1907] The Song of Solomon 169 



view of Egyptian things than Cromer's. We have talked also ahout 

 Ireland, as to which he talks more and more in a Home Rule sense, 

 not as liking it, but as a necessity. He says it ought to be complete 

 Home Rule on the plan of a self-governing Colony, giving the Irish 

 full command of their finances, their police, and their customs duties, 

 and reserving for England only their army and navy, and their Foreign 

 relations. He would like also to reserve some special privilege as to 

 the enlistment of soldiers. Ireland should take over responsibilities in- 

 curred on her behalf by the Imperial Government, especially in regard 

 to land purchase. He scouts all idea of ' a half-way house,' which he 

 said would settle nothing. He approves, or half approves, my publish- 

 ing my Egyptian memoirs, as they attack the Liberal party, not his 

 own. I have written to Madame Adam about its production in French 

 at Paris. 



" To-day I read aloud the whole of the Song of Solomon from a MS. 

 copy Miss Offer has made for me. It is the first of all the love poems 

 in the world, and I would sooner have written it than the whole of the 

 rest of literature. How it got into the Canon of Holy Scripture is a 

 puzzle, for it is pure sexual passion without the least trace of religious 

 sentiment, all the more beautiful for that. George showed me some 

 new verses he has written in the manner of Ronsard. Good, if not quite 

 first rate. 



" 2yd April. — The ' Pall Mall ' of last night contains in the largest 

 type an announcement of my play ' Fand,' having been performed at 

 the Abbey Theatre at Dublin with great success. I never was more 

 astonished, as when I saw Lady Gregory last she told me it was put off 

 sine die, and that she would let me know when it would be given. It 

 is only in Ireland, I suppose, that a play could be performed for the 

 first time and the author know nothing about it. 



" 24th April. — Reading poetry all the morning, and in the afternoon 

 to Summerleas, the most beautiful spot imaginable, shut in with thorn 

 trees white with blossom, and May trees coming into leaf, blackbirds 

 singing, and wood pigeons, and yaffles. 



" 25M April. — The ' Manchester Guardian ' has printed my article 

 on a new regime for Egypt, with a leading article recommending it 

 strongly. Things look more favourable for liberty on the Nile than has 

 been the case for twenty years. 



" 2Jth April. — Mustapha Kamel publishes a manifesto in the Paris 

 ' Figaro ' on the lines of mine in the ' Manchester Guardian,' demanding 

 a Parliament and a native administration for Egypt. Among the ap- 

 pointments gazetted in connection with Cromer's resignation is that of 

 young Errington to be Private Secretary to Hardinge at the Foreign 

 Office. It was part of the bargain proposed to Cromer four years ago 

 if he would resign, that Gorst was to succeed him at Cairo, and act 



