the Papacy; and the Papacy identifies herself with them in her official documents, and she enforces the maintenance of the principles of these usurpations by the solemn oaths which she imposes upon all the Bishops of the Roman Catholic world."

My friend sent me copies of the Lent Pastorals lately put forth by many Italian Bishops; and he specially commended that of the Bishop of Lucca, who, he said, stood high for his literary attainments. It has been severely criticized by Padre Passaglia, in his Mediatore (5th April, 1862). On the other side, Passaglia and the many thousand priests who are associated with him in his protest against the temporal sovereignty of the Pope, are denounced by the Archbishop of Spoleto, in his Quaresimal, in the most vehement language, of which the following is a specimen :-" Chi non sa oggimai che, inchinando ipocritamente il Pontefice, vuole strapparglisi dalla fronte l'augusta tiara, farne un suddito, maneggiarlo a talento, e sottoporne l'azione al loro arbitrio, e alla loro influenza? E chi è finalmente che possa ignorare, che a causa si empia e diabolica

tiene bordone una microscopica parte di superbi e sciagurati ecclesiastici, valendosi di quel carattere di cui furono insigniti dalla bontà di Dio, a decoro e gloria della sua Chiesa, per combatterla più efficacemente e prostrarla sul suolo avvilita, e coprirla di squallore?"

And yet we are sometimes assured that the Church of Rome is perfectly united; and she allures many to her communion by a promise of peace!

The same Archbishop exhorts the people of his Diocese to resort to the Blessed Virgin for aid, in these times of religious division; and he assures them that them that "the arm of Mary will lay prostrate the enemies of the Church."

These Pastorals are important documents as coming from the Bishops of Italy at a time which, as they all allow and affirm, is very critical for the Church of Rome. Indeed, the present juncture is the most eventful one for the Church of Italy, since the time of the Council of Trent. I have before me the Episcopal Charge of the Bishop of Guastalla, who says that "inasmuch as the Pope has

declared that the spiritual and temporal power of the Papacy are not to be separated, all efforts to separate them are schismatical." The Bishop of Montalcino condemns all the attempts of the religious reformers of Italy; and he also grounds his hopes of the final triumphs of the Papacy on the "intercession of the Blessed Virgin, who is reigning in heaven, clothed in light more brilliant than the sun, honoured by angels, venerated by an immense multitude of virtuous Italians, who commend themselves with confidence to her." Here also are the Charges of the Archbishops of Pisa and Florence, and the Bishops of Narni, and of Orvieto and Perugia, and Cefalù in Sicily. The language of all these Manifestos betokens much uneasiness; much alarm at the prospect of Reforms, or (as they call them) Revolutions in the Church; and implicit devotion to the Pope, both as a temporal and spiritual Ruler.

The Bishop of Cefalù supplies some particulars concerning the Indulgences given by the present Pope to encourage the erection and endowment of a Roman Catholic Church

in London; and states that 200,000 francs have been already raised for it, and informs his Clergy that he has been desired to give orders that Collections should be made for it in his Diocese.

What would the Pope say of a similar subscription, set on foot by English Bishops, for an English Church at Rome?

CHAPTER XII.

FLORENCE (continued).

Sunday, June 1.-Went to the English Church, Via Maglio, at eleven A.M., and halfpast three P.M.

The city was illuminated to-day, being the "Festa dello Statuto." The Piazza dell' Indipendenza was the centre of the gaiety. There was little creative invention in the arrangement of the lamps; no devices; not even any mottoes; not much enthusiasm or joy in the look of the people; indeed this is a time of anxiety and suspense. Tuscany has lost its ancient nationality; and the Kingdom of Italy is not yet constituted. It has no capital. It is a body without a head. In this state of uncertainty, Commerce and Trade suffer. No one can tell what will come next.

I went to the Duomo; only a small congregation there, even at ten in the morning.