Union which they might have done, it is their own fault, as the history of Ulster during the last century has shown.  Next, I have explained the rise of the present Home Rule movement, and its dependence on agrarian agitation.  I have analyzed some of the provisions of the present Bill, which independent writers consider to be hopelessly unworkable; and lastly I have stated why in my opinion Home Rule in any form must be fraught with disaster not only to Ireland but also to the Empire at large.

I have no desire unnecessarily to wound the feelings of those who take a different view; if it can be shown that any of my statements are incorrect or my inference illogical, I shall be glad to correct them; but to mere abuse, such as the Nationalists are in the habit of pouring on Unionist writers, I shall pay no heed.  I admit that it may be said that there are several matters which I ought to have gone into more fully; to that I can only reply that I wished to be as brief as possible, and that I have done my best to compress with fairness.  What I am really anxious to do is to draw the attention of thoughtful readers, before it is too late, to the terrible dangers with which we are faced.  As an Irish historian has said:—­

“No political madness could be greater than to put the legislative machinery of an integral and essential portion of the Empire into the hands of men who are largely or mainly disaffected with that Empire, and who, in times of difficulty, danger and disaster are likely to betray it.”

* * * * *

The following are the principal works of which use has been made in preparing this volume.  They are cited here in order to avoid the necessity of constant footnotes:—­

    “Short History of the Irish People.”  By Professor Richey.

    “Irish Nationalism.”  By the late Duke of Argyll.

    “History of Ireland in the Eighteenth Century.”  By W.E.H. 
    Lecky.

    “History of the Legislative Union of Great Britain and
    Ireland.”  By Dunbar Ingram.

    “Ireland and Her Fairy Godmother.”  By J. Warren.

    “The Continuity of the Irish Revolutionary Movement.”  By Prof. 
    Brougham Leech.

    “A Fool’s Paradise.”  By Professor Dicey.

CHAPTER I.

The Ulster covenant.  The questions stated. Ireland under the Celts and the Danes.

“Being convinced in our consciences that Home Rule would be disastrous to the material well-being of Ulster as well as of the whole of Ireland, subversive of our civil and religious freedom, destructive of our citizenship and perilous to the unity of the Empire, We, whose names are underwritten, Men of Ulster, loyal subjects of His Gracious Majesty King George V, humbly relying on the God