Lord Russell did not say much, and what he did
say was not very powerful. He .protested against Mr. Disraeli's exaggerated statements that the whole basis of civil and religious liberty might be destroyed if the Irish Church went ; and remarked that these statements were not at all inconsistent with the design of poison- ing the object of such exaggerated affection. "Like the Queen in Hamlet," said Lord Russell, " methinks the lady cloth protest too much.'" Lord Russell also vindicated himself from the charge that he was not sincere because in 1866 he had resisted Lord Grey's proposals ; that was true ; but in 1866 he had a Reform Bill to push on, and it would have been madness to attempt two such great enterprises,--each of which would gene- rate so many enmities,—at one time. Lord Russell added nothing to the strength of the debate.
Previous page
