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Mr. Balfour went on to point out the great danger

which arose from a Prime Minister anticipating advice to the Crown by months, and announcing to the House of Commons and the country that in certain unknown and undetermined cir- cumstances he was going to suggest what was nothing short of the destruction of the Constitution. The Prime Minister bad bought the Irish vote for his Budget, and he had bought it successfully ; " but the price he has paid is the price of the dignity of his office and of the great traditions of which he is the guardian." The House, which on the conclusion of Mr. Balfour's speech was adjourned, broke up in angry confusion, and with an ugly incident which appears to have come very near a personal struggle between Members.

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