LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
SIR C. GAVAN DUFFY AND THE IRISH CIVIL SERVICE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—Surely there is an easy answer to Sir C. G. Duffy, in regard to his statement in the above matter ; and the best way I can answer it is by asking Sir C. G. Duffy this very simple question, viz : What does he mean by the name Irishman, and how does he define it ? If he means that the Civil Service over here is not manned by men drawn from the purely Celtic Mabry (and Heaven forefend that this should ever be so), then be is right, and Sir C. G. Duffy himself would probably not wish that this should be; but if he means that those Irishmen who are descended from the Englishry in Ireland are not largely represented in the Civil Service, then I contend he is entirely in error. And, Sir, I would say that were this very simple point clearly understood by the people of Great Britain, there would be very little cause for anxiety, political or otherwise, for this country, because in that event the opinions of the Wellesleys, Lanadownes, Dufferins, Wolseleys, Robertses, Lawrences, and countless others would be respected, in place of those who represent the Celtic Irishry, —viz., the Healys, Sextons, and O'Briens. Can Sir C. G. Duffy give half-a.dozen instances where men, sprung from this latter section of Irish society, have done anything for the Empire, except evince an undying hatred for the country and the Empire which during the last fifty years has been acting with the highest generosity and liberality to this very
section of the Mabry P The distinction is very simple, but
[Our correspondent spoils his sound argument by exag- geration. The Celtic Catholics in Ireland have not their fair share of public appointments.—En. Spectator.]
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