No new Government had been installed: the Chief Secretaryship remained vacant, the Lord-Lieutenant also had retired from his office.

It seemed a certainty that we should enter, under whatever auguries, into the realization of a self-governing Ireland.

Even those who were most enthusiastic for the birth of a new and glorious era that was to date from the stirring action of the rebels, and who were most open-mouthed in condemnation of Redmond's futile efforts, in practice shared our view.

I asked one such man how he counted on securing the necessary first step of establishing an Irish Government.

"Oh, I suppose," was his answer, "the Irish party will manage that somehow." But soon delay began to hang coldly on this temper of anticipation, and to delay were added disquieting utterances.