Mr. Labouchere has addressed a long letter to the Chairman
of the Northampton Liberal and Radioal Association, which is from end to end a scarcely-veiled menace to the Ministry. He "trusts that, as they have attained power by Radical sup- port, they will retain that support by being Radicals in power." If they are, well and good ; but if not, "I shall act as in 1880. No Ministry that is not Radical can expect Radical support." There is no mistaking the meaning of those words, though their significance may be diminished by Mr. Labouchere's revelation of his personal bitterness. He tries to write calmly, but every now and then you hear a choked curse. He calls Mr. Gladstone's acceptance of the whole responsi- bility for his exclusion "senile nonsense," and, while denying any wish for office, says :—" It is, however, one thing not to desire office, and another thing to be stigmatised as a political leper, unfitted for it owing to 'incidents' which, whilst testi- fying to my energy and influence, are in no way disparaging to my honour." The last words are a quotation from a letter of Mr. Gladstone's ; and certainly mean that, in Mr. Labouchere's judgment, Mr. Gladstone has treated him as a political leper. It is curious that Mr. Labouchere, who defended the Irish Land League, should have such cause to acknowledge that boycotting is a cruelty.
