But he was not yet a really familiar figure even in Belfast, while outside the city he was practically unknown, except of course by repute.

That a man of his sagacity would quickly make his weight felt was never in doubt; but few at that time can have anticipated the extent to which a stranger--with an accent proclaiming an origin south of the Boyne--was in a short time to captivate the hearts, and become literally the idolised leader, of the Ulster democracy.
For the latter are a people who certainly do not wear their hearts on their sleeves for daws to peck at.

In the eyes of the more volatile southern Celts they seem a "dour" people.

They are naturally reserved, laconic of speech, without "gush," far from lavish in compliment, slow to commit themselves or to give their confidence without good and proved reason.
Opportunity for the populace to get into closer touch with the leader did not, however, come till the autumn.

He was unable to attend the Orange celebration on the 12th of July, when the anniversary, which preceded by less than a month the "removal of the last obstacle to Home Rule" by the passing of the Parliament Act, was kept with more than the usual fervour, and the speeches proved that the gravity of the situation was fully appreciated.