Sir Michael Hicks-Beach on Wednesday made an amusing and, in
its way, able speech at Salisbury. He declared that the Tory possession of power was a real possession, and that they intended to use it ; and affirmed that when the Liberals resigned they were "bankrupt in character, in reputation, and in power," and they were now reuniting only to turn the Tories out. He admitted that boycotting had become rife in Ireland ; but said the Government had instituted prosecutions, and if those means failed, would try stronger measures. He regretted the depres- sion, which he said Mr. Gladstone in his Manifesto did not even mention, a depression increased by Liberal extravagance, and did not believe that either the Act about ground-game, or the Act protecting unexhausted improvements, had done agri- culture any good. As to Mr. Chamberlain's offers, the more they were looked into, the more would be found against them. A freehold cottage was not such an advantage as a cottage which the landlord must be strictly bound to repair, and a man on wages was better off than a little farmer. He advised all voters to ask all candidates categorically whether they meant to vote for Disestablishment or the suppression of the House of Lords. We also wish they would ask the second question, and that the answer and its reception should be for- warded to all Peers. The register of those questions and answers would he an enlightening document.
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