A meeting of the Conservative Party, called by Lord Solis-
bury, was held on Wednesday in the great room of the Carlton Club. It was largely attended, Mr. Goschen, among others, being present, a formal evidence of his adhesion to that side, and was addressed by Lord Sa4isbury, Mr. Balfour, Lord Randolph Churchill, and many others. There were no re- porters, and a kind of secrecy was strongly enjoined ; but it is known that Lord Salisbury announced the intention of the Opposition leaders to meet the Home-rule Bill on its second reading with the proposal that it be read this day six months. It was also announced that a determined resistance would be offered to the passing of the second reading before Easter, and to the forcing forward of any of the contentious measures. The plan of action was enthusiastically accepted, and a certain excitement was added to the meeting by a short speech from Lord Randolph Churchill, who thanked those present for the warm reception given him, and announced his intention in future of unhesitatingly following his "brilliant leader," Mr. Balfour. Nothing could exceed the unanimity of the meeting, and it is quite understood that Lord Salisbury's tactics have the approval of the Liberal Unionists, and that the meeting will be followed by a determined effort to rouse the country. In presence of a crisis so great, the fear of a Dissolution has apparently died away.
