The British House of Commons. position, with his hat upon his head. The late Mr. Gladstone, who seldom took his hat into the Chamber, was once compelled to borrow one in order to comply with the regulations. As his head was of exception ally large size—it is said that his hats had to be made for him—the proffered hat only covered a small portion of the top of his head, and his efforts to balance it produced so much laughter that his voice was inaud-
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ment to cover necessary expenses; but a small number of members, less than a dozen, exclusive of the Irish representatives, are paid by the voluntary contributions of their constituents. The Speaker is elected by the House, being nominated by the government,—and occasionally opposed by the political party that is not in power. After his election, he must confine himself strictlv to his official
ST. STEPHEN'S HALL. ible. Finally, the late Lord Herschell, at that time in the Commons as Solicitor-Gen eral, who also had an unusually large head, came to the rescue with the loan of his hat. A member of Parliament who holds no office receives neither remuneration nor pay-
duties, taking no part whatever in politics. In every sense, the Speaker of the British House of Commons is a non-partisan of whom the city which he represents is ex tremely proud. The present holder of the office is the Right Honorable William Court Gully, Member for Carlisle since 1886.
