Whether it was the approving reference to charity and meekness,
or the disapproving reference to " disdainful sharpness and wit," that irritated Sir W. Harcourt, we shall never know, —perhaps both the one and the other,—for in his speech he took up what he called Dr. Dale's "sermon" with some acrimony; saying that the accents of the gospel of peace fell agreeably on their ears, especially when they came from the capital of the Midlands. It was a sermon, however, he remarked, that, so far as it was addressed to him, was addressed to one already con- verted. "It seems to me a waste of those great powers which ought to be reserved for impenitent sinners." What more could he do than he bad done P He bad provided that useful piece of furniture which had become famous as " the Round Table," for the conference of the two sections of the party; and though he had been invited to sell it, be hoped to keep it as a memorial of conferences so harmonious. The two sections of the Liberal Party, so far as represented in these conferences, agreed on very many and very important points, and differed on few and secondary points. Nevertheless, the only cordial feeling which Sir W. Harcourt had to express was reserved exclusively for Sir George Trevelyan. So far as regarded the rest of the party, Sir William Harcourt evidently relied more on Lord Salisbury for bringing about their reconcilia- tion than on any " Round Table " Conferences. He proceeded to deliver a sharp attack on Lord Salisbury and Mr. Goschen, and to promise for the Liberal Party that they would remedy the evils of Ireland by giving Ireland Home-rale. We do not envy the position of Sir George Trevelyan if be is at all likely to recoil into the arms of Sir William Harcourt.
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