Throughout the whole
evening there was exactly the same spectacle as on previous
evenings--that is to say, there was the same old obstructive group
discussing exactly the same topics; raising the same objections; going
into the same subtleties as if the Bill were just in its first stage;
and there was the same dreary and universal emptiness of the House
generally. At last, as eleven o'clock approached, the Unionists prepared
themselves for a dramatic effort. Mr. Chamberlain prepared an
educational bombshell, but Mr. Healy hoisted the engineer with his own
petard.
Then, quietly and noiselessly, we went through a couple of divisions;
and before we knew where we were, Mr. Morley was standing at the table,
and moving that the third reading of the Bill should take place the
following Wednesday. Nearly every one of the most prominent debaters had
by this time cleared out. The Irish Benches, however, remained full, and
from them came a triumphant cheer as, at a quarter to twelve, the motion
was carried, and the second stage of the great measure of Irish
emancipation was completed.
CHAPTER XVIII.
IRELAND'S CHARTER THROUGH.
[Sidenote: A dull beginning.
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