It is reported from Rome that Monsignor Persico has almost
completed his report to the Pope, and that he regards his mission to Ireland as having produced less effect than it otherwise would, owing to the false impression of the people that he is co-operating with the British Government,—which, of course, is quite untrue. We suppose that it is in the hope of refuting that assertion, that while strongly condemning the immoralities of "Boycotting" and of the "Plan of Campaign," Monsignor Persico is said to insist that Ireland cannot be tranquillised without having her political aspirations gratified. But surely it would be a very odd way of putting down " Boy- cotting" and the "Plan of Campaign," to throw all political power into the hands of the party to whom " Boycotting" and the " Plan of Campaign " are exclusively due. Monsignor Persico appears to have been much struck by the very small proportion of Irish Catholics who are employed in governing Ireland, and no doubt he there touches a very serious in- justice. But it is one which is not, we think, due so much to the bigotry of the British Government, as to the timidity of many of the loyal Roman Catholics who shrink from the service of a State so unpopular with the people.
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