On Tuesday, Mr. John Dillon was released unconditionally from Dundalk
Gaol. The medical officer of the Prisons Board, Dr. Farrell, reported that Mr. Dillon, though not ill, had lost some weight and physical strength while in prison. In view of this fact, and of his constitutional delicacy, Dr. Farrell considered that further confinement would be likely to have a prejudicial effect upon Mr. Dillon's health. The Lord-Lieu- tenant at once acted upon the recommendation thus made, and ordered the release. The action of the Executive had, of course, nothing to do with the order of the Special Commission, and was, indeed, decided upon before their decision became known. The incident should not be without its effect upon those more impassioned partisans who believe, or profess to believe, with Mr. Blunt, that Mr. Balfour is hungering to take the lives of the Nationalist leaders. In truth, the only terror of the Chief Secretary and of the officials of the Prisons Board, is lest one of the prisoners should die on their hands. To prevent this, the Parnellites are as carefully watched by the doctors as if they were crowned heads. The ordinary English prisoner gets far more medical attendance and inspection than even the rich ; and in cases like those of Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Dillon, the precautions are trebled. Mr. Dillon was sentenced to imprisonment, not to loss of health, and when his health began to really suffer, the Prisons Board, as it was quite certain they would, took the usual course, and recommended his release. Mr. Dillon, in his speech in the evening, of course made the stereotyped remarks about finding the cause more prosperous than ever. Unless, however, his friends have chosen to keep the truth from him for a day or two, which is not likely, he must know that this is not so. The cause, if not actually going down-hill, is stationary. No attempt is made to extend the " Plan of Campaign," and it is failing on the estates where it has been fought. Derelict land is being taken up, the boycotting is growing less of a reality, and, worse than all, the price of stock is rising.
