at he will be quite equal to any further steps
which may be necessary to vindicate the authority of the majority in the
House of Commons, and nobody doubts that such further steps may be
necessary. The real and fundamental question--as I put it over and over
again--is whether the Liberal party and the Liberal majority shall go
before the country at the next election with the charge made good
against them of lack of will, competence, and energy. If once that
charge can be substantiated, I regard the Liberal cause as lost--and
lost for many a year to come. Any Government almost is better than a
Government which cannot govern; and the sentiment is so universal that I
have no doubt the shifting ballast, which decides all elections, would
go with a rush to the Tory side, and would enthrone in the place of
power a strong Tory majority and an almost omnipotent Tory Government.
The Tories know this, and calculate upon it, and will devote all their
energies, therefore to reducing the present House of Commons and the
present Ministry to discredited impotence, contemptible paralysis. Such
a conspiracy must be met in the proper manner. Obstructive debate must
be mercilessly closured; old rules must be abandoned without a sigh, and
give way to others more adapted to the necessity of the time. Above all
things the House of Lords must be flouted, humiliated, and defied. It is
on the spring-tide of popular democratic and anti-aristocratic passion
we shall have to float the next Liberal Government into power.

[Sidenote: Nepotism in the army.]

When business commenced on August 29th, there was a beggarly array of
empty benches. For some time, the only Tory defenders of the
Constitution were the ubiquitous George Christopher Trout Bartley and
the valiant Howard Vincent. Questions showed more inclination than ever
to wander into the purely parochial. Presently Mr. Burnie came along
with an inquiry addressed to the War Minister whether it was correct the
Duke of Connaught had been appointed to the chief command of the army at
Aldershot; and, if so, on what grounds he had been selected for this
important position. Several other vigorous Radicals were on the same
scent. Mr. Campbell-Bannerman said it was quite true the Duke had become
Commander-in-Chief. This was because of his fitness; because he was
practically the senior officer available, and because he had gained
experience in both regimental and staff duties, having filled with great