room door is again opened, eager to gain the first and best seats in
the gallery. In this manner we (the strangers) have sometimes been
sent away two or three times in the course of one day, or rather
evening, afterwards again permitted to return. Among these
spectators are people of all ranks, and even, not unfrequently,
ladies. Two shorthand writers have sat sometimes not far distant
from me, who (though it is rather by stealth) endeavour to take down
the words of the speaker; and thus all that is very remarkable in
what is said in parliament may generally be read in print the next
day. The shorthand writers, whom I noticed, are supposed to be
employed and paid by the editors of the different newspapers. There
are, it seems, some few persons who are constant attendants on the
parliament; and so they pay the door-keeper beforehand a guinea for
a whole session. I have now and then seen some of the members bring
their sons, whilst quite little boys, and carry them to their seats
along with themselves.

A proposal was once made to erect a gallery in the House of Peers
also for the accommodation of spectators. But this never was
carried into effect. There appears to be much more politeness and
more courteous behaviour in the members of the upper House. But he
who wishes to observe mankind, and to contemplate the leading traits
of the different characters most strongly marked, will do well to
attend frequently the lower, rather than the other, House.

Last Tuesday was (what is here called) hanging-day. There was also
a parliamentary election. I could only see one of the two sights,
and therefore naturally preferred the latter, while I only heard
tolling at a distance the death-bell of the sacrifice to justice. I
now, therefore, am going to describe to you, as well as can, an