Wealdstone House, Harrow Weald, April 24th, 1882. DEAR SIR,—I have
to thank you for your letter of the 21st inst., and to apologise for again troubling you. It is quite possible that I may have written under a misapprehension, but I do not think that I did.
I understood, and still understand, that the Government con- sider the question of a bare majority the principle of their pro- posal, and not a matter of detail; and I was glad to gather from Mr. Gladstone's answer to a question put to him on March 31st (since the division upon Mr. Marriott's amendment) that he proposed to adhere strictly to the bare majority, and to make it a question of confidence.
I do not think that I underrate the number of Liberals who object to the Closure by a bare majority. In London and its neighbourhood, there have always been, and are now, men who nominally belong to the Liberal Party, but who, in consequence of Society and Club influences, seem to think it more respect- able to oppose the measures of Mr. Gladstone's Government.
These used to be called Jingoes, and may now be called half- and-half (not, I hope, two-thirds) Liberals. But I may say confidently, from my own personal observation, that the country constituencies are (except as to the Irish and Home-rale vote) as sound as they were in 1880, and that they cordially and enthusiastically approve of Mr. Gladstone's policy upon all matters, not excepting the Closure.
I know perfectly well that you are not one of the kind of Liberals to which I have referred, and I very much hope that I am right in gathering from your letter that if the Government should treat your amendment as a matter of confidence, you will withdraw it.
I should never ask any Member to vote against what he thought right, but surely I may ask him to consider whether it is not possible that he may be wrong, and the Government and a majority of Liberals right P This question is one of in- terest to so many of your constituents, and, I venture to think, to Liberals generally, that I am sure you will allow me to publish our correspondence. Kindly let me hear from you, with this permission.—I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
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