EMULATION versus SEPARATION.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SFECTATOR..1
Sra,—In the course of the fine speech delivered on the night of January 13th at the Liberal Unionist meeting held at the Paddington Baths, Mr. Finlay dwelt with much force on the generous emulation which had always prevailed between Irish- men and Englishmen, and in which all that was best in the sentiment of nationality could find scope.
I think that in this connection your readers may be interested in the following passage, which occurred in a speech delivered in the year 1832 at the Oxford Dinner of the British Association. In returning thanks for the toast of the Royal Irish Academy, Professor—afterwards Sir William—Hamilton remarked However intimate may be the union between your island and mine—and intimate I hope that it may ever be, with an intense and increasing unity—yet the laws of Nature, and of the mind of man, forbid us to expect that there can ever be so perfect a fusion, an amalgamation so absolute, as to leave no sense of distinction, no rivalry, though it be the rivalry of friends and brothers, no peculiar thought of country associated with the peculiar place of nativity, no centre other than England, from which may radiate the heroic sentiment, England expects that every man will do his duty.' But as the States of Greece, amid their many rivalries, and differing and often hostile recollections, had yet their Amphictyonic Council and their Olympic Games, at which Athenian and Spartan remembered that they were children of one common Mother, speaking one common language, inheritors in common of great historical achievements, descen- dants of those who had together resisted Persia, and together listened to recited works of genius which time had already stamped immortal; so, assuredly, must the hearts of Britons and Irishmen be more and more knit together in affection by their fraternal intercourse of minds, in this intellectual and national assembly; by this silent sense of sympathy in love and zeal for truth,—this mutual interchange of respect which honours alike the giver and the receiver."—I am, Sir, (to., C. L. G.
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