accordingly Supply on Friday night is always preceded by motions in
reference to any subject which any member may desire to raise. These
motions are put on the paper, but so inherent is the right to raise any
grievance before giving money, that a member is entitled to get up, and
without a moment's notice, raise any question which may appear to him
desirable for discussion. As a rule, however, there is but one question
fought out, and when that is decided the Government of the day is
allowed to go on to the votes for money.

[Sidenote: Parliamentary Wednesdays.]

Wednesday is nearly always occupied with some Bill brought in by a
private member, in which a large number of other members are interested.
It used to be said that Wednesday was sacred to the churches and the
chapels, and that only a religious debate could take place. This is
still the case to a large extent; for instance, on Wednesday, February
22nd, they employed themselves at the House in discussing a Bill in
which Dissenters are very much interested. Then, a division has to be
taken at half-past five, and thus there is a good chance of a practical
discussion with a practical result. The consequence is that Wednesday
sittings are always looked forward to with a considerable interest, and
it is always with a pang that the House gives up the right of the
private member to them. A Wednesday sitting is rarely, if ever, counted
out, and, indeed, I believe there is a rule which prevents them from
being counted out before four o'clock, at which hour the late-comers
find it possible to turn up. Friday sittings also rarely, if ever, end
badly, for the Government is ever in want of money, and a Government has
always forty staunch supporters who are ready to stay in the House in
order to help it to get through its business. But Tuesday belongs to no
man in particular. The Government don't bother themselves about it,