ed. Like her Divine Spouse on the troubled waters, she
presents herself only to say to them: "Peace be still."

III. Mary, Queen of England.

I am asked: _Must you not admit that Mary, Queen of England, persecuted
the Protestants of the British realm_? I ask this question in reply: _How
is it that Catholics are persistently reproached __ for the persecutions
under Mary's reign, while scarcely a voice is raised in condemnation of
the legalized fines, confiscations and deaths inflicted on the Catholics
of Great Britain and Ireland for three hundred years--from the
establishment of the church of England, in 1534, to the time of the
Catholic emancipation?_ Elizabeth's hands were steeped in the blood of
Catholics, Puritans and Anabaptists. Why are these cruelties suppressed or
glossed over, while those of Mary form the burden of every nursery tale?
Is it because persecution becomes justice when Catholics happen to be the
victims, or is it because they are expected, from long usage, to be
insensible to torture?

If we weigh in the scales of impartial justice the reigns of both sisters,
we shall be compelled to bring a far more severe verdict against
Elizabeth.

First--Mary reigned only five years and four months. Elizabeth's reign
lasted forty-four years and four months. The younger sister, therefore,
swayed the sceptre of authority nearly nine times longer than the elder;
and the number of Catholics who suffered for their faith during the long
administration of Elizabeth may be safely said to exceed in the same
proportion the victims of Mary's reign. Hallam asserts that "the rack
seldom stood idle in the tower for all the latter part of Elizabeth's
reign;"(322) and its very first month was stained by an intolerant
statute.(323)

Second--The most unpardonable act of Mary's life, in the judgment of her
critics, was the execution of Lady Jane Grey. But Lady Jane was guilty of
high treason, having usurped the throne of England, which she occupied for
nine days. Elizabeth put to death her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, after a
long imprisonment, on the unsustained charge of aspiring to the English
throne.

Third--Mary's zeal was exercised in behalf of the religion of her
forefathers, and of the faith established in England for nearly a thousand
years.

Elizabeth's zeal was employed in extending the new creed introduced by her
father in a moment of passion, and modified by herself. Surely, the
coercive enforcement o