Kingdom, but also throughout the length and breadth of the British Empire.  I do not tremble for the power—­the lawful and legitimate power—­of England.  Political devices, however crafty, break down whenever they are opposed to the nature of things.  I know that unity is increasing throughout the Empire not through the cunning or the statecraft of politicians, but through the whole course of events.  One part of our Imperial system becomes daily under the effect of railways, steamers, telegraphs, and the like, nearer and nearer to every other part.  The sentiment of unity which is more valuable than any law aiming at formal federation each year gains strength.  What I do fear and insist upon is the danger that a legislative dictatorship conferred on a party, and therefore necessarily taken away from the nation, should be employed in the attempt, vain though it ultimately must be, to deprive the predominant partner of a predominance requisite for the maintenance both of the United Kingdom and of the British Empire.

The four reflections at any rate which may be suggested by A Leap in the Dark are well worth the consideration of the loyal citizens of the United Kingdom.

A.V.  DICEY.

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] Its technical title as given in the Bill is the Irish Government Act, 1893.

[2] See Annual Register, 1893 (New Series), p. 180.

[3] See especially pp. 39, 40, 41-43 post.

A LEAP IN THE DARK[4]

FOOTNOTES: 

[4] My readers are earnestly recommended to study Mr. Cambray’s Irish Affairs and the Home Rule Question.  It brings the history of the Home Rule movement well up to date, and strengthens almost every argument against Home Rule to be found in A Leap in the Dark. The notes in square brackets are new.

CHAPTER I

OLD AND NEW CONSTITUTION

The Home Rule Bill[5] contains a New Constitution for the whole United Kingdom.[6]

The Bill bears on its face that its object is ’to amend the provision for the Government of Ireland’; it is entitled ’The Irish Government Act, 1893’; it is in popular language known as the Home Rule Bill.  But all these descriptions are misleading.  It is in truth a measure which affects the government alike of England, of Scotland, and of Ireland.  It changes, to some extent the form, but to a far greater extent the working, and the spirit of all our institutions.  It is a bold attempt to form a new constitution for the whole United Kingdom; it subverts the very bases of the existing constitution of England.

The present constitution of the United Kingdom is marked and has long been marked by two essential characteristics, the one positive and the other negative.