This reply, after recalling the proceedings at Birmingham and the unsatisfactory features in the Conservative organisation--‘the control of Parliamentary elections by the leader, the Whip, and the paid agent drawing their resources from secret funds’--suitable perhaps ‘to the manipulation of the 10_l._ householder,’ but utterly obsolete in the face of an extended franchise--described the gratification and encouragement with which the Council of the National Union had learned that Lord Salisbury was willing to entrust them with large and important duties. The Council, however, committed the serious error of ‘imagining that your Lordship and Sir Stafford Northcote were in earnest in wishing them to become a real source of usefulness to the party.’ They had been ‘rudely undeceived.’ The day after the adoption of their report they had been ordered to quit the premises they occupied. Their report had been disapproved on the ground that their activities would trench upon the functions ‘of an amorphous and unknown body styled the Central Committee.’ The precise language of Lord Salisbury’s ‘Charter’ letter had been completely abandoned and refuge had been taken ‘in vague, foggy, and utterly intangible suggestions.’ In order that the Council of the National Union might be ‘completely and for ever reduced to its ancient condition of dependence upon and servility to certain irresponsible persons who find favour in your eyes,’ it was demanded that the Whips of the party should sit _ex officio_ on the Council, with a right of being present at all committees. Finally, in the event of the Council--representing upwards of 500 affiliated Conservative Associations and composed of men eminent in position and political experience, enjoying the confidence of the party in populous localities and sacrificing continually much time, convenience and money to the work of the National Union--acquiescing in such a view of its functions, it might be graciously permitted to remain the humble inmate of the premises which it occupied. We shall lay your letter and copy of this reply before the Council at its meeting to-morrow and shall move the Council that they adhere substantially to the report already adopted, in obedience to the direction of the Conference at Birmingham; that they take steps to provide themselves with their own offices and clerks; and that they continue to prosecute with vigour and independence the task which they have commenced--namely, the _bona-fide_ popular organisation of the Conservative party.