The Standard is in a state of such deplorable confusion
of mind at the division of yesterday week, that it unsays one day what it said the day before, and that in the most explicit terms. On Monday our contemporary was sanguine :—" While the Liberals are singing paeans over their triumph of Friday, a careful study of the debate, and still more, a diligent analysis of the division list, show that the victory is of a most unsubstantial character." As, however, it cautiously withheld both " a careful study of the debate," and "still more, a diligent analysis of the division list," we were not informed how it justified this oracular state- ment, and not surprised to read the next day, " The Liberal party have gained a victory, and that by a majority unexpectedly large and complete." Perhaps, in the meantime, "a careful study of the debate, and still more a diligent analysis of the division list," had taken place, and turned out contrary to order. On Monday, too, the Standard believed that the division on the Resolutions would reverse the result of the division on the question of going into Committee. On Tuesday it believed only that the new Parliament would reverse the decision of the present Parliament. Thus even the great Tory organ seems capable of progress, for there is an infinitesimal element of progress in exchanging a strong hope that the country will be unjust this year, for a faint hope that it may perhaps be unjust next. At that rate, it might even lose all hope of injustice to Ireland in a few years.
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