88 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



the reporter ventured on more interesting but also 

 more dangerous ground. 



" A recent dispatch from England intimates that, 

 as Mr. Gladstone, in the nature of things, cannot 

 live long, and Mr. Morley is sick, you may yourself 

 some day — perhaps soon — re-unite the Liberal party 

 on the Irish question and assume its leadership. Is 

 there any likelihood of this ? " 



Before the reporter had finished the question, 

 Mr. Chamberlain had adjusted in position, by a 

 slight corrugation of the right eyebrow, the famous 

 single eyeglass with which caricaturists identify him. 

 He was at once the diplomatist. But the pleasant 

 smile still lingered about his mouth. 



" I never speculate about the future," he said, 

 " and about dead men's shoes there is a strong 

 element of uncertainty. Mr. Gladstone is in good 

 health, and I hope that he will long continue to 

 enjoy it. There is only one thing that prevents 

 entire unity in the Liberal party — that is the Irish 

 question. With that settled we should again be 

 united. But who can tell when that will be ? " 



After leaving Canada, Mr. Chamberlain and his 

 party will sojourn a day or two at Niagara and then 

 return to Washington. The dinner which the 

 Canadian Club has tendered him has been post- 

 poned, and will probably not take place until the 

 middle of January. 



On the 20th we left in the evening for Montreal by 

 the Central Road, the President of which had placed 



