looked as much like a Commoner as some of that heterogeneous crowd; so it was suggested by one of themselves; and in I went right in the thick of the "collective wisdom" of the nation, to the bar of the Lords. I felt over-wise for the rest of the day, and could hardly conceive myself less a character than Mr. Hadfield, or Mr. Vincent Scully, till I woke up to all the realities of a London fog the next morning.
The House of Commons, on its return, adjourned till four o'clock. I had secured a seat in the Speaker's Gallery for its re-assembling. After some preliminary business, such as giving notices of motion, and the chair announcing the return of new members, Lord Palmerston came into the House, about twenty minutes past four o'clock, and was greeted with considerable cheering from the Ministerial benches. The mover of the address, Mr. Portman, who appeared in his volunteer uniform, went through the various topics of the royal speech with fluency and collectedness, and in a neat and unpretending style; and the House encouragingly cheered his tact and businesslike manner. When he sat down, Lord Palmerston rose, and leaning over the back of the seat, shook
