from the Address presented by them to Captain Condon on the occasion of his visit to Dublin in 1909.  Captain Condon, I may explain, had been a prominent Fenian and member of the Irish Republican brotherhood, and had taken part in the riot at Manchester in 1867 which resulted in the murder of Sergeant Brett; he now resides in America.  In 1909 he visited Ireland on the invitation of J. Redmond; and the address presented to him by the Ancient Order of Hibernians contained the following words:—­

“In you, O’Meagher Condon, we recognize one of those connecting links with the past which all nations cherish, and you are ready to-day with voice and pen to give your unflagging support to Ireland’s leaders with as much enthusiasm as you grasped the sword to lead Ireland in the dark but historic ’67.  We are sure it will interest you to know that the ranks of the Hibernians to-day are composed of the men and children of those who swore allegiance to the Irish Republic with you.”

The Order has lately acquired additional strength by becoming an “Approved Society” under the Insurance Act of 1911.  In Ireland it is no more possible for life insurance than for anything else to exist without being dragged into the vortex of religious and political quarrels.

The “Clan-na-gael”—­that is, the Dynamite Club—­still flourishes in America; but for obvious reasons it does not make any public appearance in Ireland; and the exact part which it takes in the movement at the present time, it is impossible to say.

“Sinn Fein” (which means “Ourselves”) is another Separatist Association, aiming at the establishment of Ireland as a Sovereign State, and teaching that the election of Irishmen to serve in the British Parliament is treason to the Irish State.  As its name implies, it desires to make use of the revival of the Irish language as a means towards the end for which it is working.  It was founded in 1905.  Why this Society and the United Irish League, whose objects seem identical, should be ready to fly at one another’s throats, is one of the things that those who are outside the Nationalist circle cannot understand.  But the Clerical leaders, who do their utmost to further the operations of the League, look askance at Sinn Fein; its ultimate success therefore is very doubtful.

Then, working in conjunction with these societies is the “Gaelic League,” founded for the “de-Anglicizing” of Ireland, as helping towards separation.  As J. Sweetman (who, besides being a prominent member of the Gaelic League, is also Vice-President of Sinn Fein and Vice-Chairman of the Central Council of Irish County Councils and may therefore be regarded as speaking with authority) has expressed it:—­