sentiments of the Duke of Wellington upon the present state of the Catholic question. Knowing them, I shall venture to offer my opinion upon the course that it behoves the Catholics to pursue.

"Perfectly convinced that the final and cordial settlement of this great question can alone give peace, harmony, and prosperity to all classes of his Majesty's subjects in this kingdom, I must acknowledge my disappointment on learning that there is no prospect of its being effected during the ensuing session of parliament. I however derive some consolation from observing, that his Grace is not wholly adverse to the measure; for if he can be induced to promote it, he, of all men, will have the greatest facility in carrying it into effect.

"If I am correct in this opinion, it is obviously most important that the Duke of Wellington should be propitiated: that no obstacle that can by possibility be avoided should be thrown in his way: that all personal and offensive insinuations should be suppressed; and that ample allowance should be made for the difficulties of his situation.

"Difficult it certainly is, for he has to overcome the very strong prejudices, and the interested motives, of many persons of the highest influence, as well as to allay the alarms of many of the more ignorant Protestants.

"I differ from the opinion of the Duke that an attempt should be made to bury in oblivion the question for a short time. First, because the thing is utterly impossible; and next, if the thing were possible, I fear that advantage would be taken of the pause, by representing it as a panic achieved by the late violent re-action, and by proclaiming that if the government at once and peremptorily decided against concession, the Catholics would cease to agitate, and then all the miseries of the last years of Ireland will be to be re-acted.

"What I do recommend is, that the measure should not be for a moment lost sight of that anxiety should continue to be manifested-that all constitutional (in contradistinction to merely legal) means should be resorted to, to forward the cause; but that at the same time, the most patient forbearance the most submissive obedience to the laws, should be inculcated; that no personal and offensive language should be held towards those who oppose the claims.

"Personality offers no advantage-it effects no good; on the contrary, it offends, and confirms predisposed aversion. Let the Catholic trust to the justice of his cause-to the growing liberality of mankind. Unfortunately, he has lost some friends, and fortified his enemies, within the last six months, by unmeasured and unnecessary violence. He will soonest recover from the present stagnation of his fortunes, by showing more temper, and by trusting to the legislature without reserve.

"Brute force he should be assured can effect nothing. It is the legislature that must decide this great question; and my greatest anxiety is, that it should be met by the parliament under the most favourable circumstances, and that the opponents of Catholic Emancipation shall be disarmed by the patient forbearance, as well as by the unwearied perseverance, of its advocates.

"My warm anxiety to promote the general interests of this country is the motive that has induced me to give an opinion and offer advice."

This letter soon found its way to the Catholic Association, and was read, as might have been expected, with the most rapturous plaudits. Far different were its effects in England; Peel's repeated complaints of the Marquis's indiscretion received confirmation from the appearance of a letter which exhibited the Lord Lieutenant not only at variance with the ministry, but actually recommending a course of conduct the

very reverse of that which the premier had declared to be necessary. He was immediately recalled, and the Duke of Northumberland was appointed his successor. It may be remarked as a singular circumstance, that the poet Moore actually predicted, with tolerable accuracy, the fate of the political career of the Marquis of Anglesey, in one of those fugitive, but lively odes, with which he was then accustomed to enliven the dreary discussions of the day. The piece is too good, and too characteristic, to be omitted: