Phenix Gazette

The English House of Commons is sometimes characterized as an assembly of "the first gentlemen in Europe." As it is now quite the vogue among British travellers to criticise the manners & men in Europe. United States renders them quite familiar, it may not be uninteresting to give our citizens from their caricaturists. to show up some pictures of England by English artists. We gave not long ago, an extract from the London Quarterly on the subject of betting at the Newmarket races. We now, in the way of manners, copy a paragraph about the House of Commons. It is from a late London Spectator. The decencies of civilized society appear to be totally disregarded there. A few nights ago, one of our grave legislators amused his brother members by "crowing like a cock;" and there was a regular chorus of scraping, hissing and shouting. when Mr. Poulett Scrope rose to speak upon a financial subject which he understood, though his audience did not. Colonel Davies might well say that there was "a great deal of talking, incessant buzz, coughing, and very ungraceful attitudes" among the "master spirits of the age," as he sneeringly denominated the members of the first Reformed Parliament.— Mr. Warburton declared, that "he was never in the House two hours without undergoing bodily torture."