THA CHAPTER XV IMPRESSIONS OF PARLIAMENT HAT famous legislative body which Carlyle sarcastically termed, "The great talking shop at Westminster," has a peculiar interest for American travellers in Europe. The English Parliament is in itself an important body, representing as it does one of the greatest of the modern world powers; but it possesses a peculiar attraction for the American tourist, since his institutions are of English origin and are still strikingly similar in many respects to those of the mother country. Few Americans, then, will fail, if opportunity offers, to look in upon that great legislative body which represents not only the Witan of Anglo-Saxon times, but also the original House of Commons established by Simon de Montfort in 1265. The history of the English Parliament, its present importance, and its kinship to our institutions invest it with a peculiar interest from the American standpoint. The visitor soon finds that it is somewhat more difficult to gain admission to the English Parliament than it is to the American Congress. He Cards of may enter the spacious galleries of the Admission. Senate or House of Representatives without ticket, but before entering those of the Lords or Commons he must obtain an order signed by a member of the House to which admission is sought. It is usually not very difficult to obtain the requisite order, and many Americans have been admitted through the courtesy of Mr. James Bryce, the well-known author of the "American Commonwealth." Even when fortunate enough to obtain the necessary order, however, the visitor is often obliged to await his turn before being admitted. He is also scrutinised with great care by the practised eyes of the officials, and is not allowed to carry a hand bag or a parcel of any kind into the Houses. These precautions have been made necessary by the various gunpowder plots and dynamite episodes which have centred about the Houses of Parliament. The same precautions are taken at other public places in London, notably at the Tower, where the Crown jewels to the value of £3,000,000 are deposited. When we consider the small size of the various galleries, and the fact that no little damage was done to the Houses of Parliament by a dynamite explosion during the Fenian. agitation of a few years ago, we can readily see why restrictions are placed upon the admission of visitors. House of The visitor will usually go to the House of Commons first, and to the House of Lords later, if at all. The House of Commons is now the real governing power in England. The power of the Crown has practically vanished, and that of the Lords is by no means co-ordinate with the power of the popular branch. Since 1832 the Lords have not been able to defeat a measure which the Com mons have been determined to pass. Since the House of Commons can dictate to the Crown and coerce the Lords, greater interest attaches to its proceedings. Before being admitted, the visitor must wait until the Speaker has been conducted from his residence - which is in the Houses of Parliament to the chamber of the Commons. That official is preceded by the Sergeant-at-arms carrying the mace, the symbol of authority, and his coming is announced in loud tones by the heralds in the corridors. After he has taken the chair and prayers are over, visitors are admitted; not, however, until they have signed their names and written their addresses, together with the names of the members whose orders they bear, in a book provided for that purpose. Then having obtained the printed order of the day from an official whose palm has been properly crossed, the visitor soon finds himself in the gallery overlooking the floor of the Commons. Here is the storm centre of English politics. Here a sovereign legislative body is deliberating which "can do anything but make it rain." Here are those men who shape the destiny of the British Empire. The interior of the chamber is not impressive. The room is not large, -seating only four hundred and eighty-six members, -and the decorations while rich are rather sombre, and anything but startling. The seats are long benches, upholstered in dark green leather, are somewhat elevated, and extend the length of the room. Between the banks of benches and at one end of the room the Speaker sits in a somewhat conspicuous position. The historic "bar" is at the opposite end of the chamber, and the bar in the House of Lords is similarly located. The visitor who is familiar with the spacious galleries at Washington will feel himself somewhat cramped in the narrow quarters provided for strangers in the House of Commons. One of these galleries, probably the smallest, elevated only a short distance above the floor of the chamber, will accommodate only eight persons. However, the galleries provided for the use of men are very commodious in comparison with that for the use of women. The latter gallery is located at one end of the chamber, immediately beneath the high ceiling, and is screened with a lattice-work, apparently of iron. From that lofty position the women of England are certainly unable to influence the trend of parliamentary legislation. The representatives of the press are well cared for. The reporters are favourably and conspicuously placed in the front row of the gallery, although, as has been said, there are at the present time orders upon the journals of the House prohibiting the publication of the debates. It is needless to say that these orders, although never repealed, are not now enforced. Time of The House assembles at two o'clock in the afternoon, and the visitor will probably be surprised at the comparatively small attendance. There are now six hundred and seventy members in the House of Commons, but the attendance will not exceed one hundred and fifty or two hundred, unless an unusually interesting debate is in progress, or a vote is being taken. Forty members constitute a quorum to do business, and the attendance is fre |