Mr. Forster's Compensation for Disturbance (Ireland) Bill has had a
rather stirring life of it during the last week. First, it has caused Lord Lansdowne's resignation of his office under the Government, as Under-Secretary for India. Next, it passed its second reading on Monday night, by a majority of 78 (295 to 217), and got into Committee on Thursday, by a reduced majority of 56 (255 to 199), Mr. Parnell's immediate followers having, in the meantime, turned a cold shoulder to it, in conse- quence of the proposed amendment of the Attorney-General for Ireland. Nevertheless, on the second reading, it was strongly supported, as an intrinsically just measure, by Lord Hartington ; and no member of the Cabinet has resigned. Mr. Forster has probably strengthened his position in relation to the Bill, by showing so distinctly, both to all fair Englishmen and all fair Irishmen, that his object and Mr. Parnell's are completely different. It has become obvious that the Irish party are far from united amongst themselves. Mr. O'Connor Power and Mr. O'Donnell are not inclined, it appears, to go with Mr. Parnell, and the tone taken by Mr. Parnell is that of bitter, sour, and disappointed fanaticism.
