This view was attacked later in the evening by Sir.
W. Har- court, in a very clever speech of the peculiar kind which he affects,—a kind savouring not a little of pomposity and clap-trap. He described Mr. Gladstone's theory of the discipline of the Church as congregational, as one tolerating under an Act of Uniformity " Universal Nonconformity," as one of " optional Conformity." He insisted that the Act of Uniformity should be enforced, and that if any change in the Rubrics was wanted, the House should make that change ; he ridiculed Convocation in his best style, and eloquently entreated the House to enforce " the supremacy of the law, which was the only guarantee of the liberty of the clergy and the rights of the people." Mr. Gathorne Hardy,—oddly interrupted by a cat which some member of the Opposition, perhaps Mr. Dillwyn, had let out of the bag, when he intimated that these kinds of dis- pates must lead to disestablishment,—and which entering the House from behind the Speaker's chair, went carefully into the "Aye lobby," —made an earnest but rather embarrassed speech against the Bill, and after much .cavilling about adjournment, the debate was-ad- journed till Wednesday, when Mr. Disraeli promises to give the opinion,—we suppose he- means the various opinions,—of the Government. For the Government take as many different views of the Bill as the country. There will, of course, be no legislation this Session, but the second reading will probably get a consider- able majority, for John Bull's heart is hot within him, and his reason is quiescent.
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