We greatly regret to observe the announcement of the death
of Mr. Justice O'Hagan, formerly head of the Land Commission in Ireland, whose appointment by Mr. Gladstone in 1881 was heartily approved by all moderate men, and who discharged the onerous duties of that difficult and responsible office with singular ability, till his resignation of it a few months ago in consequence of the failure of health which has resulted in his death. As a young man, he was one of the Young Ireland Party, the friend of Thomas Davis and Gavan Duffy, and, like them, a poet, and a poet of real vigour. Some years ago, we reviewed in these columns his spirited translation of " The Song of Roland," to which we gave the hearty praise which it deserved. As head of the Land Com- mission, his views have always done full justice to the claims of the tenants, and it is generally believed that, when he differed from his colleagues, he usually took the more popular rather than the more Conservative view. If all Home-rulers had been like Mr. Justice O'Hagan, we should never have had the terrible tragedies and bitter conflicts of the last ten years ; but it is more than possible, on the other hand, that the Home- rule cause might have been won by advocates so sagacious and moderate.
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