uggested this and that, and generally argued about phrases for
an hour, winding up with a terrific battle on two prodigious
points: (1) whether he ought to say, "after this statement of my
views," or "I have now fully stated my views on the points you
raise"; (2) "You will _doubtless_ concur," or "_probably_ concur."
Most characteristic, most amazing. It was past seven before the
veteran would let go--and then I must say that he looked his full
years. Think what his day had been, in mere intellectual strain,
apart from what strains him far more than that--his strife with
persons and his compassion for the unlucky Irishmen. I heard
afterwards that when he got home, he was for once in his life done
up, and on the following morning he lay in bed. All the same, in
the evening he went to see _Antony and Cleopatra_, and he had a
little ovation. As he drove away the crowd cheered him with cries
of "Bravo, don't you mind Parnell!" Plenty of race feeling left,
in spite of union of hearts!

No leader ever set a finer example under reverse than did Mr. Gladstone
during these tedious and desperate proceedings. He was steadfastly loyal,
considerate, and sympathetic towards the Irishmen who had trusted him; his
firm patience was not for a moment worn out; in vain a boisterous wave now
and again beat upon him from one quarter or another. Not for a moment was
he shaken; even under these starless skies his faith never drooped. "The
public mischief," he wrote to Lord Acton (Dec. 27, 1890), "ought to put
out of view every private thought. But the blow to me is very heavy--the
heaviest I ever have received. It is a great and high call to work by
faith and not by sight."

Occasion had already offered for testing the feeling of Ireland. There was
a vacancy in the representation of Kilkenny, and the Parnellite candidate
had been defeated.

_To J. Morley._

_Hawarden, Dec. 23, 1890._--Since your letter arrived this morning,
the Kilkenny poll has brightened the sky. It will have a great
effect in Ireland, although it is said not to be a representative
constituency, but one too much for us. It is a great gain; and yet
sad enough to think that even here one-third of the voters should
be either rogues or fools. I suppose the ballot has largely
contributed to save Kilkenny. It will be most interesting to learn
how the tories voted.

I retur