6 APRIL 1901, Page 15

THE KING ' S DECLARATION.

[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.")

should strongly recommend those who desire to water down the King's Declaration against Romish Preten- sions and IN. „trines to read carefully Mr. Lecky's chapters on "Catholic Emancipation," and to ponder the following sen- tences, quoted by him in "Democracy and Liberty," Vol. II., p. 20:—" When you are the masters,' said the ultramontane publicist Veuillot to the Liberals and Protestants, we claim perfect liberty for ourselves as your principles require it ; when We are the masters we refuse it to you as it is contrary to our principles.' "—I am, Sir, &c., C. H. B.

[No doubt that is too often the temper of the Romat Church in the matter of toleration, but for all that we must tolerate those who will not tolerate us, and in doing so show how much better Protestants have learned the great lessons of Christianity. We do not respect men's consciences and tolerate their views and practices as a matter of bargain and sale, but as a matter of duty and right. Toleration is part of the essential spirit of English Protestantism,—In hoc sign° vinces.—En. Spectator.]