ssenters, it being considered liable to
be perverted to purposes of intolerance. It encountered, indeed, such a
storm of opposition, and the house was so inundated with petitions,
that when it came to be read a second time it was rejected without a
division.

AFFAIRS OF THE IRISH CATHOLICS.

It was generally understood among the Irish Catholics that the prince
regent was favourable to their claims, and his investment with power
contributed to increase their activity and zeal. Among other measures,
they proposed to establish a committee in Dublin, composed of delegates
from each country, for the management of their affairs. But this
was deemed unlawful by government; and Mr. Wellesley Pole, the Irish
secretary, sent a circular-letter to all the sheriffs and county
magistrates, requiring them to arrest all persons engaged in such
elections. This letter being brought before parliament excited much
discussion; and on the 3rd of March Mr. Pole, having returned from
Ireland, stated in explanation that the Catholic committee of 1809, had
confined their deliberations to petitioning, whereas the delegates of
1810 were empowered to manage the affairs of the Catholics generally;
and that a committee of grievances, which met weekly, imitated all the
forms of the house of commons. The opinion of the great law-officers,
he said, had been taken by the lord-lieutenant, and the attorney-general
had drawn up the circular. This explanation had a due effect noon the
house; for when the petition which had been prepared by the committee
was presented, although it was supported by the eloquence of Grattan,
it was rejected by a majority of one hundred and forty-six against
eighty-three. It shared the same fate in the lords, it being thought
dangerous to grant any power to men who would be likely to abuse it. The
rejection of this petition caused great disturbances in Ireland.

AMENDMENT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW

Among the various statutes of this session there were two which tended
to diminish, in the instances of stealing linen and cotton from fields
and out-buildings, that long list of offences to which our law assigned
the punishment of death. Three other bills, having a similar tendency
were passed in the commons, but were rejected by the lords. All these
bills were brought in by that enlightened legislator, Sir Samuel
Romilly.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued on the 24th of July by commission. The