But even zealous Unionists might hope that for these evils Ireland at least will obtain some compensation.

This hope, if the Irish members are retained at Westminster, will never be fulfilled.
For even the occasional presence[38]--which will in practice be the frequent presence--of the Irish members at Westminster destroys every hope that Ireland will be governed by her best citizens.

The reasons why this is so are various; some of them may be shortly stated.

The system, in the first place, of double representation, under which members of the Irish Parliament must flit to and fro between Ireland and England, and debate one day about Irish matters in Dublin, and the next about Imperial, or in truth British, matters in England, makes it impossible for quiet hard-working Irishmen, who carry on the real business of Ireland, to take part in politics.

The political centre of interest, in the second place, will after, as before, the passing of the Home Rule Bill, be placed in London and not in Dublin.