nce. In a scrap dated at this period Mr. Gladstone wrote:
"Divisions in the liberal party are to be seriously apprehended from a
factious spirit on questions of economy, on questions of education in
relation to religion, on further parliamentary change, on the land laws.
On these questions generally my sympathies are with what may be termed the
advanced party, whom on other and general grounds I certainly will never
head nor lead."

The quarrel between the government and the nonconformists was not
mitigated by a speech of Mr. Gladstone's against a motion for the
disestablishment of the church. It was described by Speaker Brand as "firm
and good," but the dissenters, with all their kindness for the prime
minister, thought it firm and bad.(289) To Dr. Allon, one of the most
respected of their leaders, Mr. Gladstone wrote (July 5):--

The spirit of frankness in which you write is ever acceptable to
me. I fear there may be much in your sombre anticipations. But if
there is to be a great schism in the liberal party, I hope I shall
never find it my duty to conduct the operations either of the one
or of the other section. The nonconformists have shown me great
kindness and indulgence; they have hitherto interpreted my acts
and words in the most favourable sense; and if the time has come
when my acts and words pass beyond the measure of their patience,
I contemplate with repugnance, at my time of life especially, the
idea of entering into conflict with them. A political severance,
somewhat resembling in this a change in religion, should at most
occur not more than once in life. At the same time I must observe
that no one has yet to my knowledge pointed out the expressions or
arguments in the speech, that can justly give offence.

A few personal jottings will be found of interest:--

_April 7, 1873._--H. of C. The budget and its reception mark a real
onward step in the session. 23.--Breakfast with Mr. C. Field to
meet Mr. Emerson. 30.--I went to see the remains of my dear friend
James Hope. Many sad memories but more joyful hopes. _May 15._--The
King and Queen of the Belgians came to breakfast at ten. A party
of twenty. They were most kind, and all went well.

_To the Queen_ (May 19).--Mr. Gladstone had an interview yesterday
at Chiselhurst with the Empress. He thought her Majesty much
thinner and more worn than last year, but s