—It is easy to convert me to Mr. Walpole's view, because it is my own so far as liking goes. And so I have written to FitzGerald, who wrote to tell me of Mr. Walpole's view. But (1) what will Hume, Cobden, and Molesworth say—who have a right to go by the prospectus? And (2) is it not "too late" this year for what would have sufficed very well last year? The colonies and the subject have advanced beyond our position of last session: your Conservative allies have only just reached it: some of your Radical allies would go further still, and give sovereign independence. Under these circumstances (which have been foreseen and foretold) it seems impossible that there should not be a split, unless those of all parties who are in earnest can be got into one room, where, perhaps, pliancy and mutual toleration and concession may yet produce agreement in time. Seeing that Molesworth (who is essential) will not be in England till the 24th, it strikes me that you have no chance of getting matters into a satisfactory state in time, unless you do nothing else but attend to them in London for a week or so from the 24th, inclusive.