Reports are, we see, current that the Parnellites and Anti-
Parnellites are to unite again in one compact Nationalist Party. There are obviously negotiations going on, there is a lull in the discharge of verbal artillery, and the English Gladstonians are speaking to both factions like seconds who wish to prevent their principals from fighting. The difficulties are many, but Irishmen kiss and make friends, when that course pays them, in a marvellous way; and if the groups can agree on a leader, the "old eighty-six" may meet Parliament with an unbroken front, and an assurance that, except in Tory journals, their mutual love has never been broken for an hour. We hope it may prove so, for then, if Home-rule is defeated, Ireland will understand that it was defeated on its merits, and not in con- sequence of accidental internal dissensions. We wish neither to snatch victories, nor to fight with a mob instead of a regi- ment, and derive no pleasure whatever from easing Ireland in a condition of political anarchy, which, if it continued, would
prove her children unworthy not only of separate self-govern ment, but of sharing in ours. We shall, however, be very curious to see whether the Irish Catholic Church will be favourable to the reunion. She will be a little afraid, we suspect, of passing again under the yoke of a strong leader, and a weak one will not hold the reconciled fighters together for a week. Clericals and Jacobins may swear a truce with the intention of keeping it, but their governing ideas have a good many points of rather acute difference.
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