People all over Ireland heard him not only on the public platform but in small addresses to deputations, in impromptu speeches at semi-public dinners, and all of this strengthened him where an Irish leader most needs to be strengthened--in the hearts of the people.

The hold which he gained then stood to him during the years which followed and up to the outbreak of the war.

But it could have been still further strengthened, and if ambition had been a motive force in him, he would have strengthened it.

More than that, if he had realized his full value to Ireland, he would have felt it his duty to do so.

Modesty, combined with a certain degree of indolence, made him leave all that contact with the mass of his followers which is necessary to leadership to be effected through his chief colleagues, Mr.Dillon and Mr.Devlin--who, through no will of theirs, became rather joint leaders than lieutenants, so far as Ireland was concerned.
Circumstances helped to emphasize this tendency.