[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:]
am,—While you are discussing the question of Irishmen in the Cabinet, may I call your attention to the fact that, since Cabinets were invented, two centuries ago, there never has been an Irish Catholic in the British Cabinet. Not one, either before the Union or after. For a time, Catholics were kept out by penal laws; but since religious equality has been estab- lished, one might fancy that Liberal statesmen would be eager to right this wrong. They have shown no such disposition ; the only statesman who seems to have recognised the neces- -sity of such a reform, was the late Mr. W. E. Forster, whom I heard declare that if ever it were his duty to make a Cabinet, his first care would be to find an Irish Catholic fit for this position, that an exclusion which could not be justified, might be brought to an end.—I am, Sir, &e„ Villa Guillory, Nice, February 22nd. C. GAVAN
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