The Jubilee week must have been a proud season for Englishmen--they had
a fine opportunity to show the world the power of their great empire.
* * * * *
The Irish members of Parliament persisted in their refusal to join in
the Jubilee ceremonies.
When it was proposed in the House of Commons that an address of
congratulation be sent to the Queen, the Irish members made a scene.
They protested against any message being sent, unless it contained a
statement that during the sixty years of Victoria's reign Ireland had
been subject to much suffering and deprived of her rights, and that
therefore the Irish members of Parliament were dissatisfied and unable
to join in the celebrations.
The House of Commons would not entertain this, and a motion was passed
that the address should be sent to the Queen.
The Irish members continued their protests after the vote had been
taken, declaring it false and absurd to present the address when it did
not express the sentiment of the House, but only of a portion of it.
* * * * *
Captain Boycott has just died. You are probably familiar with the name,
and with the meaning of the word "boycott," but it may interest you to
know what a very young word it is, only seventeen years old, having been
coined in 1880, and that it derives its origin from this very Captain
Boycott who has just passed away.
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