d liberal hand all that they had ever
demanded. Nor did his grace alone change his opinions on this subject.
While the country was reposing confidence that the leading members of
the government were still faithful to their trust, these very men had
determined to go over to the Catholics; and in secrecy and silence were
arranging plans for carrying out a broad measure of emancipation. The
first thing they did was to obtain the consent of the king; a matter of
no small difficulty, as his reluctance to concession was deep-rooted
and vehement. It cost the premier months of management, vigilance, and
perseverance, to overcome his majesty's antipathies; and it is probable
that he would never have succeeded had it not been for the king's
indolence and love of ease. A dissolution of the ministry would have
interrupted his ease; and the thought of this overcame his repugnance to
the question. Till his consent was obtained not a whisper had been heard
of the change of sentiment which had taken place in the cabinet; but a
few days before the meeting of parliament the grand secret was told.
The surprise which the announcement excited was only equalled by
the indignation and contempt roused by so sudden an abandonment of
principle. The Protestant community complained--and very justly--that
they had been deceived. Up to that period, indeed, they had been allowed
to rest in the belief that the question would not be mooted, or if it
were, that the influence of the cabinet would stand in its way; but
these, their long-tried friends, had been planning and plotting how they
might secure a triumph to their enemies. They had been trusted by the
Protestant party as the champions of their cause; but on a sudden
they were found offering the hand of friendship to their enemies. It
certainly would have been more manly if they had, on resolving to
change sides, fairly and honestly avowed it from the first, for then the
Protestants would have had time to counteract their designs; but it
was evident at the meeting ol parliament that all opposition would be
useless. It was too late to make a successful stand against the measure:
it must be carried.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament reassembled on the 5th of-February. The speech, which was
again delivered by commission, detailed at length our foreign
relations, and announced the continued improvement of the revenue. The
all-absorbing topic of interest, however, was that which referred to
th