and pleasant. But it is so unsundaylike and unrestful. I am much
fatigued in mind and body. Yet very happy. _May 4._--Wrote to Lord
Spencer, Mr. Chamberlain, Sir C. Dilke, Lord Granville. Conclave.
H. of C., 4-3/4-8-1/2 and 9-1/2-2-1/2. Spoke on Russian question. A heavy
day. Much knocked up. _May 5._--... Another anxious, very anxious
day, and no clearing of the sky as yet. But after all that has
come, what may not come? _May 14, Ascension Day._--Most of the day
was spent in anxious interviews, and endeavours to bring and keep
the members of the cabinet together. _May 15._--Cabinet 2-4-1/2.
Again stiff. But I must not lose heart.

(M73) Difference of opinion upon the budget at one time wore a threatening
look, for the radicals disliked the proposed increase of the duty on beer;
but Mr. Gladstone pointed out in compensation that on the other hand the
equalisation of the death duties struck at the very height of class
preference. Mr. Childers was, as always, willing to accommodate
difficulties; and in the cabinet the rising storm blew over. Ireland never
blows over.

The struggle had gone on for three years. Many murderers had been hanged,
though more remained undetected; conspirators had fled; confidence was
restored to public officers; society in all its various grades returned
externally to the paths of comparative order; and the dire emergency of
three years before had been brought to an apparent close. The gratitude in
this country to the viceroy who had achieved this seeming triumph over the
forces of disorder was such as is felt to a military commander after a
hazardous and successful campaign. The country was once more
half-conquered, but nothing was advanced, and the other half of the
conquest was not any nearer. The scene was not hopeful. There lay
Ireland,--squalid, dismal, sullen, dull, expectant, sunk deep in hostile
intent. A minority with these misgivings and more felt that the minister's
pregnant phrase about the government "having no moral force behind them"
too exactly described a fatal truth.

Chapter XI. Defeat Of Ministers. (May-June 1885)

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