WHAT IRELAND REALLY THINKS OF HOME RULE.

[To THE EDITOR 01 THE "SPECTATOR."'

Sin,—You may care to reprint the enclosed leaflet, which is based on an actual experience. It is important, I think, to emphasize in every way this aspect of the Home Rule move- ment—that the people are apathetic or secretly hostile to it and that the Roman hierarchy are at little pains to dissemble their misgivings.—I am, Sir, &c., M.

Conversation between Priest and Farmer overheard in Train between — and —.

Priest : This embargo on Irish cattle is a bad thing for the country.

Farmer: It is. Do you think they are likely to take it off soon? Priest: I do not.

Farmer : Well, it's a bad thing for us all, and it means a dead loss to a very large number of farmers—(Angrily) "The Party,' our Party, have done nothing for us, nothing at all.

Priest: I'll tell you the reason of that. They don't want to go against the Government. They won't do anything that may prevent Home Rule.

Farmer: That's all they care for.

Priest: They want to pass the Home Rule Bill and that's all. Farmer (cheerfully): Ab, we shall all be well off then.

Priest : Will we P (Pause.) Farmer: Ay

Priest : I say, will we be well off P I don't mind telling you I don't see myself where the advantage will come in.

Farmer (confidentially, and bending over) : That's what I'm thinking myself. Priest : I can't see what possible advantage it will be for Ireland.

Farmer : Well, I know, if I had the casting vote, I'd vote against it. Priest : You'd be perfectly right. Mind you, it wouldn't be politic for me to say this in public.

Farmer: No, no.

Priest : Indeed, I don't mix in politics at all. I take no part in them.

Farmer : Nor I. I'm a plain man and mind my own business, but I can't help seeing what's going on around me.

Priest : Well, I've been all about Europe, and lived in nearly every country for a short time, and I've looked about me and seen the way the different countries are governed. I can't see how Ireland is to gain in any way from Home Rule. Look at Belgium. now, a small country, but so rich and prosperous. Well, it would be a great thing for Ireland to be like that. I don't say she mightn't, but I don't see the slightest probability of it, seeing the kind of people that are at the head of her, and they would have unlimited power. [More to the same effect, which I did not hear clearly].. . . If Parnell had had his way in this country, it would have meant despotism, tyranny, the worst kind of tyranny, and he hated the Catholic Church.

Farmer : That's perfectly true. I can tell you the only one of the present party I have the slightest regard for is Healy. He had the courage of his convictions, and he defied Parnell on one occasion; do you remember that ?

Priest : I do, well.

Farmer : I've never forgotten that ho went against Parnell then, and I have the greatest regard for him on that account.

[Interruption.]