21 OCTOBER 1871, Page 1

The real state of the facts as to the "

Now Social Alliance " is involved in a good deal of mystification. Lord Salisbury has admitted that the resolutions were shown to him "confidentially " last June, when he expressed a general sympathy with the aim of the resolution as to the artizans' houses, and strong disapproval of many of the others. Sir Stafford Northcote says that all that he had heard was, " that some Peers and Members of Parliament expressed their willingness to consider any suggestion for legisla- tion on questions affecting the well-being of the working-class in a friendly spirit. No such suggestions have, however, as yet been made in a form admitting of consideration." Lord Derby says that " he never assented to or in any way expressed approval of the ideas set forth " in the string of resolutions. Lord Carnarvon "never assented to, nor could assent to," the resolutions in ques- tion. Mr. Gathorne Hardy is indignant at being " discredited with opinions so unlike my own." The Marquis of Lorne has joined " no association such as that as to which " an Argyllshire elector had questioned him. The Duke of Richmond and Lord Henry Lennox had never heard of the matter. Of the persons mentioned, only Lord John Manners and Sir John Pakington have, as far as we know, made as yet no sort of disclaimer. But Mr. Disraeli, who was said to be " privy " to the negotiations, has also been silent.