'The papers this morning seem to show that I have succeeded in avoiding any kind of conflict with you. Your own speech was most judicious. What a mess Mr. G. has made of it! What will be the end of it all? Why the d---- could he not wait till Parnell had quarrelled with the Tories? I fancy that a large number, perhaps the majority, of Liberals will support _any_ scheme of Mr. G.'s, but I doubt if the country will endorse it. The Tories, if they are wise, will throw everything else aside and go for the "Empire in danger," dissolving at the earliest possible opportunity. The Liberals would be divided and distracted, and I think we shall be beaten into a cocked hat. Our game--yours and mine--is to avoid definite committal for the moment. Circumstances change every hour. Harcourt is coming to me on Saturday and Sunday.' 'On the next day Chamberlain sent me a copy of a letter to him from Mr. Gladstone: '"_December 18th_, 1885. '"My Dear Chamberlain, '"I thank you very much for your references to me in your speech last night. '"In this really serious crisis we must all make efforts to work together; and I gladly recognize your effort. '"Moreover, reading as well as writing hastily, I think we are very much in accord. '"Both reflection and information lead me to think that time is very precious, and that the hour-glass has begun to run for a definitive issue. '"But I am certainly and strongly of opinion that only a Government can act, that especially this Government should act, and that we should now be helping and encouraging them to act as far as we legitimately can. '"In reply to a proposal of the Central News to send me an interviewer, I have this morning telegraphed to London: 'From my public declarations at Edinburgh _with respect to the Government_, you will easily see that I have no communication to make.' '"Be _very incredulous_ as to any statements about my views and opinions. Rest assured that I have done and said _nothing_ which in any way points to negotiation or separate action. The time may come, but I hope it will not. At present I think most men, but I do not include you, are in too great a hurry to make up their minds. Much may happen before (say) January 12th. The first thing of all is to know _what will the Government do?_ I know they have been in communication with Parnellites, and I hope with Parnell. '"I remain always, '"Sincerely yours, '"W. E. Gladstone." 'I fancy that I was the cause of Chamberlain receiving this letter, as I had told Brett (who at once wrote to Hawarden) that Chamberlain was angry at not having been consulted.'