strate on the impropriety of his conduct, quoting at the same time the most respectable authorities for calling the meeting in the school room: this model of christian meekness was not to be stopped in his Crusade, nor did he deem it unworthy that tongue which but a few moments before conveyed the meek, the mild, the merci ful Jesus into his stomach, to utter the foul terms of blackguard, pirate, &c. &c. nor did he deem it irreconcilable with a conscience that should be "kept pure and undefiled before God and man," to tell the Vice President of the much injured Institution that he would not believe his oath! which he offered to convince him that he had authority for what he had done, although at that mo. ment he did not know that he had ever seen him before, then indeed the cry of shame from those better qualified to pronounce upon his character, abated a little the divine's impetuosity, for after making the Vice President, whose oath he would not believe a few moments before, pledge his word that he would not convene another meeting there without his Jeave, he departed explaining the meaning of his injunction by observing you will never obtain that then" Behold, Mr. Editor the conduct of the prior of this religious house, and it is astonishing that numbers of men of this description have been preferred while many Saints, like your correspondent from D

66

are left to languish in obscurity, I shall, however, endeavour to account for our appointments upon different principles from those laid down by him, perhaps the intention may be (as the eyes of our separated brethren all very naturally fixed upon the most conspicuous characters) to prove the impossibility of Catholics believing the imputed doctrine of the infallibility of their priests-it however

strikes me that sometime afterwards this gentleman made his spiritual retreat, as in a day or two he was heard accounting for his conduct in the same way that the members of the imperiaļ parliament did for theirs, when they voted for the Insurrection and disarm ing acts, they quoted H. Grattan, the tried friend of Ireland, as their authority for so doing, and he as much to the honor of the Rev. Gentleman, who as I have already, mentioned overthrew the desks of the governors named him as a president for his conduct but "woe to that manfrom whom scandal cometh, better for him that a mill-stone was tied about his neck, and he cast into the deep" should, however, this Ecclesiastical &trattan feel inclined to absolve himself from this woe he cannot avoid adnitting this axiom drawn from the same sacred source "by such things as a man err,' man err," by the same shall he be tormented, particularly when I in form him that the channels through which he imagines his insinuations will run with greatest secrecy are the very same from which the governors of that Institution receive their information.

I have the honour to remain your obliged and humble servant, VERITAS.

CATHOLIC AFFAIRS WITH pride and pleasure, we insert the following spirited and seasonable document, of the opinions and feelings of the clergy and laity of the city and county of Kilkenny, on the late attempt made by an Anti Catholic Cabal, to alter the ancient and established order of the Irish Catholic Hierarchy, we are assured that not less than forty thousand signatures have been added to it since its first publication. This strong and decided declaration, so expressive of the opinion of what we know, is that of

the

the Catholics of Ireland.

We hope will have such influence on those impudent and upstart agitators, who call themselves our natural leaders, that they will not again presume to obtrude their treasons on the public notice. To this declaration is added an affectionate address to the prelates for their firmness and pastoral conduct, The worthy prelate Dr. Coppinger's answer breathes all the apostolic ele vation of Character, that graced those martyrs his predecessors of the Irish Hierarchy, united to the temperate steadiness of a real Irishman.

The equivocal trimming answer of Dr. Troy is as artfully couched as the other is open and dicided, it wants the candour, as it does the language of a man attached to what he gives his involuntary opinion on.

A few days before the publication of the Kilkenny declaration, another appeared in the name of the Catholics of Louth. This is an impudent fraud and we conceive the Catholics of Louth, will consider it as we do, it is addressed to the primate Dr. O'Reilly, and signed by twelve men, at the head of them is Lord Southiwell. We respect his lordship, and we would be glad to hear he was in better company, while we applaud his lordship, for his private character, we are ashamed of his judgment, that could be so flexibly adapted to the views and intrigues of such men, as appear in the dinner list of Rokeby Hall.

They use Lord Southwell's name and title to grace their Cabal, and to conceal their views under the dazzle of nobility. There was a time when an ignorant age could be abused in this manner with impunity; but we trust his lordship, will not suspect the the people of the county as devoid of judgment, as they appear to be of spirit, by silently allowing Lord South. well and eleven men, composed of

upstart pedlars, to pass as the Catho lics of Louth.

Roman Catholic National Synod,

I do certify, that, including the an nexed, there have been already received Two Thousand and Ninety one Signatures to the following De claration.

RICHARD O'DONNELL, Kilkenny, Nov. 4, 1808.

WE the undersigned, Roman Catho. lics of the County and City of Kil. kenny, think it incumbent on us to express the great pleasure we feel at the Decision of our venerable Prelates, in their late National Synod.

We have ever looked up to them with reverence, as the Guardians of the Faith and Discipline of the Irish Roman Catholic Church, and we declare it our decided opinion, that in particular, on the above important oecasion, they gave a lasting pledge of undisguised disinterestedness-enlight ened zeal, and profound wisdom.

Rev. Richard O'Donnell, R. C. Dean of the Diocese of Ossory, and P. P. of St. John's, Chairman, Rev. James Gorman, P. P. of St. Cap

nice.

Rev. James Butler, P. P. of Thomas

town.

Rev. Michal Forrestall, P. P. of Cal la n.

Rev. Richard Laracy, sen. P. P. of Ballycallan.

Rev. Robert Grace, P. P. of Gow

ran.

Rev. Patrick Grady, P.P. of Fresh ford.

Rey. Thomas Gorman, P. P. of Muckallee.

Rev. Wm. Carroll, P. P. of Inistioge.

Rev. John Fitzpatrick, P. P. of Sheveragh.

Rev.

Rev. Thomas Murphy
Rev. William Berry
Rev. Laurence Reynolds
Rev. Edmund Nowlan
Rev. Patrick Connery

Rev. Thomas Quinlan
Rev. Michael Walton
Rev. James Walsh
Rev. Edward Walsh
Rev. Michael Kelly
Rev. Richard Butler
Rev. Richard Laracy, jun.
Rev. Philip Forrestall
Rev. Francis Ennis
Rev. Patrick Kelly
Rev. John Gurder
Rev. Charles Kavanagh
Rev. Edmund Kavanagh
Rev. Edmund Walsh
Rev. Patrick Walsh
Rev. Thomas Fennelly
Rev. John Delany
Rev. Nicholas Carroll
Rev. John Birch
John Archdekin
John Murphy
Daniel Marum
William Sullivan
James Grant
John Butler, M. D.
Emanuel Fitzpatrick
Matthew Fogarty
Robert Shearman
Edmund Madden

Matthew Reilly
Joseph Phelan

James Kennedy

Laurence Smith, Callan
Mich. Cormick

Richard Cormick

Mich. Hearn

Francis Green

James M'Enery
John Ryan
James Doyle
William Walsh
Laurence Doyle
Gerald Doyle
Thomas Cahil

Walter Butler

Michael Kelly,

&c. &c. &c

I likewise certify, that I am author ized to transmit to the Roman Catholic Prelates of Ireland an Address of which the following is a copy. RICHARD O'DONNELL,

To the most Rev. and Right Rev- the Roman Catholic Archbishops and Bishops, who Composed the Synod, holden in Dublin in September last.

The address of thanks is respectfully presented by the undersigned Roman Catholic Inhabitants of the County and City of Kilkenny.

Most Reverend and Right Reverend Prelates.

We, the undersigned Roman Catholic inhabitants of the County and City of Kilkenny, deem it expedient, in duty and in gratitude, to make you the sincere offer of our thanks, which we accompany with the feelings of our hearts, no less than with the assent of our judgments. In your temperate, yet firm disapproval of any innovation in the mode of perpetuating that Divine Hierarchy, (which covered with the glories won out of a rude and lingering struggle, we look up to, as the last undestroyed monu. ment of our faith, and ancient national grandeur), we solemnly recognise the succession of those virtues, by which your Sainted Predecessors were ennabled, and in your steadiness we as solemnly anticipate the unimpaired transmission of these virtues to future times.

Nor have we been less gratified at that conscientious loyalty you evince to the existing government and constitution

stitution of these realms, when you declare it is your fixed purpose to recommend candidates for the vacant sees, but those whose political principles shall be as immaculate as their faith.-Abstracting from the serious obligations of an oath, (and the duration of your grievances is a proof you reverence such tests, can it be sup posed that those, who, under the pressure of constitutional disabilities, had displayed an attachment to the state as unequivocal as their suffersings, would, now that they are rescued from the fury of a proscribing

played on this occasion by the Roman Catholics of Ireland, is highl♥ honourable and characteristic of them, and affords a fresh proof, that no lapse of time, no combination of circumstances, can extinguish that Faith in the hearts of Irishmen, which, in earlier and happier ages, distinguished their country as the Island of Saintss beg you will communicate my most sincere thanks to the commit. tee; and believe me,

Rev. Dr. Sir,

Your most humble and Obedient Servant.

Under these impressions we again renew the assurances of our respect, and we hope, ROMAN CATHOLIC IRELAND has but one opinions and one voice on this momentous question.

Killkenny,

Limerick, Nov. 12, 1808. VERY DEAR SIR,

I have been honoured by your circular of the 7th, conveying the sense of the clergy, and so respectable a body of the Catholics of the City

[ANSWERS.]

The following are the Answers of the Bishops of Waterford and Lime rick, to the foregoing address:

Waterford, 11th Nov. 1808. REV. DEAR SIR,I have received the circular letter which you did me the honour to address to ine, expressive of the sense of so many of the Roman Catholic clergy and Laity of the County an City of Kilkenny, respecting the resolutions agreed on at the late meeting of the Roman Catholic Prelates held in Dublin.

My share in the decisions of that meeting was very inconsiderable indeed; but, such as it was, I shall never regret it. In the resolution I heartily concurred-and the opinion I then entertained has since acquired additional strength. The inviolable attachment to their holy religion, dis

lutions agreed to by the Prelates of the kingdom, at their late meeting in Dublin, and gratefully accept of the Vote of their thanks.-I am happy to inform you, That the clergy and laity here are in perfect unison of sentiments with them;-I hope the same spirit is cherished throughout the kingdom-as I conceive it to be of vital importance to the interest of the Catholic religion, and to be the only means of securing to posterity a succession of apostolic pastors.-I have the honour to be, dear Sir, with every sentiment of respectful regard. Your obedient and

Humble Servant. Rev. R. O'Donnell, JOHN YOUNG. Kilkenny.

me.

As an individual of that revered and respectable body, the Roman Catholic prelates of Ireland, I beg leave also to assure them, that I am most inviolably and exclusively attached to the ancient, canonical, wise and salutary mode of appointing Roman Ca tholic bishops for Roman Catholic Ireland.

I have the honour to be Rev. Sir, Your faithful humble Servant, Rev. R. O'Don- W. COPPINGER. nell, Kilkenny. §

Dublin, No. 10, 1308 REV. DEAR SIR, I beg leave to assure you that the approbation of so numerous a portion of the Catholic clergy and laity, of the city and county of Kilkenny, of the resolutions entered into by the Prelates of Ireland, lately assembled bere, communicating in your circular letter of the 7th instant has afforded great satisfaction to

Rev. Dear Sir Your faithful

Humble Servant, Rev. R. O'Donnell, J. T. Troy. R. Kilkenny.

Mountjoy-Square.

There is no greater evidence of the decline of Ireland, and of Dublin particularly, than the present condition of this assemblage of buildings. Mountjoy-Square was originally designed for the residence of our nobility and grea! land-holders, at the periods when our legislature aided by the self armed vo. lunteers disputed the usurped autho rity with England, of makihg laws to bind this country. Beaten by Ame frica, and her fleets flying before the triumphant flags of the house of Bourbon, she submitted to the claims of an armed people, and for ever relinquished any authority in the country,

What a melancholy reverse, have we since witnessed? What she dare not attempt by force she has effected by corruption, she bought our legis lature. Servile and tyrannical while it remained, it distributed some_pros. perity, and the hopes of its future amendment, gave some rational assurance of future happiness. But, bearing the seeds of corruption in its corporation exclusion, and poisoned by the remnant of British attachments and religious intolerance, it listened to the overtures of the most proffiagte corruption, it meanly and treasona bly betrayed its trust, and for the money it levied, for the purpose, on its constituents, it committed a political suicide. Its members aggran dized themselves and fled to the land of their Masters, the more needy and desperate remained at home the pensioned and placed agents of their foreign employers. The sacred seats of jus. tice were converted into merchandize and thirst of gain and ambition were gratified in the persons of obscure men, with little other talents, of principle, then an avowed contempt for their country, and an invlolabie attachment and submission to the will and interests of its rival.

(To be Continued.)