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PARLIAMENT AND THE DERBY. AVhile the kings horse was winning the Derby at Epsom this year his faithful Commons assembled for business. It was for many years the custom of the House of Commons to adjourn over the Derby day. From 1S56 to 1878 the adjournment was generally moved on the previous day by the leader. In moving the adjournment In 1S57 Lonl Palmers-ton spoke of it as "the day on which our Isthmian games are celebrated." "Isthmian games" did not stick, but a phrase of another great parliamentarian did. Lord Derby, lamenting Ids failure to pull off the big race, said to Disraeli, no sportsman: "You dont know what the Derby is? "Yes," said Dizzy, "it is the blue riband of the turf." In 1S72 the motion for adjournment over the Derby was opposed for the first time, but carried. It was carried against opposition in each succeeding year till 1S91. It was negatived for the first tune in 1892. but on the following day there was not a quorum of members present and the House was counted out. The motion was negatived in following years till 1S96, since which year It has not been moved.
