Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/98

Charles II. Stratton being then Lord Lieutenant, Archbishop Plunket wrote to Rome in a similar spirit. "The Viceroy of this kingdom," says the Archbishop, "shows himself favourable to the Catholics, not only in consequence of his natural mildness of disposition, but still more on account of his being acquainted with the benign intentions of his Majesty." In another letter, dated two days later, the same prelate again refers in terms of the warmest gratitude to the tolerant policy of the Government. "We experience in this kingdom, Holy Father, the benign influence of the King of England in favour of the Catholics, so that all enjoy great liberty and ease. Ecclesiastics may be publicly known, and are permitted to exercise their functions without any impediment. Our Viceroy is a man of great moderation and equity." In the same year Archbishop Talbot celebrated Mass with great pomp in Dublin with the full approbation of the Government. Three years later we find the same prelate presiding without interference over an ecclesiastical assembly in the same city. In May, 1672, when the recall of Lord Berkeley was first mooted, Plunket wrote to the Internunzio lamenting the proposed change, but added, "his successor, the Earl of Essex, is represented as a moderate and prudent man." In September, 86