VIEWS OF THE CATHOLIC QUESTION.
Reading edition
“I suppose, my lord,” said the foreign valet of the Earl of P——, the other day, “I suppose we shall have the opera and the theatres open in England on Sundays, comme ailleurs, if the Catholic Bill passes?”
“I have not heard that,” replied his lordship, smiling; “and I should rather think the contrary.”
“Diantre,” replied the French emancipator, grinding his teeth, “Eh à quoi bon donc leur émancipation? qu’est ce que ça fait?”[35]
“Let me send you some turbot, L——,” said Mr. ——, the other day at dinner, to a well known and respectable Irish catholic barrister.
“Turbot,” replied the papist counsellor, coldly, “O! I am emancipated—I have done with fish!”
The Irish catholics hate fish; but are rigorous observers of fasts, and of all forms and ordinances imposed by a church, to which, as much from a point of honour as of faith, they rigidly submit. How many of the idle forms of church discipline will fall into desuetude, with that feeling of sympathy for the persecuted faith that imposed them! a feeling which catholic emancipation will cool down, and obliterate.