The informal appeal of the Queen to her people to
recog. nise the heroism of her Irish soldiers has met with an eager response. In all parts of Great Britain, especially the Metropolis, St. Patrick's Day was treated not as an Irish, but as a national, festival. Tons of shamrocks were imported, green flags were waving everywhere, green ribbons were fluttering in every street, and it might fairly be said that for one day at least Ireland had conquered England. From all the Colonies and India telegrams have come in announcing the pleasure of the Irish, soldiers and civilians alike, at the recognition of their emblem and at the Queen's promise of a visit to Ireland ; and from no Englishman or Scotchman has there come word of protest. The two nations, in fact, are unanitnons in praising the Queen for her right-minded, as well as tactful, initiative. As usual there is in Ireland an irreconcilable faction, led this time by Mr. Dillon, who, seeing that his rival Mr. Redmond is inclined to be placable, grasps at his 'opportunity, waves his shillelagh, screams out that Irish and Scotch soldiers are sent to the front to die, and
declares that since the Queen has adopted the shamrock he will never wear it again. There are people whom benefits always embitter, and we can therefore understand Mr. Dillon's bitterness, but his want of acumen puzzles us in an Irishman. Can he not see that if he really wants Home-rule his one is to curse the British Parliament and bless the British Queen P Then he could plead that he had reconciled loyalty to Ireland with loyalty to the throne.
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