Before Mr Chichester Fortescues appointment, however, was made, the outbreak of Fenianism had furnished a rude commentary on Sir Robert Peels statistics. It had burst like a clap of thunder on a clear sky. Even if Sir Robert Peel was right, & Ireland was prospering, Fenianism made it plain that prosperity had not cured Irish disaffection
The people of Ireland seemed to be divided between those who wished success to the movement, & those who disapproved its methods, but sympathised with its ends. It was no longer possible to deny that they were animated by a passionate detestation of English law & of English rule. Sir Robert Peel might be the best of all possible Chief Secretaries, in the best of all possible Ministries; but the Irish, so it was evident, had no terms to make with the Government which was pondering over the statistics it was collecting in Dublin Castle
Sir Spencer Walpole:The History of 25 Years
