01Aug1867, Kick-up in the H. of Lords

LONDON, August 1st, 1867.
—I have never stayed in London straight on into August before ; it is owing to the kick-up in the H. of Lords. . . .
There have been other amendments, including an unlucky one of Papa's, that nobody should vote who could not write a legible hand. The joke against him was that the clerk had to ask him to read the amendment, as he could not decipher it ! F. had thought of a similar proposal, but would have put it : "that all votes should be given in writing." However the notion is snuffed out. There is a strong party in the Lords' in favour of cumulative voting. Uncle W. is against it, F. for it. Bright violent against it.