The moderate Liberals are condoling with their followers on the
resignation of Lord Rosebery, and encouraging them not to be "afraid with any amazement ; " but they evidently do not care to conceal their low spirits. Mr. S. Whitbread at Bedford on Wednesday told the Liberals that what they wanted was not so much a new leader as new followers, and that they ought to begin at the bottom, gather in all possible re- cruits, and set their house in order. And Lord Ripon, speak- ing at Darlington on the same day, said that the resignation of Lord Rosebery had produced no dismay, and that it was not the Liberal programme which had been in fault, but the bad use made of it. The Liberals, he thought, had made many serious mistakes. No doubt ; but the worst mistake of all was the attempt to unloose Ireland from the Union. That, however, is not a mistake which Lord Ripon will admit.
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