he was taking was the right one, he would never have
allowed an over-strained sense of consistency to interfere
with the paramount duty of pursuing it. The motives
which actuated him, sufficient in themselves, though
perhaps hardly allowed sufficient scope in their operation,
may be seen in the following memorable and significant
passages from his speech on the second reading of the
Maynooth Bill: "With me every feeling as to the im-
putation of consistency, every feeling with regard to the
suspicions thrown upon the sincerity of the Government,
every other feeling is subordinate to one--my desire
that you should not reject this measure. I do not
regret the course I have taken. I know not what the
consequences may be in respect to the more kindly
relations between Ireland and this country. It has
produced in the minds of a generous people a kindly
and a grateful feeling. . . . I call on you to recollect
that you are responsible for the peace of Ireland. I say
you must break up, in some way or other, that formid-
able confederacy which exists in that country against
the British Government and the British connection. I
do not believe you can break it up by force. . . . You
can do much to break it up by acting in a spirit of
kindness, forbearance, and generosity . . . On the far
horizon of the west there rises a cloud--a cloud small
indeed, but threatening future storms. It became my
duty on the part of the Government temperately
but distinctly to state that while we are most anxious
for an adjustment of the impending difficulties, while
we will leave nothing undone to effect an amicable
settlement, yet I did feel it to be part of my duty--of
the duty of the first minister of the Crown--to state

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