with the duty of all governments to stifle, has been allowed, within these few years, so to extend its bulk and perfect its system, as to overspread every part of the land. In its constitution this conspiracy is so essentially Popish, that it is proved no Protestant can be admitted a member: its avowed object is high treason; its appointed means an extensive massacre ; its bond of union a fearful, sanguinary oath; its mode of procedure a general organization, embracing separate bodies of armed men, each acting under the control and instruction of a regularly appointed directory, and these again receiving their authority from, and guided in every movement by some undiscovered ruling power, the concealed main

spring of all the complicated but methodical movements of the vast machinery. It is incontestibly proved that many individuals among the police force are members of this formidable body; and that they have materially assisted their objects by imparting instruction in the most approved modes of military manoeuvring, such as have been recently introduced among themselves-for, you know, my dear, that, unlike our own, the Irish police are armed, equipped, and accustomed to act as regular troops. It has been shewn that, on receiving the secret sign from a man whom in the exercise of his duty he was called on to capture for some murderous outrage, a policeman has been obliged, by his own treasonable oath, to contrive the criminal's escape from that justice of which he was also sworn to be a faithful officer. Here we see two oaths placed in direct opposition one to another; and that the man, a Romanist, felt not a moment's hesitation in deciding which was the more binding. He snapped as a

cobweb-thread the vow of fidelity to a Protestant sovereign and government, and, under the influence of "intimidation," he chose that form of "perjury" which embraced, defended, and propagated "sedition." What a commentary on M'Ghee's memorable words!'

'But how terrible is the idea that, in case of an insurrection, the loyal Protestants seeking protection from the individuals selected, appointed, and paid by government to afford that protection, must throw themselves into the hands of men sworn to exterminate them!'

It was so in the rebellion of ninety-eight. The yeomanry were the main hope of the loyal inhabitants; but when the sword was once drawn, those among them who were Romanists, to a man I believe, ranged themselves on the rebel side; and in the scenes of horror that ensued they were foremost in the work of butchering ferocity.'

6

And is all this forgotten now?'

It is not convenient that it should be remembered, my dear. Our rulers have pledged their parliamentary upholders in a cup of oblivion, as regards the past, and leave the future in their hands."

"Who is supposed to be the principal head of this fearful conspiracy?'

'That remains to be discovered. Some magistrates and stipendiary officers, who have succeeded in thus far unravelling the intricate web of Ribbonism, have used every effort to obtain a clue that might guide them to the central point, but in vain. O'Connell has even bragged of the fruitlessness of those endeavours, and exulted in the confidence that the discovery could never be made. This, however,

appears palpable even on the surface, that as the plot is wholly Romish in its character, objects, and instruments, it is among the Romish priesthood we must seek its originating and controling head. There is in it every characteristic of jesuitical enterprise, skill, subtlety, activity, and infernal wickedness: and since at this moment the great game of papal resuscitation in England is obviously played by the experienced hands of that infamous society, we can hardly doubt their official importance in the Irish branch of the work.'

'I think Mr. M'Ghee has given us a satisfactory clue to that point, uncle.'

Yes; the evidence on Lord Roden's committee, so far as it goes, substantiates to a tittle what M'Ghee advanced; and this sends us back with increased confidence to our first informant, prepared to credit the remainder of his testimony. The incident of the policeman, which I have just related, struck me very forcibly as shedding a clear light on the connecting links of that dreadful chain by which the Man of Sin holds captive every soul among his miserable bondsmen. Even such a chain is now being cast around multitudes of our English neighbours, who are privily seduced from the profession of a religion, the spiritual nature of which they have never realized, into the reception of that awful LIE, which God in righteous judgment sends them strong delusion to believe. Oh, it is an appalling prospect that we are compelled to look upon, and yet how little are the hearts of Protestants, rightly so called, moved to interpose in this matter!'

'Cannot the evidence be more widely circulated, uncle? Surely it would startle some from theirslumber.'"

'It is voluminous to a degree that almost forbids its circulation; but here I have-and it cannot be too publicly made known that such a thing exists—a pamphlet, published by Hatchards, entitled, "A Summary Digest of the most material Portions of the Evidence taken before the Select Committee of the House of Lords on the State of Ireland in respect to Crime, as relating to the Ribbon Society. With an Appendix, containing verbatim Extracts from the Evidence." These forty-seven pages contain the gist of the disclosures on this subject; and I know not any thing of more near and fearful interest to the English Protestant than it comprises.'

'Well; God be thanked for putting this honour on his dear servant, who seems to have struck a paralyzing blow at the enemy of his faith and nation. Surely there will now be a more vigorous effort made to unkennel the hidden fox of Rome, and to hunt him forth from the scenes he has too long polluted by his presence, and devastated by his remorseless ferocity!'

I hope so: I am sure of it. The hand of the Lord is very manifest in so far bringing to light the hidden things of darkness; and as he does nothing in vain, we shall see an important result. The present lord lieutenant of Ireland is pursuing a course wholly dissimilar from that of his unhappy predecessor, whose viceroyalty was the heaviest curse that has for many a year been inflicted on that injured land. Let us earnestly pray that divine light and direction may be vouchsafed to him who now holds the reins; and that the machinations of evil men may so recoil on themselves as to humble them to repentance.'

'Why, uncle, many were foretelling that the session now nearly past was to seal the fate of poor Ireland, leaving her Protestantism in the very article of death.'

'Their predictions, happily, are not fulfilled. Ireland is not yet lost; and I verily think she stands at this moment on higher and firmer ground than at any period to which my recollection can point.'

'What has become of the Municipal Bill that was to transfer her corporations, and all her civil powers, to the outstretched hands of O'Connell and company?'

'Given to the winds. Four times has the attempt been made to pass that infamous act: four times, by the mercy of God, it has wholly failed. The House of Lords amended it, as before; and, as before, the Commons rejected their amendments. They greatly err who regard this interposition as a comparatively small matter: it is of incalculable moment; and rightly did they judge who would have returned public thanks to God for the signal deliverance vouchsafed. They used every constitutional means to avert the blow; they rallied round their Protestant institutions with a spirit worthy of the cause; they spared no cost, no pains; they were not to be daunted by the opposition of avowed foes, nor disheartened by the lukewarmness of pretended friends. They mustered, and the enemy threatened them; they advanced, and were met by a host of mockers, who derided their fruitless toil: they persevered, and what is the result? A complete triumph for the present; and in order to insure its permanency, they ascribe to the Lord the glory of their deliverance, desiring to enter into his courts with thanksgiving, and into his gates with