norant, to the intemperate, to the heedless, to the criminal. Is it absolutely impossible that a mission to reclaim and reconcile the disaffected Irish could have any success? Certainly it would start most disadvantageously if it should proclaim hostility to any of the favourite ideas by which the Irish mind is at present poisoned. English oppression, home-rule, no rents, may be subjects never adverted to, and yet a good deal may be done through other, and seemingly unconnected, agencies, to dispose the mind towards ways of peace. The movement which Father Matthew originated and sustained is an example of what ha been here suggested. It had nothing whatever ostensibly to do with the cries and questions which were rending society; and yet no one will deny that it did for the time compose and divert the thoughts from the ever-gnawing political griefs, and induce a healthier condition of the national mind.
The missionaries should be, undoubtedly, the banished lords, the batonless chiefs, the disinherited princes of the Irish name. The service is one of trouble, danger, and at first probably of small reward. Yet the hereditary chiefs are they who would gain by any success that might ensue, and who are reflected on now by reason of the abnormal situation in which they stand. Efforts of theirs to win the ears of their countrymen in Ireland would most likely be disappointing unless they should chance to be men of special ability, or they could hit on a banner as attractive as Father Matthew's. But in Britain or in the colonies the goodwill of the Irishman is more accessible than it is at home. There, if any would lay themselves out to court and to instruct him, an impression might, with perseverance and patience, be made, the effects of which might spread in time to Erin herself. Whether men of ancient line have sufficient fortitude to undertake the weary business, which must be for a long time toiled in against the hill, is much to be doubted. Still they are the men who should be able to make a good impression if any can.
"Viri molles aditus et tempora norant;"
and to them of right belongs the adventure, which, difficult though it be, they ought not to transfer to others.
There probably never was, since the world began, a parallel state of things to that which is now to be seen in Ireland. Revolutions of course there have been in plenty; but they have been in other cases carried out to the extent of establishing (for good or for ill) a new state of things. In Ireland, however, the revolution is by the power of the United Kingdom stopped short of violent seizures of goods and offices; but the protecting power which does not tolerate a complete revolution, does not, on the other hand, heartily uphold the state of things which revolutionists desire to overthrow. It favours revolution until it is coming to extremities, then it steps in and forbids the final catastrophe.
The weakness and incapacity of the Government are, however, additional proofs that those Irishmen who, in the nature of things, ought to lead, should do something for themselves. They have been treated with great cruelty and injustice, and England has stood supinely by and seen the injustice done; but, possibly, she would not have been so indifferent if she had seen Irishmen of birth and property a little more ready to help themselves.
