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more to remove my dislike of Protestantism, than volumes of arguments could have accomplished. This, however, by the way.

Is it not manifest, therefore, that the Irish Priests are, from their education, their position in society, their political bias, their official avocations and social habits, so perfectly the creatures of their own system, so fully imbued with its despotic spirit, so effectually impelled and controlled by its dark energies, that instead of wondering at their credulity, we should rather admire the power of that saving grace by which so many of them are emancipated? I grant that there may be among them, as well as among the laity, men of bold and independent minds, who secretly despise the system which they are constrained by a sense of honour to administer. But the number of these is, I apprehend, comparatively small; and I think they will, for the most part be found absorbed in literary pursuits; or hurried along amid the bustle of political agitation, while the routine of official duty is gone through mechanically, and the mind has fallen into a state of religious apathy, deep as the slumber of death.

A MAYNOOTH PRIEST.

95

LETTER VI.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

and

In the arrangements between Mr. F myself, relative to the publication of a poem on the Priesthood, which we had jointly composed, it devolved on me to call on some neighbouring gentlemen for their names as subscribers; among these were several clergymen of the Established Church. The first was Curate of the parish, who, without at all entering on the question of religion, warmly encouraged the publication of the satire. The Rector was a man of a different stamp-learned, cautious, judicious, and in politics a Whig. He was a most benevolent individual, and greatly beloved by his parishioners of both denominations. He carefully avoided any allusion to the differences between the two Churches, and did all he could to conciliate the Priests. But one of them was a feeble old man, who went very little about, and the other was a flaming bigot, whom no kindness could tame. The good Rector complained to me that his friendly offices were not reciprocated, and that the young Priest seemed to regard his advances with jealousy. The truth

is, the younger part of the Priesthood are very anxious about their reputation. They are looking forward to parishes, and they are afraid that any appearances of liberality which they might exhibit, would be represented to the Bishop as treachery to the cause. There is an esprit du corps sustained in full operation by the conferences, which effectually counteracts every tendency to irregularity, and keeps every man pressed into his proper groove in the system. The older Priests, however, may take liberties, and sometimes do. I knew one of them to dine frequently, even on Sunday, with a neighbouring Rector, but religious conversation was totally excluded from the social circle. Is it not an unhappy circumstance that the Roman clergy seldom or never come into friendly contact with really pious Protestants ?

The Rector of desired to read my MS. When I called again, he looked very grave. "It was a severe satire against the Catholic clergy; and, besides, it was in some cases unjust. For instance," said he, "it is made a ground of accusation against them, that they lay by fortunes for their nieces. I think that is quite right, for St. Paul says, if a man does not provide for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

A LIBERAL RECTOR.

97.

I do not exactly remember what was my reply. I dare say I remarked, that providing food and raiment for a family was a very different thing from laying up a large fortune for some favourite member of it. That, at all events, it could not be right to oppress the poor in order to enrich our own relations, and raise them above their proper standing in society; that, strictly speaking, a Priest had no family-had none to take care of but "number one;" and, therefore, that his love of money could be regarded as nothing better than avarice.

"But how is it," he inquired, "that you, a professed Roman Catholic, can think of publishing such an attack on your own clergy?"

This was an unpleasant question. I blushed and hesitated; and, after a pause, replied, that as an enemy to all priestcraft and oppression, I felt it my duty to expose their conduct whenever it was reprehensible; and that an attack on religion, and one on its unworthy ministers, were things totally distinct.

66

Young man," said he, regarding me with an expression of benevolent anxiety, "I fear, like too many in your church, you have imbibed infidel sentiments. I hope, however, you have not gone beyond the reach of reason and truth. I cannot subscribe for this poem, because I do

F

not approve of the spirit in which it is written— a spirit of scepticism and bitterness which is, in a reflecting mind, almost the natural result of the system in which you have been educated. Take," he continued, "as an illustration of that system, the shocking occurrence which has recently disgraced our country. A Priest enters the house of one of his parishioners, and is requested to sit down in a room where there is a bed on which a child about two years old is sleeping. He demands a drink, and while the mother is absent procuring it, the infant stirs, whereupon the Priest starts up, and declares that it is possessed by the devil, and must be exorcised. The mother believes the statement, and shudders with horror. The neighbourhood is alarmedcrowds of people collect round the house to witness the miracle. A large tub of water is procured, into which the Priest pours a bowl of salt which he has blessed. The helpless babe is then raised from its sleep, and stretched upon the floor. The infatuated exorcist turns over the tub of water on the body of the child, and then jumping on the upturned bottom, tramples it with all the fury of the wildest fanaticism, until the hapless infant is strangled by the edge of the vessel pressing on its neck! The father and mother beheld all this without daring

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