THE MAYNOOTH GRANT

Buckingham Palace, 15th April 1845.

My beloved Uncle,—Here we are in a great state of agitation about one of the greatest measures ever proposed;11 I am sure poor Peel ought to be blessed by all Catholics for the manly and noble way in which he stands forth to protect and do good to poor Ireland. RELIGIOUS BIGOTRYBut the bigotry, the wicked and blind passions it brings forth is quite dreadful, and I blush for Protestantism!12 A Presbyterian clergyman said very truly, "Bigotry is more common than shame...."

Footnote 11: The Bill to increase the grant to the Roman Catholic College of Maynooth was carried by Peel in the teeth of opposition from half his party: another measure was passed to establish colleges for purely secular teaching ("godless colleges" they were nicknamed) in Cork, Belfast, and Galway, and affiliate them to a new Irish university.

Footnote 12: As Macaulay had said during the previous night's debate: "The Orangeman raises his war whoop, Exeter Hall sets up its bray, Mr Macneile shudders to see more costly cheer than ever provided for the priests of Baal at the table of the Queen, and the Protestant operatives of Dublin call for impeachments in exceedingly bad English."

Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.

Buckingham Palace, 23rd April 1845.

My dearest Uncle,—Our Maynooth Bill is through the second reading. I think, if you read Sir Robert's admirable speeches, you will see how good his plan is. The Catholics are quite delighted at it—full of gratitude, and behave extremely well; but the Protestants behave shockingly, and display a narrow-mindedness and want of sense on the subject of religion which is quite a disgrace to the nation. The case of Austria, France, etc., cannot be compared to this, as this is a Protestant country, while the others are Catholic; and I think it would never do to support a Roman Catholic Church with money belonging to the Protestant Church. The Protestant Establishment in Ireland must remain untouched, but let the Roman Catholic Clergy be well and handsomely educated.

The Duc de Broglie13 dined with us last night; his travaux are going on satisfactorily; he asked when you were coming, and said you were "beaucoup Anglais et un peu Français," which is true, I think.

With Albert's affectionate respects, believe me always, your devoted Niece,