Every now and then the outspokenness of the Irish Members
becomes positively bewildering. Here is what is known in the picturesque vernacular of Irish politicians as a "blazing indiscretion" lately committed by Mr. Edward Harrington. According to the Cork Constitution of February 28th, 1895, Mr. Harrington detects a great lack of public spirit in the Irish farmers just now. "There was a time," it reports Mr. Harrington to have said, "when many a smooth-faced farmer—snug farmer—smiled in his sleeve as he heard the crack of the rifle ; there was a time when these slieveens who would benefit by these moon- lighters would applaud them, and in their own way incite to commit the crimes that they would benefit by. To- day their rents are fixed, their purchases are made, and we hear no great bravos or huzzas from the farmers of Kerry." Yet it used to be said that the moonlighters were probably hired by the Castle to injure the sacred cause of Ireland.
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