From all parts of Ireland come intimations that Mr. Parnell's
influence is melting away under the outbreak of Liberal feeling evoked by Lord Beaconsfield's attacks and the now pronounced hostility of the priesthood, who steadily oppose any conces- sion either to Socialism or to the old Fenian party. In Wexford an attempt to proscribe a Home-rule candidate caused the serious riot mentioned elsewhere, in which Mr. Parnell was personally assaulted ; and everywhere the cry is raised of "No dictation." Mr. Biggar's suggestion that Hartmanns might arise in Ireland has given deep offence to genuine Catholics, and may yet be noticed in the House of Commons ; and in Cork, the priests are calling on their congregations to resist the Obstruction candidates. Mr. Parnell's own seat is threatened by a Tory candidate, who hopes to enlist respectable Liberals on his aide, and though there is little chance that Mr. Parnell will be rejected, he will certainly not return a "great power" to the Haase, while it must be remembered that Home-rulers at the beginning of a Parliament are much more independent of agitators than Home-rulers at the end of one. Mr. Parnell has evidently gone far beyond the general feeling of his countrymen, and his repu- tation has not been increased by his failure in America, where his " collection " for political purposes only reached a sum which, had he been popular, would have been given ten times over by New York alone. It did not amount to Mr. Gordon Bennett's single cheque for the distressed Irish. There is no O'Connell in Mr. Parnell's coat.
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