slightest opposition; and that the troubles which took place at that
period in Ireland are to be entirely attributed to the ambition and
injustice of Henry. In the reign of Queen Mary there was no
recrimination upon the Protestants--a striking proof that the
bigotry of the Catholic religion had not at that period risen to any
great height in Ireland. The insurrections of the various Irish
princes were as numerous during this reign as they had been in the
two preceding reigns--a circumstance rather difficult of
explanation, if, as is commonly believed, the Catholic religion was
at that period the main-spring of men's actions.

In the reign of Elizabeth, the Catholic in the pale regularly fought
against the Catholic out of the pale. O'Sullivan, a bigoted Papist,
reproaches them with doing so. Speaking of the reign of James I.,
he says, "And now the eyes even of the English Irish (the Catholics
of the pale) were opened; and they cursed their former folly for
helping the heretic." The English Government were so sensible of
the loyalty of the Irish English Catholics that they entrusted them
with the most confidential services. The Earl of Kildare was the
principal instrument in waging war against the chieftains of Leix
and Offal. William O'Bourge, another Catholic, was created Lord
Castle Connel for his eminent services; and MacGully Patrick, a
priest, was the State spy. We presume that this wise and MANLY
conduct of Queen Elizabeth was utterly unknown both to the
Pastrycook and the Secretary of State, who have published upon the
dangers of employing Catholics even against foreign enemies; and in
those publications have said a great deal about the wisdom of our
ancestors--the usual topic whenever the folly of their descendants
is to be defended. To whatever other of our ancestors they may
allude, they may spare all compliments to this illustrious Princess,