Before the resumption of the Home-rule debate yesterday week, there
was a rather hot skirmish between Mr. Gladstone and those opposed to him on the subject of his statement at the Foreign Office on the previous day. Though differing entirely with his policy, we cannot say that we think that in this skirmish full justice was done to him. Mr. Gladstone had indicated as clearly as he could that if the Home-rule Bill should pass its second reading, the Government would press it no further before the Long Vacation, and he had also expressed the preference of the Government for the course of proroguing Parliament, and introducing in the autumn a new Bill, with the 24th clause reconstructed, and provisions introduced for retaining Irish Mem- bers in the Parliament at Westminster for all debates affecting Imperial affairs. Mr. Gladstone, however, had not positively de- clared whether he would adjourn or prorogue, the difference being that in the former case the first and second readings would not have to be repeated, while in the latter case they would have to be repeated ; and on this point he was subjected to a very severe criti- cism, although he plainly indicated that he could hardly commit himself finally without a previous reference to the Throne. The Government at last declared plainly that the advice they would tender to the Queen would be to prorogue Parliament, and not to adjourn it; but it was hardly fair, we think, to extort this absolute declaration, considering that there is always great delicacy in publishing the advice to be given to the Sovereign before it has been given, that course practically diminishing the influence which the Sovereign's personal criticism might otherwise exert on the Minister who tenders his advice.
