Gladstone then boldly declare himself for a well considered measure of Home Rule.... H. LABOUCHERE.[17] To the Editor of the _Times_. _Mr. Labouchere to Mr. Chamberlain_ 10 QUEEN ANNE'S GATE, Dec. 26, 1885. MY DEAR CHAMBERLAIN,--Hawarden writes:...[18] This is rather my plan--commerce would fall within the province of Imperial matters--religion, too, might; taxation is a little more difficult, for it would require much definition.[19] {298} Will the Irish trust Mr. Gladstone, and go with the Liberals on general assurances? They may, and they may not; they are very suspicious. Were I they, I should, and then upset him if he dodged later on. Anyhow, I think that we may take it that Mr. Gladstone is determined to have a try at Irish legislation if he gets the chance, and the fact that the Irish can at any time stop him in his career will lead him to go great lengths.--Yours truly, H. LABOUCHERE. _Lord Randolph Churchill to Mr. Labouchere_ 2 CONNAUGHT PLACE, W., Dec. 26, 1885. DEAR LABOUCHERE,--You have definitely captured the G.O.M. and I wish you joy of him. He has written another letter to A. Balfour, intimating, I understand, without overmuch qualification, that if Government do not take up Home Rule he will. It is no use your writing to Lord Salisbury. The Prime Minister cannot disclose the intentions of the Government except in the ordinary course when Parliament meets. I shall look forward to Monday's _Times_.--Yours ever, RANDOLPH S. C. I think Joe had much better join us. He is the only man on your side who combines ability with common sense. _Mr. Chamberlain to Mr. Labouchere_ BIRMINGHAM, Dec. 26, 1885. MY DEAR LABOUCHERE,--The G.O.M. is sulking in his tent. No one can get a word from him--he has not replied to letters from Hartington, Rosebery, and myself. Further consideration convinces me that no scheme on the lines of Rosebery's proposal is worth attention. There is only one way of giving _bona fide_ Home Rule, which is the adoption of the American Constitution: {299} 1. Separate legislation for England, Scotland, Wales, and possibly Ulster. The three other Irish Provinces might combine. 2. Imperial legislation at Westminster for foreign and Colonial affairs, Army, Navy, Post Office, and Customs. 3. A Supreme Court to arbitrate on respective limits of authority. Of course the House of Lords would go. I do not suppose the five Legislations could stand a second Chamber apiece. Each would have its own Ministry responsible to itself. There is a scheme for you. It is the only one which is compatible with any sort of Imperial unity, and once established it might work without friction. Radicals would have no particular reason to object to it, and if Mr. Gladstone is ready to propose it--well and good! But I am sick of the vague generalities of John Morley and the _Daily News_, and I am not going to swallow Separation with my eyes shut; Let us know what you are doing.