21 September 1885, postscript: "Accept my thanks for the . . . satisfactory account of the constituency . . . .
"I did not instruct the parties in London to supply copies . . . to Midlothian, from thinking it might be deemed more congruous to print them on the spot. . . ."
1 December 1885: ". . . I had an opportunity, before leaving Edinburgh, of conveying to the Chief of the City Policy in person my thanks for the excellent arrangements made during the election under his orders: most of all . . . on the day of the vast assemblage . . . on Monday the 23d ult. for the opening of the Mercat Cross . . . .
". . . The note struck by Midlothian has once again sounded out through the Land, and is echoed back by many a cry of victory . . . ."
2 December 1886: ". . . Nothing has occurred to make my opinion that if England & Scotland want legislation they must first get Ireland out of the way.
Some persons are afraid lest Home Rule in Scotland should start up in inconvenient and obstructive dimensions: but I do not perceive that persons of weight have as yet given their names in aid of any active agitation."
30 December 1886: ". . . The letter of which you send me an extract is one of the rudest I ever saw from Mr. C. It was written no doubt before the Churchill resignation. What that resignation may produce it is too soon to predict. But I think 1. that it can hardly be otherwise than beneficial in one form or another, 2. that our position is sound and healthy, and we may patiently wait for our opportunities. . . ."
3 May 1892: "Your report of Mr. . . . Macintosh does not surprise me. It is the congenital infirmity of the Liberal party to breed odd idiosyncrasies. . . .
"There is a desire among sound Scotch MPs that Dr. Cameron should put off his motion. . . . [I]f he asks . . . I shall tell him the wisest course for him to pursue is the course which will tend to give the largest number of . . . votes from Scotland in the coming Parliament.
"The latest ideas in circulation about Dissolution point to the middle of June. Certainly this postponement of principal measures looks like a clear-the-deck policy."
2 June 1892: ". . . Lord Rosebery will receive Mrs. Gladstone & me at Dalmeny, but without parties of friends there as we naturally desire privacy under the present circumstances.
"I reckon on your communicating with Mr. Cowan, and kindly letting me know at the proper time, with respect to the plans of campaign. . . ."
With--Two items: William Henry Gladstone. Brief ALS, "WHGladstone," reporting having sent a corrected speech and requesting copies of future speeches. 1 page, 12mo, postcard. Penmaenmawr, 15 July 1886 • William Ewart Gladstone. Letter, bearing secretarial signature and text, to Marjorie Banks: ". . . I shall be very desirous of early conference with such friends as are on the ground to consider the language to be used about Disestablishment [of the Church of Scotland?]. It is quite plain that the idea of separate issue is either a folly or more probably a fraud. . . ." 3 pages, 8vo, written on folded sheet. Hawarden, 11 October 1890.