| Description | Letter written from Highbury, Birmingham dated 14 December and marked 'Private'. Chamberlain writes to Russell [1834-1920, first Baron Russell of Liverpool, newspaper editor and proprietor] about Mr Smith's political views. He had hoped that Mr Smith represented 'a new form of sturdy Radicalism' and is disappointed to hear that Smith's views include 'evangelicalism' and are therefore 'sectional rather than rational'. Chamberlain adds that Smith's speeches, though effective, are 'very vague' and 'hardly enough for a great Libreral departure'. He comments on the election result and Mr Gladstone's reaction. Chamberlain states that the Egyptian expedition is considered 'distasteful' by some supporters. |