BY THE REV. T. D. GREGG, M.A., CHAPLAIN OF ST. NICHOLAS WITHIN, DUBLIN. SECOND EDITION. DUBLIN: W. CURRY, JUN., & CO., AND S. B. OLDHAM. LONDON: RICHARD GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS PREFACE. IT is with no small satisfaction and gratitude, too, that the Author should be called upon here to put it on record, that after an impression of twelve hundred had been disposed of, a second edition of his work was called for within the year of its appearance. He trusts that he may regard the circumstance as indicative of the interest taken in the subjects discussed, and thence entertain a good hope that the views which he has set forth may ultimately be realized. For the accomplishment of this object he has long felt himself bound by the duty which he owes to God and to his country, in every possible way which seemed to him legitimate, to struggle. He is well aware that many are disposed to believe that the alteration in the British Constitution, caused by the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, and the Bill of 1829, whereby Roman Catholics, and Dissenters from the Church of all sorts, have been admitted to a participation in the government of the realm, renders it totally vain to expect the adoption of a policy by the State which may involve the ascendancy of the Established Church. There can be no manner of doubt that the measures alluded to are calculated to enhance the difficulty of procuring the adoption of any such policy. This, however, does not alter the nature of the great political problem which presses for solution; which is just this-how is the vast accumulation of social evils which afflicts the whole community, to be remedied? and, more especially, how |