re of alleviation, known as the Arrears Bill, with the view of
keeping the scales of justice even. In the middle of August the
exhibition of Irish Art and Manufactures was opened in Dublin, and the
unveiling of the statue of O'Connell, in Sackville Street, was part of
the programme of the ceremonies. On the following day, Messrs. Parnell
and Dillon received the freedom of the city, and Mr. E. D. Gray, M. P.,
proprietor of _Freeman's Journal_, and High Sheriff of Dublin, was
committed to Richmond gaol for contempt of Court.

Whatever necessity may be pleaded for such measures as these, they only
had one result, namely, the steady advancement of the Irish National
cause. Dynamite explosions in London, Glasgow, and elsewhere, troubles
in Egypt and the Soudan, complications with Russia as to the Afghan
frontier, left little time for attention to Irish affairs during the
last years of the existence of the Liberal ministry. The Irish
Nationalist leaders had convinced themselves that they owed no gratitude
to the government, and could hope for nothing from the Liberal party,
except "chains, imprisonment, and death," to cite the words of Mr.
Gladstone's recent reply to the Irish citizens of St. Louis. They had
been long biding their time and watching for their opportunity, when
suddenly it presented itself. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr.
Childers, in presenting the Annual Budget, "ran a tilt" against the
"beer and spirit" interest--a sin unpardonable, for any minister in
England. The Budget was defeated, and ministers accepted the hint,
rejoicing that, for a time at least, their troubles were ended.

Meanwhile the organization of the Irish National party had been
developed to a point of perfection in anticipation of the New Reform
Bill. That bill promised nothing in particular either to Gladstone or
Salisbury, and it has given to neither any particular advantage over the
other. In the counties the Liberal interest has advanced; in the
boroughs it has markedly declined. But it promised everything to
Parnell, and the fulfilment has been equal to the promise. It is no
exaggeration to say that with a compact following of eighty-six he is
virtually "master of the situation." But his position, on the other
hand, is undoubtedly very critical. It is one which few men are likely
to envy; it is one which not one in a thousand is competent to fill.
Will he be equal to it? Where Grattan--sagacious, eloquent, high-minded
and sincere-