among a people like the Irish Roman Catholics.  Great discussion has taken place as to the countries in which this Decree is in force.  No one was surprised to hear that Germany was exempt.  Archbishop Walsh, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, in an elaborate discussion, gives the opinion that the Decree is abrogated under British law by the custom of the country, which has in the past rendered impossible the observance of the strict ecclesiastical rule in this matter, but is careful to add that this is only his opinion as a canonist, and is subject to the decision of the Holy See.  When this plea is examined, it is found to mean simply this, that the law is not strictly observed in case of necessity.  That this is the meaning of Archbishop Walsh’s plea is proved by a quotation which he makes from Pope Benedict XIV.  The principle laid down by Pope Benedict is that when it became impossible to resist the encroachment of adverse customs, the Popes shut their eyes to what was going on, and tolerated what they had no power to prevent.  It is exactly the principle of toleration as a temporary expedient.  The re-enactment of the law by the present Pope means surely, if it means anything, that such toleration is to cease wherever and whenever the law can be enforced.  But, be it observed, this necessity is entirely dependent on the strength of the authority which administers the civil law.  The moment the civil authority grows weak in its assertion of its supremacy, the plea of necessity fails, and the ecclesiastical law must be enforced.  Those who know Ireland are well aware that this is exactly what would happen under Home Rule.  Here is the crowning proof of the truth that, above all the well-intentioned persons who give assurances of the peace and goodwill that would flourish under Home Rule, there is a power which would bring all their good intentions to nothing.

But what of the Church of Ireland under Home Rule?  Formerly the Established Church of the country, and as such occupying a position of special privilege, she still enjoys something of the traditional consideration which belonged to that position, and is more than ever conscious of her unbroken ecclesiastical descent from the Ancient Church of Ireland.  Her adherents number 575,000, of whom 366,000 are in Ulster.  As part of her heritage she holds nearly all the ancient ecclesiastical sites and the more important of the ancient buildings which still survive.  These possessions, thus inherited from an immemorial past, were secured to her by the Act of Disestablishment.  For the rest, the endowments which she enjoys at the present time have been created since 1870 by the self-denial and generosity of her clergy and laity.  Under British law, her position is secure.  But would she be secure under Home Rule?  Those of her advisers who have most right to speak with authority are convinced that she would not.  The Bishop of Ossory, in an able and very moderate statement made at the meeting