the work. Some of the poor people eluded the deadly snare laid for them, and remained within their homes. What was the consequence? Their right to be numbered among the dearly beloved Christians' became suspected; strong parties burst into their dwellings in the dead of night, and, dragged from their beds, they were forcibly conveyed to distant places, and there locked up until the election was over. It is to the perpetrators of these deeds of depravity and outrage that Dr. Blake addresses his pastoral, inviting them by a repetition of their conduct at the last election to 'shew themselves' men even still more worthy of their country and of their divine religion.'

But the point to which I mainly wish to draw your attention is the declaration thus openly made by an authority which they deem infallible, that the Romanists of Newry will not only ensure 'the degradation of their characters in this world;' that is, utter temporal ruin, and the imminent peril of their lives; but also incur the destruction of the happiness of their immortal souls for all eternity,' if they do not support Mr. Brady, the staunch advocate of repeal. In England you cannot conceive the tremendous force of such expressions from such a quarter. Dr. Blake has only to speak a word privately, and from their respective altars each priest will denounce the individuals in his

congregation who have disobeyed the mandate, and sinned against their country and their own souls, by daring to act independently at the poll. They will then become the victims of an unceasing persecution: if in trade, none will thenceforth deal with them: if in the labouring class, none will employ them. Should the Protestants befriend them in these particulars, interposing between their families and starvation, their persons will be insulted, their dwellings attacked, and their lives menaced on all sides: while the terrors of everlasting perdition will be kept before their eyes, by the stern denial of those rites on which the poor deceived creatures verily believe that their salvation depends.

Now, consider in what way this plan is likely to operate throughout Ireland. The franchise is so extended that the great bulk of voters, in three provinces, consists of those whom the priests can drive like a herd of cattle, by means of such arguments, privately administered, as Dr. Blake, with more zeal than judgment, has openly promulgated. Mr. Brady is a fair specimen of the men patronized by the priesthood: a legitimate joint of what is expressively termed the Tail,' pledged to follow O'Connell, and to move but in accordance with his volition. The destruction of the Protestant church and dismemberment of the

empire, is what these men openly, avowedly aim. at: their numbers must increase with the increasing boldness, decision, and activity of the Romish priesthood, whose delegates they are: that number in the Commons House is even now able, as a floating majority, to decide any question brought forward, where the regular parties that compose the British representation are divided: and thus are we already prostrated beneath the paw of the Apocalyptic Beast, who having imposed on our wise legislators by exhibiting his lamb's face, was, on the strength of it, courteously admitted among them; and now with his dragon's voice prevails to lead captive the British government, and to trample upon the British constitution.

CHAPTER X.

COUNTY ARMAGH.

Tandragee Castle.

I SHALL not attempt to tell you with what feelings I quitted Tollymore Park. The morning was very cloudy, and made even the chapel look dark: but there was light within. I think Lord Roden's exposition of the eighteenth Psalm will be one of the last things that I shall forget, if that can be forgotten which belongs not to the things of time. No man living is surrounded with richer blessings than Lord Roden: it is enough to say that what God in nature has done to beautify the spot where he dwells, that God by grace has surpassed in the beloved circle who inhabit it: the outward being but a type of the inward gifts. All this he sees, feels, and devoutly acknowledges: yet Lord Roden bears as heavy a cross as any man I know. Patriotism of the highest and purest kind is his ruling passion; and who that loves poor Ireland but must go mourning for her every day?

Who that desires to see his Lord and Saviour glorified among his own people, his brethren after the flesh, but must take up Paul's keen complaint of continual sorrow and heaviness at his heart? Lord Roden is not one of those deceived good men who think it inconsistent to view politics and religion in that connection wherein I really think the Holy Bible presents them to us: he does not wrap himself up in spiritual abstraction, caring nothing for them that are without; or, with a refined sort of fatalism, consoling himself with the idea that since what must be must be, he may look on and say amen to all the doings of Satan, secure that God will bruise him under our feet shortly. No-the heavenward language of his soul is, "Am I not grieved with them that rise up against thee?" and this grief throws him in an especial manner on the promises of God in the Gospel of his Son. My heart is too sore to write much of Tollymore since I have left it. May the dove of peace ever find her tranquil nest among its beautiful bowers! As the mountains are round about it, so may the Lord be round about his dear people there! As the shining ocean spreads before it, so many a bright eternity of blessedness ever form their prospect! And for the kindness shewn to me, and many another humble guest, received in the name of a disciple, may the promised