Mr. Ayrton avenged the blow. When the House met on
Tues- day in the evening to discuss the Metropolitan Cattle Markets' Bill, Mr. Ayrton at once called attention to the empty state of the House. Being a resumed sitting,—the House having been once " made " that day,—a count-out was legitimate even before enough members had arrived to " make " a House at all ; and though the Speaker was indignant at the unscrupulous device, and hesitated for some minutes to gain time, Mr. Ayrton insisting, the House was counted out, and the evening lost. A case of clearer Parliamentary vendetta could not be conceived. Mr. Disraeli had defeated a measure favoured by the Liberals by a manoeuvre, and Mr. Ayrton defeated the favourite measure of the moment among the Tories by an equally creditable manoeuvre. Does Mr. Ayrton wish to be thought the fittest weapon with which to fight Mr. Disraeli ? •
