the burden cannot all be borne by one shoulder--especially at a portion
of the sitting when, by a strict interpretation of the rules of the
House, Mr. Gladstone is allowed to speak but once. Why were these
scattered and young and inexperienced troops not told, by their leaders,
of the vast issues involved in this coming vote? Why were not all the
sophistries brushed away, by which the conspirators against the
Government were hiding the real effect and purpose of the votes? Sir
William Harcourt is an old Parliamentary hand; Mr. John Morley is
excellent when a few words are required to meet a crisis; Mr.
Asquith--keen, alert, alive to all that is going on--sits at Mr.
Gladstone's side. Why were all these lips dumb? It made one almost rage
or weep, to see the uncertain battle thus left unguided and
uncontrolled.

[Sidenote: Mr. Goschen to the rescue.]

At last a saviour, but he came from the ranks of the enemy. Mr. Goschen
swept away the network of cobwebs under which Liberals had hidden the
issues, and boldly declared the real issue. And that issue was, that Mr.
Gladstone wanted time to push forward his Home Rule Bill, and that the
Tory party was determined to prevent him getting that time if they could
manage it. Where be now the hysterics about private members and simple
issues and small questions? The issue lies naked and clear before the
House. But still victory isn't assured. Mr. Goschen with his thick
utterance, his muffled voice, his loss of grip and point, has ceased to
be listened to very attentively in the House of Commons; and this
speech--the most significant yet delivered--passes almost unnoticed,
except by those who know the House of Commons and watch its moods and
every word. The last and decisive word has yet to come.