164 LIFE OF Sill JOHN LUBBOCK oh. 



steps were taken as an immediate result of the 

 Cardinal's suggestion. 



In July of the previous year Sir John had 

 been invited by the Liberal Association to stand 

 for the City at the next election, in conjunction 

 with Lord Hartington and Sir W. Laurence. 

 It was however thought well to let any final 

 decision stand over. The time was now running 

 on, and eventually he received a letter from 

 Lord Granville saying that the City Liberals 

 were unanimous in believing that if he would 

 consent to stand he would not only certainly 

 carry the election himself, but would probably 

 bring in the others. Lord Granville adds that 

 he need not say how glad Hartington and he 

 would be if Sir John would allow himself to be 

 nominated. 



On the receipt of this letter he consulted the 

 Liberal agents and others who knew the state of 

 feeling in the City and at Maidstone. The result 

 was to convince him that while he could not 

 carry the City, the effect of his leaving Maidstone 

 would certainly be the loss of the two seats there. 

 He therefore thought it best that he should stay 

 where he was. 



In this year he brought in a Bill to amend the 

 law relating to Companies. Lord Aberdare was 

 disposed to support the measure, but writes to 

 inform him of the opposition that he must expect 



to ^ : 1 Queen's Gate, S.W., 



July 31s*, 1879. 



My dear Lubbock — I saw the Lord Chancellor 

 yesterday. He said that he must oppose the further 

 progress of the Bill. His main ground was that the 

 Companies' Act was passed after very careful delibera- 



