ected," Mr. Gladstone reports, "considering the natural leanings of
English and Scotch members to discount in Ireland what they would not
apply in Great Britain. They are not very familiar with Irish land
tenures." One fact of much significance he notes in these historic
proceedings. Disraeli, he writes to the Duke of Argyll (April 21, 1870),
"has not spoken one word against valuation of rents or perpetuity of
tenure." It was from the house of his friends that danger came:--

_April 4._--H. of C. Spoke on Disraeli's amendment. A majority of
76, but the navigation is at present extremely critical. 7.--H. of
C. A most ominous day from end to end. Early in the evening I gave
a review of the state of the bill, and later another menace of
overturn if the motion of Mr. William Fowler [a liberal banker],
which Palmer had unfortunately (as is too common with him) brought
into importance, should be carried. We had a majority of only 32.

To Lord Russell he writes (April 12):--

I am in the hurry-scurry of preparation for a run into the country
this evening, but I must not omit to thank you for your very kind
and welcome letter. We have had a most anxious time in regard to
the Irish Land bill.... The fear that our Land bill may cross the
water creates a sensitive state of mind among all tories, many
whigs, and a few radicals. Upon this state of things comes Palmer
with his legal mind, legal point of view, legal aptitude and
inaptitude (_vide_ Mr. Burke), and stirs these susceptibilities to
such a point that he is always near bringing us to grief. Even
Grey more or less goes with him.

Phillimore records a visit in these critical days:--

_April 8._--Gladstone looked worn and fagged. Very affectionate and
confidential. Annoyed at Palmer's conduct. Gladstone feels keenly
the want of support in debate. Bright ill. Lowe no moral weight.
"I feel when I have spoken, that I have not a shot in my locker."

As a very accomplished journalist of the day wrote, there was something
almost painful in the strange phenomenon of a prime minister fighting as
it were all but single-handed the details of his own great measure through
the ambuscades and charges of a numerous and restless enemy--and of an
enemy determined apparently to fritter away the principle of the measure
under the pretence of modifying its details. "No prime minister has ever
att