ter, Mr. Gladstone said, "I must
express my personal conviction that had the late ministers remained in
office and proceeded with their proposed plan of repression, and even had
that plan received my support, it would have ended in a disastrous
parliamentary failure."(179)

The next day (Jan. 28) ministers of course determined to resign. A liberal
member of parliament was overtaken by Lord Randolph on the parade ground,
walking away from the cabinet. "You look a little pensive," said the
liberal. "Yes; I was thinking. I have plenty to think of. Well, we are
out, and you are in." "I suppose so," the liberal replied, "we are in for
six months; we dissolve; you are in for six years." "Not at all sure,"
said Lord Randolph; "let me tell you one thing most solemnly and most
surely: the conservative party are not going to be made the instrument of
the Irish for turning out Mr. Gladstone, if he refuses repeal." "Nobody,"
observed the sententious liberal, "should so often as the politician say
the prayer not to be led into temptation. Remember your doings last
summer."

Chapter V. The New Policy. (1886)

In reason all government without the consent of the governed is
the very definition of slavery; but in fact eleven men well armed
will certainly subdue one single man in his shirt.... Those who
have used to cramp liberty have gone so far as to resent even the
liberty of complaining; although a man upon the rack was never
known to be refused the liberty of roaring as loud as he thought
fit.--JONATHAN SWIFT.

I

The tory government was defeated in the sitting of Tuesday (Jan. 26). On
Friday, "at a quarter after midnight, in came Sir H. Ponsonby, with verbal
commission from her Majesty, which I at once accepted."(180) The whole of
Saturday was spent in consultations with colleagues. On Sunday, Mr.
Gladstone records, "except church, my day from one to eight was given to
business. I got only fragmentary reading of the life of the admirable Mr.
Suckling and other books. At night came a painful and harassing succession
of letters, and my sleep for once gave way; yet for the soul it was
profitable, driving me to the hope that the strength of God might be made
manifest in my weakness." On Monday, Feb. 1, he went to attend the Queen.
"Off at 9.10 to Osborne. Two audiences: an hour and half in all.
Everything good in the main points. Large discourse upon Ireland in
particular. Returned at 7-