TRUE RELIGION THE SUREST BASIS OF
NATIONAL PROSPERITY.

The peace and prosperity of a country is best secured by the stability of its Administration, the wisdom, mildness, and efficiency of its laws. To all this, nothing conduces so much as true religion. It imparts to the affairs of men and nations, a power, harmony, and consistency, which nothing else can bestow. It teaches reliance upon the Supreme Being, in those critical junctures, when no other arm can be relied on, and that firm attachment to His cause will draw down His blessing.

It was on this principle our ancestors proceeded, and were prospered in their opposition to Popery. Neither domestic intrigues; nor foreign invasion; nor the sophistries of Jesuitism; nor the fire of persecution, led them to abandon the Ark of Truth. They relied on One who could control the noise of the waves-the fury of the people-and turn the hearts of kings and princes as seemed best to his unerring wisdom. The statesmen of that day were religious men the theologians of that day were men of piety and prayer.

Weak in themselves, they were strong in the strength of a good cause, and the strength of Him in whose cause they were engaged; they went on conquering, and to conquer, and had their successors pursued a similar course,-had they continued the use of spiritual weapons, instead of adopting a carnal weapon, to promote their warfare,-the position of our own country, and the Reformation throughout Europe, would have been very different to what it now is.

Published on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

[PRICE 3d.

re

of Government to pass into the hands of those sary connexion, according to Romish doctrine,
foreign ecclesiastics who would in short process of between the payment of money and the office to
time lay prostrate all our institutions and make be performed by the priest. Some years ago, when
our own country as degraded, powerless, and super- I was settled in a country town as Curate of the
stitious as their own. On our side is the light of parish, a man and his wife died of fever, in great
truth, on their side is the cloud of darkness. On poverty, and leaving a large family behind them.
A collection was
their side the impure and false corruptions of tra-
made, and committed to
On our side all that is pure in tradition,
dition.
the charge of a Protestant gentleman
and the sure word of prophecy and Scripture. siding in the town, for the benefit of
Therefore, though we believe the contest approach-
One of them called on him,
ing, though the cloud seems daily thickening around
us, though for a while the cause of truth-deserted
or betrayed-by the apathy or treachery-not to
say by the apostasy-of those who called themselves
her children, and professed to be teachers of her
doctrines, yet the end is sure, and the triumph will
be with the truth.

Yes, reply many, it will. But ask, with jesting
Pilate, What is truth?

We reply, God's word is truth. If asked by the
Romanist what that word is, and where to be found,
our reply is also ready. It is to be found where
the religion of the Protestant is to be found, and
that of Popery is not to be found. It is to be found
in the written word of inspired truth, unalloyed by
tradition, and words which darken counsel without
knowledge.

The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the religion of Protestants. So that our politics and theology must alike conform, if we would have an abiding blessing from above resting on the Church and nation to which we belong.

The policy of the statesmen of the time of Queen
Elizabeth and of Queen Victoria contrast most STATE PAYMENT OF ROMAN CATHOLIC
strikingly with one another.

- Opposing Popery, we became strong, united, and prosperous; yielding to Popery, we have become weak and distracted; whilst storms and clouds have descended, and still rest upon our domestic and commercial policy, which may ere long burst with terrific fury, and dissipate in a moment our national wealth, prosperity, and greatness.

Let not this be thought the vain language of empty declamation, Vox et præterea nihil. No. The voice of history speaks to us from the past: facts in the present day address us, and urge us by love to our country, by the reverence in which we hold the martyred dead, and by the ties of religion, to pause-to meditate-that we may not give the future historian cause to write of us, that we exchanged liberty for slavery-religion for superstition-Scripture for tradition; and suffered the reins

PRIESTS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PROTESTANT ELECTOR.

Dublin, September, 1847.

Sir, I have read many most interesting articles, editorial and otherwise, in your valuable periodical, clearly establishing the sinfulness of a State provision for the propagation of error. To every person who knows and values the truth, the subject can present but one correct view, nor can the most powerful arguments which expediency could suggest, justify an act, involving in it a surrender of principle. But the fact seems to have been forgotten by advocates of the measure, that, while the seculars are to be pensioners of the State, the regulars are to remain in statu quo, and to trust to the Voluntary principle for support. Now, it is well known that in Ireland a "friar's mass" is more highly estimated by the lower orders than that of a secular priest. Besides, there is a neces

the children.

and asked him for a few shillings. On being
interrogated, she replied, that she wanted the
money to pay the priest for saying a mass for the
"Go tell the
soul of her father and mother.
priest," said he in reply, "that a collection has
been made, and surely he will not ask for pay-
ment." "No," said the little girl, "he may give
the benefit of the mass to any person he pleases,
if not paid for !"

This is an illustration of what I wish to convey,
and the priests are too wise in their generation to
surrender an inch of the vantage ground they have
held for so long a period. The argumentum ad
crumenam is one with which they are very familiar,
and the system is so deeply dyed with the leaven
of covetousness, that we might as well attempt to
divert the sun from its course as to expect that the
quid pro quo would be given up. Let the State
pension be ever so liberal, the people will still be
mulcted, and not all the ingenuity of man will be
able to put a stop to the merchandise of souls which
is interwoven with the very doctrines of Romanism.
The Gospel alone, brought home with power to
'the heart, can effect this object.

CLERICUS.

ENGLAND AND THE POPE.

(From the Hampshire Guardian, Sept. 15.)
the common refuge of the outcast, and the friend
England is proverbially the asylum of the world
of the distressed, the resource of the weak and
the avenger of the wronged, in every quarter of the
globe. Sufficiently great in power to be independent
in her course of action, she can, and generally does,
exert that power only to vindicate the rights of op-
pressed humanity, wherever they are encroached
disement she has no temptation to seek, as she is
upon by the haughty head of tyranny. Self-aggran-
already so vast and unwieldy in the wide spread
extent of her empire, as to render any fresh accession
of dominion a dangerous encumbrance rather than a
convenience. When she interposes her mighty arm,
it is either to curb rapacity or to repress insolence.
of empire require to be poised with an even hand,
Her mediation is always called in when the scales
and the balance of power, for the mutual safety and
peace of nations, steadily maintained. In short, it
is her high prerogative

To rule mankind, and bid the world obey,
Disposing peace and war her own majestic way.

NEWS

PROTEST

ELECTOR

1615.

A. I am; and I published that work in the year Q. Will you refer to it, and state what you have written with respect to sanctuaries or places of refuge in England, possessing the privilege of giving shelter to criminals, and connived at or sanctioned by the prisoner at the bar ?

A. In that section of my work, which treats of the county of Sussex, I find the following passage in reference to Battle Abbey:-" King William (the Conqueror) granted many privileges to this abbey, and among others, to use the very words of the charter-if any thief or murderer, or person guilty of any other crime, fly for fear of death and come to this church, let him have no harm but be freely dismissed. Be it lawful also for the abbot of the same church to deliver from the gallows any thief or robber whatsoever, if he chance to come by at the execution."

Q. Have you any farther information to give on this subject?

A. Yes. In that section of the work, written by me, which treats of the county of York, I find the following passage in reference to Beverley :-" The memory of John de Beverley, Archbishop of York, has been so sacred among our kings (particularly Athelstan, who honoured him as his guardian saint, after he had defeated the Danes), that they have endowed this place with many considerable immunities. They granted it the privilege of a sanctuary, that it should be an inviolable protection to all bankrupts, and those suspected of capital crimes. Within it stood a chair, made of stone, with this inscription:" Hæc sedes lapidea FREEDSTOOL dicitur, i.e., Pacis cathedra, ad quam reus fugiendo perveniens omnimodum habet securitatem." This stone seat is called freedstool, i.e., the chair of peace, to which what criminal soever flies shall have fall protection." I have also reason to believe that the privilege of sanctuary (a) was granted to Croyland Abbey, in Lincolnshire, by Withluff, King of Mercia, in the year 833, in return for special services rendered him by the abbot, an officer of the prisoner at the bar.

J. Jeweller, and B. Beadmaker, gave a similar testi- | she did in olden times, and exterminate all who
will not bow the knee to the golden image she has
mony.
R. Robemaker said, that he had received many set up. She dare not appear in her proper colours
thousand orders from the prisoner, for whom he in any country where she does not hold a supre
always had the highest respect, and of whose cha-macy, and therefore she sees the necessity of dis-
racter he never had the slightest suspicion; that he guise. She wears a mask, and under this assumed
had made various sorts of robes for his cardinals, character she so "deceives the nations" that many
are impressed with the idea, that the asperities of
archbishops, bishops, monks, nuns, &c.
Popery are softened down-its absurdities decried-
its bitter spirit, and its dangerous tenets, dis
avowed. Her policy may be illustrated by the man
in the fable, who only asked of the trees of the
wood a handle for his hatchet. The request wa
so moderate that they thought it would be unrea-
sonable to deny him; but no sooner
was this
granted than he presently fell to work, and the
noblest oaks of the forest were levelled beneath his
repeated strokes.
(To be continued.)

Mr. Half-Protestant said, that he never knew any
harm of the prisoner; that he was always of opinion
that more was said to his prejudice than was true
that he had a high respect for several of the wit-
nesses, such as Luthe" and others, but he did not
see any reason why they should have separated
from the prisoner or have differed from him on
points on which there ought to have been no dispute;
that their testimony was therefore, in his judgment,
very suspicious, and that their evidence ought to be
received cum grano salis.

Mr. Historical Truth sworn, and re-examined.
Q. You have heard of the Jews of Ancona in the
Papal States ?

A. I have.

Q. Did not the Grand Inquisitor Fra. Vinc.
Salina, on the 24th June, 1813, issue from the
Chancellory of the Holy Inquisition, at Ancɔna, a
very severe edict against them ? (b)
A. He did.

Q. Did not an order emanate from Rome, sus-
pending the execution of that edict?
A. Yes.

Q. And was it not owing entirely to an act of
grace on the part of the prisoner, that the suspen-
sion took place?
A. Yes.

Cross-examined.

Q. Do you take copious notes of passing events, and preserve a daily record of transactions, involving the temporal and eternal interests of nations

and individuals?

A. I do. Not a day passes that I do not note down the words and actions of men; and although words often vanish with the breath that utters them, and actions are soon forgotten, yet they become matters of record with me, and are laid up as books of reference for the information of future generations.

Q. You have stated that the prisoner suspended the operation of an edict issued against the Jews at Ancona; do you mean to assert, when you use the word suspension, that the edict is repealed or revoked?

A. No.

Q. Are you aware, that severe laws are still in force, which have emanated from the prisoner at the bar, and directed against the Jews residing in the Papal States ?

BELGIUM.-There is no country on the Continent of Europe where the religion of Rome is exhibited in a more gross and demoralizing form than in Belgium; in witnessing the superstitious practices of its rural population, and the grotesque processions which parade the streets of its cities, the Christian spectator becomes, like Paul at Athens, vexed in spirit, when he saw the whole city given to idolatry. A single example may suffice to show the religious degradation of the Belgian peasantry. There is a legendary story at the village of Walcourt which relates, that one day when the patron saint, St. George, was passing under a certain tree, the Virgin Mary appeared to him in the foliage, and let herself In memory of this act gently down into his arms.

the people of the place and surrounding district are
assembled every Trinity Sunday: thousands of de-
votees come together on that day; a tree is erected
for the occasion, and upon this tree is suspended a
large wooden female figure, which they call the
Virgin, and this image is adjusted with a string and
pulley so that it can be let down or raised at plea-
sure. At a given moment a Chevalier in the costume
of St. George passes under the tree, and the hideous
figure falls into his arms; he carries it off in
triumph, as the legend says St. George carried off
the Virgin, and then the multitude rushes upon the
tree, knocks it down, and cuts it in pieces; each one
carries home a fragment, which is devoutly depo
Evangelical Society having to carry on its work in
The Belgian
attracting the Divine benediction.
the midst of a population so deeply immersed in su-

prosecution, and Mr. Counsellor Quibble having adThe evidence having closed on the part of the allusion has been made, was "to revive the full sited in his house for driving away misfortunes and dressed a very Jesuitical speech to the jury in defence of the prisoner,

The following witnesses on behalf of the prisoner were examined :

Mr. Hate Controversy was first examined. He said, that he had some knowledge of the prisoner,

that he thought him a very honest well-meaning man, that he made it a point to have no difference

with him.

A. I am; and the object of the edict, to which observance of the disciplinary laws relating to the Israelites residing within the jurisdiction" of the Inquisitor. Q. Can you inform the Court and jury what treat-perstition, has to contend with difficulties not less than the Christian missionary finds in a heathen ment they receive at Rome, where the prisoner land; nevertheless, by the blessing of God, the resides? stations of Taintignies, Louvain, Genval, Labou

A. There is a place at Rome, called the "Ghetto degli Ebree," (c) where the Jews are obliged to reside, and which is closed at both extremities every night, so that they are shut out from all Thuanus was next examined. He said that he communion with the rest of the city. In a church had written several books; that he took notice of close to it a sermon is preached annually for the the Waldenses and of the Parisian massacre; that conversion of the Jews, at which the inhabitants of to his knowledge the prisoner was at Rome at the the Ghetto are compelled to attend. The wretched time, as he was also in the reign of Queen Mary, streets of the Ghetto serve as a prison rather than and at other times, when he was charged with coma home, and no Christian servant dare pass the mitting crimes in England, Ireland, and other night under the roof of an Israelite, however greatly places. Several other witnesses swore to the same he might need such assistance. (d) effect. On their cross-examination, however, they admitted that his government extended to all these places, and that it was in accordance with his laws and official edicts, that they were put to

death.

Q. You have stated that the prisoner is very much changed, and that his Bulls breathe a different spirit from what they did formerly-aie we to understand by your answer that persecution is at

an end?

verie, and Leers-Fosteau have been maintained;
during the past year the congregations have been
increased by real conversions, and spiritual life has
grown in the hearts of many of the former converts.
At the other three stations of Charleroi the same
progress is reported upon a more extensive scale;
crowds assemble to hear the preaching of the word
Jesuits have used all their efforts to counteract the
effects of the Gospel, but the congregations have
maintained their attitude with calmness and pers
verance, and are at this time in a state of spiritual
improvement. The great movement during the past
year has been in the province of Liege.
chief town where the Central Mission was placed,
the religious impression has extended into the rural

From the

Mr. P. Painter said, that he had known the pri-was-" Appearances are certain in his favour." awakened, and a memorial from Nessonvaux,

soner for many centuries, that he had painted many pictures for him, and that he had always paid him honestly.

C. Carpenter, B. Bricklayer, P. Plasterer, P. Plumber, C. Carver, and M. Music, gave the prisoner

a most excellent character.

Demetrius Silversmith said, that he had made more shrines, by order of the prisoner, than were ever made for Diana of the Ephesians, and that he always thought the prisoner a most useful man.

A. Far from it. You will observe that my reply When Popery has not the ascen. ancy, persecution is seldom openly exercised, but where it has, it per

bear

districts. In Nessonvaux, at Grivegnèe, at Ans, and other places, a remarkable spirit of inquiry has been ing sixty signatures, has been forwarded to the Committee at Bruxelles, requesting that an Evan

gelical pastor might be sent to that commune.

TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE POPE.-The

secutes with all its heart. In Protestant countries
acts of oppression are not so apparent or so tan-
gible. My experience, as an historian, is, that the
policy of Rome is to appear better than she is, and
by lulling Protestants to sleep, gradually to accom-
plish her ambitious purposes.
When once she
gains an ascendancy, then her real character will
appear, she will wield the sword of persecution, as | Sept, 16.

Allgemeine Prussische Zeitung of the 8th inst. confirms the report of the conclusion of a treaty between Russia and the Holy See. The Russian Plenipotentiary, M. Von Bludow, having accomplished his commission, has returned to St. Petersburg.—Times,

ITALY.

We find in the Débats the following additional details relative to the insurrectionary movement in Italy:"A combined attempt at insurrection has broken out simultaneously at Reggio and Messina to the cries of 'Long live the Constititation!' but these attempts were repressed. A letter which we received to-day from Naples, dated the 5th, announces that the steamer Polypheme, which arrived on the evening of the 3d in that town, had brought some particulars respecting these attempts, of which the Neapolitan Government had been previously informed by telegraph. The authorities and the troops who were on the spot sufficed to re-establish order. The 3d and 4th Regiments of the line had marched without hesitation against the insurgents, although Colonel Busacca, of the 3d, had been struck by two balls. According to what the Neapolitan Government caused to be published in the evening of the 4th, in an extraordinary supplement of the official journal, the affair had no gravity. The Intendant of Messina announced that only four persons had been killed; but it was announced at Leghorn that 300 persons had perished in the engagement. After having reassured the popula. tion of Naples by the publication of the supplement, the King of the Two Sicilies caused two battalions of the 6th Regimen of the line, which were at Capua, as well as the & Regiment of the line and a battalion of sappers and miners, which were in the capital, to be immediately embarked in five of the Government steam-vessels. General Nuntiante took the command of these troops, and received orders to throw two battalions into Reggio, and afterwards proceed to Monteleone with the three others. The following are the terms in which the Neapolitan Government has announced the disturbances:-' We announce, assuredly to the general satisfaction, that Messina and Reggio (where public tranquillity has been troubled by the act of a mob of malevolent persons), have, thanks to the bravery and excellent spirit of the Royal troops, returned to a state of perfect calm. We give this simple notice this evening, the journal of this day being already published.'"

The organization of the civic guard, at Rome, appears to be actively proceeded with. The General in command has just published an order of the day, declaring that, having had the honour of receiving an autograph letter from the Pope, he hastens to publish it," in order," he says, "that the corps may be acquainted with the supreme kindness of the Holy Father towards it, and may do all it can to conform to the wishes of his Holiness." The following is the Pope's letter:

"Gratified by the spirit with which the civic guard is animated, and grateful towards those who, with so much zeal, have directed its organisation, I desire that on the established days of fête the exercise shall not commence before twelve o'clock (after Divine service). The object of this salutary measure will be understood, and for its execution I rely upon that good-will which directs us all."

The Piceno, of Ancona, gives the following as part of the letter written by the King of Sardinia to the Pope, offering him support. The latter portion of the extract is of such a nature as to throw a doubt over, the whole :

"As a king and an obedient son of the Holy See, I acknowledge that we are bound by the same ties as father and son. I highly disapprove of the conduct of Austria, and place at the disposal of your Holiness the whole of the forces of my kingdom. At the same time, I have directed some of my troops to march upon that part of Italy which is in the possession of the Emperor, with orders not to return till after the Austrians have evacuated the Pontifical States."

A letter from Leghorn of the 6th says:"After the manifestation which took place on the 4th the agitation went on increasing. All affairs were suspended; the people were continually in the streets executing military promenades to the beat of drum. The troops quitted their flags, took the cockade of the three Italian colours, and fraternized with the people. The inhabitants of Pisa proceeded en masse to Leghorn, and the two populations united. Te Deum was chanted, and the clergy blessed the national flag from the cathedral, before an immense crowd of people, kneeling down. Professor Montanelli, of Pisa, delivered an energetic On this occasion

prosperous and happy, but the cheers were astound. ing for 'Charles Albert, King of Italy. At Leghorn there occurred an extraordinary and unlooked for event, namely, the fraternization of the people of Pisa with those of Leghorn. United, they marched to the great square of the cathedral, with the mass of the clergy at their head, while other ecclesiastics, mounting to the tower of the church, blessed thence the national flag and the multitude, every man of whom fell upon his knees to receive the benediction. At Turin, however, there took place the most important demonstration of all. The King having reviewed the garrison, and having placed himself (in the usual way) at a particular point, the troops de. filed before him. On passing His Majesty, one regiment, the Riflemen of the Alps, added to the usual cry of Long live the King,' these emphatic and significant words,- Long live Pius IX.-Long live Italy,' which was taken up and echoed by every regiment on the ground. Our letter from Rome of the 8th instant states that a grand fête, in commemoration of the amnesty, took place that day in that city. The Pope reviewed 2,000 National Guards, and the utmost joy prevailed.

speech, which had great effect on the auditory. He
said that they must prepare themselves for resist-
ance, for attack, and for the conquest of Italian in-
dependence by arms. The Committee, which was
charged by the people to prepare the grand fête of
the 8th, had drawn up a programme, which was
scrupulously executed. All the parishes of the city
and the adjacent country assembled, and marched in
procession, with the clergy at their head. A Te
Deum was again chanted in honour of the Pope and
of the Grand Duke. A statue of the latter was un-
covered. amidst the acclamations of the crowd, and
very animated speeches were delivered. An order
of the day prescribed to all the people to take the
tricoloured cockade, to which were joined the
colours of the Pope, and the Italian flag was dis-
played. Greater enthusiasm was never seen. No
one, however, can say what may be the conse-
quences of that political demonstration. The leader
of this movement began to be uneasy with respect to
the moment at which it would be necessary to
disperse these masses of people who had quitted
their work. In the meantime a rendezvous was
given to the people for Monday, the 12th September,
under the windows of the Palace Pitti. The rail- "It will hence be seen,' says our Paris letter,
ways will serve for the conveyance of an innumer-that the anticipation of stirring events in Italy, on
able crowd. The programme of this new demon- the 8th instant, was fully borne out, but, happily, the
stration had not been drawn up, but there was a talk apprehensions entertained of bloodshed and conflict
of demanding the unlimited liberty of the press, ard on the occasion were not justified. The hoisting of
of proclaiming a constitution."
the national flag, the assumption of the national
cockade, and the idea of a "King of Italy," which
was expressed on two distinct points, although not
referring to the same person, suggest, however, the
most serious reflections. It is important, moreover,
to observe, that the national tricolour (green, red,
and white) was everywhere surmounted by the
colours of the Pope, as if the people would declare,
"Italy, one and indivisible-thanks to the benign
influence of Pius IX.!"'

A letter from Milan, of the 9th inst., in the Consiivilonnel, says:

"It is impossible,' continues our correspondent, to imagine where all this will end. It is quite clear that Austria will either recede or be attacked. If she recede she will lose reputation and influence. If she resist, a general rising may be expected in Italy.'

"After thirty-three years of peace and tranquillity, Milan has at length had its agitation. The following are some details of a disturbance which took place bere last night. illuminations The popular fêtes and for the reception of the new Archbishop, Monseigneur Romilli, could not take place on the 5th, on account of the badness of the weather, and were put off till yesterday. The people assembled in the Piazza Fontana, crying Long live Romilli! Long live Pius IX!' when suddenly between 500 and 600 persons came from the Porta Tessine in martial order, shouting-Italy for ever?' and singing in loud chorus Rossini's hymn, to Pius IX. The police immediately sent a company of mounted gendarmes to disperse the thousands of people gathered in the square, and no one can depict the scene of confusion that ensued. The 500 or 600 of the populace kept their ground, and resisted the armed force, shouting Down with the police! Down with the Austrians! The riot soon became so serious that the new archbishop went down into the square, accompanied by rades. The rioters removed from the square, but reM. Greppi, also addressing them as friends and comassembled in another place. All the patrols of the police and the troops were assailed, disarmed, and insulted, having their faces spit upon, amidst cries of Down with the Germans!' There was also another movement in the Campo Santo, and in the twinkling of an eye, the policemen, gendarmes, and troops were compelled to give way to the superior "The army, says the Moniteur, has experiforce of the populace. At a later hour further rein-enced a painful loss. The Marshal Duke de Reggio, was nearly restored. But we apprehend there will o'clock, p.m.' forcements came up, and by four in the morning order Governor of the Invalids, died on Monday at six be renewed disturbances this evening."

(From the Times.)

"The affairs of Italy have assumed the first place
Paris press.
in the consideration of the Paris public, as of the
press the Paris journals of Tuesday. They are filled
We have received by our ordinary ex-
with interesting matter on the actual situation of
Italy. Strange to say, these papers contain nothing
new respecting Spain, and for the first time during
many weeks our Madrid correspondence has failed
to reach us.

be in movement.
"All Italy, from north to south, may be said to
In Piedmont and throughout the
Peninsula, in fact, the festival of Our Lady of the
Grotto had been made the occasion for a demonstra-
tion in favour of Liberal ideas and of homage to the
Pope, and with an amount of enthusiasm to describe
which the Journal des Dévais declares it to be im-
possible to find words. Even at Lucca, where the
Duke and the Prince had for a moment been un-
popular, the tide of opinion had changed because of
the concessions made to public feeling, and the
people cried out-The Duke Charles Louis, King
of Italy, for ever!'

"At Genoa, more calmness, but not less enthu-
National Guard were heard, for the Genoese are
siasm was displayed. No cries for reform, nor for a

"The Paris journals and our private letters contain the details of the christening of the infant son of the Duke and Duchess d'Aumale, at St. Cloud, on Monday last. On the preceding evening the prin cipal members of the corps diplomatique and their ladies, including the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby, and Lord and Lady William Hervey, arrived to compliment the King and Royal Family on the event. The Duke and Duchess de Nemours arrived at four o'clock on the following morning, and left in the evening for Compiègne. The Duke acted as sponsor, representing the Duke de Salerno, to the infant Duke de Guise.

"It is now definitively settled that the King will not go to Compiègne. His Majesty will, about the 28th inst., proceed to La Ferte Vedam, where he possesses much property.

"The Constitionnel announces the arrival of the two new French Cardinals, MM. Giraud and Dupont, Archbishops of Cambrai and Bourges, at Rome on the 6th instant. They were to have an audience of the Pope on the 10th.

POPULATION OF PRUSSIA. According to the last official census of Prussia, it had an entire popule tion of 15,800,000 souls, of whom 9,000,000 were Protestants, 5,800,000 were Catholics, 196,000 Jews, 14,500 Mennonites, and 1,300 Greeks. The Prussian army numbers 115,900 men, of whom 14,950 are of the Royal Guard.

DISSOLUTION OF THE LEEDS, WAKEFIELD, AND MIDLAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY.-A meeting of the shareholders in this undertaking was held at the Court-house, Wakefield, on Thursday last, when a Motion for its dissolution was carried unanimiously.

DECAY OF LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.-Two of the largest of these establishments in the metropolis,-the Western Literary Institution, Leicestersquare, and the Eastern, in the Hackney-road, have been broken up during the past week, and their extensive libraries, museums, and collections of auction. philosophical apparatus, are to be sold by public

CURSING BY BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE.

WHAT WILL POPERY ATTEMPT IF IN
POWER?

(From the Britannia.)

What objects could Popery attempt if it were in power in England? We answer that question in the fairest imaginable way, by showing what it attempted even when it had little more than a hope of destroying the ascendancy of Protestantism in England.

to the people how they were to behave to these men
after their excommunication. The Court-Did he
He had the book in his
read out of the book?
hand, but he was not looking at the book at the time
be said it; but I supposed that he had read the
book. The Court-What did he say? He said that
they were to hold no communication with these men.
Charles M'Loughlin, Hogh
Mr. Joy-What men?
Sheils, John May, John Donaghan, and John
On the accession of James II., Popery, though
M'Intosh. Did he say anything more? He said
that they were not to salute them if they met them abhorred by the people, dreaded by the nobility, and
on the road; he said that they were not to eat at resisted by the bishops and clergy, yet even in the
one table with them; he said, if they were coming commencement of a feeble and tottering reign, at-
in while he was celebrating mass, that he be'et to tempted and effected the following objects :-
The British army in Ireland was put under the
quit it until they went out. He then took the bell in
his hand, and he said, 'The curse of God, and the command of a violent Papist, Tyrconnel, and the
cuise of Jesus Christ will pursue these mer, or ai-officers largely replaced by Papists, under his dic-
tend them.' He extinguished the two candles that
An order was issued that mass should be said in
were on each side of the altar. Now, Butler, will
you state to his Lordship and the jury, whether the
people of the patish have kept intercourse with
M'Loughlin as before? They did not.

tation.

all the fleet.

A Romish priest was introduced into the Privy Council, where all questions of Church and State were the subject of deliberation.

Four Romish bishops, with the title of Vicars Apostolical, were invested with episcopal power. Licences for Jesuit masters in Eton, Westminster, and other great schools, were issued.

As an authentic statement of the mode of cursing "by bell. book, and candle," as it is called, the following will be read with interest. It is an extract from the report of an important case, which was tried at the Carrickfergus Spring Assizes, in 1846. A parish priest denounced from the altar a Roman Catholic miller, who had become a teacher of the Irish Scriptures. He lost his custom in consequence, and his mill became idle. He brought an action against the priest for defamation and slander, and recovered 701. damages with cosis. Notice of appeal was entered, but the appeal was not carried on; and when the excitement produced in the neighbourhood by the trial had in some degree subsided, the priest paid the damages and the costs. The following are the examinations of two witnessees-the one a Protestant, and the other a Papist:"CHARLES COLLINS, examined by Mr. Tomb, Q.C.-Where do you live? In Colfeightcin. Are You a Protestant? I am. Do you know Father Walsh? I do know the gentleman. Do you remember going to the Roman Catholic chapel, on Sunday, the 18th of August, 1814? Yes. Were the congregation assembled in the chape!? They were. Did you see the parish priest, the Rev. Mr. Walsh, there? Yes. Do you remember if his curate was there? He might. I was not well acquainted with him. Was there any other clergyman present? There might have been, or there might not, for me, for I do not know. Was mass celebrated, or any Divine service of any description? There was. After mass did you hear the Rev. Mr. Walsh deliver any address to his congregation? Yes. Was it at the altar? Yes. Do you recollect if there was any woman there before the altar? I could not say, from the part of the chapel where I was placed. What did the priest say of Charles M'Loughlin? He said, for that they had continued teaching, and would not quit, he would excommunicate them. He said that there were different ways, and explained them, but I do not recollect it. He took out a letter that be said he had received from the bishop, and said that he had suffered these people long past the time he had got authority from the bishop to excommunicate them: James in Ireland was for a short period master of he was loth to excommunicate them, still thinking PUBLIC OPINION.-A great deal of attention is the kingdom. He convened a Parliament, which that they would come forward and give satisfaction. was almost wholly Popish, the Protestants not What more did he say? He said, that he would paid to what is termed public opinion; and I think a great deal of attention is due to public opinion. I amounting to a dozen, and they terrified and oversuffer them no longer, and he named four men whom he was going to excommunicate. Do you recollect am not one who would despise it; I am not one of powered. Then began an universal ravage of Protestant property. A succession of furious statutes their names? Yes, I do. There were Charles those who hold in unconcern the opinions which are M'Loughlin, Hugh Sheils, John M'Cay, and Michael held by the majority. But while we pay proper was passed against the lives and possessions of Butler. When he named the men, what more did he regard to public opinion, we must not be slaves to Protestants. In sudden alarm a great number of say? Some people in the congregation prevailed with it. Public opinion must neither be our criterion of the leading Protestants fled to England, and this Public opinion would effort merely to save themselves from the intolerable him not to denounce Michael Butler until next Sab-truth-nor our rule of faith. bath day. What did he say of the other three? He have kept Noah from building the ark, in which insults, robberies, and threats of the Government, himself and family were saved. Public opinion was taken advantage of as a new means of tyranny. named them over again. What did he say of them? would have led Daniel, instead of being cast into A Bill of Attainder was brought in, subjecting to He said, I'll give them, or I give them my curse and God's curse, and any person that would speak to the lions' den, to conform to those things which infamy, to the loss of estate, and to the death of were required of him. Public opinion would have traitors, all men who did not return by a certain day them, or salute them on the road, or eat at the same It seems a refinement in artifice and led the three Jewish children to bow down and named." table, or work in the same field with them. Is that worship the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set wickedness scarcely to be believed, that the publicaall you remember? Yes. He then turned round, and put out the candles. Were these candles on the up, instead of being cast into the fiery furnace. tion of this Act was withheld until the day of prePublic opinion-the fear of public opinion-led tended forbearance was past. But the statement is altar? Yes. Was there any bell rung? Yes; he Peter to deny his Master. Public opinion led the historical. By the result of this atrocious treachery. rung a bell, and closed the book that was lying other ten disciples to forsake him. Public opinion, and cruelty, the property of two thousand five hunopen. Who rung the bell? Himself. And he closed Sir, would have led to all these errors and corrup-dred persons of the highest rank and character was, the book that was lying open on the altar? Yes. Did tions: therefore I contend that neither numbers, confiscated by a dash of the pen! How can we you observe the effect produced on the congregation? I nor antiquity, nor public opinion, are to be regarded wonder at the national dread of placing power in could not say much on that, for I was on one side of as tests in matters of truth. We must act upon a Popish hands once more? the chapel. Did the congregation break up shortly higher, holier principle-that of a pure and exalted after? They did. You say that you are a Protest-faith; we must come to the alone unalterable ant-how came you to be in the chapel? A neigh-standard-the written word of God. It is to that bour of mine came in and asked me to go with him to see it, as a public excommunication would take place that day."

"Mr. NELSON objected to the question. "Mr. HOLMES cross-examined the witness-Will you repeat the names of the persons who were excommunicated? Witness repeated the names of Charles M'Loughlin, Hugh Sheils, John M'Cay, The Archbishopric of York was long held vaJohn Donaghan, and John Mintosh. Did you hear cant, and the appointment was said to be thus deanything about the bishop? Mr. Walsh had a layed for the purpose of giving it to Father Petre. letter, which he said he had go from the bishop. A new Court of Ecclesiastical Commission was Was that before he pronounced the words of ex-formed, whose action would inevitably have been communication? Yes, Sir. That letter from the directed to tyrannize over the clergy and Protestant bishop gave him authority to do this? He people. said so. The privileges of the Universities were violated by the introduction of Papist Professors. Finally, an Ambassador was sent to Rome, and a Papal Nuncio was publicly received by the King.

·

"JOHN BUTLER, examined by Mr. Joy. Do you live in the parish of Culfeightrin? Yes. Have you lived there for many years? Yes. Are you any relative of William Butler, who was examined here to-day? I don't know-we are not of the same family. You know the plaintiff and defendant? I do. Are you one of Mr. Walsh's parishioners? Yes. Do you remember being in Mr. Walsh's chapel on the 18th August, 1844-the year before last? Yes. Was there celebration of mass there that day? Yes. Was Mr. Wa'sh there that day? He was. Do you recollect another clergyman assisting him that day? I do not recollect-I think there was not. Do you remember any address to the congregation? Yes. Will you state, so far as you recollect, what Mr. Walsh said? Yes: he took a book in his hand; he looked at the book; and he stated

"Mr. TOMB. You should produce that authority. "Mr. HOLMES.-Did you know M'Loughlin long before this? I did. You are a Roman Catholic yourself? Yes, I was brought up in that way. Do you not know that it is part of the discipline of your Church for your clergymen to excommunicate persons ia certain cases? I do not know much about these a fairs; I had heard that the like had been done. Did M'Loughlin use to go to chapel? Yes, I've seen him at chapel."

we bow-to that conclusion we come ;-a conclu-
sion to which our ancestors came centuries ago,
when they had braved all those dangers and diffi-
culties, on the very commencement of which we
seem anew to be entering. The conclusion they
came to was-to use the language of Chillingworth
that "the Bible, the Bible alone, is the religion
of Protestants." It was this, Sir, which led Bishop
Barrington to assert, that if the Reformation was
worth establishing, it was worth maintaining; and
it is this which leads us now to reiterate the same
principles, and to call upon all our Protestant
friends alike, as they value all that is holy in faith
and pure in religion, not indeed to persecute the
Roman Catholics, but to take care that Popery
does not gain the ascendancy over them.

We regret to learn that Mr. Alderman
Thompson, M.P., is lying in a bad state of health at
his seat, Underley Hall, Westmoreland.

This was Popery in Eagland, Popery in a mask, still compelled to be cautious to avoid measures of violence, and to consult in some degree the patience of the people.

We now look to Popery in power, Popery when it had thrown away the mask, and, with the breviary in one hand and the sword in the other, enjoyed its longing for unlicensed power.

Mr. Cobden has resigned his seat for West Yorkshire, retaining the representation of Stockport, for which he was at first returned; and Mr. Villiers likewise that of Lancashire, preserving his seat for Wolverhampton. They have both thus acted wisely, as to all certainty they would have been defeated in the counties at future contests.

THE PRELATES IN PARLIAMENT.-The four Irish representative prelates for the session 1847-8, are, the Archbishop of Armagh and Tuam, the Bishop of Killaloe and Clonfert, the Bishop of Kilmore, Ardagh, and Elphin, and the Bishop of Clogher.

NEW FORTIFICATION AT WOOLWICH.-A very strong piece of brickwork and masonry is in progress of construction on the wharf wall of the landing-place at Woolwich Dockyard, on which will be mounted two 68-pounder guns on traversing platforms, and attached to the granite work with pivots. Two 32-pounders are also to be mounted on new works.