ctices. High treason was the
least dishonourable of the offences imputed to him and commonly credited
about him. He had been elaborately accused before the House of Commons by
one of the most important men in it, of direct personal responsibility for
outrages and murders, and he left the accusation with scant reply. He was
constantly denounced as the apostle of rapine and rebellion. That the
viceroy of the Queen should (M87) without duress enter into friendly
communication with such a man, would have seemed to most people at that
day incredible and abhorrent. Yet the incredible thing happened, and it
was in its purpose one of the most sensible things that any viceroy ever
did.(144)

The interview took place in a London drawing-room. Lord Carnarvon opened
the conversation by informing Mr. Parnell, first, that he was acting of
himself and by himself, on his own exclusive responsibility; second, that,
he sought information only, and that he had not come for the purpose of
arriving at any agreement or understanding however shadowy; third, that he
was there as the Queen's servant, and would neither hear nor say one word
that was inconsistent with the union of the two countries. Exactly what
Mr. Parnell said, and what was said in reply, the public were never
authentically told. Mr. Parnell afterwards spoke(145) as if Lord Carnarvon
had given him to understand that it was the intention of the government to
offer Ireland a statutory legislature, with full control over taxation,
and that a scheme of land purchase was to be coupled with it. On this, the
viceroy denied that he had communicated any such intention. Mr. Parnell's
story was this:--

Lord Carnarvon proceeded to say that he had sought the interview
for the purpose of ascertaining my views regarding--should he call
it?--a constitution for Ireland. But I soon found out that he had
brought me there in order that he might communicate his own views
upon the matter, as well as ascertain mine.... In reply to an
inquiry as to a proposal which had been made to build up a central
legislative body upon the foundation of county boards, I told him
I thought this would be working in the wrong direction, and would
not be accepted by Ireland; that the central legislative body
should be a parliament in name and in fact.... Lord Carnarvon
assured me that this was his own view also, and he strongly
appreciated the importance of giving due