26 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ch. 



due as one of those who, so far as my knowledge extends, 

 has always earnestly striven to confine within just and 

 narrow limits the operation of the too well-known and 

 lamentable schism in what once was, and I would fain 

 hope may, whether within my brief time or not, again 

 be our party. — Believe me, sincerely yours, 



W. E. Gladstone. 



On April 23 he took an active part in the 

 Budget discussion, especially with reference to the 

 farmers' Income Tax. It is curious that ever 

 since the imposition of the Tax, English farmers 

 had been made to pay Jd. more than Scotch or 

 Irish. He had called attention to this more than 

 once, and now spoke about it on the second 

 reading of the Bill, and said that he should move 

 a Committee to reduce the English rate. The 

 Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir W. Harcourt) 

 was very contemptuous, and said that every one 

 else knew the reason, which was quite sufficient, 

 namely, that in England the Landlord did the 

 repairs. 



" He apologised to his right hon. friend for 

 informing him that two and two made four. As 

 the Irish and Scotch tenants had the burden of 

 the repairs they were called upon to pay less than 

 the English agriculturist. 



" Since the days when George III. wondered 

 how the apple got into the dumpling he had never 

 heard such a simple question as that put by his 

 right hon. friend. Everybody knew that the 

 principle to which the right hon. gentleman 

 objected had been acted upon time after time by 

 Liberal and Conservative Governments, and every- 

 body knew that hon. gentlemen opposite had 

 admitted the justice of the distinction and never 



