A Dear Speaker
SOON after the Irish members were admitted into the House of Commons, on
the union of the kingdom in 1801, one of them, in the middle of his
maiden speech, thus addressed the chair: And now, my dear Mr.
Speaker, etc. This excited loud laughter. As soon as the mirth had
subsided, Mr. Sheridan observed, that the honorable member was
perfectly in order; for, thanks to the ministers, now-a-days everything
is dear.