Mr. Chamberlain has made two great speeches—one at Bir- mingham
on Saturday, and on Thursday at Barrow—besides minor ones, all so full of matter that it is hopeless to condense them. He adheres in the main to his well-known scheme and his usual arguments, and goes on denouncing the Land-purchase Bill, which he says is a well-known kind of impostor, and "shams dead" in order to extract money ; but on Thursday he suddenly broke into a loftier strain :—" The issue presented to you is the gravest that was ever presented to the people. I implore you to consider it with the great atten- tion which it deserves. Put aside all personal feeling and all partial affection. Remember that you are trustees of a great inheritance. To you, the new democracy, have been entrusted the destinies of this great country. Is there any one here, any Englishman, any Scotchman, or any loyal Irishman, who is not proud of these two isles which form the United Kingdom ? See to it that in your hands their glory suffers not, that there is no diminution of the lustre which shines upon your British annals." He had the good fortune to be a friend of M. Gambetta, and M. Gainbetta had once said to him that "democracy had yet to show itself able and willing to govern a great Empire." Some day or other Mr. Chamberlain will fight for the great Empire ; and we do not think, when that hour arrives, Englishmen will have to complain of his slackness.
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