21 MAY 1881, Page 2

When the House divided, there appeared for the second read-

ing a majority of 352 against 176, exactly two to on 0,—a majority very far in excess of the largest majority which this Government can usually command, and that, too, although no loss than twenty-eight Home-rulers stayed away altogether. Of the 103 Irish Members, only seven voted against the Bill, while thirteen Ulster Conservatives (including Sir Richard Wallace, who is not the kind of man to vote for confiscation) supported it. A single Irish Liberal, Sir John Ennis, voted against the Bill, but not a single Scotch or English Liberal. A single English Conservative, Sir B. Leighton, on the other hand, supported the Bill. The House numbered only 533, including the Speaker and Tellers, out of 640 Members, the greater number of absentees being obviously Tories. The Tories numbered 269 after the general election, and have gained a few odd seats since. As they numbered only 176 on Thursday night, a considerable number of them must have stayed away, without pairing. As the Liberals, not counting Home-rulers, numbered only 352 after the general election and have lost seats since, even after allowing for the Conservative and Home-rule support which they received-26 of the latter voted with them, though 28 stayed away—there were not enough left to provide pairs for very many of the Tory absentees.