One of the most curious features of Mr. Parnell's conduct
has been the reiteration of protests of innocence as regards the charges brought against him in the Divorce Court. "I feel no ill-will," said Mr. Parnell last Saturday, " towards the clergy, because, although I regret that they (or some of them) are not to-day ranged on my side, still I believe that the parting between them and me will not be a permanent one. I understand, and we all understand our position perfectly, and when I speak of the attitude some have taken up, I speak more in sorrow than in anger. I bear in mind that they have not had an opportunity of knowing what is in my innocent heart, and what has been my daily conduct." And then he appealed to Canon Lee, of Bray (in Wicklow), as having testified to the clergy of the diocese of Dublin two days pre- viously that he believed Mr. Parnell to be an honourable man. Canon Lee has now written to the Irish papers to say that. he had never said a word in public about Mr. Parnell, and that the only opinion he had expressed in private was far from favourable. We cannot conjecture what Mr. Parnell thinks that he gains by so often misleading, and apparently uselessly misleading, the assemblies he addresses. It is a habit very unlike that almost ostentatious hauteur and coldness of statement, by which he gained his repute in the House of Commons.
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