But the speech of the day came from Mr.Kavanagh, who, speaking as a Nationalist who had been a Unionist, ended a most moving appeal for agreement with a declaration that he at all events would vote for the compromise.

There was no mistaking the effect produced by the earnestness of this speaker, who knew as much of Ireland and was as well fitted to judge of its true interests as any man in the room.

That effect was felt, I think, in the tone of a private meeting of Nationalists held the same night.

Redmond, with the art of which he was a master, indicated support for the proposal without forcing a conclusion.

He dwelt on the fact that if we did not agree we not only lost our chance of immediate and complete land purchase but left ourselves subjected to the entire burden of war taxation.