CHAPTER VI.
THE LAST OF THE IRISH PRINCES.
The accession of James I.produced a delirium of joy in the Catholics of the south.

Their bards had sung that the blood of the old Celtic monarchs circulated in his veins, their clergy told them that as James VI.

of Scotland he had received supplies of money from the Roman court, and above all Clement VIII.

then reigning, had sent to congratulate him on his accession, having been solicited by him to favour his title to the crown of England, which the Pope guaranteed to do on condition that James promised not to persecute the Catholics.
The consequence was that the inhabitants of the southern towns rose _en masse_ without waiting for authority, forced open the gates of the ancient churches, re-erected the altars and used them for the public celebration of worship.

The lord deputy was startled by intelligence to this effect from Waterford, Limerick, Cork, Lismore, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Wexford, &c.