Dr. Mac Mahon died in 1576, and had for his successor another member of the Franciscan Order, Richard Mac Brady, who was proclaimed bishop of Ardagh in the Consistory of 16th January, 1576-7. He, however, held the see for little more than three years, and was then transferred to the diocese of Kilmore. His successor as bishop of Ardagh was the renowned Edmund Mac Gauran, who, being translated to the Primatial See on the 1st July, 1587, closed his career by adding his name to the long list of the martyrs of Ireland. It is now time to draw a few practical conclusions from the historical facts which we have thus faintly sketched. 1. In the first place, the assailants of the Catholic cause contend that Henry VIII., when assuming to himself the appointment of bishops to the Irish sees, and rejecting as nugatory the sanction of Rome, merely continued the long-practised usage of England, and asserted the time-honoured privileges of his crown. Now we have seen the submissive letter with which Henry himself petitions Pope Leo to confirm Dr. O'Malone in the see of Ardagh; and hence it results that the course subsequently pursued by the English monarch was confessedly an usurpation of the rights of the Vicar of Christ and a trampling on the traditions of the kingdom. 2. We have also seen how the schismatical bishop, D. Richard O'Ferral, can have no claim to be ranked amongst the successors of St. Mel. The canonically appointed bishop was already engaged for six months in dispensing the food of life to his flock, when the schismatical nominee was intruded into the see of Ardagh. During Elizabeth's reign another Protestant bishop was similarly nominated to this see. His name was Lisach O'Ferral, and as we learn from Harris, his letters patent bear date the 4th November, 1583. This date alone suffices for his condemnation. The Catholic bishop was long before divinely chosen to rule that spiritual fold; and a rival bishop appointed by royal authority must be regarded not as a true shepherd, but as a plunderer whose mission it is to scatter the flock of Christ. 3. We have also seen how the so-called Reformation was ushered into the diocese of Ardagh. The altar was despoiled, the cathedral was in ruins, and the general destruction which dismantled the material house of God, seemed to forebode the spiritual desolation which should soon prevail. It is now cheering to contemplate the happy change that reigns in that favoured diocese. Once more the altars are clothed with gladness; a noble cathedral, which is an ornament not to the diocese alone, but to the whole island, honours the memory of St. Mel; and we may confidently hope that under the wise guidance of its holy bishop and clergy, this material restoration is the harbinger and token of the spiritual progress of its faithful people, and of the rapid strides made by the whole country in regaining its former proud position as _Island of Saints_.