His early environment may have had much to do with his character, and may explain his point of view and many of his actions. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1855, the son of the poorhouse-keeper. The poverty-stricken always blame some one else for their misfortunes. The "some one else" with Irishmen is England. He heard his father tell many stories of the Irish famine during which thousands of his countrymen starved to death. This misfortune was also attributed to absentee landlords, who lived in England and fattened on the Irish tenantry. He imbibed from his mother's breast a hatred of England and a determination to outwit the Protestant Irish landlords.

He was a most precocious scholar, completing the course at the Christian Brothers' school when twelve years old. This school is above the average, and includes in its curriculum Latin, Greek, and modern languages. It ranked in philosophy and the classics above most American colleges. At this time "Tim" must have looked like the comic pictures of young Ralph Waldo Bostonbeans, because of his large head, thick glasses, serious mien, and little body. He was too small and puny to go to work, but his time was not wasted. He took a graduate course at home by borrowing books from the priests, which he devoured

with remarkable avidity. His course of reading seems remarkable for a youth of twelve. Theology, philosophy, and Irish history were the principal subjects.

The time came, however, when "Tim" must go to work, for his father was no Croesus. He selected Newcastle, England, as the vantage-point from which to conquer the industrial world. At the age of fourteen he took a job as office boy to the president of the Northwestern Railroad. It may appear strange for a college graduate to accept such a menial position, but his youth and diminutive size prevented him from securing work more in keeping with his mental acquirements. This hard-headed Scotchman was not long in discovering that young "Tim" had abilities far beyond his job, so he advanced him rapidly. While pocketing the dirty English dollars, or, rather, pounds, "Tim" forswore none of his allegiance to Ireland. He joined the Irish Literary Society in Newcastle. It is a safe bet that the subjects discussed were Irish writers, Irish poets, and Irish history. He also organized and became secretary of the Irish Home Rule Society. "Tim" was thus expanding both day and night. He worked up to a very responsible position with the railroad, and he became an embryonic orator, especially on Irish topics. It was a battle between the day and night forces for the mastery of his soul. Night finally won. "Tim" had great faith in himself. He thought that railroading was beneath him. He wanted to do bigger things. wanted to take an active part in politics, to shine at the bar, and maybe some day wear the "big wig."

He

"Tim" recognized that he must pre

pare himself by the study of law if he was to reach his goal. London was the center of legal education.

How to get

"Tim” had "Tim" had

there was the question. saved some money on his railroad job, but not enough to pay for his law course. He could expect but little assistance from his father, the poorhouse-keeper of Bantry. His uncle Timothy D. Sullivan, however, was owner of the Dublin "Nation," and "Tim" had already begun to cast sheep's eyes at his lovely daughter, which met with her father's approval. In family council it was decided that young "Tim" should become the London correspondent for old "Tim's" newspaper. London correspondents exercise tremendous power in England, second only to Parliament itself. The world forms its opinions concerning the political life of the nation from their reports.

Naturally, only the

ablest and most efficient reporters are selected for this important post. "Tim" knew nothing about reportorial work, but this fact did not daunt him. Anybody else would have been afraid to undertake it without some preparation, and any other editor except his uncle and future father-inlaw would not have assigned him to it. "Tim" took the job and made good.

He studied law at night, but learned in the press gallery something more important to his future than the law. Parliamentary procedure had a wonderful fascination for him. He would sit for hours "learning the ropes" and watching the members manoeuver for position, and his quick mind readily saw the slips that they made. He would turn to some fellow-reporter and impatiently exclaim: "The fool! He should have done" etc. So proficient did he become in parlia

mentary practice that later, when he became a member of the House of Commons, he was by far the best parliamentarian in that body.

Naturally, he wrote a great deal about Charles Stewart Parnell, at that time the uncrowned King of Ireland, and what he said was favorable. Parnell was pleased with "Tim's" flattering notices and his sensible reports of Parnell's activities. He repaid "Tim" by making him his confidential secretary. fidential secretary. Now he was in his natural element. He was actively in politics and not just an observer. He was the right-hand man of Parnell and frequently his spokesman. Parnell decided that "Tim" could be of more service to him with the official standing of a member of Parliament. In those days Parnell's wish was a command in Ireland that few dared to dispute. So Healy was returned as the member for Wexford. This was a serious mistake on Parnell's part. Healy did not have to lean on him any longer; he could stand on his own feet. Pretty soon he felt that it was an injustice for so brilliant a man as himself to shine in a reflected light; ambition to be the Irish leader began to stir in his breast. Parnell was not slow in observing this change, and the warn friendship between the two men began to wane. The unfortunate Kitty O'Shea affair gave "Tim" an excuse for an open break. He immediately turned against Parnell.

His ambition, however, overstepped itself. He expected to be chosen the Irish leader to succeed the fallen chief, but he had not taken into consideration the ambitions of O'Brien, Dillon, and Redmond. They were willing enough to see Parnell fall, but each of them wanted to step into his shoes,

and was certainly unwilling to see Parnell's former lieutenant seize the scepter which they had torn from his hands. Parnell's discomfiture completely disrupted the Irish party. O'Brien headed the largest faction, and disgruntled "Tim" was forced to aline himself with him. The disputes among the Irish statesmen seemed to prove the correctness of Disraeli's judgment, when he said that the Irish would never succeed in their fight for Home Rule, because they could never agree among themselves. From being a large and influential power to which the Government was forced to cater, the Irish vote in Parliament became of negligible importance. It was to be further disrupted by the cricket "Tim" jumping out of the O'Brien pasture and going it alone in the House of Parliament. O'Brien had not taken Parnell's experience with "Tim" to heart, or he never would have chosen him as his chief lieutenant.

"Tim" was now a one-man party, but the biggest one-man party that ever existed in any legislative body. He was thoroughly hated by the English Tories, disliked by the Liberals, and despised by his former Irish associates; but his sharp tongue, keen wit, and ability were respected by all. The keynote of his political philosophy was intense bitterness toward England, belief in Ireland's right to Home Rule, and indiscriminate attacks upon the adherents of both. Some one has wittily said that "Tim's" rule was, "Whenever you see a head, hit it." Many were the august heads that felt the weight of his blows. He was no respecter of persons and no mincer of words. Joe Chamberlain was usually self-possessed, but he was rattled when "Tim" addressed him in mock

seriousness, tendering him a vote of thanks for the many kindnesses which he had shown to Ireland. Saunderson was an unmitigated liar, O'Brien a poltroon, and poor John Redmond was responsible for the Easter rebellion. This last charge had serious consequences, as the distress caused by it probably hastened Redmond's death. "Tim" told a Tory member of Parliament who owned large estates in Ireland that he ought to be shot, only nobody as yet had taken the trouble to do it. Asquith was a conceited ass, and even the grave and dignified Gladstone was shown scant courtesy.

When civil war began, he withdrew from Parliament, and took up the practice of law in London. By a strange paradox, Healy, born and bred a bitter enemy of England, began his business career at Newcastle, England, made his first record as a writer in England, and as a statesman in the English House of Commons and his success as a barrister in the English courts. His fame and fortune have been made in England, and now the King of England has sent him, as his personal representative, to be Governor-General of Ireland.

I wonder how "Tim" will "fit in" to his new job. He hates fuss and feathers; personally, he is as plain as an old shoe. Many of his most biting sarcasms have been aimed at English ceremonials. The office of governorgeneral is largely one of ceremony. "Tim" now enjoys a vice-regal status. In Ireland he ranks above everybody except the royal family. As the personal representative of the king, he is in for much "fustian and flubdub." Will he take kindly to this English pomp and display, or will he still be just plain "Tim"?