Mr. Gladstone's statement was very heartily received by those who
spoke. Mr. Dillwyn welcomed it on behalf of the Welsh Members ; Mr. Whitbread warned all Members who wished for some form of Home-rule from voting against the secend reading on account of their objection to details ; and Mr. Arch and various other Members supported the Bill, Mr. Ruston expressing a hope that as the Irish Members were to be admitted in relation to all Imperial matters, there would now be no necessity for attempting to divide in any way the financial obligations of Ireland and Great Britain,—a hope which Mr. Gladstone did not venture either to encourage or to dis- courage. On the whole, the announcement of this sudden and tremendous change of front,—on the great significance of which we have said enough elsewhere,—was, at the moment, received rather with gratulation than with consternation.
