The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-12 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN GOSSlP—Saturday.

At the time I write great uncertainty exists as to I e
intentions of the Government with regard to the exact course
which they will take. That they will resist the most important
of the Lords' amendments there is no doubt. The real
question is, whether they will accept the others ? I have
reason to know that it was the current opinion of some
eminent Conservative peers this morning that Ministers
had decided to reject the amendments en bloc, without
discussing them, on the ground that the bill had been so
radically and fundamentally altered by their lordships,
that it was lost time and labour to consider it. In fact, so
general was this belief among the Opposition members of
the Upper House after Lord Granville's distinct intima-
tion that the Government must now reserve to itself the
right to deal with the whole amendments, that Lord Col-
ville, the Conservative whip, issued a circular begging
the attendance of the Conservative peers, not only on
Monday, but on Monday week, when the bill would
be sent back to their lordships from the Lower House. Of
course this would be impossible if the amendments are
discussed in detail. That would occupy at least three,
probably four, nights; and as the bill will not reach the
Commons until Thursday, it would not return to the Lords
until the following Thursday, insteal of Monday, as Lord
Colville's circular supposes.

But while it was the general impression in the Upper
House that the Government would decline to discuss the
amendments, the contrary impression prevailed in the
Lower House last night. It was there stated as probable
that a very long discussion would take place, and the
officials who had charge of various measures of public, but
non-political, importance were warned to make their
arrangements accordingly. At that time it is probable
that Lord Granville's significant remark was not
known in the Lower House. That remark would cer-
tainly imply the first course, and even independent
journals like the Saturday Review affirm that it is the only
one open to Ministers. But it was not to be expected
that Ministers would make any explicit statement until
after the Cabinet Conncilheld to-day, and which is sitting
as I write. Seldom bas a Cabinet met at a more anxious
crisis.

The point to be decided by the Council, impor-
tant though it is, is only a minor one. It will not affect
the ultimate event, the rejection of the bill by the Lords.
The Marquis of Salisbury has determined that he will not
give way upon the all-important point of the
glebes ; and, as the Government are doubly and
trebly pledged not to give way, there can be
but one result, the loss of the bill and the loss of the
session so far as this measure is concerned, with the far
more serious consequences of political agitation through-
out the kingdom prior to an autumn session. Already
arrangements have been made for demonstrations of akind
that no one can misinterpret. In the first place, the
National Reform Union (a very different body from the
Reform League), whose resuscitation did more than
anything to frighten the Conservative party into
household suffrage, will hold a meeting in London
on Wednesday to protest against the policy of
the House of Lords. Meetings have been arranged for
in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Brad-
ford, and other large towns ; and Ministers have only to
give the word, and the machinery of the trades unions
would be put in operation in order to " demonstrate."
.Hitherto the country has remained quiet because it felt
that it had a House of Commons which fairly represented
it ; but now that this assembly has been set at naught by
the House of Lords, it becomes necessary for the nation
to support its own chamber. In fact, the Lords have
appealed to the nation, and Ministers reply, " Unto the
nation shalt thou go."
Very little importance is attached to the meeting of
Irish Conservative peers to-day at the Duke of Aber-
corn's. From sixty to seventy peers were present, and
all information was rigidly refused. The anticipated
meeting of bishops at Lambeth is not to take place.
It is rumoured that Murphy will be present at the
Protestant demonstration this afternoon on Blackheath.
If so, there will probably be a row.
Actions for libel are flying about on all hands. Mr.
Grenville Murray has attacked the Jot z Bull, which was
enterprising and valorous enough to give the first narra-
tive of the great horsewhipping case. The same person
has threatened the Times. The Standard to-day has to
ask pardon of Mr. Inman, the well-known shipping agent,
of Liverpool ; and the Saturdayreview has to insert some-
thing very like an apology to Mr. Digby Seymour for a
very unflattering article in that paper inserted with regard
to the learned gentleman's candidature at Nottingham.
We are having a brilliant day, and the Cobden Club,
which numbers more than 100 M.P's., and a large
number of literary men, will enjoy themselves
right well at Greenwich this afternoon. The
Club have republished, in the form of a pamphlet,
Sir Louis Malet's very able article on Cobden,
which appeared some time ago in the North British Review.
That review, by the way, has just reached its centenary,
i.e., its hundredth number; and the editor announces a
great improvement in future numbers—short notices of
new books such as appear in the British Quarterly and the
London Quarterly. As I write, Mr. Walter Thornbury's
new novel, " The Vicar's Courtship," reaches me, and I
have little doubt but that it will be worthy of the writer's
high reputation.
The rumour that Frances Countess of Waldegrave has
become the proprietor of the Morning Post, which in a
former letter I mentioned without confirming, is, I am
able to state, positively untrue. Equally untrue is the
report that Mr. Childers has purchased that paper.
The Four-in-Hand Club is becoming quite an institu-
tion. No fewer than fourteen drags, with their
quadruple teams, were gathered together at Charing-cross
this morning, and then proceeded down Parliament-
street. I suppose that their noble occupants were going
to witness the weekly slaughter of pigeons at Hurling-
ham.

MISCELLANEOUS NETT7S.

TIIF. IRISH CIII-RCII BILL.

The Irish Church Bill continues to give active
employment to speculative politicians. Mr. John
Ball writes to the Times declaring that it is impels-
sl,le to overrate the importance of carrying the
Ministerial measure this session. He holds
it, however, impossible to carry it without
compromise, and the Duke of Cleveland's amendment
nflords the most favourable opportunity for a conci-
liatory arrangement. The vital point at issue for
the Irish Roman Catholics is the removal of the
badge of conquest ; but no settlement will find favour
with them which does not place them on perfect
equality with the rest of their countrymen. The
nee. William Arthur, late President of the Wesleyan
Conference, writes to the Daily News, on the other hand,
rnid is lost in wonder at thelanguage used by the Lords
about concurrent endowment, and thinks Viat every
week that thecontroversy about the Irish Church is pro-
longA shortens the leise of the Church of England.
The sooner the question is settled the better for all
bnt the lovers rf rgitation and hasty changes.
Concurrent endow.. ent instead of being a
yet lement would lead to the upsetting of
Churches now endowed. "A- Liberal Peer of
Ireland" is disphy.sel at the manner in which the
selection of the representative peerage of Ireland is
d. It has long, he says, been a sine fired non
that the twenty-eight representatives must be
selected from the Irish Protestant Conservative
section—not one-third of the whole body ; and this

re: ses Vie gulf bA.veen the Irish aristocracy and
e;oi•l•", by in•lu:;ia:; yoaug Irish patricians either to
;,L.1.; ;u► English seat or to adopt Conservative
• litics.

7.:1'.7.T1NGS ON TEE IR:STI CHURCH BILL.

P•evcr..l great public meetings in favour of the
Iris!' Church Bill-have been arranged. The first of
a s,ries against the amendments of the Lords and
the policy of concurrent endowment is to be
!en in St. James's Hall, London, on Wednes-
!.y ne%t, by the National Reform Union,
the preside! y of Mr. S. Morley, my.
m_yor of i.ccal has summonel a public meeting
!'or Tnesday evening. a deputation having waited
npon him to request him to do so. The Mayor of
'411..111;4d has convened a town's meeting for the same
,lay, and a re juisition to the same effect is in course
signature to the May. it of Dewsbury. The work-
•ng men of the metropolis nre also making arrange-
ments for monster of ea-air demonstrations.