on the other hand, who have succeeded in shedding over her past times and records that steady light which alone distinguishes the bounds of truth from those of fiction. By the work of the late venerable librarian of Stowe, the authenticity of the Irish chronicles is placed beyond dispute, and the essay of Mr. Dalton on the religion, learning, arts, and government of Ireland. abounds with research on these several subjects, alike creditable to his industry and his judgment. hope that the same service which these and other sensible Irishmen have achieved for their country's ancient history will be effected also for the modern, by the work which is now expected from Mr. Moore.'

Let us

1 Another mystification, like Southey's mention of his own name in The Doctor, in order to conceal the authorship of the article. The following entry in Moore's Diary, under date May 5, 1834, authen

ticates it as his:-A column of extract in The Times from my

article on "The Round Towers," given as from an able and lively

article in the last Edinburgh.' (Vol. vii. p. 31.)-ed.

1

A LETTER.

THOUGH the late resolutions of your committee in Dublin seem intended to be final upon the subject of the Veto, let us hope that a question so vitally connected with the freedom, peace, and stability of the Empire may not be dismissed with such hasty and absolute decision. The discussion has hitherto been carried on with a degree of warmth and passion which, however creditable to the feelings of those engaged in it, has certainly tended but little to the improvement of their reasoning powers. Indeed, it is but an abuse of language to dignify with the name of discussion either the proceedings or the writings to which the question has hitherto given rise. Those orators and authors who live but by flattering your prejudices, having found that you look to but one point of the compass for argument, have set in from that quarter with a regular trade-wind of declamation, which neither your Bishops, your friends, nor common sense have been able to withstand. In this state of the question, it requires no ordinary share of indifference to the taunts and suspicions of the illiberal, the misinterpretations of the ignorant, and the cold-blooded rancour of the bigoted, to stand forth as the advocate of this required concession, and to urge it as the sole, the necessary sacrifice, by which you are to deserve the liberties which you demand. Inadequate as I am to this under

1 March 2, 1810.

taking, and entering the lists, like David, in armour which I have not proved,' I am yet conscious of bringing an honesty of feeling to the task, a zeal for my country's honour, and an ardent wish for her liberties, which entitle me to attention at least, though they should fail in producing conviction.

The first point which naturally comes under consideration, in a subject where the interests of religion are concerned, is the conduct of your bishops; and here at the outset we meet with that insurmountable fact (which your lay-theologians would so willingly throw into the shade), that, in the year 1799, four metropolitans and six prelates professed themselves willing, as the price of Catholic emancipation, to concede to the Government a control upon the appointment of your bishops, and signed a formal document to that effect. This stipulated basis of negotiation, so solemnly agreed to by ten of your spiritual magistrates, has been since retracted; and the defence resorted to by those who think it necessary to apologise for the conduct of these prelates, and explain away the awkwardness of the retractation, wears so strongly the features of jesuitical evasion that I blush for its parents and It was a moment of panic,' they tell us, adopters. in which these venerable men were surprised; and no stipulation, extorted in such circumstances, could possibly be meant or considered as binding.' Observe, however, the dilemma in which this document of 1799 has involved the opposers of the Veto. If the bishops were right in making this concession, if, acquainted, as they must be intimately, with the essentials of your faith and the interests of your hierarchy, they yet saw nothing in the proposed pledge which was likely to violate or endanger either, then the principal argument against the Veto must, of course, fall point

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