The debate, and the facts brought out after the debate,
were in every way calculated to enhance Mr. Chamberlain's reputa- tion as an administrator and as a politician; but we rather regret- his having said repeatedly in his reply that be had found to his. own great regret that some of his best appointments were Con- servatives. Of course, it is quite legitimate to regret findiagamy man whom you respect an adherent of a political creed strongly opposed to your own ; but then, it is not desirable to emphasise the hostilities of party life, and these sort of remarks rather tend to do it. Mr. Labouchere, for instance, seized on the hint, and declared that no Conservative at all ought to have been appointed, and that he preferred Lord Palmerston's saying,— that " the best man is the man whom I like best." That was probably meant partly as a joke. But this sort of joke, whether from Lord Palmerston or Mr. Labouchere, is in very bad taste, and does tend to encourage the unscrupulous tendencies of party organisation.
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