I have told them--which they all know--that the speech has produced the most deplorable effect, and that you are quite right in being indignant; and that unless they definitely make up their minds to explain everything satisfactorily, the Bill is lost. This they admit. I am urging on them to agree to introduce themselves a clause about "other Imperial matters," and I tell them that unless they are frank and yield on such points it is utterly vain to hope to win over you or any one else. The funny thing is that Mr. Gladstone has walked off under the conviction that his speech was most satisfactory.--Yours, H. LABOUCHERE. _Telegram, Mr. Labouchere to Mr. Chamberlain_ HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 11, 1886. I think they are quite conscious of their mistake, and ready to capitulate along the line. Would it not be possible to see the emissary to-morrow or Thursday? LABOUCHERE. _Mr. Chamberlain to Mr. Labouchere_ 40 PRINCE'S GARDENS, S.W., May 11, 1886. MY DEAR LABOUCHERE,--In the remarkable speech of the Prime Minister last night,[8] nothing impressed me more than the passages in which he spoke of the advantages of public declarations in the House of Commons as contrasted with the inconvenience of underground negotiations carried on elsewhere. {343} Under all circumstances you will, I am sure, approve my decision not to enter on any further private discussions of the proposals of the Government. If they have any fresh modifications to suggest, I hope they will state them in the House, when I am sure they will receive the most favourable consideration from all who, like myself, deeply regret the differences of opinion which have arisen in the Liberal Party. I am engaged all Wednesday, but this is of no consequence, as in the present position of matters no good could come of any private interview.--Yours very truly, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Mr. Labouchere appends a note to this letter as follows: "This is in reply to a letter I wrote Chamberlain last night to say that he would do well to keep quiet, as probably Herschel, would see him on Wednesday--not having been able to see him last Saturday." _Mr. Labouchere to Mr. Chamberlain_ TWICKENHAM, May 17, 1886. MY DEAR CHAMBERLAIN,--If I speak to-day or to-morrow, I shall say nothing about negotiations. This is, I think, about what occurred. Mr. Gladstone was ready to yield and bring in the "Imperial matters" Clause before the Saturday Cabinet. At the Cabinet he was asked whether he had elaborated such a clause, which previously he had said was impossible to devise. He had to admit that he had not, and so a lot of asses, some of whom did not understand the exact point, and the necessity of sticking to any agreement, talked on until it was time for them all to go away.