which I was educated. I had a fair chance of accomplishing
it, when the Catholic question crossed my path. I was warned, fairly and
kindly warned, that my adoption of that cause would blast my prospects;
I adhered to the Catholic cause, and forfeited all my long-cherished
hopes and expectations. Yet I am told that I have made no sacrifice;
that I have postponed the cause of the Catholic to views and interests
of my own." Mr. Goulbum's bill was carried by large majorities; but
though the Catholic Association yielded to legal authority and became
defunct, it was soon resuscitated under a different form. Ostensibly
regulating itself according to the late act, it disclaimed all religious
exclusions, oaths, powers of acting in redress of grievances, and
correspondence with depending societies; and, concealing its intentions
under the mask of charitable purposes, it pursued its original course
with impunity.

CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL.

After the above bill had passed, Sir Francis Burdett brought forward
a plan, in which the principal bill for the removal of Catholic civil
disabilities was accompanied by two others: one to enact a state
provision for the Roman Catholic clergy, and the other to raise the
Irish franchise from forty shillings to ten pounds. The principal of
these bills passed the commons with large majorities; but it was clearly
foreseen that it would not in the lords. In the interval of the second
and third readings the Duke of York, in presenting a petition to the
upper house from the Dean and Chapter of Windsor, declared that the
concession of Catholic claims was repugnant, not only to the king's
coronation, but to the principles of the constitution. He added:--"I
will oppose them to the last moment of my life, whatever may be my
situation, so help me God!" This declaration was extolled by those who
opposed the claims, as the most manly, patriotic, and noble expression
of sentiment that could be uttered at a critical moment; and it was
printed in letters of gold, and became their watchword. On the
other hand it gave rise to bitterness of feeling among that class of
politicians who were in favour of the bill. Its effect on them was
strongly displayed by an intemperate sally into which, on the very next
night, Mr. Brougham broke out in the house of commons against the speech
of the royal duke, in which he was several times called to order. The
great bulk of the nation, however, concurred in the principles to