IV.
Ireland, her Present Condition, and what it might be. By the Earl of Clancarty. Dublin: Herbert, 1864, pag. 39.
Even the nettle has its flower; and Lord Clancarty's pamphlet, bristling as it is with stinging points against the Catholic religion, is not without something to recommend it. The author says of the Catholic Church that, "while she was the depository of learning, and especially of the sacred writings, she neither furthered the interests of science, nor disseminated the knowledge of God's written word", and in the same breath he calls upon the state to countenance the Catholic University, "for which so ardent, and it must be admitted so legitimate, a desire is manifested by the Roman Catholic body". He raises, and satisfactorily disposes of, all the arguments that can be brought against the grant of a charter to the University. It is not the first time that lips opened to utter hard things against God's people have been made to become the vehicle of good wishes towards the same.
Transcriber's Note
Minor typographic errors have been repaired.
Inconsistencies in capitalisation, accents and ligature usage are preserved as printed.
A table of contents has been added by the transcriber for the convenience of the reader.
On page [198], omitted word 'to' has been added following 'go'—"5. I am afraid to go to communion ..."
On page [199], omitted word 'the' has been added following 'except'--"... touching the case in point except the right and true one...."