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Anecdotes of the life of Richard Watson, bishop of Landaff : written by himself at different intervals, and revised in 1814 / published by his son, Richard Watson
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persecuting spirit of the Roman Church remains in the hearts ofthe generality of its members, and whilst it does remain, Poperymust be watched, intimidated, restrained. Is it an impossiblestroke of policy to attach the bishops and clergy of the Papists tothe state, by making it their interest to be faithful and peaceablesubjects? A Regium Dorum of forty or fifty thousand a yearwould have a great effect.

I will not enlarge on this hint, because at this distance Icannot judge of its practicability.

I am told that in many parts of Ireland there are no Par-sonage houses: (this is true also of England, and the same remedymight be applied:) in such places the livings, when they becomevacant, should be sequestered for two or three years, and themonies thence arising should be applied to the erection of housesin which the ministers might reside; or some other plan shouldbe thought of for building them fit habitations, and residenceshould then he enforced ; for nothing tends more to civilise acountry than a resident clergy.

You have a difficult part to act. The Catholics , were theyfaithful subjects, would have a clear right to complain of oppres-sion ; and they will not admit that they are not faithful subjects;nor will it be the interest of government to irritate them, byshowing a suspicion of their fidelity. The best mode of conductis, in my judgment, to punish with rigour all breaches of thepeace, and, if the civil power is insufficient for the execution ofthe civil laws, to use the military ; for there is an end of govern-ment when the laws cannot be executed. I abhor the use of themilitary in all cases where a due deference is paid to the laws;but when numbers of men obstruct the regular course of law,