The Life Of Charles Stewart Parnell - Ii

156 CHARLES STEWART PARNELL [1886
I have been at him again and again to do what you now propose, but he would not listen to me. We have friends in this country, and we must help them to help us. I will see Parnell this evening, and do you call upon him to-morrow. He has plenty of money, and he ought to spend some in this way.'
I saw Parnell next day in the Smoking-room of the House of Commons. He looked ill and depressed. I was surprised. There was assuredly, I thought, much to cheer him. The Home Rule Bill had no doubt been rejected. But he had in ten short years done more for the cause of Irish legislative independence than all his predecessors had done in eighty years. He was a victor even in defeat. Still, he looked anything but cheerful, and as we talked he gazed thoughtfully through the window out on the Thames, and his mind seemed to be far away from the stirring scenes around us. 'Yes/ he said, 'Davitt has spoken to me about your plan. He thinks it a very good thing. You propose to form a committee and publish pamphlets. Who are your committee?' I gave him the names. ' Very well/ he said, ' I will try the experiment. I don't believe it will do the good Davitt expects, but I am willing to try it to please him. How much money do you want ? ' I named a sum. ' I will give you half/ he said. Then, smiling—11 cut down every demand by half. Half is quite enough for an experiment. If it succeeds, then we can do the business on a larger scale. I admit that as Mr. Gladstone has joined us we must have some change of policy. But we cannot persuade the English people. They will only do what we force them to do.' I said : ' Mr. Gladstone can persuade them.' 'Yes/ he answered, 'they will listen to an Englishman. They won't listen to us.'l ho told for the admirationor a put on their trial) ; youw take to tell the Htory. Whenoin Mr, (*lml**tunr,* Nr\t <luy tht*