PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 71 



for a change so important. It was not possible, or at least, not 

 very likely, that a people, so hai^rassed by a continual succession 

 of petty wars and political convulsion, constantly distracted by 

 the alarm and violence of invasion, could be prepared with 

 mind, for the consideration of subjects so sedate, and, to them, 

 difficult and abstruse, and, to complete the misfortune, fatuity 

 itself was called to aid the anomalous state of things; by 

 broaching that reformation, in a language which the aboriginal 

 Irish did not understand, nor speak in general. 



Much pains were taken to make the people think that Ireland 

 was a fief of the Roman Pontificate, and, therefore, it was consi- 

 dered rebellious, and a greater offence to deny the authority of 

 the Pope. 



And further, to excite Romish opposition, and to stimulate the 

 Irish chieftains ; a letter was written by a foreign bishop, in the 

 name of the Roman Cardinals, to the O'Neil, informing him of 

 an ancient prophecy, which declared that *' the power of the 

 " church of Rome shall surely fall, whenever the power of the 

 " Pope shall perish in Ireland. That whenever the influence of 

 " Rome shall fail in Ireland, the See of Rome is fated to des- 

 " truction." Therefore, O'Neil and his adherents were urged 

 to be the more zealous and determined. 



But still the opposition to the reformation was not the cause 

 of the distractions of Ireland, whatever use may have been made 

 of it as a pretence. The cause and causes had existed long 

 before this event. 



There appears to be a special Providence watching over the 

 connection between England and Ireland, which no provocation 

 offered to the Irish, no spoliation inflicted upon them, no re- 

 sentment on their parts, could at any time avail to dissolve; 

 neither could the blindness, nor the impotence, nor the imprudence 

 on the part of Britain prevail to sever that union. 



The knowledge of past events, and the failures of an evil 

 policy, are now beginning to be considered ; and the interesting 

 history of the country altogether proves, to the most careless 

 observer, that the Moral of Ireland is to be purchased by good 

 government only. 



