In these few sentences, Mr. Dillon brought before
the House his strange, picturesque, and chequered career. His oratory
was such that the explanation was considered the best ever given in the
House of Commons.
[Sidenote: Joe is absent.]
This was a recovery of some ground lost on the previous night. But there
was even better to come. Mr. Harrington's accuracy and veracity as to
Mr. Chamberlain's dealings with the Irish members had been challenged,
as I have said, by Mr. Chamberlain, and he now rose to read the historic
letter of Mr. Duignan, which, he claimed, justified his account. Several
attempts were made to stop Mr. Harrington, and the Tories during this
were decidedly annoyed and embarrassed because Mr. Chamberlain happened
not to be in his place. But doggedly and persistently Mr. Harrington
held to his ground, and at last the Speaker allowed him to read the
letter. The reading of the letter led to various scenes, because it was
one of those balanced utterances in which Mr. Chamberlain used to try to
hold one foot in the Unionist and to place the other in the Home Rule
camp. There were speeches about the County Councils, and there had been
Unionist and Tory cheers in relief; but when immediately afterwards
there were allusions to Home Rule, very little different in scope or
character from that proposed by Mr.
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