MR. O'BRIEN AND RELIGIOUS LITERATURE.
[TO THY EDITOR OF THE SPLCTAT08.1
SIR,--In the Spectator of November 26th, when commenting on the state of Ireland, there is a statement made which is both incorrect and liable to mislead, namely :—"Mr. O'Brien is only allowed religions literature, and finds the perusal of it an in- tolerable hardship." I must ask you to allow me a small space in order to refute this assertion. The day after Mr. O'Brien was imprisoned in Tullamore Gaol, he was visited by one of the Visiting Sustices, who asked him if be would like any literature. He replied by saying that if he had a Bible and a couple of volumes of Newman, he would be all right. The Bible was brought to him after some delay, but the authorities so far have
not seen their way to give him the works of Cardinal Newman, all of which treat of the Catholic religion. Does this show that Mr. O'Brien finds the perusal of religious literature an " in- tolerable hardship "? Evidently it does not, and hence I must ask you to give some explanation of that libellous phrase in your comment. —I am, Sir, &c., L. J. DOWLING. 41 Drumcondra Square, Dublin, November 29th.
[Is it a libel to suggest that the Bible is hostile to the "Plan of Campaign" ? The first reports were unanimous in coin- plaining that Mr. O'Brien was deprived of secular literature.— En. Spectator.]
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