ther and worse errors have been
urged upon us which we have refused or avoided. I do not remember
a single good measure recommended by opponents, which we have
declined to adopt (or indeed any good measure which they have
recommended at all). We certainly have worked hard. I believe that
according to the measure of human infirmity, we have done fairly
well, but the duties we have had to discharge have been duties, I
mean in Egypt and the Soudan, which it was impossible to discharge
with the ordinary measure of credit and satisfaction, which were
beyond human strength, and which it was very unwise of our
predecessors to saddle upon the country.

At this moment we have but two great _desiderata_: the Egyptian
Convention and the Afghan settlement (the evacuation of the Soudan
being in principle a thing done). Were these accomplished, we
should have attained for the empire at home and abroad a position
in most respects unusually satisfactory, and both of them _ought_
to be near accomplishment. With the Egyptian Convention fairly at
work, I should consider the Egyptian question as within a few
comparatively easy stages of satisfactory solution.

Now as regards the immediate subject. What if Chamberlain and
Dilke, as you seem to anticipate, raise the question of a
prospective declaration about local government in Ireland as a
condition of their remaining in the cabinet? I consider that
question as disposed of for the present (much against my will),
and I do not see that any of us, having accepted the decision, can
attempt to disturb it. Moreover, their ground will be very weak
and narrow; for their actual reason of going, if they go, will be
the really small question arising upon the Land Purchase bill.

I think they will commit a great error if they take this course.
It will be straining at the gnat. No doubt it will weaken the
party at the election, but I entertain no fear of the immediate
effect. Their error will, however, in my view go beyond this.
Forgive me if I now speak with great frankness on a matter, one of
few, in which I agree with them, and not with you. I am firmly
convinced that on local government for Ireland they hold a winning
position; which by resignation now they will greatly compromise.
You will all, I am convinced, have to give what they recommend; at
th