Lord Salisbury was the guest of the Junior Constitutional Club
on Wednesday, and delivered an interesting and character- istic speech. His allusion to the recent "abortive crisis," and his caustic references to the "curious step" taken by the Dutch Government, showed a detachment, as of a shrewd critic who was thinking aloud, hardly judicious in a Premier; but with this reserve the speech was excellent. Lord Salisbury recommended the greatest care and jealousy in examining the suggestions of amiable and excellent people that we should sacri- fice all we have done and given up for the purpose of cobbling up a peace that will not last. On the other hand, "any restora- tion of peace which can recognise the full rights of our gracious Sovereign and give us security for the Empire we should accept not only with willingness but delight." Turn- ing to Home-rule, he examined the utterances of the " orthodox " and the " semi-orthodox " leaders of the Liberal party, and impressed on his hearers that the "steady, persis- tent, dominant duty" of maintaining, and maintaining per- manently, the junction between the two islands was the most conspicuous duty that fell to their lot.
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