The debate on Thursday resulted in little but the explanation
-of these modifications, and in Sir William Harcourt's and Mr. Labonchere's bitter taunts on the Government for their change of front. Mr. Parnell, however, was very adroit. He accepted the changes promised as almost all he had asked for, pleaded that to make them adequate, tenants who had been evicted should be restored, that arrears should be dealt with, and that the reductions of rent should apply to the rents of the present year,—and on the whole, took up the attitude of a forgiving statesman who had shown the Government what to do nearly a year ago, and who was willing to admit them to absolution still, so long as they accepted his,—we must say,—very logical amendments. Sir William Harcourt gained nothing by his sarcasm. Mr. Parnell gained greatly by his bland moderation.
