11 FEBRUARY 1888, Page 2

Mr. W. H. Smith received these overtures with the cordiality

to be expected from him ; made rather light of the proposals concerning Procedure ; believed that the House would be satisfied with the disposition of the Government to respect old historic boundaries in dealing with their Local Government Bill; and treated Mr. Gladstone's promises of help with the utmost urbanity. In fact, and evidently without entering any Fools' Paradise, Mr. W. H. Smith enjoyed for the moment the unex- pected mitigation of the severe conditions of conflict which he had anticipated. A few Irish speeches closed the debate, all having gone as merrily almost as marriage-bells.