ln other words, this is precisely the claim now set up by Irish Franzonis against what they call Peel's
Godless Colleges; and it is the claim which will have to be conclusively settled before the world is much
older. That all civil restrictions must be vexatious to a church which ere this has placed kingdoms under
interdict, absolved peoples from their allegiance, and hurled kings from their thrones, is, of course, quite
manifest; and it is deserving of remark that under whatever form the demands of this church are advanced,
they are always substantially the same. What is now rehearsing in the Vatican at Rome, is also under
rehearsal in tihe village of Thurles, in Ireland; and what Catholicism can, in the one case, openly impose as a
right, she is taking as effectual means, in the other, of secretly obtaining as a favour. She has tyrannised over
the world; she has been the tool of tyrants, when herself without strength for the vile office; and now, allowing
no other worship than her own within the walls of the city where she sits supreme, she is clamouring everywhere
else for freedom from all restrictions as opposed to the spirit of the age. But the most liberal
statesmen will have to awaken to the truth that the rights of such a church are incompatible with the equal
rights of every other; that her organisation is such as to give her instant predominance, where equal privileges
are accorded; that even in such apparently trivial concessions as the titular dignities and dresses of her priests, a
mistake has been committed; and that the existence of an assumption now prevailing, that every Catholic in Ireland
must submit to this Thurles Episcopal Synod, radiant though it be in mitres dazzling with precious stones,
in copes of embroidered crimson, in soutanes of purple, in crosses, croziers, and robes of gold, is a defiance to
the Settlement of these realms in 1688 too impudent to be tolerated much longer. It is clear, at the same time,
that the colleges raised at so much cost and capable of such inappreciable blessings, will have to sink meanwhile
under the very weakness of their supporters, unless means be found to strengthen the independent lay
element in the Roman Catholic population of Ireland. The mere approach of the Synod armed with powers
against the education of the people, has been already signalised by a cowardly submission of the authorities to
whom that charge is entrusted. The professor of modern languages in the College at Cork having published a
book on Christian Civilisation in no respect connected with his teaching, and this book (a very innocent one, a
sort of supplement to Guizot, embodying the religious eclecticism of that statesman, very reverent in its tone,
and containing even a formal protest against all teaching founded on infidelity) having been denounced by the
bigots of the Roman Catholic press as deliberately adverse to religion, and dangerous to the faith and morals
of the Roman Catholic pupils, M. de Vericour has been suspended by the Board without a hearing, and a
recommendation for his dismissal forwarded to Lord Clarendon. Lord Clarendon, it is to be hoped, will
know how to deal with it.

Returning to England, matters involving doubt and difficulty are not left behind. A dispute between
employers and employed which has the effect of throwing one of the greatest lines of railway communication
into a dangerous, if not impassable state, concerns the public too nearly not to excite much public anxiety;
and, without affecting to pronounce decisively on the differences which have led to the resignation of nearly
two hundred drivers and firemen on the Eastern Counties Railway, it seems manifest that the men, whose
efficiency in their special duties is admitted both by the superintendent at issue with them (who had been
in office three weeks) and the superintendent he replaced (who had been in office four years), cannot be held
justly responsible for the general want of discipline which the system of the new superintendent seems to have
been meant to correct, and which could hardly, after existing unchecked for so many years, be checked without
unreasonable harshness in as many weeks. Too much was suddenly imposed upon the men, who in turn as
quickly demanded too much; and since mutual concession can alone conclude such a dispute with fairness,
it will become the Company to remember that for any ill effects resulting from laxity of discipline they are
themselves directly responsible, in the first degree. In connection with such strikes, by the bye, a statement
worthy of mention appeared the other day in a report on the Mining Districts, to the effect that the famous
strike of the colliers six years ago involved a loss to the owners of two hundred thousand poimds, and
to the pitmen of three hundred thousand pounds in wages alone.

Another report, out of the many lately presented to both Houses, will justify mention here, for its
sensible rebuke to certain wild and selfish Protectionist schemes of which a good deal was heard some
months ago, in connection with the alleged pressure of "local taxation." The Lords' Committee on parochial
assessments have reported that the present system is susceptible of material improvement; but that, in their
judgment, stock in trade should still be exempted from the rate, and the general maintenance of the poor
should not be provided for out of the consolidated fund; nor do they feel justified in recommending any
general system of union rating, or any plan for the assessment of personal property in aid of real property.
In other words, they don't think Mr. Disraeli a conjurer, or take flight with Mr. Christopher into the cloudy
regions of farmer's finance; but content themselves with a few practical, intelligent, and desirable suggestions
for improving the present irregular assessments, for repealing certain awkward technicalities, and for reducing
the inordinate amounts at which railways are assessed. This is a great slap in the face to the Protectionists;
who have in other respects also suffered sorely of late, and were fain to let the session expire without a
sign. They cannot even hope that a bad harvest should make opportunity for them now; for though
prospects in this respect have unfortunately clouded during the last three weeks, and a somewhat poor
average of corn is to be feared, yet no unhealthy tampering with the markets is observable, nor is the
winter contemplated with any painful anxiety. The repeal of the laws limiting our supply of food to
this island has effectually cured us of such fears and dangers; and John Bull now not only knows to
what extent he has a reliance against unavoidable chances of the seasons, but with what reasonable
arguments he can abate the pressure of importunate creditors. Others of his family, it is to be regretted,
get into the Bankruptcy Court with apparently less ability to get out of it; and a report appearing
not many days since excited not a little apprehension, from points of startling resemblance to the head
of the family himself.

The name was also John Bull: and Mr. Bull appeared in the Bankruptcy Court, not very creditably we
regret to say. He was said to have a vast number of sharking relations; and having been accused of playing
into their hands too much, his certificate is adjourned. He tried to throw all his misfortunes on the fact
that a certain firm "had had a sort of millstone or national debt fixed round his neck for a very long period,"
but his statements as to this did not seem to obtain unlimited credence; and the counsel against him,
charging him with unaccountable and improper delays during the last two years, pointedly remarked that "the
year 1848 would certainly have been the proper time for Mr. Bull to have come to that court." This very