I dare scarcely trust my pen to the notice of the question which the Duke of Wellington tells us is about to be settled.  One thing no rational person will deny, that the experiment is hazardous.  Equally obvious is it that the timidity, supineness, and other unworthy qualities of the government for many years past have produced the danger, the extent of which they now affirm imposes a necessity of granting all that the Romanists demand.  Now, it is rather too much that the country should be called upon to take the measure of this danger from the very men who may almost be said to have created it.  Danger is a relative thing, and the first requisite for judging of what we have to dread from the physical force of the Roman Catholics is to be in sympathy with the Protestants.  Had our Ministers been so, could they have suffered themselves to be bearded by the Catholic Association for so many years?

C——­, if I may take leave to say it, loses sight of things in names, when he says that they should not be admitted as Roman Catholics, but simply as British subjects.  The question before us is, Can Protestantism and Popery be coordinate powers in the constitution of a free country, and at the same time Christian belief be in that country a vital principle of action?

I fear not.  Heaven grant I may be deceived!

W.W.[92]

[92] Memoirs, ii. 134.

56. Of the Roman Catholic Emancipation Bill.

LETTER TO THE EARL OF LONSDALE.

Rydal Mount, Wednesday.

MY LORD,

* * * * *

There is one point also delicate to touch upon and hazardous to deal with, but of prime importance in this crisis.  The question, as under the conduct of the present Ministers, is closely connecting itself with religion.  Now after all, if we are to be preserved from utter confusion, it is religion and morals, and conscience, which must do the work.  The religious part of the community, especially those attached to the Church of England, must and do feel that neither the Church as an establishment, nor its points of Faith as a church, nor Christianity itself as governed by Scripture, ought to be left long, if it can be prevented, in the hands which manage our affairs.

But I am running into unpardonable length.  I took up the pen principally to express a hope that your Lordship may have continued to see the question in the light which affords the only chance of preserving the nation from several generations perhaps of confusion, and crime, and wretchedness.

Excuse the liberty I have taken,
And believe me most faithfully,
Your Lordship’s
Much obliged,
W. WORDSWORTH.[93]

[93] Memoirs, ii. 135.

57. Of Ireland and the Poor Laws, &c.

LETTER TO G. HUNTLY GORDON, ESQ.