On Tuesday the Closure was carried on Mr. Brodrick's amendment
proposing to allow the Queen, on receiving an address to that effect from both Houses of Parliament, to diminish or restrain the whole or any part of the powers therein granted to the Irish Legislature, by a majority of 56 (300 to 244), and the amendment itself was rejected by the same majority (303 to 247) ; and subsequently a long discussion arose on Sir Henry James's proposal to limit the Second Clause by the proviso that, notwithstanding anything contained in the Home- rule measure, the supreme power and authority of the Parlia- ment of the United Kingdom should remain "unaffected and undiminished over all persons, matters, and things within the Queen's dominions." Mr. Gladstone accepted the amendment in the abstract, as a "hallowed principle," but argued vehemently for its postponement and removal to a later point in the Bill. But on this the Unionists stood firm, as they wished to follow up this amendment by consequential amend- ments, giving the Supremacy a substantial practical sig- nificance; and Mr. Balfour even treated Mr. Gladstone's word " hallowed " with some ridicule, remarking that, like other "hallowed things," Mr, Gladstone wished this " hallowed " supremacy to have exceedingly little influence on those who worship it. Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Morley both of them resented warmly the suggestion of these con- sequential amendments, which were to make the Imperial Legislature into a Court of Appeal from the Irish Legislature ; but evidently Mr. Gladstone was aware that his own followers would revolt if Sir Henry James's amendment were rejected, and he acceded to it, though with a very bad grace, while defying the Opposition to raise any further political structure on the concession. Sir Henry James's amendment was there- fore agreed to amid loud Opposition cheers.
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