with the question with some sense of independence of that party.
In any case of a division, it is I suppose certain that a
considerable majority of British members will oppose the bill.
Thus, whilst it will have the support of the rebel members, it
will be opposed by a majority from Great Britain and by a most
hostile vote from all that is loyal in Ireland. The result will
be, if a majority supports you it will be one composed in effect
of the men who for six years past have insulted the Queen, have
torn down the national flag, have declared your lord lieutenant
guilty of deliberate murder, and have made the imperial parliament
an assembly totally unable to manage the legislative business for
which it annually assembles at Westminster.

Pray forgive me for writing this long letter. I need not assure
you of my sympathy with you, or my sorrow at being unable to
support your present policy in the House or the country. The more
I consider the question, the more I am forced in a direction
contrary to my wishes.

For thirty years I have preached justice to Ireland. I am as much
in her favour now as in past times, but I do not think it justice
or wisdom for Great Britain to consign her population, including
Ulster and all her protestant families, to what there is of
justice and wisdom in the Irish party now sitting in the
parliament in Westminster.

Still, if you think I can be of service, a note to the Reform Club
will, I hope, find me there to-morrow evening.--Ever most sincerely
yours, JOHN BRIGHT.

An old parliamentary friend, of great weight and authority, went to Mr.
Bright to urge him to support a proposal to read the bill a second time,
and then to hang it up for six months. Bright suffered sore travail of
spirit. At the end of an hour the peacemaker rose to depart. Bright
pressed him to continue the wrestle. After three-quarters of an hour more
of it, the same performance took place. It was not until a third hour of
discussion that Mr. Bright would let it come to an end, and at the end he
was still uncertain. The next day the friend met him, looking worn and
gloomy. "You may guess," Mr. Bright said, "what sort of a night I have
had." He had decided to vote against the second reading. The same person
went to Lord Hartington. He took time to deliberate, and then finally
said, "No; Mr. Gladstone and I do not me