University of Virginia Library

Who can mention the Roman Catholic religion, nor advert to the times that are past? Whether we look to the superstitious slavery of its creed, the bloated impiousness of its popes, or the wary, base-minded trickeries of its prowling priesthood,—nothing but one scene of crime and bloodshed appears to the view. Among all the questions that have been, and are still agitating, there is none of such vital, we may say, awful importance to an Englishman as the “Catholic” one. In this respect, Dr. Southey, notwithstanding his former apostacy, has been of considerable service: Charles Butler was properly and finely shewn up by him. The advocates for the Roman Catholic religion, have attuned their throats to the most plaintively insinuating tone possible. Their amiable lips quake with the jargon of “common right,” and all the ready cant of “liquid lies.” But when they tell us, that the Roman Catholics are not what they used to be; are we to blind our eyes against recent deeds of horrid bigotry? Are we to forget Mr. Plowden's speech,—one of their warmest advocates? viz. whoever pretended that the Roman Catholics of the present day differed, in one iota, from their ancestors, he was guilty of perjury, &c.! The truth is, (and Mr. Plowden, a rara avis, is honest enough to tell it,) the Catholic croak is a most insiduous plot to re-establish the papal dominion, and slave the whole kingdom to a revengeful, money-loving priesthood; a priesthood that pretends to preserve souls by counted beads, or send them to heaven on two-penny pieces! Every Catholic is bound by his Creed to do his utmost to introduce that creed, and consequently, to undermine the church and state of the Protestants. God grant! that neither the democratical chicaneries of the Scotch Cato, the traducing spume of Shiel, or the poisonous drivel of O'Connell, may attain their end; if so, we may say of the Pope:—