Mr. Gladstone has published in the English Historical Review some
comments on Mr. Greville's "Memoirs," of considerable historical interest. Ile prefaces them, however, by a still more interesting statement;—his own view of the utility of the Peelite Party. He pronounces against it. "The intermediate position" between parties " is essentially a false position, and nothing can long disguise its falseness." " I remember having frankly stated for myself to Lord Derby that we were a public. nuisance." "Rapid migrations from camp to camp may be less creditable; slow ones not only are more painful, but are attended with protracted public inconvenience." Mr. Gladstone obviously has his eye on the Unionists,—and, indeed, he says so, observing that his words have a present application ; but his illustration will not greatly shake their faith. As to results, if they do no more harm than the Peelites did, they will be fully content; while as to means, they have a precedent the validity of which Mr. Gladstone will fully acknowledge. He cannot deny that Home-rule is a prac- tical question mainly because Mr. Parnell, at the head of a third party, succeeded for a time in holding the balance of power. May not that great position be used to secure wise ends as efficiently as it was used to secure foolish ones ?
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