London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
WHO GOES HOME?
I will take for granted that until three or four o'clock I have nobly performed my duty in the | |
46 | committee rooms, and am now at liberty to occupy my customary seat in the House. For hours I still sit patiently waiting my opportunity to speak or to vote. Very frequently I shall receive a summons in the outer lobby. A card will have been sent to me (it usually takes about three-quarters of an hour to get from the hands of the sender to those of its intended recipient) requesting my attendance without. A police constable will assist me in the discovery of my visitor. As a country member I shall be less troubled than if I represented a London division. It is on record that, during a single night's sitting, a metropolitan M.P. was no less than eighty times by the electors who had assisted at his triumph. The hours will crawl on until the hands of the clock point to midnight; then, asked by the attendants the question, I shall retire to my dwelling (humble or otherwise) and rest until the new day brings with it fresh labours. |
And having written thus far, I feel that I have scarcely done full justice to my theme; there are scores of other duties that have escaped me that a representative has to perform. To be popular, he must have the strength of a giant, the intelligence of a sage, and the patience and kind-heartedness of a saint. | |
