e least what they recommend.

There are two differences between them and me on this subject.
First as to the matter; I go rather further than they do; for I
would undoubtedly make a _beginning_ with the Irish police.
Secondly as to the _ground_; here I differ seriously. I do not
reckon with any confidence upon Manning or Parnell; I have never
looked much in Irish matters at negotiation or the conciliation of
leaders. I look at the question in itself, and I am deeply
convinced that the measure in itself will (especially if
accompanied with similar measures elsewhere, _e.g._ in Scotland)
be good for the country and the empire; I do not say unmixedly
good, but with advantages enormously outweighing any drawbacks.

Apart from these differences, and taking their point of view, I
think they ought to endeavour to fight the election with you; and
in the _new state of affairs_ which will be presented after the
dissolution, try and see what effect may be produced upon your
mind, and on other minds, when you have to look at the matter
_cominus_ and not _eminus_, as actual, and not as hypothetical. I
gave Chamberlain a brief hint of these speculations when
endeavouring to work upon him; otherwise I have not mentioned them
to any one.

IV

On the day of his return to London from Hawarden Mr. Gladstone had an
interview with the two ministers with whom on the merits he was most
disposed to agree, though he differed strongly from them as to tactics.
Resignations were still only suspended, yet the prospects of compromise
were hopeful. At a cabinet held on the following day (June 5) it was
agreed that he should in the course of a week give notice of a bill to
take the place of the expiring Crimes Act. The point left open was whether
the operative provisions of such an Act--agreed on some time before--should
not be brought into operation without some special act of the executive
government, by proclamation, order in council, or otherwise. Local
government was still left open. Lord Spencer crossed over from Ireland on
the night of June 7, and the cabinet met next day. All differences were
narrowed down to the point whether the enactments against intimidation
should be inoperative unless and until the lord lieutenant should waken
them into life by proclamation. As it happened, intimidation had been for
a considerable time upon the increase--from which