words. There had for some time been a strong military force in Ireland, and, when it was known that the Government were despatching more troops there as fast as the trains could carry them, the public uneasiness increased, for it became obvious that there was a traitorous section of the community which was resolved to harass the Government in presence of the foreign enemy. But soon some relief was felt on this point when the news came that in the North of Ireland men were enrolling themselves by thousands as Volunteers, and were pledged to keep the South in subjection should it show any revolutionary spirit. In the meantime, where were the French? That was a question that was in everybody's mouth. The utmost mystery seemed to prevail, and, whatever information the Government had, the public were kept in the dark as to the movements of the enemy. All the railway companies were engaged in moving troops about. The Militia were called up, together with the reserves, and there was hardly a district where Volunteers were not at drill. The "Citizen Army" were fired by a spirit of the greatest enthusiasm, and hopes were expressed that they might have a chance of showing the metal they were made of. Their ranks could have been doubled within a week, had it not been for a Government order—why it was issued, and at whose instigation has never been known,—that an increase of the Volunteer strength was not necessary. The Regulars and the Militia, however, were far below their normal strength, due to the cheese-paring policy of the Liberals, and recruits were called for. But the call was not answered in the manner that the Government expected it would have been. The military weakness of the country was now painfully felt, for an enormous number of men was required for the garrisons and fortifications of the coast, while Ireland alone had-absorbed 50,000, for the revolutionists had to be overawed, and the Atlantic sea-board watched.
Eight days had parsed since the declaration of war. A marvellous amount of work was done in those eight days, and Englishmen began to taunt the French on their supineness, and it was jocularly said that Johnny Crapaud, having thrown down the gauntlet, was now afraid to come on. But
