—Nothing could be more satisfactory than the progress of the political movement. Please to return the inclosed, along the letters of Hume and Cobden. The Times is "fighting wild"—that is, preparing to give in. Cobden's speech at Bradford was, in no small measure, a letter from Molesworth, spoken. I shall probably see Cobden. The main point now is to work the Protectionists, and keep them up to the mark of breaking up the Government, if needs be.

But now, I have a great piece of bad news for you. The Canterbury Association, by its committee of management, is committing suicide. Yesterday they yielded to Lord Grrey's objection to ballot for priority of choice; and hit upon a mode of proceeding—a sort of ballot, pretending to be something else, with ample room for foul play—under which I am quite sure that hardly any land will be sold, and the whole affair will be blown upon and ruined. I am not strong enough, nor would a letter suffice, for explaining. But I speak after full reflection and with deliberation and perfect confidence, when I say that unless Godley's friends who understand the subject, interfere at once, the Canterbury project page 178must be destroyed. Its ruin would very injuriously affect the political movement, which has really originated with, and is chiefly in the hands of Canterbury men. The absurdity, the utter folly, of the Canterbury decision yesterday, is incredible.

I am moving all my means, not to get it reversed (for that cannot be done without your aid on the spot) but to prevent them from acting on it to-morrow, as they now intend doing. If they take the step they intend, it is all over: but I feel almost sure that Hutt will not let it be taken, when he shall know (two hours hence) what I am writing to you. Tour presence in London at a fresh meeting of the committee, with Wynne and Simeon to help you in supporting Hutt, McGeachy and Wynter, is indispensable to the saving of the Association! I am writing with the most sober deliberation.