NEWS OF THE WEEK-
SIR HENRY JAMES addressed his constituents at Bury on Monday, to explain his 'position in declining to join the present Government, which he did in a singularly dignified and even stately speech. Mr. Gladstone,—to whom be expressed his attachment in the most cordial terms,—bad offered him, he said, either the Chancellorship or other high office, at his own choice ; but looking to the pledge he hacl given to his constituents not to vote for restoring to Ireland. an Irish Parliament, he was compelled to ask Mr. Gladstone for some assurances as .to his intended Irish policy. These assurances he did not, of course, receive, and could hardly even expect to receive ; and, therefore, he could not doubt but that it was his duty to hold aloof. If he had joined only till the policy of the Government in relation to Irish Home-rule should be developed, he would have placed himself and his colleagues in the disagreeable position of not being really heart and soul at one with the Government, and of having to look forward to an early secession from them, a course which he could not think right. After leading the English Bar for five years, he did not think that any sort of imputation on his political conduct ought to be even possible. And Sir Henry James enjoined upon the Rector of Bury, who had imputed to him the most selfish desire to be elected simply in order to gain another step on the ladder, not in future to advise his parishioners to avoid evil speaking and slander, "lest his precepts be treated with ridicule in the face of the example he sets."
