Bettfr Provision for Catholic Priests. 65 



is, depends on the abject thraldom in which 

 these shepherds are enabled to keep their re- 

 spective flocks : hence a desire on their parts to 

 enlighten those on whose ignorance they rely 

 for their daily subsistence, would be expecting 

 a degree of disinterestedness beyond what is 

 usually met with in human nature. 



A more suitable provision for the catholic 

 priest would be attended with the most be- 

 neficial consequences; it would soon render 

 this sacred office an object to persons of edu- 

 cation, instead of its being, as at present, con- 

 fined to those of the lower orders, whose edu- 

 cation is limited, and whose opportunities of 

 acquiring that information and knowledge, so 

 requisite to correct their own prejudices, are 

 equally contracted. 



Doubts have been entertained whether it 

 would not have been fortunate for Ireland, and 

 in the end conducive to its happiness and 

 prosperity, tis well as beneficial to Great Bri- 

 tain, had Catholicism been permitted to remain 

 the established persuasion of that country, 

 where, at present, this community may be con- 

 sidered as forming so great a majority of the 

 population ; while the presbyterians amount to 

 one-tenth, and the other two-tenths persons 



VOL. ir. T 



