te) THE MAYNOOTH GEANT.
327
“und, and ag I think so incontrovertible, for an endowment 1k.
br the education of the Roman Catholic priesthood, would Zs. 41.
Prove on another occasion equally sound and incontrovertible
foray endowment to maintain that priesthood.” It is doubt-"whether
any Liberal leader will ever again be able to take
“hat wag once so wise and just a position, but there is still
"om for the position which Cobden took. Mr. Bright
°Pposed the grant altogether, on the ground that no purely
*elesiastical institution should be paid for ont of the pubtaxes,
Cobden, on the contrary, both spoke and voted
for the Ministerial Bill. He was unable to find in it anything
relating to the endowment of the Catholic clergy:
"hat he voted for was simply and purely an extended educatons)
grant. What objection could there be to giving a
Boog education, in any manner in which it can be most
Hoctually given, to a body of men who are to be the
Wstructors of many millions of people? You give large
Sranty to elementary schools in Ireland ; you vote money
to the university, from which the Catholic clergy cannot
bone bus if you support instruction to Roman Catholics
"all, it is wise and politic to give it to the clergy before
Very other order. On the merits he would support the
Proposal, and he would do so all the more cheerfully on the
Brounq that it was acceptable to the Irish people This is
Wise ag political wisdom can be, but the present state of
"ho Ligh University question looks ag if Mr. Bright's view,
ud not Cohden’s, had won. the day.
The following extracts from letters to his wife will show
how Cobden passed the time from day to day, during this
“dons and wearisome session i—
“London, Feb. 11, 1845.—I met Lord Howick [the
Apri . Bright only went twice
0 Ela am i Hn other concerned the
reg re 2b South Kensington. Cobéan as a Commissioner for
hibition supported Princa Albert's policy.