e cabinet who had transgressed by absence from a division
of life and death:--

I should not act frankly by you if I did not state it, without
hesitation as a general and prospective proposition, that, without
reference to the likelihood or unlikelihood of defeat, upon
motions which must from their nature be votes of confidence,
[there can] be but one rule for the members of the government, and
that is to give the votes themselves which at the same time the
government with less strong title is asking from the members of
their party.

He scolds a leading minister pretty directly for placing him in a
disagreeable and rather ludicrous position, by failing to give the proper
information about a government bill containing an important change, so
that nobody could explain the reason for it to the House. His own personal
example of absolutely unremitting attendance on the scene of action,
entitled him to rebuke slackness. Nothing escaped him. Here is the way in
which he called defaulters to their duty:--

_April 8, 1873._--The chancellor of the exchequer thinks he has
some reason to complain of your having quitted London on Thursday,
without any prior communication with him or Glyn, four days before
the budget. I have heard with regret that the state of your health
has compelled you to spend your vacation abroad; but scarcely even
a direct medical order, and certainly in my opinion nothing less,
could render such an example innocent in its effects, as is set by
a departure from London under such circumstances. Although it has
been a great pleasure to me to admit and recognise your
parliamentary services and distinctions, and though I have always
thought your accession to the government an acquisition of great
value, I must frankly avow my opinion that it is hardly possible
for the chancellor of exchequer to discharge his duties without
your constant and sedulous co-operation, or for the official corps
in general to avoid suffering, if the members of it make
themselves the judges of the question when and under what
circumstances their absence may be permitted during the sittings
of the House.

_June 25, 1870._--I am led to suppose by your absence from the
division yesterday, that there may not be a perfectly clear
understanding between us as to the obligations of members of the
government on these o