The Errington story has been disposed of at last. Sir
C. Dilke on Wednesday, in the House of Commons, and Lord Granville on Thursday, in the House of Lords, both explained that Mr. Errington was not sent on any Mission to the Vatican, that he bore his own charges, and that he had no power to negotiate on behalf of the British Government. Mr. Errington was visiting Rome for his own pleasure, and had asked Lord Granville if he could be of any use. Lord Granville thought that, as a respectable Member of Parliament, and persona grata at the Vatican, Mr. Errington might acceptably convey
information to the Pope upon British Catholic affairs, and "with the consent of his colleagues," allowed him to do so. Of course, such a permission might easily develope into an informal Mission ; but it has not so deve- loped, Mr. Errington having given only information, which it is, of course, highly advantageous to this country that the Pope should receive. The remarks of Lord Salisbury show that the Tories do not object to the course pursued, but are only unwilling to forego a good occasion for exciting prejudice. That is rather mean, but after all, the fault is not theirs, but rather that of the worthy electors, who will not perceive that as the Pope is a power with Catholics, and as the Queen has millions of Catholic subjects, a competent Envoy to him must diminish his power of doing injury. About the Pope, the proper number of a jury, and the character of Irishmen, Englishmen cannot reason.
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