'Somebody must make the laws for the country.'

'I don't see the necessity. I think the country would do
uncommonly well if it were to know that no old law would be
altered or new law made for the next twenty years.'

'You wouldn't have repealed the corn laws?'

'There are no corn laws to repeal now.'

'Nor modify the income tax?'

'I would modify nothing. But at any rate, whether laws are to be
altered or to be left, it is a comfort to me that I need not put
my finger into that pie. There is one benefit indeed in being in
the House.'

'You can't be arrested.'

'Well;--that, as far as it goes, and one other. It assists a
man in getting a seat as the director of certain companies.
People are still such asses that they trust a Board of Directors
made up of members of Parliament, and therefore of course members
are made welcome. But if you want to get into the House, why
don't you arrange it with your father, instead of waiting for
what the club may do for you?'

'My father wouldn't pay a shilling for such a purpose. He was
never in the House himself.'