ladies, this House were to get into unprecedented habits—(Laughter)—it would lose caste, and then surrounding nations would begin to sneer at us and would decline to follow our example. For I conceive that this country has still a mission to fulfil, it is that of being jolly herself and teaching foreigners to be jolly. And if that mission is to be frustrated by these—these most undesirable reforms, why, I would rather see Parliament both retain and deserve the name of a Screaming Farce, than be a party to the sacrilege. The very introduction of such a measure is a sign, I am afraid, that the country is going to the dogs. It may not be elegant to say so, but that is the truth. Although we have done well and wisely by seating a Bungling Coalition in power, yet revolutionary democracy continues to be a disturbing force in the land. (Ironical Opposition cheers.) The bonds of society are in danger of giving way, for open infidelity and blasphemy are tolerated, and licentiousness of all sorts is winked at and is spreading: we are coming under a moral plague. Still, as I said before, in spite of the forces of disintegration which are doing their fatal work, there remains one thing which this great country can do, and that is to be jolly herself and teach foreigners to be jolly. But this is dependent upon sticking up for our old customs and not allowing new-fangled considerations of utility to corrode and undermine our glorious constitution. I am quite aware that in the present temper of the House, moving the Previous Question is the emptiest of hollow forms; nevertheless, I am confident that when the ill-advised measure reaches another place, it will be summarily disposed of. (Hear, from the Ministerial benches.)
Mr Giles Doherty said that if a majority of this House were against the Bill, there was, of course, an end of the matter; but as for the will of the country being set aside in another place, although he, for one, should be reluctant to see
