at all anticipate an>i it, was sajig-Ht.-d that he might t<ni' r for a 1 ir^e nuin^er ot yards of t.-.at descrip ion ; but the prop s 1 waa stopped by the Mnyir, who said thtj were dtcideily " to» hoi." The conversition was getiinir irritable. Hon. members hai not tm* slighii-Ht conception vrno my MrqituintancH was. except one oi the hon. members lor the Northern Division,; who disc >ver.'d that the genleniHnwpre " scarlet" hose. This color h alwayj equivocal, for it is associated with a cardinal's hut, as "old Leery*" shoon.

I was Well satisfied with the distinguished reception which was given to my remarkable acquaintance He was al.so well pleased, notwithstanding the alight uncovering oT hi* ineogniio l»y the GoM Hel<lx b' cretary. It was curious to ob--erve the contrast between huns If ai« VI r. Joseph May, who sniffed audibly, md *ugge>ted that the people must he burning sulphur in the kitchen. Mr, Philips learnedly observed that asphalt whs exceedingly like pitch. Djll. Nicho'sun w«s not disconcerted, as milk of" sulphur is inodorous and tasteless. Mr. •ignan also had a suspicion that my rie>>d whs, .to use apostolical phras •. 'sailing under false colours " Mr, Farmer did not know anything abou' him, as ii« hud no shares in the bal doniun. Captain Freer was delighted with his urbanity. The Speaker came tip with Dr. kadi's letter'of apology. I his is an eminent physician on the goldfi-ld, and has been kept from his public duties by tlie serious resuits of an epidemic, whici prevailed tber«,': and known as "scrip jaundice." Duty to huinanky prevails o»er the obligation to the date. The ardu<>u«« character' of the duties of I'r. Seth Sam whs the subject of much comment. 1 was surprised that my friend knew Dr. Sim, bui he said lie knew that gentleman in India a long time ago. He had not long since been travelling through the mines known as the "Black Angel and the Keigning Beauty." He was tinged witk the complexion of the former, and his limb* disclosed something of the -symmetry of the latter. .VI r. Every Madeau was djscanting upon the breed of sheep, and several country members asserted that ,''blood would tell tin tke long rum" \iephistophiies assented, and referred to ih© descent of Dr. ; Seth 'Sain .as an apt instance. He had only that morning seen W excellent likeness'of 'the Doctor tak n by iiartlett, and he was much struck with the likeness of the member ol the g >ldfields to a Koy«l Personage of the Bile. Hjstqry y rr>peats its Jf, and; so does fashion. 'In pea-jacket, tight pants, and open neckcloth, the portrait taken by !»aiil<-tt#*s extremely likely the medils of Nebuchadnezzar. This , discover. •vcHpiied all the dams of the hon. g<>u<iemen present, all of whom bore arms in the Herald college ljng before they Wore stockings. At this moment the hell rang, and it was announced that tho Bpeaker Mas' at prayer. I was somewhat scandalized that the .call. of the Provincial: mueain to prayer has such slight effect. 1 w«s remiotled by the Html Mr. 'BAVkti&gji that it was St. Andr^w's^Pay,, and the Banks were closed. This changed the convemation to commercial mittens upon which Vlr. Maclean, .VI r. Gordon, and the country mm her* generuly take no interest. There al*o sprang up a discussion upon the frequency of Provincial Holidays,-—' t.; Andrew's l>ay,l St. George's Day, St. Patrick's Day. Mr. ruuhton thinks that >t. Sheola's D-y hut an equal claim ; and thisremided me of the two elegant wommi, one ol 'Whom bore*iai beautiful intant ({tinier arms), who moved and seconded a rote of iihanks to the lion gentleman ior his efforts in aid of the Permissive Bill. Mr. Swauson made a very practical cbeiv ition upon this point, by suggesting whether there was the slightest possibility if thrge three eminent saints were to draw a cheque upon the bank the directors, manager, or their clerks would cash it. He thought not, and I agree with him. <>« Afer the rush to the Council Chamber, my' friend and myself walked into tlie library, where the hon. K.GiQ. was smoking. This distinguished councillor makes a great many speeches, though frequently called to order. His perora* tiom mostly conclude with the word " rot," which ruffles the dignity of Mr. Sjf»skn, who upoa the ip«i»ktr "»iti."

But this hon. member is not the only ! sinner against good English, and good; taste, tor some members who ought to j know better and speak of their connec- | tion^ with the Press (not tlie clothes j press) ; as a warrant for their correctness, ] Hud no equivalents for emphasis more j classical than "bunkhunV (1 don't know how to spell it), and "fudge." The speaker hating finished prayer, called . the members for notices of motion.