The Government are evidently disposed to "drink delight of battle,"
not only with their peers in the House of Com- mons, but also,—and especially, perhaps,—with the Peers in the House of Lords, on the subject of the Lords' amend- ment to the Employers' Liability Bill and rejection of the Home-rule Bill. Mr. Gladstone's answer to Mr. Balfour on Thursday,—that he should treat Lord George Hamilton's mo- tion on the Navy as a mere motion of want of confidence in the Government, and give Tuesday night for its discussion, was couched in a very peremptory form, which appeared to inti- mate great satisfaction in the prospect of a fresh engage- ment. And again, in discussing the arrangement of the business of the House, in reply to Sir J. Dorington's motion of adjournment, Mr. Gladstone did not conceal his satisfac- tion in condemning the House to hard labour until it had either passed the Government measures, or given the Govern- ment a good opportunity of telling the country that the Opposition would not pass them in any form that would be satisfactory to the people. Sir J. Dorington's motion was closured by a majority of 49 (165 to 116), and lost by a majority of 50 (165 to 115). It is clear that the Ministerial Party are eager for the fight, and not at all sorry to close the campaign with a pitched battle.
