The wishes which are father (or should we say fathers
?) to the thought, that Mr. Gladstone is likely to abandon his second and third resolutions are obviously destined to be disappointed. Mr. Gladstone said on Thursday night in the House of Commons, in asking as to the course of business with reference to the finan- cial resolutions,—" The business of the House next week will be- of a rather absorbing character, as there will be the three resolu- tions on the Irish church to consider." No doubt some weak- kneed Liberals have tried to bring great pressure on Mr. Glad- stone to withdraw his second and third resolutions ; but the con- stituencies are doing a good deal to strengthen these feeble knees, and the result is pretty certain. What Mr. Disraeli will advise the Queen to say in answer to the address of the House of Com- mons is still the great crux of the situation. To reject it would be all but unconstitutional, and to advise agreement to it in any shape would be all but impossible even for Mr. Disraeli. The House of Lords might be relied upon for throwing out the- Bill.
