THE RAISING OF THE IRISH BRIGADES I At the ending of the long session of Parliament in 1914 there was a curious scene in the House of Commons, where members were crowded to assist at the formal passing of the Irish and Welsh Bills.

On the adjournment, Mr.Will Crooks, from his seat on the front bench below the gangway, called out, "Mr.Speaker, would it be in order to sing 'God save the King' ?" and without more ado uplifted his voice and the House chimed in.

There must have been strange thoughts in the minds of Redmond, of Mr.Dillon, and others of the Irish, standing in the places where they had fought so long and bitter a battle, where they had been so often the object of fierce reproaches, whence they had hurled back so many taunts, now to find themselves the centre of congratulation, and joined with English members in singing on the floor of the House that national anthem which in Ireland had been for decades a symbol of ascendancy, rigidly tabooed by every Nationalist.
When the singing ended, Mr.Crooks's genial voice rose again.

"God save Ireland!" he shouted.
"And God save England too!" Redmond answered.
That exchange of words outside the period of debate is, contrary to usage but very properly, recorded in Hansard.
From this time forth Redmond was on his trial.

He had given pledges; he must make good to Ireland and make good to Great Britain.