n effort ought to be made _by the government_ without
delay to meet her demands for the management by an Irish
legislative body of Irish as distinct from imperial affairs. Only
a government can do it, and a tory government can do it more
easily and safely than any other. There is first a postulate that
the state of Ireland shall be such as to warrant it. The
conditions of an admissible plan are--

1. Union of the empire and due supremacy of parliament.

2. Protection for the minority--a difficult matter on which I have
talked much with Spencer, certain points, however, remaining to be
considered.

3. Fair allocation of imperial charges.

4. A statutory basis seems to me better and safer than the revival
of Grattan's parliament, but I wish to hear much more upon this,
as the minds of men are still in so crude a state on the whole
subject.

5. Neither as opinions nor as instructions have I to any one alive
promulgated these ideas as decided on by me.

6. As to intentions, I am determined to have none at present, to
leave space to the government--I should wish to encourage them if I
properly could--above all, on no account to say or do anything
which would enable the nationalists to establish rival biddings
between us. If this storm of rumours continues to rage, it may be
necessary for me to write some new letter to my constituents, but
I am desirous to do nothing, simply leaving the field open for the
government until time makes it necessary to decide. Of our late
colleagues I have had most communication with Granville, Spencer,
Rosebery. Would you kindly send this on to Granville?

I think you will find this in conformity with my public
declarations, though some blanks are filled up. I have in truth
thought it my duty without in the least committing myself or any
one else, to think through the subject as well as I could, being
equally convinced of its urgency and bigness. If H. and N. are
with you, pray show them this letter, which is a very hasty one,
for I am so battered with telegrams that I hardly know whether I
stand on my head or my heels....

With regard to the letter I sent you, my opinion is that there is
a Parnell party and a separation or civil war party, and the
question which is to have the upper hand will have to be decided
in a limited time. M