32/41 Mr.Chaplin is always to the front on such occasions; pompous, prolix, and ineffably dull. Mr.Herbert Gardner made his debut as the Minister for Agriculture, and did it excellently. He wears a small cap--such as you see on men when they are travelling; a short sack coat; a pair of trousers of a somewhat wild and pronounced whiteish hue; and his beard is unkempt and almost conceals his entire face. The eyes are deep-set, restless, grey--with strange lights as of fanaticism, or dreams. He rather pleasantly surprised the House by his style of speech. |