[TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR."
quite agree (as a Catholic priest) with Mr. W. H. Bishop, that the English Government should have a properly accredited representative at the Vatican. As my friend, Mr. Oxenham, has recently pointed out in the Guardian, had this representative existed, half our difficulties in Ireland would not have occurred. With regard to Rome interfering, it must be borne in mind that this is a very difficult and delicate question. But it will be remembered that Rome interfered, and that very speedily, in the matter of the Nottingham excommunication of the Primrose League. Considering that "Rome is slow because she is
eternal," no time was lost in that matter. People often ask me,—" Why does not Rome condemn the National League ?" They forget that the National League is tolerated by the law of the land, and has been so tolerated by successive Governments, Whig and Tory. What an outcry there would (naturally) be if the Pope interfered with a legal political association ! English Catholics may, and do, regret the legality of the "League of Hell ;" but that legality remains notwithstanding.—I am, Sir, &c.,
St. Andrews, N.B., August 23rd. GEORGE ANGUS.
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