PARLIAMENTARY COURTESIES.

Evening Star, Issue 4175, 14 July 1876, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY COURTESIES.

/'recorded in ‘Hansard’ that in the /fibatp ; on the Piako Swamp, purchase Mr Reader Wood had the singularly ba,4 taste to say of Sir Julias Vogel:— “ The hon. 'gentleman has recently been admitted into one of the orders of -modern .chivalry. I must say, sir, that I had ex-, pected nptaaji increase of vulgarity in his .pondpst towards- others; but rather an exhibition r of knightly courtesy. But what do WSiget ? All this'sort of thing (telling bank <aaaJiageis* that 'in negotiating banking arrangements they must not insult the G.oteriuhent by political assumptions) of which everybody ih connection with it ought to be

In his reply Julius Vogel said : r “The hon. saember for Parnell thought it good -.taste .to refer to the distinction which I "have received at the; hand# of my Sovereign. Sir, there is no one who could prize.jjlbre than I do that!distinction; there is no one who could possibly feel more grateful than I do to. Her Moat Gracious Majesty for having bestowed that distinction upon me ; and- as far as it is possible for me to form'an opinion ‘on a matter of taste, ft aeems to me that questions of that kind should certainly not be, dragged before the House)" hhlessby Avay of congratulation. It never. entered -into my mind that Xshould change my-demeanour in consequence of receiving such a distinction, as the hon. member for Parnell seems to think X ought to have done, I cannot understand how such an idea could enter ,auy person’s mind. I am. a plain man;! have led ; & rather busy life; and whatever position I occupy I owe, Lamjfree, to admit, to my oavu exertions. I have not had time to study those nice-cour-tier acts whish have converted , thp; hon. member for Parnell from the most virulent opponent of Provincialism, the most rabid adherent-to Abolition, in X 874„ to the most obsequious supporter of tbe Siiperihrendent of Auokhmtd in 1876. As- farras it is possible for a vulgar man—as the hon. gentleman was good enough to call me—to form an opinion, the exhibitipn of the hon. geutle- * one .of unmitigated - r .Jhink that pretended mimicry, which is not mimicry, but which is more f amenable to the term of buffoonery, was ah exhibition well suited to the boarus of a theatre, but not to the dignity and presence of this House. The hon. gentleman tells‘meil have been discourteous rto ihori, members* Tam very • sorry indeed to hear it. It has been wholly uninteniionaPou my part if-kuch has been the case. I would venture 'to appeal to a number 6f honi fnembera-Avhether, Avhatcver I amengaged iippri, T do.hot always make thhiftmdsFelrertions to go into any questions \?pC|h 'they'desire to bring before me; and I hubAjr that at tiroes .when, I have been ongaged.dh.most important njatters-r matters Unattended to at the tinje, Avonld involve much subsequent labors-1 have felt it my duty to meet bon. members Avho desired to discuss questions which they Avishecl ttf bring before me. But if I have not fnuch time at my disposal it is not my oato fault, bat rather‘dhe 1 to the duties I have to perform. I hope that hon. members generally, if the matter dwells,in their-minds at all,’ and if the hon. : member fbr Parnell is not wholly mistaken,.. -will acquit me of qny intention, any rate, to be discourteous. But the hon. gentleman thinks I am very vulgar; aqd when I consider the -blue blood> the result of centuries of pure descent, eAfidenced krthanoble lineaments and perfect-person of the hon. gentleman, I cannot help feeling somewhat like the hnnible yeoman in the presence of the high-bred and beautiful Lady Clara Vere de Vere; and I can almost fancy I can see -the .humble yeoman addressing the hon. member, and saying to him ; Trust mo, Reader Wood, do Wood, From yon blue heavens above us bent, The grand old gardener aud his wife Smile at the claims of long descent. • How'ep it be, it'seems to me 'Tia only noble, to be good: Kind hearts are more than coronets, ■ And simple faith than. Norman blood; - I know you, Reader Wood de Wood ! --jfiu pipe amidst your halls and towers; The languid light of yonr proud la wearied with the rolling hours. Midat glowing health, midst boundless wealth, ' -Toumokpn of a vague disease ; , Ton know so ill to deal with time, ’ Ton needs mutt play such pranks as those. Since this f personal question has been ’ raised, I'may safy that, whenever it is the pleastrre dfthe House to seek some other leader, it will not be Avithont gratification to me to thiiik the time has come when I may consider the place.of honoris the private station. ,1 Ijave had a long and -laborious career ; and'l only continue it in the hope, that I rnay.be of some further good to the . Colony." N. v/ 1 'efinition.-rA g-.od lawy r is not a no &w>., J « .