who rejoice in a delay which cripples us in the face of all Europe.

If, however, we at length come to the opinion, that it would be better to set this question at rest, let us consider, and most seriously, in what way it had better be done :-that it should be done not hastily, but deliberately-and not solely with reference to the particular interests of Catholics, but, generally, with reference to the interests of the whole community, their future, as well as their present, advantageevery true patriot will admit. If I am the advocate of the Catholics, I am no less a Protestant: if I raise up my voice in behalf of Ireland, I am no less an Englishman. Let us consult together for the public good; let us merge all sectarian feelings, whether religious or political; all invidious distinctions and narrow views, in the comprehensive pursuit of the general happiness of all, and the real welfare of the state.

I am willing to confess that the only manner in which, as it appears to me, this great question can be advantageously dealt with, is that which has been uniformly adopted in other Protestant countries-by direct communication with the court of Rome. We waste our time in endless and indecorous consultations between the government and its subjects: we give to

subordinate authorities the plenitude of absolute power-we perplex ourselves with difficulties which arise from ignorance of the subject in both the contracting parties-whilst, all the time, there exist the means of cutting the knot at once. Nearly two centuries have elapsed since the palace of the English ambassador at Rome has stood vacant, since it was made all but capital to acknowledge the very existence of the Pope; and from the long disuse incidental to this state of prohibition, our ideas on all subjects connected with Rome, are antiquated and incorrect. We have forgotten the language of intercourse-we know nothing of the customary arrangements which are mere routine in all other countries. Let us go to the fountain head-let us enter the presence-chamber, instead of waiting in the hal!: let us negociate with the power whom, in spiritual and ecclesiastical affairs, Catholics acknowledge and obey. At the court of Rome, the subject in question, as it is matter of habitual consideration, so is it perfectly well understood: and even at Rome, whatever we may think to the contrary, the temper of the times is observed, and a spirit of moderation is adopted.

This is the path which Hanover, and Prussia, and Belgium have trod before us; the negociations have been concluded without any peculiar

difficulty; the result has, in every case, proved satisfactory; Protestants, as well as Catholics, have equally approved.

In these transactions the court of Rome has invariably acted with the most perfect good faith-and is entirely free from the imputation of underhand machinations in the countries concerned, either pending the treaty, or afterwards.

The terms which these countries have obtained will be found to be satisfactory; and England would undoubtedly be entitled to expect terms equally favourable.

In common parlance agreements of this nature have been called Concordats-which, however, is not the proper designation, as the concordat is restricted to the more limited sense of an agreement between Rome and a Catholic country. A papal bull, regulating the future arrangements of the several matters at issue, is what has been granted at the request of other Protestant countries, and all that is requisite.

Prussia was the first Protestant country that brought the Catholic question to a final conclusion, by direct communication with the See of Rome.

The Catholics in Prussia are numerous. Besides the Catholics who are scattered in the older provinces, the whole of Silesia is Catholic, and the whole of the Rhenish provinces. Frederick

I

the Great refused to communicate with Rome. His power was despotic and military, and his absolute will controlled church and state alike. On the conquest of Silesia, he adopted, for the government of the Catholic Church, the Concordat which had already been negociated between Austria and Rome; but, both in Silesia, and other parts of Prussia, he introduced alterations which have since become established customs. By the Austrian Concordat, he was entitled to the nomination of the bishops, and their coadjutors.* Thus fortified, Frederick admitted all persons, holding the Christian faith, to an equal capability of filling all offices, civil and military. All persons, on accepting office, were required to take an oath of allegiance, which was the same for persons of every religious persuasion, and could be conscientiously taken by all. On the conquest of Silesia, Frederick suppressed almost all the monasteries, and appropriated their lands to the state.

Such has been the fortunate condition of Catholics in Prussia since the days of Frederick

sary

In Prussia, upon a Catholic see becoming vacant, a commisis sent to the chapter, bearing a letter from his Prussian majesty, by which the chapter is directed to proceed canonically to the election of a new bishop, and the name of the person is stated who will be agreeable to the king. This recommendation is uniformly obeyed. The pope confirms the election.

the Great, which, in Prussia, affords us the opportunity of beholding what are the practical effects of complete emancipation. We have seldom the opportunity of judging how laws will work before they pass-but, on the present occasion, we have this opportunity.

Some difficulties, however, must be supposed to have arisen from this state of entire rupture with Rome; and the acquisition of the extensive Catholic dominions which Prussia has recently obtained, increased the expediency of arranging the affairs of the Catholic Church, on a lasting basis, by the intervention of the holy see. In consequence the Prussian government entered into negociations with the pope, and the results of this treaty were a bull and a brief, both issued in 1821.

The bull principally concerns the demarcation of diocesan boundaries; but it confirms the state of the Catholic Church as already arranged, both with regard to the secularized ecclesiastical lands, and the mode of election; in return for which concessions, the bull requires rather the continuation, than the establishment, of a certain number of Catholic bishopricks, so disposed as best to suit the convenience of the Catholic population; as also that the Catholic bishops. should be provided with suitable salaries by the state. In case of infirmity, the bishops may have coadjutors, but these must be approved