§ MR. SPEAKERBefore proceeding to the Orders of the Day, I wish to mention to the House that I have been honoured by an invitation from the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, to attend at Oxford on Wednesday next, in order that the Degree of Doctor of Civil Law may be conferred upon me by that University. It is necessary that recipients of that honour should attend in person; but it is only by the indulgence of the House that I can absent myself from its sitting on that day. If the House will afford me that indulgence, I shall be happy to proceed to Oxford and show my sense of the compliment which has been proposed to me by my old University.
MR. GLADSTONESir, the House has learnt with very great gratification 495 that a new distinction is to be added to the many others you already possess. I believe it will be perfectly regular that I should move, that during Mr. Speaker's temporary absence at Oxford, on Wednesday next, Mr. Dodson, the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, do take the Chair as Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order.
§ MR. DISRAELIPerhaps I may be permitted to second that Motion. I am sure I do not misinterpret the feelings entertained on this side of the House—indeed, I think I may on this occasion speak for the House generally—when I say it is to hon. Members a subject of great pleasure that they have an opportunity of showing respect and regard to you, Sir, and it is most gratifying to them that you, Sir, are about to receive an eminent honour from an illustrious University.
§ Ordered, That during Mr. Speaker's temporary absence at Oxford, on Wednesday next, Mr. Dodson, the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, do take the Chair as Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order.—(Mr. Gladstone.)
§ Whereupon Mr. Speaker expressed his acknowledgments to the House for its indulgence.