Michael Davitt to John O'Leary, 20th March 1888. IE TCD MS 9377/1053

IE TCD MS 9377/1053: Letter from Michael Davitt, Ballybrack, Co. Dublin, Ireland to John O'Leary dated 20th March 1888 referencing a visit to the Contemporary Club in Dublin: "I went into Dublin on Saturday intending to go to the Contemporary Club in the evening, but I found it impossible to carry out my intention. Mrs. D., thinking I had gone, forwarded a telegram which came in my absence from London. Parnell's use of the expressions you mentioned was, at least, unnecessary, and I told him so, the day after the St. James's Hall speech. I am sorry he showed such weakness at such a time. Though he is, possibly, the best kind of politician, he seems, occasionally, unable to avoid the "slips" which are characteristic of that class, and which [tell to confiding?] mortals how thoroughly they have been "sold" by these moral opportunists. I do not think P. is likely to indulge in such adjectives again. Some people have charitably remarked that these adjectives were aimed at me for my [then?] recent criticism upon Sir William Harcourt's delightful consistency..."