ich has from time immemorial formed
the basis of English, tradition, I am much more disposed to be
thankful for what we then and afterwards accomplished, than to
murmur or to wonder at what we did not.

What Mr. Gladstone called the basis of his new government was set out in a
short memorandum, which he read to each of those whom he hoped to include
in his cabinet: "I propose to examine whether it is or is not practicable
to comply with the desire widely prevalent in Ireland, and testified by
the return of eighty-five out of one hundred and three representatives,
for the establishment by statute of a legislative body to sit in Dublin,
and to deal with Irish as distinguished from imperial affairs; in such a
manner as would be just to each of the three kingdoms, equitable with
reference to every class of the people of Ireland, conducive to the social
order and harmony of that country, and calculated to support and
consolidate the unity of the empire on the continued basis of imperial
authority and mutual attachment."

No definite plan was propounded or foreshadowed, but only the proposition
that it was a duty to seek a plan. The cynical version was that a cabinet
was got together on the chance of being able to agree. To Lord Hartington,
Mr. Gladstone applied as soon as he received the Queen's commission. The
invitation was declined on reasoned grounds (January 30). Examination and
inquiry, said Lord Hartington, must mean a proposal. If no proposal
followed inquiry, the reaction of Irish disappointment would be severe, as
it would be natural. His adherence, moreover, would be of little value. He
had already, he observed, in the government of 1880 made concessions on
other subjects that might be thought to have shaken public confidence in
him; he could go no further without destroying that confidence altogether.
However that might be, he could not depart from the traditions of British
statesmen, and he was opposed to a separate Irish legislature. At the same
time he concluded, in a sentence afterwards pressed by Mr. Gladstone on
the notice of the Queen: "I am fully convinced that the alternative policy
of governing Ireland without large concessions to the national sentiment,
presents difficulties of a tremendous character, which in my opinion could
now only be faced by the support of a nation united by the consciousness
that the fullest opportunity had been given for the production and
consideration of a conci