THE EARL OF KILDARE AND THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL.
[To MB EDITOR or TIM " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—By transferring the story of the Earl of Kildare and the Cathedral of Cashel (see Spectator, November 23rd, p. 805) from the reign of Henry VII. to that of Elizabeth you have indeed pointed a moral, but you have robbed the story of its inimitable humour. Kildare, says Fronde, was accused before Henry VII. and his Council of having, among other enormities, burnt the Cathedral at Cashel, and the Archbishop was present as witness and prosecutor. The Earl confessed his offence : " but by Jesus," he added, " I would not have done it if I bad not been told that my Lord Archbishop was inside." I may add that I first came across the story in Mr. Stapfer's " Molihs et Shakespeare," where it is given as an instance of humour.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ARTHUR TiLL.EY.
[We stand corrected ; but the moral seems not to be very greatly impaired. The Nationalist Members, it seems, are to be excused for recommending cattle-driving because they believe that by doing so they are helping to bring about the destruction of the Union.—En. Spectator.]
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