564-] DEA TH OF a NEIL. 527 with Stukely for a friend and confidant, would make Ireland such as Ireland never was since the world began. 1 Among so many mischiefs ' religion' was naturally in a bad way. * The lords and gentlemen of the Pale went habitually to mass/ 2 The Protestant bishops were chiefly agitated by the vestment controversy. Adam Loftus, the titular Primate, to whom sacked villages, ravished women, and famine- stricken skeletons crawling about the fields were matters of every-day indifference, shook with terror at the mention of a surplice. 3 Robert Daly wrote in anguish to Cecil, in dismay at the countenance to * Papistry/ and at his own inability to prolong a persecution which he had happily commenced. 4 1 Shan O'Neil to Elizabeth, June 1 8, 1565 : Irish MSS. Rolls House. - Adam Loftus to Elizabeth, May 17 : MS. Ibid. 3 Adam Loftus to Cecil, July 16; MS. Ibid. ' The bruit of the alteration in religion is so talked of here among the Papists, and they so triumph upon the same, it would grieve any good Christian heart to hear of their rejoicing; yea, in so much that my Lord Primate, my Lord of Meath, and I, being the Queen's commis- sioners in ecclesiastical causes, dare not be so bold now in executing our commissions in ecclesiastical causes as we have been to this time. To what end this talk will grow I am not able to say. I fear it will grow to the great contempt of the Gospel and of the ministers of the same, except that spark be extinguished before it grow to flame. The occa- sion is that certain learned men of our religion are put from their livings in England ; upon what oc- casion is not known here as yet. The poor Protestants, amazed at the talk, do often resort to me to learn what the matter means ; whom I comfort with the most faithful texts of Scripture that I can find. . . . But 1 beseech you send me some comfortable words concerning the stablishing of ourreligion, wherewith I may both confirm the wavering hearts of the doubtful, and suppress the stout brags of the sturdy and proud Papists.' Robert Daly to Cecil, July 2: Irish MSS. Rolls House.
