second reading, I should vote like a peer, with total disregard to
the opinion of those who sent me to Parliament. Their overwhelming
feeling--and they never cared for Mr. Gladstone, and do not care for
him--is, hatred of the Land Bill, but determination to have done
with coercion. They look on the second reading as a declaration for
or against large change. They believe that the Irish members will be
kept, though they differ as to whether they want it. Both you and I
regard large change as inevitable, and it is certain that as to the
form of it you must win. The exclusion of the Irish has no powerful
friends, save Morley, and he knows he is beaten and must give way. I
still in my heart think the case for the exclusion better than the
case against it, but all the talk is the other way. The _Pall Mall_
is helping you very powerfully, for it _is_ a tremendous power, and
even Mr. G., I fancy, is really with you about it, and not with
Morley. It seems to me that they must accept your own terms.

'The meeting was a most wonderful success.

'Yours ever,

'Chs. W. D.

'Since I nearly finished this, your other has come, and I have now
read it. I have only to repeat that I should not negotiate through
Labouchere, but through a member of the Cabinet of high character
who agrees in your view. L. is very able and very pleasant, but
still a little too fond of fun, which often, in delicate matters,
means mischief.

'I have kept no copy of this letter. When one has a "difference with