E END OF A GREAT WEEK 131

CHAPTER X.
THE BUDGET, OBSTRUCTION, AND EGYPT 146

CHAPTER XI.
THE BILL IN COMMITTEE 164

CHAPTER XII.
RENEWAL OF THE FIGHT 178

CHAPTER XIII.
THE SEXTON INCIDENT 198

CHAPTER XIV.
THE BURSTING OF THE STORM 207

CHAPTER XV.
MR. DILLON'S FORGETFULNESS 219

CHAPTER XVI.
REDUCED MAJORITIES 229

CHAPTER XVII.
THE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE 242

CHAPTER XVIII.
IRELAND'S CHARTER THROUGH 254

CHAPTER XIX.
HOME RULE IN THE LORDS 269

CHAPTER I.

OPENING OF A HISTORIC SESSION.

[Sidenote: Memories.]

There is always something that depresses, as well as something that
exhilarates, in the first day of a Session of Parliament. In the months
which have elapsed, there have been plenty of events to emphasize the
mutability and the everlasting tragedy of human life. Some men have
died; figures that seemed almost the immortal portion of the life of
Parliament have disappeared into night, and their place knows them no
more; others have met the fate, more sinister and melancholy, of
changing a life of dignity and honour for one of ignominy and shame.

[Sidenote: The irony of the seats.]

But no such thought disturbed the cheerful souls of some of the Irish
Members; in the worst of times there is something exuberant in the Celt
that rises superior to circumstance. This was to be an Irish Session;
and the great fight of Ireland's future government was to be
fought--perhaps finally. But there was another circumstance which
distinguished this Session from its predecessors. The question of seats
is always a burning one in the House of Commons. In an assembly in which
there is only sitting accommodation for two out of every three members,
there are bound to be some awkward questions when feeling runs high and
debates are interesting. But at the beginning of this Session, things
had got to a worse pass than ever. The Irish Party resolved to remain on
the Opposition side of the House, true to their principle, that until
Ireland receives Home Rule, they are in opposition to all and every form
of Government from Westminster. The result was the bringing together of
the strangest of bedfellows in all sections in the House. There is none
so fiercely opposed to Home Rule as the Irish Orangeman. But the
Orangemen are a portion o