§ MR. LAYARDOn Friday last, Sir, I gave notice that I should, on Thursday next, submit a Resolution to the notice of the House. At that time I did not pledge myself to any particular words for that Resolution, but in order that there should be no misunderstanding, I stated that my intention was to elicit the opinions of the House with reference to certain language held by the noble Earl at the head of the Government with regard to our present relations with Russia. I understand that, in consequence of that notice, the noble Earl stated his intention to make some explanation of that language, and that that explanation has been since given; and I trust that it will have the effect of removing from the public mind a very general (what I hope may be called) misapprehension, and of affirming that policy which has been so ably, and in such an English spirit, shadowed forth by the noble Lord the President of the Council, and by the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I therefore think that I shall be acting most in conformity with the feelings of the House if I withdraw my notice, as it was directed against the speech which was the subject of that explanation. But in doing so, I hope the House will allow me to express my conviction, looking to the present critical aspect of public affairs, and especially if the news received yesterday should be true, that before we separate for the recess some discussion should take place in this House on the state of our foreign relations. I do not wish to obtrude myself upon the House by undertaking such a duty; but if nobody else in this House will do so, I shall myself bring the subject forward. I shall proceed in no hostile spirit towards Her Majesty's Government; but it is my conviction, I repeat, that there ought to be some expression of opinion on the part of this House before Parliament prorogues; and I will leave the naming of the day for that purpose to the noble Lord the Member for London.