olicy, or simply because the
situation was becoming intolerable, a new decision had been taken, itself
far more intolerable than the scandal that it was to dissipate. The
government met the Irish leader with a refusal and an offer. They would
not give a committee, but they were willing to propose a commission to
consist wholly or mainly of judges, with statutory power to inquire into
"the allegations and charges made against members of parliament by the
defendants in the recent action." If the gentlemen from Ireland were
prepared to accept the offer, the government would at once put on the
paper for the following Monday, notice of motion for leave to bring in a
bill.(247)

When the words of the notice of motion appeared in print, it was found
amid universal astonishment that the special commission was to inquire
into the charges and allegations generally, not only against certain
members of parliament, but also against "other persons." The enormity of
this sudden extension of the operation was palpable. A certain member is
charged with the authorship of incriminating letters. To clear his
character as a member of parliament, he demands a select committee. We
decline to give a committee, says the minister, but we offer you a
commission of judges, and you may take our offer or refuse, as you please;
only the judges must inquire not merely into your question of the letters,
but into all the charges and allegations made against all of you, and not
these only, but into the charges and allegations made against other people
as well. This was extraordinary enough, but it was not all.

It is impossible to feel much surprise that Mr. Parnell was ready to
assent to any course, however unconstitutional that course might be, if
only it led to the exposure of an insufferable wrong. The credit of
parliament and the sanctity of constitutional right were no supreme
concern of his. He was burning to get at any expedient, committee or
commission, which should enable him to unmask and smite his hidden foes.
Much of his private language at this time was in some respects vague and
ineffectual, but he was naturally averse to any course that might, in his
own words, look like backing down. "Of course," he said, "I am not sure
that we shall come off with flying colours. But I think we shall. I am
never sure of anything." He was still confident that he had the clue.

On the second stage of the transaction, Mr. Smith, in answer to various
quest