Sir Samuel Bignold, formerly Tory member for Norwich, on Wednesday
made a singular statement to the Eldon Club of that city. In 1852 he went up to London on behalf of his constituents to inquire of Mr. Disraeli whether, if the Tories continued in power, the income-tax would really be abolished in 1860. He had an assurance from Mr. Disraeli's own lips" that if the Conserva- tives continued in power that tax should cease in the year men- tioned. Is not that characteristic ? Cannot one imagine the member for Bucks gravely assuming the power of prophecy, and assuring a representative member of a class he has so often satirized that, provided only an impossibility occurred, he should eight years afterwards do something that his party would like very much? We thought the Liberals were the party of the future, but the Norwich Tories have a prophetic faith to which that of their rivals is mere impatience. Imagine Mr. Gladstone telling a great constituency in confidence his budget for 18731
Previous page
