Some sensation has been excited by an article in the
Quarterly Review, not only defending the Peel policy in Ireland, with the Maynooth endowment and the new Colleges, but advocating State endowment of the Roman Catholic Church. For instance—" An idea has grown up," says the old Tory and High Church Quarterly, "we cannot say unreasonably, for we ourselves partake it—that the proposed measure, though limited in its immediate objects, might have larger . consequences ; and—whether so intended by Government or not—would, in con- nexion with the Bequests Act, have the effect of familiarizing the public mind to endowments for the Roman Catholic Church, and lead eventually to a STATE PROVISION FOR THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CLERGY. • • * The question cannot be evaded ; and we feel convinced that its discussion must end in the accomplishment of what we believe to be the only measure that now offers any reasonable prospect of tranquillizing Ireland, and cementing and securing the integrity of the empire. • • • For ourselves, we will honestly confess, that if we did not consider these Educe- . Ilona! Bills as an introduction to, and a pledge, as it were, of a general and a liberal endowment of the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland, our hopes of any re- sulting advantage would have been comparatively slender. • * * The power of the priesthood has developed itself so largely, that there are probably many amongst them who would not now be satisfied with the same, nor indeed with any • !terms, and who may be now inclined to act on the visionary prospect of Irish na- Ainnality. and Romanist supremacy: but that, as far as it may exist, is, we hope told believe, bat a temporary intoxication, which would not long resist the prospect of the solid advantages which a regular and established State provision would confer on the individual clergy, on their Church, and on the country."
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