resigning in _case_. But to send in a resignation makes it
impossible for his colleagues as men of honour to recede. 3. I
think one of his best points is that he had made before taking
office recent and formal declarations on behalf of economy, of
which his colleagues must be taken to have been cognisant, and
Salisbury in particular. He may plead that he could not reduce
these all at once to zero. 4. Cannot something be done, without
reference to the holes that may be picked, to give him some
support as a champion of economy? This talk about the continental
war, I for one regard as pure nonsense when aimed at magnifying
our estimates.

5. With regard to Hartington. What he will do I know not, and our
wishes could have no weight with him.... The position is one of
such difficulty for H. that I am very sorry for him, though it was
never more true that he who makes his own bed in a certain way
must lie in it. Chamberlain's speech hits him very hard in case of
acceptance. I take it for granted that he will not accept to sit
among thirteen tories, but will have to demand an entry by force,
_i.e._ with three or four friends. To accept upon that footing
would, I think, be the logical consequence of all he has said and
done since April. In logic, he ought to go forward, _or_, as
Chamberlain has done, backward. The Queen will, I have no doubt,
be brought to bear upon him, and the nine-tenths of his order. If
the Irish question rules all others, all he has to consider is
whether he (properly flanked) can serve his view of the Irish
question. But with this logic we have nothing to do. The question
for us also is (I think), what is best for our view of the Irish
question? I am tempted to wish that he should accept; it would
clear the ground. But I do not yet see my way with certainty.

6. With regard to Chamberlain. From what has already passed
between us you know that, apart from the new situation and from
his declaration, I was very desirous that everything honourable
should be done to conciliate and soothe. Unquestionably his speech
is a new fact of great weight. He is again a liberal, _quand
meme_, and will not on all points (as good old Joe Hume used to
say) swear black is white for the sake of his views on Ireland. We
ought not to waste this new fact, but take careful account of