to make
another attempt to settle the Irish Question, promised that he would not
"explore the noxious vapours of the past," I feared the worst. But he was
as good as his word, and spared us any gruesome excavations in ancient
Irish history. Major HILLS did even better by implying that it was only
during the last ten years that the question had warped and diverted our
domestic politics. If all Irishmen were as reasonable and moderate as Mr.
RONALD MCNEILL showed himself this afternoon it would not need settling,
for it would never have arisen. He only asked, if sacrifices were
necessary, that Ulster should not alone be expected to make them. Sir HAMAR
GREENWOOD, as the great-grandson of a Canadian rebel who took twelve sons
into the field--"almost his whole family," added his descendant--insisted
that the Colonial method of securing Home Rule was the best--first agree
among yourselves, and then go to the Imperial Parliament to sanction your
scheme. And perhaps, after the conciliatory spirit displayed in to-day's
debate, that is not so impossible oven in Ireland as it seemed a few weeks
ago. Hitherto every attempt of the British Sisyphus to roll the Stone of
Destiny up the Hill of Tara has found a couple of Irishmen at the top ready
to roll it down again. Let us hope that this time they will co-operate to
instal it there as the throne of a loyal and united Ireland.

* * * * *

HERBS OF GRACE.

IV.

THYME.

All things true,
All things sweet--
Summer-dawn dew
And Love's heart-beat;
All things holy,
Hill-flow'rs lowly,
A far church-chime--
_These things dwell_
_In the smell_
_Of Thyme._

All things clean,
All things pure--
Joys that have been
And faiths that endure;
All things sunny,
Bee-song and honey,
Sheep-walks, rhyme--
_These things dwell_
_In the smell_
_Of Thyme._

All things set
With sharp sweet pain--
April regret
For vows yet vain;
All things fragrant,
Thoughts long vagrant
From Beauty's clime--
_These things dwell_
_In the smell_
_Of Thyme._

* * * * *

"Sir John Simon, K.C., cited as an illustration the friendship between
Daniel and Jonathan. The Lord Chief Justice: I become very nervous when
you support your law by quoting Scripture."--_Daily Mail._

We always feel more nervous when people _mis_quote Scripture for