creased the zeal of old ones. He was a charming companion,
a keen observer and interested in everything he saw and everybody he met.

Before the next session arrived my company determined upon a bold course,
and decided to themselves lodge a Bill to acquire the Waterford and
Limerick line. There was much to be said for this. With the Waterford
and Limerick in our hands the competition, which the public loved, would
continue, whilst in the hands of the Great Southern monopoly would
prevail. That we would command much public support seemed certain. So
in the following year three Bills were presented to Parliament, viz.:--

Midland Great Western
Great Southern and Western and Waterford and Limerick
Great Southern and Western and Waterford and Central Ireland

That Parliament regarded these proposals as being of more than ordinary
importance is clear from the fact that it referred the three Bills to a
Joint Select Committee of both Houses--Lords and Commons--describing them
as "The Railways (Ireland) Amalgamation Bills." An experienced and able
chairman was appointed in the person of Lord Spencer.

On the 18th of May the proceedings opened. Day by day every inch of
ground was stubbornly fought, and on the 12th of July the decision of the
Committee was announced. After the presentation of the Great Southern
case our Bill was heard and all the opposition. One of the most
effective witnesses for the Great Southern was Sir George (then Mr.)
Gibb, general manager of the North-Eastern, the only big railway in the
country that enjoyed a district to itself. His _role_ was to persuade
the Committee that railway monopoly, contrary to accepted belief, was a
boon and a blessing, and well he fulfilled his part.

My examination did not take place until July 6th, after nearly all other
witnesses had been heard. Mr. Littler intentionally kept me back, which
was a great advantage to me, as when placed in the box I had practically
heard what everybody else had said, and the last word, as every woman
knows, is not to be despised. Littler took me through my "proof." I had
spent the whole of the previous Sunday with him at his house at Palmer's
Green and we had gone through it together most carefully. He attached
great importance to my direct evidence, and we underlined the parts I was
to be particularly strong upon. That I had taken great pains to prepare
complete and accurate evidence I need scarcely say, for, as I