"But the unfortunate incident of the loss of Hanlon's life," he said, "would never have occurred had I been duly apprised of what was going on in the town.

I had come home into my house, having quieted the people, and left all in order, as I thought, when that charge of the police, for which there was no occasion, and which led to the killing of Hanlon, was ordered.

I made my way rapidly to the people, and when I appeared they were brought to patience and to good order with astonishing ease, despite all that had occurred." As to the present outlook, it was his opinion that Mr.Ponsonby, even with the Cork Defence Union behind him, could not hold out.

"The Land Corporation were taking over some parts of the estate, and putting Emergency men on them--a set of desperate men, a kind of _enfants perdus_," he said, "to work and manage the land;" but he did not believe the operation could be successfully carried out.

Meanwhile he confidently counted upon seeing "the present Tory Government give way, and go out, when it would become necessary for the landlords to do justice to the rack-rented people.