'I feel bitterly the action of some of these men ... who have left
my side at this time, although many of them owe much to me, and
certainly cannot pretend to have worked out for themselves the
policy which for various reasons they have adopted. On the
whole--and in spite of unfavourable symptoms--I think I shall win
this fight, and shall have in the long-run an increase of public
influence; but even if this should be the case I cannot forget what
has been said and done by those who were among my most intimate
associates, and I shall never work with them again with the
slightest real pleasure or real confidence. With you it is
different. We have been so closely connected that I cannot
contemplate any severance. I hope, as I have said, that this
infernal cloud on your public life will be dispersed; and if it is
not I feel that half my usefulness and more--much more--than half my
interest in politics are gone.... As to the course to be taken, it
is clear. You must do what you believe to be right, even though it
sends us for once into opposite lobbies.

'I do not really expect the Government to give way, and, indeed, I
do not wish it. To satisfy others I have talked about conciliation,
and have consented to make advances, but on the whole I would rather
vote against the Bill than not, and the retention of the Irish
members is only, with me, the flag that covers other objections. I
want to see the whole Bill recast and brought back to the National
Council proposals, with the changes justified by the altered public
opinion. I have no objection to call them Parliaments and to give
them some legislative powers, but I have as strong a dislike as ever
to anything like a really co-ordinate authority in Ireland, and if
one is ever set up I should not like to take the responsibility of