But though the argument contributed during the three nights was
small, the wrangles and personalities were many, and a great part of the forty-one hours' sitting was occupied , in calling upon Members to keep to their subject, and by their bold assertions that they were keeping to it, Some personal ,collisions occurred, notably one between Mr. Biggar and Mr. Milbank. And various appeals were made to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to name particular Members as disregarding the injunctions of the Chair. Sir Richard Cross was very active in supporting the Chair, while Sir Stafford Northoote seemed to be, to some extent, at cross-purposes with the Government, having left the House at one time as if in anger that his appeal to the Deputy Speaker had not pro- duced the result of causing him to declare Mr. Dillon guilty of disregard of the Chair. Tho second night's sitting was of course a scene of great weariness, interrupted by painful exhibitions. On some, the unaccustomed effort, and per- haps stimulus taken to help the unaccustomed effort, had produced a complete and not fortunate transformation. Others were made unnaturally irritable and suspicious. Often
not a spot in the library and other rooms of the House was unoccupied by sleeping Members, while on the benches droning and angry ejaculations alternated. It was a relief when, at half-past nine on Wednesday morning, the House suddenly filled, and the Speaker re-entered.
