THE PARLIAMENT OF 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2732, 18 November 1871, Page 2

THE PARLIAMENT OF 1871.

(From the Wellington Independent.) Arma vir unique cam. —Virg. The session being moribund, I’ll seize upon the time About the members of the House to perpetrate a i hyme, And running down the list of these ovr NOBLE SEVENTY-EIGHT, Their salient points of character and weaknesses will state. And taking them in order due, the Speaker first must come—- “ Speaker ” well-named, as full of sound and empty as a drum ; Withal, a perfect gentleman, whose bands become him well, Though members often grumble at “that everlasting Bell," Then Andrew comes from Wairarap,’ who could not rest until He carried through the House his little Vaccination Bill; AndBATHGAiE, who’s a Major, and, with spectacles in hand, Lays down the law on everything he does'nt unders*and; And Bradshaw, who’s a treasurer, and nat'rally, I think, Keeps one hand in his pocket and rattles up “the chink.” Next Brandon comes, with aspect grave—l might have said severe— To whom the Married Women’s Bill was wonderfully dear ; And next a little man who has on Ministers a “downj” Who’s well known in the lobbies—Mr Tuapeka Brown ; And dapper Brown, of Ashley, who, i whiskers, eyes, and suit Is wonderfully brown—in fact, he’s brown from head to foot. And Bryce, whom to pat on the back I’ll do my little “ can,” He’s a quiet, unassuming, inoffensive, honest man. Then Bunny, who in Ministers doth constantly rejoice In resonant and cheerful tones, with a tremendous voice ; And Calder, the lugubrious, with slow and careful speech, Who should have been a minister—l’m certain he could preaeh; And Cantrell, who deserves some thanks—he never speaks at all, But thinks we’re going to the ; well, let us say the wall. And Carrington, a pleasant man, a friendly, and a sane, Although he suffers slightly from a harbor on the brain ; Then Clark, who comes from Franklyn, and at least deserves a cheer For bis comforting assurance “ It’s a’ richt mon, we’re a’ here And Collins who in sneering is an adept; but of wit, Though he thinks he has a wondrous stock, has not “a little bit.” Creighton comes next—retrenchment and free trade his standing dish, Yet wants a heavy bonus and protection for hisfish. Next Gurus, pleasant speaker, a safe Opposition vote, Who shuts his eyes, and makes as there were something in his throat. And Eyes, who’s an ex-Super, and no doubt superior man, Because he’s scarcely spoken since the session first began. And Farnall with his eye-glass : very useful I’ll be bound Since it spied out for his district only Sixty Thousand pound. Fitzherbert ! oh, the canny ! be deserves a special verse, His cunning and his cleverness correctly to rehearse. But here my Muse deserts me, for his halfa million pill She confesses is a trifle that’s too clever for her skill. Then Fox, whose prime ideas as Prime Minister appear To be in the direction of stopping people’s beer. Then Gillies, Thomas Bannatyne, as savage as a bear With everybody, everything in earth, and sea, and air. And Gisborne, bluff and hearty, wko is gifted with the grace Of bearing endless worry with imperturbable face.

And Hall,, sharp, keen, and diligent,—was never known to shirk His party, or his principles, his duty, or his work. And Harrison from Greymmith, with his neatly shaver, chin, Speaks well, and has some common sense bis cranium within, And Haughton, Bully's master—you could almost bet a crown He'd rejoice just like a schoolboy at the cry of “ knuckle down.” Indeed, each time I see him I wonder more and more How on earth it ever happened that he doffed the pinafore. And Henderson the ponderous, who seldom speaks, hut then Speaks sensibly—a rarity amongst the speak* ing men. And Hunter of the placid mien, yet hath a little ire, Though provocation great it needs to set that Thames a-fire. And knickerbocker Ingles, who’s a whip en amateur , A great man in one way, and in his dress a *• perfect cure.” It’s scarcely to be wondered |at —I wonder he survives An officer past, present, and expectant—but I’ve fears That he won’t get a commission in the Hide Volunteers. And Johnston with two W’s, of whom 'tie fair to tell, That though he’s seldom spoken, yet he’s always spoken well. And Karslake, little Karslake, he’s a gen* tleman, but still It really must be stated he is singularly shrill. And Katene, a Maori, who right well deserves his place, Intelligent and thoughtful, and a credit to his race. T. Kelly, Taranaki, tare-an-’ounds I wish he’d speak Just a trifle more distinctly, though his voice is rather weak ; Petitions by the hundred that would end a dozen lives. And Kelly with a W.—an Irishman I note, Whe, “ be jabers, would be happy if you’d tread npon his coat.” And Kenny, with four prefixes, C.W.A T., That brings to mind quot homines (el) lot sentential And Lightband, cool and sensible; MacAndrew follows next, Who talks all round the compass, with “Macandrew ” for his text. M’Glashan, E., of shrewdness who has certainly no lack, And whose first article of creed is faith in t'other Mac. M'Gillivray, who solemnly whate’er he saith lays down, And, to complete him, only wants a pulpit and a gown. Next, Makarini, D. M*Lean, who loves the natives well, The value of whose services ’tis very hard to tell; A man whom everybody likes ; bnt, may I venture that He ought to have a “mere,” and he ought to wear a mat. Then G. M’Lean, of Waikouaiti, who always wears a smile, And talks and smiles, and smiles and talks, in very funny style. Next, the elastic man M’JjEOB, the member for the Bays, Who jumped into existence, and goes jumping all his days. Macpherson, J., a soldier, who but seldom wastes his breath; And Mervyn who, some day, will sure “ divide” himself to death. (To he continued.)