unity is increasing throughout the Empire not through the cunning
or the statecraft of politicians, but through the whole course of
events. One part of our Imperial system becomes daily under the
effect of railways, steamers, telegraphs, and the like, nearer and
nearer to every other part. The sentiment of unity which is more
valuable than any law aiming at formal federation each year gains
strength. What I do fear and insist upon is the danger that a
legislative dictatorship conferred on a party, and therefore
necessarily taken away from the nation, should be employed in the
attempt, vain though it ultimately must be, to deprive the
predominant partner of a predominance requisite for the maintenance
both of the United Kingdom and of the British Empire.

The four reflections at any rate which may be suggested by _A Leap in
the Dark_ are well worth the consideration of the loyal citizens of the
United Kingdom.

A.V. DICEY.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Its technical title as given in the Bill is the Irish Government
Act, 1893.

[2] See _Annual Register_, 1893 (New Series), p. 180.

[3] See especially pp. 39, 40, 41-43 _post._