WASHINGTON, Jan. 10th, 1899.
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For want of any more interesting matter wherewlth to entertain you, thought has just come into my head, ito endeavOr to insti- tute a comparison between the tout-ensemble of our House of Representatives, (in which l am now writing.) the French Chamher des Deputies and the English House of Commons. In the execution of this project, intend to go out of my own proper person and assume so far as national prejudice will permit, the probable feelings, opinions and habtudes of thinking ofa Frenchman and an Ensshman. 1t Is but an experiment. and if fail Gas most probably shall,) hope to be visited >merc- fully. To begin then:

 An Englishman would irst observe the striking difference in personal appearance, between the American and English legislators. great proportion of the latter are much younger men than are to bt seen here; and the superior attention paid by them to ele- gance of costume would seen to indicate that their time is less engrossed Sith the business than the enjoyment of life. In other words thay seem to be more universally gentlemen, m the English meaning of he word, as dis tlngulshed from men of business. The American legislators have the air ofbeing far mers, merchants, planters aid lawyers. The English rather wear the senblancc of men of leisure and fashion. Nor isthe apparent dis, tlnction lost in their demeahor in the House. An air of serious and earnest occupation per vades the House of Representatives : few of the members are absent from or change their seats during the hours of business; and where coterie of takers is to be seen, their conver- sation from their grave yet animated looks and gestures, appears to turn with very few exceptions upon the matters then before the House, or expected soon to be. The English