us, _per ambages_, and under colour of an Act of Parliament,
a despotic authority, inconsistent with our freedom. But this I
will say, that times are so much changed above stairs, that
whereas last year you might have obtained an act incorporating a
Stock Company for riddling ashes, you will not be able to procure
one this year for gathering pearls. What signifies, then, wasting
the time of the meeting, by inquiring whether or not we ought to
go in at a door which we know to be bolted and barred in our face,
and in the face of all the companies for fire or air, land or
water, which we have of late seen blighted!"

Here there was a general clamour, seemingly of approbation, in
which the words might be distinguished, "Needless to think of it"--
"Money thrown away"--"Lost before the committee," &c. &c. &c. But
above the tumult, the voices of two gentlemen, in different
corners of the room, answered each other clear and loud, like the
blows of the two figures on Saint Dunstan's clock; and although
the Chairman, in much agitation, endeavoured to silence them, his
interruption had only the effect of cutting their words up into
syllables, thus,--

_First Voice_. "The Lord Chan--"
_Second Voice_. "The Lord Lau--"
_Chairman_, (loudly.) "Scandalum magnatum!"
_First Voice_. "The Lord Chancel--"
_Second Voice_. "The Lord Lauder--"
_Chairman_, (_louder yet_.) "Breach of Privilege!"
_First Voice_. "The Lord Chancellor--"
_Second Voice_. "My Lord Lauderdale--"
_Chairman_, (_at the highest pitch of his voice_.)