The Conservatives of Kent had a grand banquet at Canterbury
on Tuesday, at which Mr. Gathorne Hardy made a speech, described by Conservatives as most eloquent and able. It was very fiery, very full of hope, and sometimes a little humorous. We have analyzed it at some length elsewhere, but may mention here that Mr. Hardy, like Mr. Disraeli, advised the Conservatives to play a waiting game, and not seek power until they were sure of a majority. His idea seems to be that the great Liberal party is gradually disintegrating, and will shortly become a mere resi- duum, chiefly in consequence of ecclesiastical differences. The " moderate men " who belong to it will join the Tories, and the remainder, a few Dissenters and Revolutionists excepted, will apparently evaporate into air. That does not strike us as a states- manlike forecast. If the Tories do not take care, the counter- reaction will set in before the reaction has done its work.
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