I am reminded of the late Mr. Bradlaugh, and of his
account of his own relation to the public. He was telling
me that whenever he preached the Republic, he carried
the audience with him, and he was ready to infer that
Republican ideas had a foothold among the English
people. " But suppose, Mr. Bradlaugh, that instead of
making them a speech you sent them a letter or a mes-
sage in favour of the Republic ; what then ?" He re-
flected a moment and admitted that it would be with-
out effect. There is an analogy between his case and
Sir "William Harcourt's. The influence of each with the
country depends in no small measure upon the good-
ness of their speaking; and in a less degree upon their
general reputation or authority. It certainly is not, in
Sir William's case, the absence of convictions. He is
never without convictions, and the unflagging sincerity
with which he accepts and upholds each new set is a
very striking proof of the robustness of his nature, and
of moral vigour.
