A GARDEN DIARY 145 



MARCH 20, 1900. 3 P.M. 



^H AT interruption disposed of, we now return 

 * to our Invasion. Owing, perhaps, to the dila- 

 tory nature of our proceedings, the invaders have 

 already left the coast, and pushed their way some 

 distance inland, the result being that matters are 

 beginning to look exceedingly uncomfortable for 

 the unfortunate invaded. The regular army in 

 Ireland happens to be at an exceptionally low 

 ebb. It has been heavily drawn on lately to fill 

 up vacancies at the seat of war, no one in authority 

 having of course dreamt of anything so improb- 

 able as a sudden incursion into Dublin Bay. 

 The Commander-in-Chief is reported to be half 

 dead with work and worry at the Royal Hospital. 

 His subordinates are behaving like heroes. The 

 " Polis" otherwise the Royal Irish Constabulary 

 are doing soldiers' work, and doing it a good 

 deal better than most soldiers. Dublin is believed 

 to be for the moment safe, but the condition of 

 the country immediately south of it is critical to 

 a degree. No one seems to be certain what the 

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