12 FEBRUARY 1842, Page 15

MEDDLING.

Ma. O'CONNELL has intimated that it is his intention to bring the condition of the Spanish clergy before the House of Commons! What has the House of Commons to do with the condition of the Spanish- clergy ? what can the House of Commons do to alter the condition of the Spanish clergy ? Is the time of the House of Commons to be wasted in discussing questions upon which it has no right to decide, and over the decision of which it can exercise no influence ? It has not generally been understood that the Spanish clergy are deficient in influence over the public mind in their own country ; and the present Government of Spain rests entirely upon its popularity. The Spanish nation is the only tri- bunal to which Spanish priests have a right to appeal. The Spaniards know better than foreigners possibly can do what treat- ment their priests deserve at their hands. Is Mr. O'Cosrxer.r. about to exchange the character of an advocate of religious freedom for that of an agent, not of the Church of Rome, but of the Papal Court ? The Emperor Meximiuss, in his old age, thought of laying down the Imperial dignity and getting himself elected Pope; " affins," as he wrote to his daughter, "que pouruns estre assure estre saint et que yl vous sera de necessite que apres ma mort veus acres contraint de me adorer dont je me trouvere bieu gloryoes." Perhaps a similar ambition haunts the imagination of Mr. O'Cox- NRLL.