Page:My Life in Two Hemispheres, volume 2.djvu/74

 the persuasive teacher; his lofty and spiritual forehead, and frank, friendly expression, which were altogether worthy of the great reformer, were somewhat marred by a mouth and chin manifestly weaker than the brow, but relieved by a cordial smile.

"When I left Westbourne Terrace I asked a policeman at the door to do me the favour of calling a cab. '&apos;Deed I will, Misther Duffy,' said he, 'and more than that.' 'How do you know me, my friend?' 'Ah, sir, wasn't I six years in the Metropolitan Police in Dublin,?'"

When political parties were carefully scrutinised, it became plain that the Government were in a minority, unless they could obtain support from some section of the Opposition. In the third week Mr. Villiers launched a party vote against them; but the immediate danger was postponed by an adroit amendment, framed by Lord Palmerston, who had not yet come to an understanding with his late colleagues, and was resolved that a political crisis should not precede that event. A little later Mr. Napier's Bills came on for consideration, and proved better than we had expected, the vital principle of compensation to tenants for past improvement being distinctly recognised. Sergeant Shee obtained permission to introduce the League Bill, and it was set down for reading as early as the Government measures. To dangle their Bills before the eyes of Irish members, but not to press any of them to a division till the contest of the Free Traders had terminated, was the ministerial strategy, Mr. Disraeli, with easy nonchalance, announced that the whole question must stand over until after the Christmas recess. But the Irish party was present in force and not disposed to be trifled with. They contended that the Government Bills ought to be read a second time immediately, and Sergeant Shee's also, and referred together to a Select Committee fairly chosen from the landlord and tenant parties. The Government gave no answer to this audacious proposal. The Whig party, the Peelite section, Cobden, Bright, and the Free Traders, even Joseph Hume, Sir Joshua Walmsley, and the small knot of Radicals, had left the Irishmen without aid or countenance; but they stood firm, and renewed their proposal again and again. As the Govern-