Over and above this was an assurance of enormous importance.

There was to be no question of compulsion.

Nothing was asked, nothing would be asked, but "the freewill offering of a free people." Lord Meath followed, a representative figure of Unionist Ireland and a most zealous promoter of recruiting.

Then Redmond spoke, and as usual dwelt on Ireland's contribution to the forces of the Regular Army so far actually engaged, which was fully adequate in numbers.

"As to quality, let Sir John French answer for that, and let my friend and fellow-countryman Admiral Beatty from Wexford speak from Heligoland."-- Nothing gave him more pleasure at all times than to dwell on the personal achievement of Irishmen; his voice kindled when he named such names .-- He went on to give confident assurance, having in it the note of defiant answer to the revolt which had been raised: "I tell the Prime Minister he will get here plenty of recruits and of the best material.