The Roman Catholic Bishop of Ardagh seems to be at
once a Bishop, a Nationalist, and a Christian,—characters, unfortu- nately, not invariably united. In a recent address to his clergy, while speaking dolefully as to the peace of Ireland in the near future, he warns the oppressed to have patience, as well as the oppressor to remember his account; and while conjuring all to observe the golden law of charity, calls on the poor to forswear secret societies, and to obey the constituted authorities as a duty. "Let us remind them also that if the day of national freedom seems to approach, the sins of the people may cause the day to be deferred, and other blessings withheld—that every crime will not only be used as an argument by enemies for refusing Ireland her constitutional rights, but will render us unworthy of the help of a just God, without which our labours must be fruitless." We fear such words will be received in Ireland as mere counsels of perfection ; but it is pleasant to read one charge with which, though it is Nationalist, any non-political Christian can sympathise. The old race of Catholic Bishops in Ireland, though dying, is not extinct.
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