4 FEBRUARY 1899, Page 3

There was a delightfully Irish scene in Limerick on Thursday.

The mob, having elected a Council of Nationalists, and indirectly a Mayor with a record as a "fighting patriot," thought they would be welcome in the Council Chamber, and intruded into it in crowds. Mr. Daly, though he loves them, grew tired of their impudence as last, as the Jacobin leaders in the French Revolution often did, and informed them that if they did not keep order he must "call in the enemies of the people," that is, the police. He at last adjourned the meeting. Is not that perfect? Celtic Irishmen are always declaring that they are the victims of prejudice, but they have a sense of humour, and we would ask any one of them whether there is a place in the world outside Ireland where a Mayor would style policemen "enemies of the people," yet avowedly rely upon them to maintain his own rightful authority. The crowd all the while doubtless thought the disorder fun, and were as ready to crack jokes as heads.