There are members of the House of Commons who can claim to wear the very first white hat of the season.

Sir Wilfrid Lawson has a sombre creed and a Bacchanalian spirit; and, accordingly, the very first time a mere stray gleam of sunshine streaks the wintry gloom Sir Wilfrid wears an audaciously white hat.
[Sidenote: Mr.Gladstone's rejuvenescence.] Mr.Gladstone is a curious mixture of splendour and carelessness.

He nearly always wears a small, narrow black tie, which brings into greater relief the Alpine heights and the measureless width of his big shirt-collars, and the broad expanse of his shirt-front.

But this tie--though it marks a pleasant and becoming individuality of dress--loses half its effect by nearly always getting out of its place; when night is advanced, the knot is always about half across Mr.
Gladstone's neck.

On the other hand, he is nearly always very carefully dressed; his black frock-coat--a little ancient in make, and always of the smooth black, which has given way with younger men to the diagonals--is a well-known feature of every great debate, and adds grace to his appearance and delivery.