HC Deb 23 June 1871 vol 207 cc554-5
MR. WHALLEY

then rose, amid considerable interruption, to call attention to the terms in which Her Majesty was said to have communicated to the Pope of Rome her congratulations on the fact that he had completed the twenty-fifth year of his reign. At the present moment Europe had before it a question which completely divided it into two belligerent camps, and that was not a time for such congratulations. If the congratulations offered to the Pope had simply been congratulations as to his being in good health after a reign of five-and-twenty years, it would have been another thing, but the peculiar circumstances of Europe gave a special significance to the mode in which the event had been recognized, for the fact was, there was throughout that country a very strong manifestation on the part of the Roman Catholics in favour of taking an active part towards sustaining the position of the Pope.

Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,

House adjourned at half after Twelve o'clock till Monday next.