THE ELIZABETHAN MARTYRS. [To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR. "]
SIR,—I cannot sufficiently admire the courage of the Roman controversialists. One of them demands, as a mere matter of
courtesy, that we should concede the whole claim; another asks us to believe that sworn servants of the Pope were passionately loyal to the Queen whom he had excommuni- cated and deprived. It seems to me that they were just as much enemies to the English commonwealth as were the soldiers and sailors who served in the Armada. You say, I observe, in your comment on Dom Bede Camm's letter that you would not " suggest that modern English Roman Catholics approve of such cruelty and folly " as were shown in the Marian burnings. I wish that I could agree with you. I have never seen a straightforward repudiation of these acts ; I have seen many apologies for them.—I am, Sir, &c., A CHURCHMAN.
[Our correspondent, we cannot help thinking, expects too much in expecting specific repudiation of the Marian burn- ings, for, as we see every day in political controversy, the last thing that a man likes to do is to admit that he is, or that his party ever were, in the wrong. Many Protestants also— though we are not among them—find it very difficult to admit publicly that Elizabeth did grievous wrong in punishing the priests who committed technical treason, although at heart they deplore the cruelties committed. As a matter of fact, however, we feel sure that the majority of English Roman Catholics in their hearts hate the cruelties of Mary, though if pushed in controversy they will try to find explanations and excuses for the burnings.—ED. Spectator.]
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