24 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



Irish Americans 



" And what do you think of the Irish question in 

 America ? " 



" I have said on some occasions that in the last 

 thirty years they have not hesitated to co-operate, 

 while having regard for the best interests of their 

 adopted country, in pursuit of their objects." 



" And now, Mr. Chamberlain, is it true that de- 

 tectives have come with you from England ? " 



The answer was given boldly and manly : 



" No, but I have no doubt that the United States 

 Government will take good care of its guests. I have 

 no fear on that subject." 



Finally he said he would make no public speeches 

 anywhere, at least on politics. He had not come as 

 a private Englishman, but as a diplomatist. He 

 would endeavour to see as much of the country as 

 possible and would visit Canada. He would go in 

 a few days — he could not say exactly when — to 

 Washington, and on his return would stay some 

 time in New York. 



Mr. Chamberlain has already received several 

 private invitations to partake of hospitalities. 



That night we dined at the hotel, and afterwards 

 went, at the invitation of the late Mr. Whitelaw Reid, 

 to his box at the opera, and heard Tannhauser, and 

 " so to bed," as Pepys would say. It was a pleasant 

 change to be once more in a steady couch on terra 



