England's position at home, where she had not a soldier to spare; her condition abroad, where she was beaten to the wall; and her relations with foreign powers would achieve the rest.

To a successful Irish revolution, a _coup-de-main_ is indispensable; and a _coup-de-main_ would be incompatible with any organised plan other than existed.

It will be seen at once that for this place details are unfit.

The above sketch rather comprehends the bolder outlines of an insurrection in action, and they suggest nothing to warn the enemy as to future operations.

The prospect they presented to me--a prospect which long contemplation seemed to have realised into fact--excluded from my mind the preliminary and intermediate considerations of time, place, and other circumstances.