The Parnellites see the situation more clearly than the National
Liberal Federation. At their meeting on September 12th, Mr. Harrington stated plainly that he had great doubts whether the Lords would by-and-by accept the Bill, for "they had the fact that the majority of the English people were against the Home-rule Bill. That was the strength, the mainstay, and the justification which the Lords found in throwing out the Bill!" That is the precise fact, and is also the reason why the Gladstonians so dread the idea of a Dis- solution. If the people were on their side, as they con- stantly affirm, they would dissolve at once, pass the Home-rule Bill without delay, and then proceed, with their increased majority and their reinvigorated courage, to pass their sweeping reforms. As it is, they shrink, and devote their whole skill to produce a situation in which, at the inevitable Dissolution, it may be possible to assert that the Home-rule Bill is not the great question before the country. Mr. Harrington tells the Parnellites that it will be months before the Bill comes before Parliament again, and evidently expects that not only the autumn but the whole of next Session will be given up to other business. That is an astute plan ; but can the Government depend upon the Irish Members attending, or upon none of their loosely bound faggot of sticks dropping out of the bundle F
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