Mr. Butt seems to have obtained one English Conservative supporter
to his scheme of Home Rule in Ireland. At a meeting held in the Free-Trade Hall, Manchester, on Monday, a letter was read from Lord R. Montagu, stating that he had become more Conservative than ever, but that he wished the internal affairs of Ireland to be regulated by an Irish Parliament, with full control of Irish revenue and expenditure, subject to a just proportion to be paid for Imperial needs, but without any con- trol from an Imperial Parliament on any subject. He would, however, leave the Queen her prerogative, much extended, for he says he doubts if sovereignty can reside in any body of men. In plainer English, Ireland is to do as she likes whenever the prerogative is not concerned, and whenever it is concerned, Eng- lish Ministers are to issue Orders in Council. That is nearly a perfect scheme, uniting as it does all the evils of independence and all the evils of despotism wielded by aliens in race and in religion, and would last, we should say, about a week. It would be far better policy for England, at all events, to out the cable, and form a strict alliance which both parties would understand. By the way, why does not Mr. Butt ask his followers for the weekly penny rent? It would teach him that he is not O'Connell nearly as thoroughly as the next general election will.
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