—Supposing you will get my letter sent to Devonport, I now only answer your last.

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Mr. D'Israeli is the very man, as respects talents and rhetorical power. He could make a famous case, and, I think, probably carry his amendment—which would be doing something important. But I doubt his judgement and tact for seizing opportunities. Will he work, to be master of the subject? I doubt. Is he independent enough of Stanley? Or rather has he the self-reliance without which no man can lead a party? I doubt. Considering his great talents and powers of speech, he has not acquired much power or even importance: that is, he has neglected many opportunities. Is he capable of seeing and seizing this one? I doubt. If he would work, I should be glad to place myself at his disposal.

Having got F. Baring here twice lately, I cannot ask him to come again. Nor, I think, could he come; for he is going abroad on the 20th. Nor is it necessary, if he assent generally to the programme.

As to making this place and Saturday nest the place and time for a first meeting of the Council, I venture to express an opinion that the proposal would be offensive to any but warm personal friends of mine. But you cannot make a private meeting for some talk with an invalid grinder of the subject, too numerous. Still I would beg that strangers to me might be asked to meet you, Molesworth, and other public men, not me, who am nobody.