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THE PROTESTANT.

THREE events of recent occurrence call for much thankfulness of heart. First, the suppression of rebellion in our trans-atlantic colonies; with its favourable accompaniments, the dispersion of the insurgents, and amicable disposition of our United States brethren. Secondly, the defeat of a party, of all others most formidable to the Protestant integrity of the established church, in their bold attempt to seize, as an instrument for propagating their dangerous absurdities, the Christian Knowledge Society. And last, but not least, the reception of the protest of three thousand gentlemen of England by the House of Commons.

On this latter subject my uncle's delight knew no bounds: he, of course, took care to be present; and the excitement of look and manner with which he entered my study on returning from the house, was singular. He sat down in his large chair, rested his elbows on the arms, folded his hands firmly, and with closed eyes, and countenance held down, might have seemed asleep, only for the regular and rapid nodding of his head, accompanied with a similar movement of the clasped hands. I wanted courage to break the silence; for my uncle, with all his manly ardour, does not feel more deeply than I do the importance of this matter. I watched him with trembling anxiety; and after a minute or two, he opened his eyes, fixed them on me with a look that dissi

pated all doubt, and exclaimed, 'The line is broken, girl: we've anchored at last.'

'Joyful, joyful news, dear uncle! I have been full of fears-I fancied they might object to receive it.'

'So they did: I am most thankful to say they did. Wakley, the Finsbury radical, moved its rejection, and in so doing rendered invaluable service to the cause.'

'Tell me all, uncle.'

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Why, do you expect me, in such a tumult of feeling as made the very house turn round with me, to have brought away a correct impression of all that occurred? From the moment that noble fellow, Plumptre, rose in his place, my heart was fluttering in my throat. I recalled the day when, on Penenden heath I marked his striking figure, towering above the many gallant squires of Kent,' as he roused them by his eloquence to resist the fatal inroad on our Protestant constitution. Eight years have elapsed: eight years of sorrow and of shame on the part of all who love their God and their country; and we have been told that the deed was past recal: that the spirit of the age would spurn at a suggestion of rescinding it; that though among the hereditary nobles of the land such a proposition might be received, yet the man did not live who would DARE to lay it on the table of the Commons house. But he does live,' continued my uncle, starting from his chair, and so live that the breath of slander cannot touch him. A man who loves God, and serves him in the gospel of his Son: a man who never flinched from confessing Christ crucified before the world; and who never failed of so adorning the faith that he professes, as to win the respect even of its blasphemers. Yes, John

P. Plumptre was the man; and England does not contain one more worthy of the honour thus put upon him.'

My uncle took breath, and proceeded :

'He rose, with that quiet composure of mien which shews a mind kept in perfect peace, because it is stayed upon its God: and in the same calm, impressive way, announced the nature of the petition which he held in his hand, and having briefly recapitulated its purport, declared himself to be unchanged in the opinion which he had heretofore held, as to the impropriety of admitting Romanists to legislate for the land.'

'And how did they take it, uncle; how did they look?' 'Truly, I can't say. My eyes were glued on the precious roll that contained my name; and my heart was lifted in prayer to God; for it was a pause of unutterable importance. The next person who rose was Mr. Wakley, he cited a case ridiculously inapplicable, namely his having withdrawn a petition some time since, because it contained matter libellous of the House of Lords. On this ground he demanded the rejection of our petition, since, as he alleged, it charged with perjury a large body of the members of their own house. Mr. Plumptre took advantage of this statement, to propose that the petition be read; which was done, girl,'-and he rubbed his hands and laughed with delight,—' our allegations were emphatically stated, and respectfully, or at least silently listened to by the assembled Commons of Great Britain.'

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'He was: he and the other criminals heard the indictment read. Upon this, Mr. Wakley again rose,

and most truly declared that a clearer imputation of perjury against any body of men had never been made in that house; he therefore moved that the petition be rejected; and Colonel Butler seconded it.'

'Who is he, uncle?'

'Some degenerate sprout from the noble stem of Ormonde, I suppose. A worthy descendant of the great duke !—who, through the most protracted period of popish disturbance that even Ireland ever knew, stood firm, the undaunted champion of Protestantism and loyalty. Well; next spoke another bold and faithful man, Sir R. Inglis; and after defending our petition on the ground of its respectful language, declared himself of the same opinion with us. He plainly pointed out the treacherous conduct of the Romish members from Ireland against the church and its property; insisting that the petition must be received. Mr. Wallace opposed it: so did lord Ebrington, who, however, referred it to the speaker's decision and that dignified official, responding to the call, pointed out an additional argument against our poor petition; namely, that it referred to proceedings that had taken place within the house, which he considered illegal. Of course, the inference was that the speaker decided against it. However, Mr. Barron, one of the accused parties, rose, and with a spirit worthy of a better cause, defended himself and his colleagues, on the score that they had, in all their acts against the established church, sought its welfare, and promoted its best interests.'

'Did you not think of Don Carlos and the jailor, uncle?'

It is in point, I confess. 'Tis all for your good, my young master,' was the answer given by the keeper,

to the young prince's bitter exclamations, when informed that he was immediately to be bled to death ; and so say these patrons of our church, while draining the life blood from her veins. Mr. Maclean then spoke, intending to call the attention of the house to the allegations of the petitioners seriatim ; but O'Connell, not relishing the prospect of such an exposé from such a quarter, hastily begged pardon for interrupting him, to announce that Mr. Wakley would withdraw his amendment. This was received with cheers, proceeding from different parties, under different impressions, and the document was formally laid on the table, thank God!'

'I am rejoiced at it beyond measure, dear uncle; and as much at the resistance as at any thing else. It called attention: it presented a face of opposition, and then drew back; giving us evidently a step in advance, which otherwise we might not have been able to claim. But will this advantage be followed up?'

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Ay, there lies the question. If every man who agrees in sentiment with the petition thus received, would resolve, with the spirit of an Englishman, to make his opinion known to the legislature, we should see the table heaped with such remonstrances, and a powerful effect produced. Hitherto, the excuse has been, that no one in the lower house would be found to advocate, or even to present them: that pretext no longer exists. Three men have stood forward on this occasion, not one of whom would decline the office if called on: and had the discussion gone a little further, we should have had a display of awakened Protestantism, which O'Connell foresaw, and with his usual cunning prevented. Every man who,

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