them, not to fall out among themselves; and justice might have suggested to them the propriety of being as little burdensome as possible to the community, especially as their situation bore so little analogy to that of the Apostles; who, in consequence of their evangelical labours, were justly entitled to support; but the friars, at least in those countries where they had been so enormously multiplied, had no such labours to perform. The vineyard was already too full of workmen, even to the detriment of the vintage. They should, therefore, have endeavoured to acquire an honest independence, by their mental and manual exertions, and not have thrown themselves upon the charity of the public. For this very object they were divided into two classes, priests and lay brothers: the one destined to perform the duties of religion, and to diffuse theological knowledge; whilst the other was occupied in the menial services of the community. By this happy union of religion and science with the mechanical arts or labour, they might have employed their talents to real advantage, and not have subjected themselves to any obligation to others for their support. They might have been in a condition to have assisted the poor and infirm, instead of encroaching, as they have done, upon their indubitable rights.

If those religious ever mean to recover their

ancient dignity, they must, undoubtedly, endeavour to become useful to society; and this is to be effected only by conforming themselves to the spirit of the times, and the present more improved state of society, without paying so much attention to the trifling circumstances already mentioned. The more important considerations of public and private utility, the advancement of religion, science, and good order, should prevail before all others. Indeed, in the present age, such has been the change which has taken place in the public mind, that the observance of the old practices are perfectly out of season. Who, for example, can derive any benefit or gratification from the partial nuditytonsurage the uncouth and barbarous appearance of a Spanish Franciscan? The very sight would suffice to indispose many, not only against the individual, but against religious orders in general; and, perhaps, indeed, excite antipathy to the Catholic Church itself, as suffering and encouraging a system of vandalism.

From these observations on monachism, it will be observed, that while I am well aware of the present wretched condition of the cenobitical system, I have, nevertheless, a firm conviction, that in countries where Catholicism is the prevailing religion, these fraternities of men. might easily be converted into sources of na

tional usefulness.* If instead of making age, and pious pretensions, tests for the religious profession, real demonstrable merit were required, those disorders that now prevail would soon cease. No one should be admitted who cannot acquire by his talents an honourable independence in the world. It was an attention to such qualifications that rendered the French clergy so superior to all others on the continent, and enabled them to support the dignity of the sacerdotal character with suitable propriety. Their learning, urbanity, and strict adherence to the principles of decorum, afforded them the means of rendering themselves both useful and acceptable in foreign countries during their exile and dispersion, whereas their mere character of priesthood or religious profession, would have availed them nothing.

Of the truth of the opinion I have now stated, America furnishes an excellent example. A few gentlemen of the congregation of St. Sulpicius, who were fortunate enough to escape the horrors of the French revolution, and save a little remnant of their property, took refuge in the United States, and established themselves at Baltimore, where,

* Little ought to be calculated on the devastations which Bonaparte has rapaciously made on the Peninsula, among the religious orders and establishments.

conformably to their profession, they engaged themselves in communicating religious and literary information. In the beginning, their labours were confined to the instruction of young men destined for the Church; but the candidates for priesthood being few in that country, they afterwards admitted respectable persons of every description to the participation of the advantages afforded by their institution. Such as profess the Catholic communion are regularly instructed in the doctrines and practices peculiar to their Church; whilst the Protestants are merely obliged to attend the places of worship to which they respectively belong. By this impartial and equitable line of conduct, proper discipline, and a strict attention to their professional duties, they have founded one of the most respectable literary establishments of the present day. Their course of education is not limited to the study of Greek and Latin literature, philosophy, and different branches of the mathematics; it comprehends also the liberal and ornamental arts; such as drawing, music, botany, natural history, and the living languages. Besides these advantages, that may be considered as purely local and academical, the benefits of this college are extended to the whole country. The inhabitants of Baltimore and its vicinity are particularly benefited by the residence of these worthy ecclesiastics; for notwithstanding their principal occupation consists in the discharge of their professional duties, they do not neglect the culti

vation of those arts which are subservient to the comforts of life. They have a large portion of land sufficient to furnish their numerous community with abundance of fruit and vegetables of every kind; and they have naturalized many exotics; indeed, a great number of the productions of the West India Islands, and that without any shelter or artificial heat. In their green and hot houses they raise such plants as cannot thrive in the open air, for the purpose of botanical improvement, and the benefit of the curious. They have also erected an elegant little church, in the most ancient style of architecture. Thus they contribute to diffuse a taste for the fine arts in that country; at the same time that the labouring and industrious parts of the community are benefited by finding employment under them.

Against such establishments as we have been endeavouring to characterize, were the efforts of the early Reformers principally directed. With a zeal not always guided by knowledge or prudence, they levelled all distinctions: a monk became only another word for deceit, superstition, or wickedness; and those who had long found it difficult to observe the rigid vows which

"Quien dice Frayle dice Fraude."-He who says Friar says Fraud-is a punning proverb used to this day among Spaniards.