Sir Benjamin Stone's pictures; records of national life and history reproduced from the collection of photographs made by Sir Benjamin Stone, . eknows, the best club in London. The term was lono-regarded as happy and appropriate. But the \iew ofMembers seems to have changed since the House hasmore and more become a collection of men difPeriao*in social rank and pursuits, in political and religiousopinions. Yet there is no doubt whatever that for at least oneof the purposes of a club—ministering to the personalneeds and comforts of its Members—^the House ofCommons is far better equipped at
Sir Benjamin Stone's pictures; records of national life and history reproduced from the collection of photographs made by Sir Benjamin Stone, . eknows, the best club in London. The term was lono-regarded as happy and appropriate. But the \iew ofMembers seems to have changed since the House hasmore and more become a collection of men difPeriao*in social rank and pursuits, in political and religiousopinions. Yet there is no doubt whatever that for at least oneof the purposes of a club—ministering to the personalneeds and comforts of its Members—^the House ofCommons is far better equipped at our time of day thanever it had been in its socially selectest period, beforethe great Reform Act of 1832. Formerly, Members were only able to get a steak ora chop or pork pie at Bellamys. Now they have anelaborate kitchen and a suite of dining-rooms. In tliecellars of the House there is, for one thing, theValantia vat, which holds 1,000 gallons of Scotchwhisky. There are also batli-rooms. A hairdresser iskept on the premises. In the cloisters the services ofGeorge Warner, bootblack, are always available. Whatmore can Members require? 77. MR. J. F. X. OBRIEN. In the House of Commons are to be found men ofevery kind of experience—in the way even of stirringand romantic adventure — as well as men of everytype of character. Mr. James Francis Xavier OBrienwas a conspicuous and interesting figure at Westminsterfor the twenty years he was a Nationalist Member ofParliament. Yet he rarely took part even in the Irishdebates. He used to be pointed out to visitors as aman who had been not only condemned to death, butsentenced, according to the mediasval formula in casesof high treason, to be hanged, drawn and quartered. It was hard to realise that this gentle-looking andfragile little man, with the long, venerable beard, andthe black skull-cap hiding his baldness, had really beenengaged in desperate enterprises, and, condemned todie, had cheated the gallows. Yet so it was, for int
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectgreatbritainparliame
