The correspondent at Rome of the Daily Chronicle declares that
the general opinion of Mgr. Persico upon the Irish move- ment is that the revolutionary party exercise far too great an influence upon it, for it to be a safe one. He also blames the clergy for playing too large a part in an agitation which is not kept within legitimate bounds. He considers the Crimes Act, needlessly severe, but advises that the Catholic Press should be cautioned as to its statements, and especially as to attacks upon the British Government. That is all sensible enough, though the Crimes Act is not severe ; but the interesting question is Mgr. Persico's judgment as to the religions aspect of the movement. Does he, or does he not, think that it contains, as was shown in the contest at Thurles, an element of serious danger for the spiritual authority of the Catholic Church P That seems clear to Protestants ; but one desires to hear the opinion of a man who has talked with all Catholic Bishops, and has heard the truth from them. We suppose, however, we shall never see Mgr. Persico's original report. We never do get a great Catholic prelate's thinking aloud.
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