20 MARCH 1886, Page 14

HOME-RULE "GUARANTEES."

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] is always assumed that, if there were any failure in maintaining the conditions on which Mr. Gladstone is willing to admit legislative independence, there is the power of the Empire to enforce the terms of contract. One of the first acts of an Irish Home-rule Parliament would be to enrol the Volun- teers. In Grattan's time they were 300,000 strong. O'Connell said he could arm 500,000 Irishmen. There are fewer men in Ireland now ; but even if only 200,000, what could the Con- stabulary and the English garrison do against such a host of armed men ? This must be one point on which sufficient

guarantee is given.-1 am, Sir, &c., J. M.