access to London from the Midlands was an urgent necessity. WIGGINS
observed to be wriggling in his seat during the BARNES oration. Made
several attempts to catch SPEAKER's eye; at length succeeded; his
suppressed fury was terrible to behold: his rage Titanic. He at least
knew all about that coal-truck; though, as far as House was concerned,
he did not succeed in lifting the mystery in which BARNES had
enveloped it. Whether it was WIGGINS's coal, or merely WIGGINS's
truck; whether WIGGINS happened to be in the truck when it went
astray; or whether it was BARNES that was in it; or whether nothing
was in it but the coal; or whether, coming back to an earlier point,
there was no coal in the truck when it did (or did not) arrive at St.
Pancras: these were questions the House vainly pursued, withered, as
it was, under the wrath of WIGGINS The only point clearly perceived
was, that BIGGINS is a director of Midland Railway.

[Illustration: "About that Coal Truck?"]

In ordinary circumstances there are not to be found in House two
more affable men than BARNES and WIGGINS. Amongst many other virtues,
WIGGINS is, SARK tells me, one of the best judges of cigars in House,
and is never without a sample in his case. It is sad to think that a
man so gifted by nature, so favoured by fortune, should let his angry
passions rise round a coal-truck. House, contemplating the episode,
glad to shut it out by rushing off to Division Lobby. _Business
done_.--Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Bill, Read a
Second Time, by 212 Votes to 103.

_Thursday_.--House engaged in considering Lords' Amendments to
Tithes Bill. Things as dull as usual; House nearly empty; walk about
corridors through tea-room, newspaper-room, and library; almost