The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-24 00:00:00

THE MA YNOOTH GRANT.

( From, th: Times. )
Notwithstanding the impracticable character of
,he Maynooth difficulty, and the tonvictions gene-
rally, though perhaps reluctantly, entertained on
the subject, it is in no degree surprising that the
question should create an annual debate of consi-
derable warmth and prolixity. We believe that
no statesman of distinction either admits or antici-
pates the expediency of reversing that Parlia-
mentary resolution which endowed a Romish se-
minary with 30,0001. a-year ; but the feelings of
many independent members are strongly engaged
to a contra'y belief, and the tendency of public
opinion in a like direction was incontestably evinced
at the late elections. The-choice, in fact, is a choice
of evils ; but while the greater evil is prospective
and remote, the lesser is ever present and exaspe-
rating.
To comprehend and balaxce the arguments of
the debate, the reader should bear in mind not only
the historical circumstances of the case, but the
leading principles at issue in the controversy.
After the solemn and deliberate condemnation of
Popery by the English people, first at the Refor-
mation, and next-at..4lle:Revolution of 1688, the
Roman Catholics of the country were subjected
to oppression and persecution by a Go-
vernment which reflected the opinions of the
nation in suspecting their politics and abhor-
ring their creed. As time wore on, and as
Papists grew less formidable and Parliaments more
tolerant, various measures, first of relief, next of
emancipation, and eventually of support, were suc-
cessively carried, until at length the Maynooth en-
dowment for the education of the Papist priest..
hood was sanctioned by the Legislature. The op-
position which these proceedings encountered was
based on a combination of motives. A great reli-
gious party regarded the Romish faith as idola-
trous, anti-Christian, and abominable ; a smaller
political party desired to defend the old Protestant •
constitution of the country against this serious en-
croachment ; a more dispassionate class looked
with misgiving to the practical operation of doc-
trines essentially irreconcileable with civil liberty •
and progress, while throughout the country were
diffused certain indefinite traditions of jealousy and
dislike which had never ceased altogether to exist.
In the event, however, the principles of religious
freedom gained the day, and it was to complete
the measure of conciliation that Maynooth College
was first scantily, and afterwards liberally, en-
dowed by the State. It is now alleged that this
endowment has failed in its purpose, and that it
ought to be revoked.

In perusing the two days' debate upon this ques-
tion the reader will discover the operation of all
the original motives of opposition enumerated
above ; nor can it be denied that experience has
given them considerable additional warrant. Mr.
Spooner is evidently actuated in no small degree
by the antipathy of religious conviction ; but as
the arguments thus suggested are no longer re-
puted tenable, he appeals to the house on the more
popular ground of plain secular expediency, and
endeavours to prove that the doctrines taught at a
college endowed by the State are not only " an-
tagonistic to the Holy Word of God," but "inju-
rious to the State itself, and completely subversive
of the allegiance due to the Sovereign." This ac-
cusation is encountered on the part of Roman Ca-
tholic members by an averment that nothing is
taught at Maynooth but what the college was esta-
blished to teach, that the endowment implied no
favour on one side or obligation on the other,
and that it would be absurd to suppose Roman
Catholics had accepted the means of instruc-
tion on the condition of making this instruc-
tion inefficient or unproductive. It is argued,
in short, on one side, as if disappointment might
naturally be felt at seeing that a well-endowed
Popish college had given an impulse to Popery ;
whereas it is retorted with more reason, on the
other, that but for such a result the endowment
would have been no boon to Papists at all. These
assumptions will be found to comprise the sub-
stance of the speeches respectively delivered.
Both sides, in our opinion, enjoy their own
share of right. We believe entirely that the Popery
of Dr. M'Hale and Mr. Lucas is nothing in the
world but the true Popery of the Romish Church
and the infallible fruit of Popish teaching. We ac-
knowledge also that Popery is naturally encouraged
by a seminary founded for encouraging it ; but
at the same time, it cannot be denied that these
prospective developments were carefully concealed
at the time the endowment was proposed. The
simple truth is \hat Papists, while struggling
doubtfully against the instinctive repugnance of
Englishmen to their tenets and practices, made
large professions of innocence and good intent, dis-
guised their views, reserved their designs, and
received every instalment of relief with such ex-
pressions of thankfulness as would lead most readily
to another. Then, when the first check was given
to their ambitious proceedings, they turned sud-
denly round, and availed themselves of the vantage
ground already gained to exert all their resources
of hostility and annoyance. They verified to the
letter every prediction which had been hazarded by
the opponents of the measures for relief. After
gratefully accepting toleration and freedom for
their religion, they pushed its pretensions higher
and higher, till they are now demanding the reduc-
tion of the Established Church to their own level,
and are but one step, in fact, from the assertion of
supremacy. They have kept the Roman Catholic
portions of the empire in greater agitation than
before, have brought into conspicuous prominence
the unnational features of their creed, have re-
vived the most repulsive doctrines of " Popery '
in its worst acceptation, have openly converted
spiritual authority into secular influence, and have
clamorously declared that they will regulate all
their political duties by the interests of an ambi-
tious priesthood. Mr. Lucas and his friends
maintain that this is a very natural and proper
exemplification of their religion. We have no de-
sire to contradict them ; on the contrary, we are of
the same opinion ourselves. We very much doubt
whether in England, or indeed in any free Pro-
testant country, a true Papist can be a good sub-
ject ; but if all this had been avowed some years
ago the opportunities of Popery would never have
been what they are.

gi
dtedwhl y,cstrhewnh,
ys,hohulavdinsguchdislceoselreatdioonubeeerrpoerr;
axmpc e
eva uat
ans et.
petAuna
but
evils in
noouwr l;
re
should we not retrace our steps ? Simply
thet ion
serrs,aonr
dwba e c
an u
so t e
in
none on.
of ate
could be removed by the revocation proposed.
What we are now witnessing is the operation
of educated Popery, but of Popery itself
, and, in-
deed, Popery is no antagonistic to education of all
sorts that even a Maynooth College
no college at all. The unscrupulous is better than
treasonable audacity of Papist
almost
not from the endowment of aagitators results
the removal of all control by thseininarY, but from
religi-
ous liberty. Maynooth, indeede progress of
instituted long enough to affect has hardly been
hood of Ireland ; it is the freedom the working priest-
speech now prevailing 0
the difference between-n all subjects which produces
existence of an. 1830 and 1853. As to the
the R,o •y: irreversible " compact " be-
tweenwe cannot
could be : understand how such an argument
la. maintained in the face of doc-
trines so plainly avouched to the contrary
on the question of the Canada reserves. We could
revoke the Maynooth endowment without bad faith,
but not, in our • •
opinion, without good reason or
Policy. None of the evils which we deplore are
traceable to the fact that Popish priests are edu-
cated at home, and though the doctrines of the
school are detestable in English eyes, they are
nothing but what we consented to admit when we
sanctioned the establishment. The Popish religion
is certainly a fruitful source of political difficulty,
but it is the religion of a considerable portion of
the empire, and it can certainly not be made worse
by the liberal education of its ministers. At the
same time, while we are driven to the conclusion
that Mr. Spooner's arguments are inconsistent with
the spirit of religious freedom, and capable only of
practical application by the suppression, not merely
of
Maynooth College, but of Popery altogether,
we cannot conceal from ourselves that the inera-
dicable antipathies of the English nation, exaspe-
rated to the utmost by the suicidal violence of
the Popish agitators, may some day bring
_about a
solution of this question in accordance rather with
outraged feeling than with
patient and temperate
reflection.

INSPECTION OF BETHLEHEM HOSFITAL.—There is i 1
bill in the House of Lords, by which it is proposed that
Bethlehem Hospital shall in future be opened to the in•
spection of the Commissioners of Lunacy uudar the Act
And 9 Viet., cap, 100.

DAILY WEATHER TABLE.

THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 1853.
State of the wind and weather at each of the following
Places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations
are arranged in order of latitude.
HASTINGS—N.W. gentle breeze—overcast.
SOUTHAMPTON—W., gentle breeze—overcast.
FOLKESTONE—W., gentle breeze—overcast.
"UNBRIDGE—W. strong breeze—overcast.
GREENWICH—CaIm—overcast.
STRooD—N.W., gentle breeze—overcast.
SWINDON—W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy.
LEIGHToN—N.W. gentle breeze—rain and sleet.
CAMBRID , gentle breeze—cloudy.
YARMOUTH—N.W., gentle breeze—overcast.
HOLYHEAD--N.; strong breeze—rain.
The returns from the following places indicate the state
of the weather on Tuesday morning at nine o'clock
YARMOUTH— W. gentle breeze—snow.
WHlTBY—Calm—rain.
DARLINGTON—W.N.W., strong breeze - overcast.
SJIAP—N.W., gentle breeze—rain.

THE WEATHER.-Sux OFFICE, FEB. 24.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHAMS.

:IS—highest since noon yesterday.
23—lowest this morning and during the night.
33—this day at noon.

BAROMETER, 29•85—a great rise since yesterday.
WIND, W. by N.—Fresh breeze, and cloudy weather.
- A. most extraordinary change took place in the weather
yesterday. The morning opened with a rapid thaw and a
much higher temperature, which increased during the day,
accompanied by occasional showers of rain until about six
o'clock, when the rain suddenly changed into snow, and a
sharp frost set in, which soon converted the mud and water
which had accumulated in the streets into firm ice, upon
which it was most difficult for horses to maintain their
footing. A-.i almost complete cessation of traffic was occa-
sioned, and the frost has not, as we write, shown any
symptoris of relenting.

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