it." But there is a loftiness about CALDWELL's tone, a subdued fire in
his manner when he is discussing the difference between a rate of ten
shillings and one of twelve, a withering indignation for all that is
false or truculent (in short, anything connected with the office of
Lord-Advocate) that strangely moves the listener. The very mystery
of his ordinary bearing weaves a spell of enchantment around him.
For days and weeks he will sit silent, watchful, with his eye on the
paralysed Scotch Law Officers. Then, suddenly, as in this debate
on the Equivalent Grant, he comes to the front, and pours forth an
apparently inexhaustible flood of argumentative oratory, delivered
with exhilarating animation. "Give me Peebles for pleasure," said
the loyal Lowlander home from a fortnight's jaunt in Paris. "Give me
CALDWELL for persuasive argument," says PLUNKET, himself a born orator
who has missed scarcely five minutes of this two days' debate.

[Illustration: CANDIDATE CATCHING.]

Curious how influence of the hour permeates and dominates everything,
even to the distant Lake Ny'yassa. Question asked when House met as to
how things were going on there under Commissioner JOHNSTON. No one at
all surprised when, in reply, LOWTHER referred to the "two powerful
Chiefs, JUMBE and MCPONDA." Should like to hear the views of the last
gentleman on the Scotch Equivalent Grant, its application to secondary
education in Scotland, and the probable ultimate destination of the
£25,000 allotted to parochial boards.

_Business done_.--More of the Scotch Equivalent Grant.

[Illustration: Effect of a great big D in the House.]