We have discussed elsewhere the debate on Mr. G. 'rrevelyan's
Bill to assimilate the franchise in counties and boroughs, and need here only remark on some oddities in the Division List. The second reading was negatitred by 287 to 173, a vast number of Liberals staying away, either accidentally or of design. The only Minister who spoke for, it "with fervour," as Mr. Disraeli said; was Mr. 'Forster, who thus proclaims himself distinctly the advoL eate of the unenfranchised in the counties, the most powerful body now outside the Constitution. Mr. Stansfeld also voted for it, as did Mr. Childers and Mr. Fawcett, but Mr. Gladstone, though we believe, froth his letter of last year, friendly to the principle of the Bill, stayed away from the debate ; Lord Hart- ington and Mr. Goschen left without voting ; Mr. Lowe voted against it, Mr. Bright was not present, Sir W. Harcourt did not vote, and in fact, the majcirity of the Liberal chiefs deserted the fist principle of the Liberal party,—that no class shalLbe left•absolutely unrepresented. Many, no doubt,' viere away' only be-
cause they did not think the vote was as serious as it is, but their conduct was as unwise as that of the Houk when it laughed at Mr. Arch's name. Suppose he accepts the advice already tendered to him by men less temperate and patriotic than himself, and stops recruiting throughout the land, as he could do by a epeech, would the House laugh then ? Cannot even Tory Members see that every real, living force not admitted into the Constitution becomes a battering-ram against it ?
