ased, hailed from, nor had the valet
asked any questions concerning Mr. Pope. Both seemed to have jumped to
certain conclusions. After the valet had been there a week or more, one
day, when _downstairs_, he said to the servants: "Tell me, what is it
that is wrong with the master? He seems to me to be as sane as any of
us!"

Balfour Browne, in his book _Forty Years at the Bar_, says, "He" (Mr.
Pope) "had a broad equitable common sense, and never did anything mean or
little." He was certainly an orator, and displayed in his speeches much
dramatic power. His voice was fine, flexible and sonorous. In his later
years he must often have wished his "too too solid flesh would melt," for
it had become a heavy burden. He had to be wheeled from Committee Room
to Committee Room in a perambulating chair, and was allowed to remain
seated when addressing Committees. On the 12th of July Lord Spencer
announced that "the Great Southern Amalgamation Bill may proceed subject
to clauses as to running powers, etc." This meant that _our_ Bill was
gone, and that the Great Southern had gained possession of the Waterford
and Limerick, Ennis, the line to Collooney and running powers to Sligo.
Thus they had secured a monopoly in Munster and an effective competition
with us in poor Connaught. It was hard lines for the Midland, but all
was not yet lost. If only we could obtain running powers to Limerick and
carry them back to Ireland, we should have secured some of the spoil.
Another week was spent fighting over running powers, facilities, etc.,
and I was in the witness box again. Balfour Browne and Littler now
conducted the warfare on either side, and keenly they fought. The
Committee at one time seemed disposed to put us off with little or
nothing. In the box I know I waxed warm--"the Great Southern to get all
and we nothing--iniquitous," and then, "the public interest to count for
nought--Oh, monstrous!" Well, in the end, on the 19th of July, we were
awarded full running powers to Limerick, and--the curtain fell!

The Act came into operation on the 2nd of January, 1901, the 1st being a
Sunday. On the 8th we ran our first running power train, and the Joy
Bells rang in Limerick. The Great Southern threatened us with an
injunction because we began to exercise our powers before the terms of
payment, etc., were fixed between us; but we laughed at threats and went
gaily on our way. Limerick rewarded us by giving us their traffic.

I