The Late Mr Parnell's Biography

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 102, 25 February 1892, Page 4

The Late Mr Parnell's Biography

» i The London correspondent of the ■ New York World writes:— Mrs Parnell has declined the proposals made to her that the work of writing the biography of Mr Parnell should be undertaken by some of his colleagues. The names of O'Kelly and Tim Harrington were specially urged. Her intention is to write the biography herself. It is said site has already begun to read Mr Parnell's papers ■with the assistance of Mr Harrison, M.P. The object of Parnell's colleagues in trying to secure the work of writing- his life and dealing with his papers was to ensure that the work should be done by those who were best acquainted with him, who could form a reliable opinion as to the disposition of his highly important letters and papers in the interests of the Irish cause, and Mr Parnell's own reputation. It is understood that Mrs Parnell's object is to make a ruthless exposure ol her late husband's enemies among the anti-Par-nellftes and Liberals. This revengeul feeling in the mind of the afflicted widow seems natural enough, but it is very doubtful whether it w the way in which Par Dell's reputation can best be serve*!. There are in Mrs Piirnoll's possession a mass of letters between Mr Gladstone and; ttaptain O'dhea, and Joe Chamberlain, dating back to the days when O'Shea was the regular intermediary between Parnell and the Liberal ministers. These letters can now be used with damaging 1 -effect. •■ff They include communications, both direct and through O'Shea, showing that Chamberlain regularly kept Parnell informed of the proceedings .? in the Cabinet concerning Ireland • that he gave Parnell full and explicit warning through 0 Shea that he was to be arrested under JForster's Act. The object of giving this information was to enable him to baffle the plans of the Ministry, of which Chamberlain was at the time a member. If Parnell's life is written in this spirit there is no doubt it will create a sensation, but it is hoped that as time wears away it may be found possible to wean Mrs Parnell from this conception of her duty to the memory of her dead husband.