of extreme self-reliance; but it was absolutely necessary that some endeavour should be made to rouse the national mind from the torpor into which it had fallen. A very thin meeting, which did not consist of more than about twenty individuals, was held at a tavern set up by a man of the name of Dempsey, in Sackville-street; and it was there determined that something should be done. The foundations of the Association were then laid, and it must be owned that its first meetings afforded few indications of the importance and the magnitude to which it was destined to be raised. The attendance was so thin, and the public appeared so insensible to the proceedings which took place in those small convocations, that it is almost surprising that the enterprise was not relinquished in despair. The Association in its origin was treated with contempt, not only by its open adversaries, but Catholics themselves spoke of it with derision, and spurned at the walls of mud, which their brethren had rapidly thrown up, and which were afterwards to become "altæ mænia Romæ." At length, however, the men who had formerly been active in Catholic affairs were got together, and the great body of the people were awakened from their insensibility. The powerful appeals of Daniel O'Connel, who now began to develope even greater abilities than he had before exhibited, and whose ambition was excited by the progress which he had made in his profession, stirred the mind of Ireland. The aristocracy, who had been previously alienated, had forgotten many affronts which had been put upon them, and began to reunite themselves with the people. Lord Killeen, the son of the Earl of Fingal, came forward as the representative of his father and of the Catholic nobility. He was free from the ha bits of submission which the Catholic aristocracy had contracted at the period of their extreme depression, and was animated by an ardent consciousness of the rights which were withheld from him. This young nobleman threw himself into a zealous co-operation with Mr. O'Connel, and by his abilities aided the impression which his rank and station were calculated to produce. His example was followed by other noblemen; and Lord Gormanstown, a Catholic peer of great fortune and of very ancient descent, although hitherto unused to public life, appeared at the Catholic Association. This good man had laboured for many years under the impression that the Catholics were frustrating their own objects by the violence with which they were pursued, and had in consequence absented himself from their assemblies; but at length the delusion passed away. His example was followed by the Earl of Kenmare, who, though he did not actually attend the Asso ciation (for he abhors popular exhibition), sent in the authority of his name, and his pecuniary contribution. Thus the aristocracy was consolidated with the Catholic democracy, and Mr. O'Connel began to wield them both with the power of which new manifestations were every day given. In a little time a general movement was produced through the country; the national attention was fixed upon the deliberations of the body which had thus started up from the ruins of the old Catholic Committee; its meetings became crowded to excess. The newspapers teemed with vehement harangues; and the public mind, heated and excited by these impassioned and constantly repeated appeals, began to exhibit an entirely different cha

racter.

The junction of the aristocracy and of the democracy was a most important achievement. But this confederacy was greatly strengthened by the alliance of another and still more powerful body, the Catholic priesthood of Ireland. The sympathy which the clergy have manifested in the efforts of the Association, and the political part which they have lately played, are to be referred, in a great measure, to the influence of a very greatly gifted man. Doctor Doyle, the Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, is certainly among the most remarkable men who have appeared in this strange state of things, and has most essentially contributed to the moral and political feeling which has grown up amongst the people. He was educated at an university in Portugal, where it was not very likely that he would contract any very ardent attachment to freedom, but his original love of his country overcame

the theology of Coimbra, and he returned to Ireland with a mind deeply imbued with learning, fraught with eloquence, and burning with patriotism. He was for some time a professor in the ecclesiastical college at Carlow, and before he was made a bishop was unknown as a politician. But the crosier had been scarcely placed in his hands, when he raised it in the cause of his country. He wrote, and his writings were so strikingly eloquent in diction and powerful in reasoning, that they at once invited the attention of the public. He fearlessly broached doctrines which not only startled the Go-, vernment, but gave alarm to some of the hoary professors at Maynooth. In the following passage in his letter to Mr. Robertson, after speaking of the likelihood of a rebellion and a French invasion, he says-" The Minister of England cannot look to the exertions of the Catholic priesthood: they have been ill-treated, and they may yield for a moment to the influence of nature, though it be opposed to grace. This clergy, with a few exceptions, are from the ranks of the people; they inherit their feelings: they are not, as formerly, brought up under despotic governments; and they have imbibed the doctrines of Locke and Paley, more deeply than those of Bellarmin, or even of Bossuet, on the divine right of kings. They know much more of the principles of the constitution, than they do of passive obedience. If a rebellion were raging from Carrickfergus to Cape Clear, no sentence of excommunication would ever be fulminated by a Catholic prelate." This announcement of what is now obviously the truth, created a sort of consternation. Lord Wellesley, it is said, in order to neutralize the effects of this fierce episcopal warning, appealed to Maynooth; and from Maynooth there issued a document in which it is well understood that the students, and even the President, Dr. Crotty, did not agree, but to which names of five of the theological professors were attached. The persons who were mainly instrumental in getting up a declaration in favour of passive obedience (which is, however, more mitigated than the famous proclamation of servility which issued from the University of Oxford,) were two old French Doctors of Sorbonne, who had found bread in the Irish College, Monsieur de la Hogue and Monsieur François D'Anglade. These individuals belonged, when in their own country, to the "ancien regime;" and, with a good deal of learning, imported into Ireland a very strong relish for submission. The following was their protest against Dr. Doyle:-

"Royal Catholic College of St. Patrick, Maynooth.-In consequence of recent public allusions to the domestic education of the Catholic Clergy, we, the undersigned Professors of the Roman Catholic College of Maynooth, deem it a duty which we owe to Religion, and to the country, solemnly and publicly to state, that in our respective situations, we have uniformly inculcated allegiance to our gracious Sovereign, respect for the constituted authorities, and obedience to the Laws.

"In discharging this solemn duty, we have been guided by the unchangeable principles of the Catholic Religion, plainly and forcibly contained in the following precepts of St. Peter and St. Paul:

pu- .

"Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's sake; whether it be to the King, as excelling, or to governors sent by him, for the nishment of evil doers, and for the praise of the good; for so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, as free and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King For this is thanks worthy, if for conscience towards God a man endures sorrows, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if committing sin, and being suffering for it you endure? But if doing well you suffer. patiently, this is thanks worthy before God." 1st Ep. of St. Peter, c. 2.

"Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God; and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation. For Princes are not a terror to the good. work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then, not be afraid of the Power? Do

that which is good, and thou shalt have praise for the same.

-Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."Ep. to the Rom. c. 13.

"Our commentaries on these texts cannot be better conveyed than in the language of Tertullian. 'Christians are aware who has conferred their power on the Emperors: they know it is God, after whom they are first in rank, and second to no other. From the same source, which imparts life, they also derive their power. We Christians invoke on all the Emperors the blessings of long life, a prosperous reign, domestic security, a brave army, a devoted senate, and a moral people.'-Apology, chap. 30.

"Into the sincerity of these professions we challenge the most rigid inquiry; and we appeal with confidence to the peaceable and loyal conduct of the Clergy educated in this Establishment, and to their exertions to preserve the public order, as evidence of the soundness of the principles inculcated in this College. These principles are the same which have been ever taught by the Catholic Church : and if any change has been wrought in the minds of the Clergy of Ireland, it is, that religious obligation is here strengthened by motives of gratitude, and confirmed by sworn allegiance, from which no power on earth can absolve."

Such was the Sorbonne manifesto, which, notwithstanding the awful names of La Hogue and D'Anglade, was laughed at by the Irish priesthood. The reputation of Doctor Doyle was more widely extended by this effort of antiquated divinity to suppress him; and the Government found additional proofs in the result of his publication of the unfortunate truths which it contained. I. K. L. the name by which Dr. Doyle is generally known, and which is composed of the initials of his titular designation, threw into the Catholic Association all the influence of his sacred authority; and, having openly joined that body, increased the reverence with which the people had previously considered its proceedings, and imparted to it something of a religious character. The example which was given by Doctor Doyle was followed by other dignitaries of the church, of whom the most remarkable are Doctor Murray, the Archbishop of Dublin; and Doctor Kelly, the Bishop of Waterford. Doctor Murray is the successor of the late Doctor Troy. That excellent ecclesiastic had, for many years, presided over the see of Dublin, rather with the prudence and caution which had been acquired in times of political oppression, than with the energy and determination which became the augmenting power of the Catholic body. He had acquired his habits at an epoch, if not of servility, of oppression, and had been accustomed to accomplish, by dexterous acquiescence, what would now be insisted upon as a right. During the Irish rebellion he is said to have shown great skill; and, by his influence at the Castle, prevented the Roman Catholic chapels from being closed up. He was accounted a good divine, but had neither the faculty of composition nor of speech. He had received his education at Rome, and was a member of the order of St. Dominic. He had the look, too, of a holy bon-vivant, for he was squat and corpulent, had a considerable abdominal plenitude, and a ruddy countenance, with a strong determination of blood to the nose. Yet his aspect belied him, for he was conspicuous for the simplicity and abstemiousness of his life; and although Lord Norbury, observing Mr. Eneas M Donnel descending the steps of his house, exclaimed, “There is pious Æneas coming from the sack of Troy," and by the celebrity of the pun extended to the Doctor a renown for hospitality, the latter had scarcely the means of supporting himself in a manner consistent with his clerical station. He died in exceeding poverty, for one guinea only was found in his possession. This arose partly from the narrowness of his income, and partly from his generous disposition. He had about eight hundred pounds a-year, and expended it on the poor.

This good man was succeeded by the present Archbishop of Dublin, Doctor Murray. He was educated in the university of Salamanca, but his mind is untarnished by the smoke of the scholastic lamp, and he has a spirit of liberty within him which shows how compatible the ardent citizen is with the

enthusiastic priest. His manners are not at all Spanish, although he passed many years in Spain under the tuition of Doctor Curtis, the Catholic Primate, who was professor of Theology in Salamanca, and is one of its peculiar "Bachelors." Doctor Curtis is almost more Spanish than the Spanish themselves, for he has a restlessness of gesture, and a flexibility of the physiognomical muscles, which surpass the vivacity of Andalusia, and with one finger laid upon his nose, with his eyes starting from his head, and with the other hand quivering like that of a Chinese juggler, he presents the most singular spectacle of episcopal vividness at the age of ninety-one, which I have ever seen. His pupil and brother Archbishop of Dublin is meek, composed, and placid, and has an expression of patience, of sweetness, and benignity, united with strong intellectual intimations, which would fix the attention of any ordinary observer who chanced to see him in the public way. He has great dignity and simplicity of deportment, and has a bearing befitting his rank without the least touch of arrogance. His voice is singularly soft and harmonious; and even in reproof itself he does not put his Christian gentleness aside. His preaching is of the first order. It is difficult to hear his sermons upon charity without tears, and there is, independently of the charms of diction and the graces of elocution, of which he is a master, an internal evidence of his own profound conviction of what he utters, that makes its way to the heart. When he stands in the pulpit, it is no exaggeration to say, that he diffuses a kind of piety about him; he seems to belong to the holy edifice, and it may be said of him with perfect truth

"At church, with meek and unaffected grace,

His looks adorn'd the venerable place."

It is obvious that such a man, attended by all the influence which his office, his abilities, and his apostolic life confer upon him, must have added great weight to the proceedings of the Association, when, with a zeal in patriotism corresponding with his ardour in religion, he caused himself to be enrolled amongst its members. "The contemplation of the wrongs of my country (he exclaimed, at a public meeting held in the beautiful and magnificent Catholic Cathedral in Marlborough-street)-the contemplation of the wrongs of my country makes my soul burn within me!" As he spoke thus, he pressed to his heart the hand which the people were accustomed to see exalted from the altar in raising the host to Heaven. His fine countenance was inflamed with emotion; and his whole frame trembled under the dominion of the vehement feeling by which he was excited.-These are the men whom our Government, in its wisdom, have placed in alienation from the state, and whose character has been sketched in the passage which I have quoted from the works of Dr. Doyle. The other eminent ecclesiastic who contributed greatly to augment the power of the Association, was Dr. Kelly, the terror of the Beresfords, and the author of Mr. Villiers Stuart. This able man, the Becket of Ireland, was imported to us from America.

(To be continued.)

PROFESSIONAL SKETCHES, NO. 1.

Mr. Abernethy.

MR. ABERNETHY is, without exception, the most celebrated follower of Galen in Europe, Asia, Africa, or America. He is unique, peculiar, inimitable every body talks of him-most people abuse him, yet is he sought after with trembling and with fear, and not without eagerness; and his room is crowded every morning, as his card expresses it, "from May to October, Sundays and Thursdays excepted." How is this inconsistency to be accounted for? We think we can tell. Dining once at his hospitable table, (for hospitable it is, and that, too, without ostentation,) he was descanting, with his accustomed eloquence, upon the ad

vantages of a public education for boys, when he concluded by saying, "And what think you of Eton? I think I shall send my son there to learn manners.' "It would have been as well, my dear," responded his wife, "had you gone there too." Now, much as we dislike to differ from any lady, more especially from a lady so highly gifted as Mrs. Abernethy, yet we must, on this occasion, refuse our assent to her opinion. Had John Abernethy been a polished man, we do not think that he would ever have been a popular one; indeed, it could not be. He would have been then one only of a cringing pulse-feeling race, with no other regard for the noble science of which he is so distinguished a professor, than its subserviency to his own personal interests. Abernethy and politeness are truly the antipodes of each other; but, for those external, meretricious, and artificial accomplishments, which, after all, are useful in their way, he possesses qualities of so brilliant and sterling a character as to constitute him a diamond, rough enough, Heaven knows,—but still a diamond of the very first "water."

Let us just trace Mr. Abernethy's professional career, and we shall soon see why he is so eccentric, and why he is so sought after. When, as a young practitioner, he first began that career, his eager and active mind, instead of wasting its strength in riot and debauchery, was feeding upon the beauties and wonders of the science, to which he intended to devote all its powers. At that time physiology, and its handmaiden, surgery,were emerging from the barbarous empiricism which had till then characterised them. The two Hunters were then teaching and elucidating the mysteries of Nature with a bold, unshrinking, and untiring hand. Rejecting with scorn the fusty dogmata of their bigoted predecessors, they held out to their disciples that the study of Nature, or, to use Mr. Abernethy's own expression, "of that curious concatenation which exists in all the works of Nature," was the true and only safe guide to that knowledge which is calculated to dispense relief to the sick, and comfort to the suffering. One of the most forward and favoured of these disciples was young Abernethy; and we may easily judge of the influence which the talent and industry of John Hunter had upon the young physiologist, by the fruits which have sprung from his example, as well as by the great respect which Mr. Abernethy always expresses for his memory. "I was acquainted with John Hunter," he says, at a period of his life when he must have greatly interested any one, who duly appreciated the result of his talents and labours, or who had any sympathy for the highly susceptible mind of genius, rendered still more so by excess of exertion, and the perturbed feeling incident to bodily disease. He seemed to me conscious of his own desert, of the insufficiency and uncertainty of his acquirements, and of his own inability to communicate what he knew and thought. He felt irritated with the opposition he had met with in establishing his opinions, and still more by finding, when he had surmounted this difficulty, that those opinions were, by the malice of mankind, ascribed to others. All which, I think, may be inferred from a single sentence, which he one day addressed to me: 'I know, I know,' said he, 'I am but a pigmy in knowledge, yet I feel as a giant when compared with these men.' It interested me to find among his manuscripts a long extract from a French author, who was said to have taught the same opinions relative to absorption before him. Mr. Hunter had made his