The Conservatives are giving tongue. They have held four meetings
at least this week, the showiest of them, though not the most violent, at Leeds on Wednesday, on occasion of what was called a conference of the representatives of Conser- vative and Constitutional associations in various parts of the kingdom. The conference didn't seem to have had much to confer about, and adjourned very quickly, only to meet again five hundred strong at dinner. Lord Wharncliffe presided. Mr. Powell (North-West Riding) spoke the sort of thing that is usually called, we believe, "heart-stirring eloquence " about the Church, and then Mr. Stanhope, M.P., was very great indeed upon the House of Lords, an institution for which he professed great thankfulness to God, declaring that all Englishmen, Yorkshiremen especially, value "a hit of blood" in horses, dogs, or legislators. Mr. Raikes (Chester) was " scathing " in his -denunciations of the Government, and made one really respect- able party joke, declaring his half-expectation that the Marquis of Ripon would be sent to Spain to express regret that the North- fleet had got into the way of the 'Murillo, and that on the Marquis's return he would be made a Duke in acknowledg- ment of his services. On the whole, the Conservative Union displayed excellent spirits, and little else. If hope is all the battle, they will succeed ; but if only half, or three- quarters, or nine-tenths say, and the remaining portion must be eked out by mind, the Conservative Union does not promise much. Mr. Powell's heart and Mr. Stanhope's blood' need a little brain to assimilate them to any effect.
