DUBLIN CASTLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8135, 9 May 1906, Page 7

DUBLIN CASTLE.

Ireland is happy again, according Mr H. W. Lucy, since Lord Aberdeen has been appointed Lord Lieutenant. Already, we are told, the new rale at Dublin Castle has effected a magiual change in the attitude of. towards Imperial authority. "Like the quality ofinercy," says Mr Lucy, "the liiah Government is twice blest. It ia not only endowed with the STATESMANLIKE QUALITIES of Lord Aberdeen. Super-added is the personal charm of Lady Aberdeen, a charm founded on gaiok " human sympathy. and infinite womanly kindness." Dublin Oastle has always been famous for its hoa- >■ pitality, bat hitherto it has been confined to the landlord and offlcial classes. Lord Dudley was generally popular, but Nationalist who durin B his re'ign acoepted an invitation either to Dublin Oastle or to the Vice-regal Lodge would have been regarded AS A TRAITOR. This prejudice was prevalent, it seems,.even during the Vice-Royalty of Lord Houghton, now Lord Crewe. Representing the Liberal Government as Mr Gladstone was making his last fight for Home Rule in the House of Commons, the Lord Lieutenant was, of course,.boycotted by Unionists., An old personal, friend. Lord Londonderry, drew a nice distinction. Whilst preserving old ■■ social relations with his "dear Bob" if they met in London, he cat-him dead on Irish soil. Lord Houghton's term of office must have been particularly unhappy, because even the Nationalists avoided him. Lord Aberdeen, however, seems to have been taken STRAIGHT TO THE IRISH HEART, _ and Lady Aberdeen's 4 ?At homes" on Saturday afternoons are attended by. Irish families who have abhorred, the Oastle for generations. According to American papers, however, Lady Aberdeen, has offended some of the aristocrats by prohibition high play, and. bridge, so*tjs gala; vbas been altogether banned from the Oastle. Her rule is described HB, "Puritanical", by 00mplafners, but her firmness in this respeot has certainly strengthened the position of berseir and her husband Jn their relations with'the Irish people generally.