rotested that they would never allow
the rack-renters of Ireland to grind them down at the instigation of
intriguers at Rome. Even in many cities in the United States the same
voice was heard. The bishops knew well that the voice was strongly marked
by the harsh accent of their Fenian adversaries. They issued a declaration
of their own, protesting to their flocks that the rescript was confined
within the spiritual sphere, and that his holiness was far from wishing to
prejudice the nationalist movement. In the closing week of the year, the
Pope himself judged that the time had come for him to make known (M139)
that the action which had been "so sadly misunderstood," had been prompted
by the desire to keep the cause in which Ireland was struggling from being
weakened by the introduction of anything that could justly be brought in
reproach against it.(241) The upshot of the intervention was that the
action condemned by the rescript was not materially affected within the
area already disturbed; but the rescript may have done something to
prevent its extension elsewhere.

VII

Among the entries for 1887 there occur:--

_Sandringham, Jan. 29._--A large party. We were received with the
usual delicacy and kindness. Much conversation with the Prince of
Wales.... Walk with ----, who charmed me much. _Jan. 31._--Off by 11
A.M. to Cambridge.... Dined with the master of Trinity in hall.
Went over the Newnham buildings: greatly pleased. Saw Mr.
Sidgwick. Evening service at King's.... _Feb. 2._--Hawarden at
5.30. Set to work on papers. Finished Greville's Journals. _Feb.
3._--Wrote on Greville. _Feb. 5._--Felled a chestnut. _Feb.
27._--Read Lord Shaftesbury's _Memoirs_--an excellent discipline for
me. _March 5._-- Dollis Hill [a house near Willesden often lent to
him in these times by Lord and Lady Aberdeen] a refuge from my
timidity, unwilling at 77 to begin a new London house. _March
9._--Windsor [to dine and sleep]. The Queen courteous as always;
somewhat embarrassed, as I thought. _March 29._--Worked on Homer,
Apollo, etc. Then turned to the Irish business and revolved much,
with extreme difficulty in licking the question into shape. Went
to the House and spoke 1-1/2 hours as carefully and with as much
measure as I could. Conclave on coming course of business. _April
5._--Conversation with Mr. Chamberlain--ambiguous result, but some
ground m