142 RECORDS AND REMINISCENCES OF GOODWOOD 



consequently be idle of me, and, indeed, mischievous, 

 to pretend to say what is my opinion as to the 

 measures that might be adopted.' He concurred in 

 that opinion ; he thought it would be extremely im- 

 proper in any one not holding office to declare his 

 sentiments on the point referred to ; and therefore he 

 felt much respect for the Master of the Rolls of 1827 

 (Lord Chancellor Eldon) for having made that state- 

 ment. The noble Lord (Wicklow) said that the 

 Catholics had always stepped forward to fight the 

 battles of their country. He was aware that 

 the majority of the Catholic population had taken a 

 patriotic part in the struggles in which the country 

 had been engaged ; and though he was not disposed 

 to give the Catholics credit for having won every 

 action which had been fought on sea and land, yet 

 he would admit that they had conducted themselves 

 most meritoriously. But did any one believe that 

 the class of individuals who had done all this would 

 gain anything by the measure proposed ? Were not 

 noble Lords about to disfranchise these men, to take 

 away the only rights and privileges which were left 

 them ? Did any one believe that these individuals 

 would obtain seats in Parliament and in the Cabinet ? 

 No. Then he would entreat the noble Lords who were 

 prepared to disfranchise the large body of individuals, 

 to correct any abuses which might exist, but not to 

 punish the majority for the fault of a portion, and 



