A Committee Means Nothing More
Than That The House Puts Itself Into A Situation Freely To Discuss
And Debate Any Point Of Difficulty And Moment, And, While It Lasts,
The Speaker Partly Lays Aside His Power As A Legislator.
As soon as
this is over, some one tells the Speaker that he may now again be
seated; and immediately on the Speaker being again in the chair, the
sceptre is also replaced on the table before him.
All round on the sides of the house, under the gallery, are benches
for the members, covered with green cloth, always one above the
other, like our choirs in churches, in order that he who is speaking
may see over those who sit before him. The seats in the gallery are
on the same plan. The members of parliament keep their hats on, but
the spectators in the gallery are uncovered.
The members of the House of Commons have nothing particular in their
dress. They even come into the House in their great coats, and with
boots and spurs. It is not at all uncommon to see a member lying
stretched out on one of the benches while others are debating. Some
crack nuts, others eat oranges, or whatever else is in season.
There is no end to their going in and out; and as often as any one
wishes to go out, he places himself before the Speaker, and makes
him his bow, as if, like a schoolboy, he asked tutor's permission.
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