CAULFIELD 44L sioner of revenue, and seconded by Mr. Hobart, secretary to the viceroy, which proposed admitting the catholics to the profession of the law; permitting their intermarriage with protestants ; removing the restrictions on their edu- cation, and the limitations on the number of their appren- tices in arts and manufactures. On the eligibility of this measure, the members of the opposition were much divided Lord Charlemont had all along strong prejudices against any sudden relaxation of the penal statu tes-such was the force of early habits. The bill, however, beside the sup- port of that side of the house where it originated, had also that of many distinguished members of the opposition, and it finally passed into a law. On the 18th February, 1792, a petition was presented from the catholics by Mr. Egan, an opposition member, praying their restoration to the elective franchise, and it was ordered to lie on the table; but on the Monday, Mr Latouche, an eminent banker, and a man of considerable influence and character, moved that this petition be re- jected. This motion was without any previous notice to the house, but it produced a long and most interesting debate, embracing the whole subject of the catholic cause and though this motion was carried by a majority of two hundred and eight to twenty-three, and seemingly extin- guished for ever all hopes of the catholics on this ground, yet this discussion procured to them many new friends, who were before their opponents. They persevered, calmly but firmly, in their objects. They took measures to vin- dicate their character as a religious sect, by solemnly abjuring the obnoxious tenets attributed to them by their enemies; and refuting the imputations cast on their reli- gious and political principles. And so rapid was the march of relaxation in their favour, that the very next session of parliament was opened by the lord-lieutenant with a speech from the throne, recommending to the considera tion of both houses the situation of the catholics; and a bill, granting to them the elective franchise, and many other indulgences more than they asked or expected,
