Mr. Stanhope at Gateshead was equally vague. After a few
sharp sentences condemning the Liberal vacillations in Egypt, and a declaration that Lord Salisbury would not leave that country until the ends of its occupation had been answered, and some praise of the Government for having ordered an inquiry into the increasing "depression," Mr. Stanhope pro- ceeded to sketch out a programme. In foreign affairs, the Tory Government would "fulfil the duties which honour and humanity lay upon ns." In home affairs, "though the time had not arrived to formulate a programme," still they hoped to entrust to rural taxpayers, " under proper restrictions," more control over local fends ; and in Irish affairs, "they would endeavour to preserve a fair, impartial course, not looking to the right hand or the left, and maintaining law and order by all the means at their disposal." The Tory speakers clearly have all been reading " Middlemarch," and have come to the conclusion that Mr. Brooke, who accepted all ideas gladly, but carried out none, because "you must not go too far, you know," was a decidedly wise man. It is, perhaps, wise in them to wait for a policy ; but why not say they are waiting, instead of pouring out all this stream of platitudes P
Previous page
