-V CLOCK had struck-the Masons had struck-one of HER
 MAJESTY'S ships, the Conqueror, had struck But no notion
 had struck the Privy Council!
 Thus would the event be described by MR. DICKENS in
 his striking style, so why the dickens should not we describe
 it in the same way ?
 The Privy Council had assembled in Downing-stroot
 Ay ta (before the builders began downing it in earnest) to decide
 what should be sent to the International Exhibition of 1862
 -"G' "a- ^ g ias England's chef d'oauvre. It must be something admirable,
 complete, superb-the result of a hitherto unheard-of com-
 e_' <y ~bination of taste, talent, art, science, wisdom, excellence,
 and inexpensiveness But though they had long been
trying to hit on a notion, it would not retaliate and strike in return. It was a Quaker notion, yet not a Bright idea.
 THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER thought they might arrive at their object in three ways. He--
 THE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS began to rustle his papers, and whistle, When shall we three meet again "
 THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER was still proceeding with his speech, when the Clerk of the Council entered
with various papers to be laid before them, whereupon .M. GLADSTONE said he should sit down, as he was inter-
rupted by Mn. HELPS and hindrances.
 EARL RUSSELL said that the papers just brought in contained an application from Mn. COLE, the Superintendent
of the South Kensington Museum, for leave to annex that exhibition to the greater one as a kind of dependent or
tributary state; he therefore thought the applicant should be referred to the SECRETARY FOR THE COLONIES.
 SIR GEORGE C. LEWIS was of opinion that that was sending COLE to NEWCASTLE. But he fancied that the
SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS was introducing them into the present discussion. Would the PRESIDENT 1' T'1in
COUNCIL OF INDIA suggest what should be sent to the International Exhibition ? But SIR CHARLES WOOD wouldn't.
 MR. GLADSTONE suggested "a few figures,"-the three Graces, for instance, or any one of them.
 MR. MILNER GIBSON said, as regarded Government statues, he thought the nation-with all deference to the
Board of Public Works-was bored of public works of that description.
 MR. COWPER submitted that the required object would be found in the form on which he stood when addressing
the people on the Kensington 'Garden Ride proposal. But the hon. gentleman's proposal was derided.
 EARL RUSSELL suggested an 'llegorical picture, representing the life of his favourite offspring, Reform Bill.
 LORD WESTBURY prop.e:.S]d that the counsel in the WINDHAM case should be asked to meet the wishes of the
Council by exhibiting a .colossal Gold Statue of Justice to be cast solid from the fees in that case.
 THE DUKE OF ARGYLL was of opinion that the lawyers would not come to the scratch. In answer to a question
from the LORD CHANCELLOR, his Grace explained that he did not mean Old Scratch.
 EARL GRANVILLE disapproved of the plan. Would the DUKE OF SOMERSET turn over the matter in his mind ?
 THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY observed-" In this discussion it seems to me (the DUKE OF SOMERSET) some
are setting too high a value on the various objects they propose for exhibition."