l to remain: that is to say, some
course of public service to be done by him better than if it were
in other hands. Such a prospect he neither sees nor anticipates.
But it is premature to trouble your Majesty on this minor subject.

On the 9th Cardinal Cullen blazed forth in a pastoral that was read in all
the churches. He described the bill as richly endowing non-catholic and
godless colleges, and without giving one farthing to catholics, inviting
them to compete in their poverty, produced by penal laws and
confiscations, with those left in possession of enormous wealth. The new
university scheme only increased the number of Queen's Colleges, so often
and so solemnly condemned by the catholic church and by all Ireland, and
gave a new impulse to that sort of teaching that separates education from
religion and its holy influences, and banishes God, the author of all
good, from our schools. The prelate's pastoral had a decisive effect in
regions far removed from the ambit of his crosier. The tory leader could
not resist a temptation thus offered by the attitude of the Irish
cardinal, and the measure that had been much reviled as a dark concordat
between Mr. Gladstone and the pope, was now rejected by a concordat
between the pope's men and Mr. Disraeli.

The discussion was on a high level in Mr. Gladstone's judgment. Lyon
Playfair criticised details with some severity and much ability, but
intended to vote for the bill. Miall, the nonconformist leader, supported
the second reading, but required alterations that were admissible enough.
On March 10 Mr. Harcourt, who was not yet an old member, "opened the
discussion by a speech in advance of any he has yet delivered as to effect
upon the House. Severe in criticism on detail, he was favourable to the
substance of the bill." One significant incident of the debate was a
declaration by Bentinck, a conservative ultra, that he would vote against
the bill in reliance on the declaration of Mr. Hardy, which he understood
to be a pledge for himself and others near him, not to take office during
the existence of the present parliament. "Mr. Hardy remained silent during
this appeal, which was several times repeated." Then the end came (March
11-12):--

Mr. Disraeli rose at half-past ten, and spoke amidst rapt
attention till midnight. Mr. Gladstone followed in a speech of two
hours, and at two o'clock the division was called. During the
whole evening the