The Sun.
London, England, 1825-05-02 00:00:00

this reflection, is quickened by the recol-
lection that, at the beginning of the year, it
presented a very different appearance. At that
period, persons, who pretended to be most
conversant in such matters, boldly predicted
that a storm was approaching. The recogni.
tion of the new American States by this country
was the speck from which they chiefly drew their
gloomy inferences ; but, thanks to the wisdom
and firmness with which our foreign interests are
conducted, these forebodings have been disap-
pointed. This country has done what an en-
lighted policy required of her, and by which she
has acquired a vast accession of consideration,
without giving just cause of offence to any
Power. Though the ground she stood upon was
good, yet it was the skill with which it was
maintained that enabled her to carry her point,
without alienating other States ; and, if.she now
stands higher than she did perhaps at any former
period, she also stands more securely.

[MORNING HERALD.]
The new or revived pretensions of the Roman
Catholic Clergy on
.the Continent—in France
especially, since the accession of the present So-
vereign, who is much more of devotee than the
last—the restoration of Jesuitism in power and
wealth, as well as in favour and influence—and
the attempts made generally by the partizans
of the Papal Authority, to extend the
powers of the See of Rome, have alarmed
reflecting and informed persons respecting
the Catholic Claims, much more than the
popular and habitual topics of opposition. It is
most unwise of the Catholic subjects of this coun-
try to identify' themselves with Foreign parties.
We find one of the Paris Papers—a Journal too
which is published under the immediate dictation
of tile Government, complimenting the Irish Ca-
tholic Clergy upon a fact, which legally and mo-
rally amounted to treason—avowed in his evi-
dence by Doctor Doyle—viz. that up to the
death of the last member of the House of Stuart,
the Catholic Bishops were recommended by the
Pretender for the time being. The secresy with
which this treasonable allegiance to a Pretender
was conducted for so long a time, is called an
extraordinary example of fidelity to " the le-
gitimate Sovereign." if this is not an im-
peachment of his present Majesty's title, it
at least directly fixes the character of usurper
on his Royal Father. It would be consider-
ed rather strange, even in this country, where
the Press is latitudinarian, if a newspaper
under the avowed influence of Administration,
called Charles X. an usurper, and Napoleon 11.
the legitimate Sovereign of France. This se-
cret revealed by Dr. Doyle is in another
light more important. The Irish Catholic
Bishops nominated by the head of the house of
Stuart, did not abuse their power—or at least
they reconciled their conscientious allegiance to
the " legitimate Monarch" with a prudent
submission to the intrusive Government of the
House of Brunswick. But it is a relation with
a foreign and hostile Power, the possible re-
currence of which should be prevented. .The
late Lord Londonderry formed an extraordi-
nary friendship for the Pope ; and this good un-
derstanding still subsists. But how long will
it continue ? There is one abuse to which 'it
is at all times liable. Whilst the selection is
wholly dependent on the will exerted at Rome,
there is a strong temptation to corruption. There
is, perhaps, no spot in Europe where the.art and
mystery of conveying douceurs is better under;-
stood than in the holy conclave, nor is it at all
unlikely that the Pretender drew money from
Ireland, by the exercise of this sole remaining
branch of his Sovereign patronage.