I believe in the new movements in Ireland, principally because they seem to me to exert a stimulating influence upon our moral fibre.
Holding such an opinion, I had to decide between preserving a discreet silence and speaking my full mind.

The former course would, it appeared to me, be a poor example of the moral courage which I hold to be Ireland's sorest need.

Moreover, while I am full of hope for the future of my country, its present condition does not, in my view, admit of any delay in arriving at the truth as to the essential principles which should guide all who wish to take a part, however humble, in the work of national regeneration.
I desire to state definitely that I have not written in any representative capacity except where I say so explicitly.

I write on my own responsibility, with the full knowledge that there is much in the book with which many of those with whom I work do not agree.
_December_, 1903.
CONTENTS PART I.
_THEORETICAL._ CHAPTER I THE ENGLISH MISUNDERSTANDING.
Fidelity of the Irish to the National Ideal Disregard of Material Advantage in its Pursuit Home Rule Movement under Gladstone The Anti-Climax under Lord Rosebery The Logic of Events and the Dawn of the Practical The Mutual Misunderstanding of England and Ireland The Dunraven Conference produces a Revolution in English Thought about Ireland The Actual Change Examined Future Misunderstanding best averted by considering Nature of Anti-English Feeling Illustration from Irish-American Life Importance of Sentiment in Ireland--English Habit of Ignoring Historical Grievances Still Operative The Commercial Restrictions--Remaining Effects of Irish Land Tenure--Lord Dufferin on Defects of Land Laws--Their Effect on Agriculture Right Attitude towards Historic Grievances Plea for Broader and more Philosophic View of Irish Question Simple Explanations and Panaceas Deprecated A Many-Sided Human Problem.