A GARDEN DIARY 145 
MARCH 20, 1900. 3 P.M. 
qe 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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