ELIGIOUS BIGOTRY]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th April 1845._

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Here we are in a great state of agitation about one
of the greatest measures ever proposed;[11] I am sure poor Peel ought
to be _blessed by_ all Catholics for the manly and noble way in
which he stands forth to protect and do good to poor Ireland. But
the bigotry, the wicked and blind passions it brings forth is quite
dreadful, and I blush for Protestantism![12] A Presbyterian clergyman
said very truly, "_Bigotry_ is more _common than shame_...."

[Footnote 11: The Bill to increase the grant to the Roman
Catholic College of Maynooth was carried by Peel in the teeth
of opposition from half his party: another measure was passed
to establish colleges for purely secular teaching ("godless
colleges" they were nicknamed) in Cork, Belfast, and Galway,
and affiliate them to a new Irish university.]

[Footnote 12: As Macaulay had said during the previous night's
debate: "The Orangeman raises his war whoop, Exeter Hall sets
up its bray, Mr Macneile shudders to see more costly cheer
than ever provided for the priests of Baal at the table of
the Queen, and the Protestant operatives of Dublin call for
impeachments in exceedingly bad English."]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd April 1845._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Our Maynooth Bill is through the second reading. I
think, if you read Sir Robert's admirable speeches, you will see how
good his plan is. The _Catholics_ are quite delighted at it--full
of gratitude, and behave extremely well; but the Protestants behave
shockingly, and display a narrow-mindedness and want of sense on the
subject of religion which is quite a disgrace to the nation. The case
of Austria, France, etc., cannot be compared to this, as _this_ is a
_Protestant_ country, while the others are Catholic; and I think it
would never do to support a Roman Catholic Church with money belonging
to the Protestant Church. The Protestant Establishment in Ireland
must remain untouched, but let the Roman Catholic Clergy be well and
handsomely educated.

The Duc de Broglie[13] dined with us last night; his _travaux_ are
going on satisfactorily; he asked when you were coming, and said you
were "_beaucoup Anglais et un peu Francais_," which is true, I think.

With Albert's affectionate respects, believe me alw