stone of a conversation between himself and Lord
Granville (May 6) will best show his own attitude at this opening of a
momentous controversy:--

... I told him [Granville] I had given no pledge or indication of
my future conduct to Mr. Chamberlain, who, however, knew my
opinions to be strong in favour of some plan for a Central Board
of Local Government in Ireland on something of an elective
basis.... Under the circumstances, while the duty of the hour
evidently was to study the means of possible accommodation, the
present aspect of affairs was that of a probable split,
_independently_ of the question what course I might individually
pursue. My opinions, I said, were very strong and inveterate. I
did not calculate upon Parnell and his friends, nor upon Manning
and his bishops. Nor was I under any obligation to follow or act
with Chamberlain. But independently of all questions of party, of
support, and of success, I looked upon the extension of a strong
measure of local government like this to Ireland, now that the
question is effectually revived by the Crimes Act, as invaluable
itself, and as the only hopeful means of securing crown and state
from an ignominious surrender in the next parliament after a
mischievous and painful struggle. (I did not advert to the
difficulties which will in this session be experienced in carrying
on a great battle for the Crimes Act.) My difficulty would lie not
in my pledges or declarations (though these, of a public
character, are serious), but in my opinions.

Under these circumstances, I said, I take into view the freedom of
my own position. My engagements to my colleagues are fulfilled;
the great Russian question is probably settled; if we stand firm
on the Soudan, we are now released from that embarrassment; and
the Egyptian question, if the financial convention be safe, no
longer presents any very serious difficulties. I am entitled to
lay down my office as having done my work.

Consequently the very last thing I should contemplate is opening
the Irish difficulty in connection with my resignation, should I
resign. It would come antecedently to any parliamentary treatment
of that problem. If thereafter the secession of some members
should break up the cabinet, it would leave behind it an excellent
record at home and abroad. Lord Granville, w