To say that one of our most prominent politicians crossed the floor of the House to-night, thereby, as it seemed, marking his secession from one party and his accession to another, is, I suppose, to conjure up a picture that would look well in the illustrated papers or even on the stage. Crowded benches, a blaze of light, the air visibly throbbing with excitement, members on one side gazing at a pervert with rage and scorn, members on the other side welcoming a convert with open arms ╤ and on the middle of the floor, focussed so to speak in the act of transition, the man himself ╤ one can see it all as in a tableau vivant. Unfortunately it happened quite otherwise. On the Treasury bench lounged a few Under Secretaries, ╥back from their holidays,╙ as Mr. Gibson Bowles unkindly remarked, ╥before their masters.╙ Most of the other benches were empty from end to end, and on this scene of desolation rested the twilight of a rainy afternoon. Presently Mr. Churchill put in an appearance. Standing at the bar, he glanced at his accustomed place below the Ministerial gangway, made a rapid survey of the corresponding bench on the Opposition side, marched a few paces up the floor, bowed to the Chair, swerved suddenly to the right, and took his seat among the Liberals. This might have been a casual choice, but, as if to emphasise its significance, Mr. Churchill in the course of the evening returned again and yet again to the same place. At length some of his new neighbours began to suspect that an event of importance had occurred, but to their smiling compliments Mr. Churchill, as I understand, returned a discreetly guarded acknowledgment. On the other hand, his former neighbours sought consolation in the return of the wanderer to the Ministerial lobby in the next division, when, however, as if to spoil the comedy of a promising situation, he found himself in company with a number of like-minded Liberals.
