"the king's head, they should after"wards wear them in their own hat"bands."

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EPITOME OF INTELLIGENCE.

whose states were added to that nation or re-modelled to the views of its rulers. During the period of the war, they were under the rule of va

RESTORATION OF THE BOURBONS AND THE CATHOLIC RELIGION IN FRANCE. After an exile of twentytwo years, the Bourbon family have been recalled to the throne of France,rious forms of government upon a rein the most wonderful manner.- publican principle, but at length one To enter into a detailed history of the of their most fortunate Generals, Nacircumstances which have led to this poleon Buonaparte, succeeded in raispleasing and gratifying era, is more ing himself to an Imperial Throne, as than the space of my Journal will ad- Emperor of the French and King of mit; but I cannot let such astonish- Italy. In this situation he uniformly ing events pass without some notice of conquered the armies of the different the miraculous interference of Provi- Sovereigns of Europe, and saw himself dence in the concluding scene. But successively in possession of the capitals first, it may be necessary to remark, of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Austria, that in 1789, a Revolution broke out Prussia,Saxony, Holland, &c. Nothing, in France, occasioned by the profligacy in short, seemed to stop the progress of and exactions of the Court, and aided his arms, and he reigned as absolute by the impious writings of Atheists master of the destinies of the Contiand Deists, which led to the murder of nental States. England alone braved the virtuous and religious Louis XVI. the fury of his will. But mark the and of his amiable, but unfortunate downfall of this mighty Conqueror. consort, Maria Antoinette; the sub- Impelled by the restless ambition of version of Religion, by the persecution his mind, (his were not legitimate oband proscription of the Catholic priest-jects) he was not content with ruling hood, many of whom suffered a blessed the powers of the earth, but he also martyrdom in their native country, wanted to govern that kingdom which and others were obliged to flee for is not of this world; in other words, safety to a foreign land; and a total he wanted to sway the spiritual suprechange in the habits and manners of macy, which alone belongs to the suc the French people. The churches cessor of St. Peter. But here he met were despoiled of their sacred vessels with a resistance which he had not exand relics, and appropriated to the most perienced before. Not a well disciprofane uses; while the solemn and plined and numerous army, but the consoling rites of religion were suc- firm, unbending, and invincible inteceeded by the most impious and blas-grity of an heroic mind in the person phemous ceremonies. To curb this of the Sovereign Pontiff. The tyrant licentiousness, and to prevent its had before deprived the venerable Fa spreading in their own states, the se- ther of the Patrimony of the Church, veral powers of Europe combined to because he would not declare war reduce the French to obedience, and against England, and he was now imrestore the exiled family to their prisoned and treated with the utmost legitimate authority. But the peo- rigour and inhumanity in order to inple of France, with an enthusiasm duce his Holiness to consent to his worthy of a better cause, rose en modelling the Church according to his masse, and not only drove their in-will-but all was ineffectual. The vaders from their land, but overran holy Father confided in the providence the countries of their enemies, many of of God, and prayer and patience were

Restoration of the Bourbons and the Catholic Religion in France 155

ed the Christian World, be followed by the reign of Charity and Goodwill; and may Religion be cherished, and its pure and upright Ministers protected, by the Sovereigns and the People.To a dereliction from this principle may be ascribed the calamities we have suffered. In France, Portugal, Spain, and Naples, the infidel Ministers of the State, abandoning their duty to God, and abusing the confidence of their Sovereigns, projected the downfall of the Order of JESUITS, the inflexible and efficient supporters of the altar and the throne, and the formidable and avowed enemies of Jansenism and Philosophism. To effect this purpose, a cruel and unnatural persecution was raised against the venerable Fathers, whose lives were devoted by special religious vows to the teaching of youth, preaching the gospel, administering the sacraments, and propagating the faith and discipline of the Catholic Church, and they were expelled from those countries, called Catholic, their colleges, papers, and property seized, without being allowed the opportunity of answering or making defence against any of the multifarious or heinous charges preferred against them. Philosophism having lost its courageous and active opponents in the expulsion of this most holy and learned Order, now gained the ascendancy; and we have beheld those kingdoms overrun by the armies of the French nation(the focus of Philosophism and Jansenism)-the Churches violated, the Thrones overturned, and the Sovereigns murdered or driven into exile, to make way for some upstart usurper. In Russia alone, whose Monarch is a member of the Greek church, has the society been effectually preserved. Russia has ever been inexorable in her refusal to permit the destructive brief to be received, but, on the contrary, has unceasingly persevered in countenancing, encouraging, and supporting the Order; and to Russia has been given the means of stemming the torrent of Revolutionary phrenzy, and taking the lead in restoring to those

the only arms he used against his oppressor. In the mean time the great Napoleon engaged in a war with Russia, whose troops were driven back to the capital of her ancient empire, Moscow. But here the signal vengeance of Almighty God began to make itself manifest in the entire destruction of the French army in the winter of 1812, who perished by famine and the sword. Unawed by this visitation, he raised another army which met with a similar fate in the year succeeding. The combined Powers now entered France, and after various conflicts succeeded in reaching Paris, which was taken by capitulation-and on the 2d of April, 1814, the Senate declared the Throne of France abdicated by Napoleon Buonaparte, and Louis Stanislaus Xavier, brother of the late king, reinstated on it. Thus fell the power of a man, who but a few hours before disposed of the lives of his fellow-creatures at his pleasure, and himself and family consigned to oblivion.-And with him also ended a war of twentytwo years duration, not by pacification but extinction;-it expired like a torch in mephitic air, and exploded like the fire-damp in a mine. A Provisional Government was established immediately in France, until the arrival of the King, who was in this country, the first act of which was to restore the Sovereign Pontiff to his forsituation, and ordering that all honours due to his high situation should be paid to him. The Provisional Government also learning that Cardinal Mathei, Dean of the Sacred College, was detained at Alois, and several other Cardinals in different towns in France, directed them to be set at liberty. Thus by the omnipotent hand of God has Peace been restored to the Church, and happiness it is to be hoped to a suffering world. May the Sovereigns and People of the different States profit by the awful lesson they have received, and never forget the great duty they owe to HIM who rules the universe. May the miseries and distractions which have so long afflict

mer

not my property; they belong to the Church; and I cannot consent to the least cession: as to the rest, tell your Emperor, that if, for my transgressions, I may never more return to Rome, my successor shall enter in triumph, in spite of all the efforts of the French Go

disorganized nations, a legal and legitimate Government. Profiting by these misfortunes, it is hoped they will te the means of restoring to the CathoIc Religion, and to Catholic nations, this exalted society of wise, disinterested and experienced teachers and justify the Emperor, who said he had the evangelists; whose precepts and example have been so conducive to social order, peace, and morality.-EDIT.

The persecution which the Church has suffered, during the dominion of Buonaparte, is sufficiently illustrated by the following decrees of the Provisional Government of France:

The Provisional Government, informed that the seminarists of the diocese of Ghent, in number 236, of whom 40 are deacons or sub-deacons, were conducted to Wezel in August 1813, in order to be placed in the artillery, ordain that they shall be forthwith restored to liberty.

Another order directs the liberation of the members of the Chapter of Tournay, who had been conducted to Cambray, and there detained.

The Provisional Government, informed that a great number of Belgian Priests have been for years confined in different prisons, especially in the castles of Ham, Bouillen, and Pierrechate; that their detention was caused by their refusing to say prayers for Napoleon; that their detention was prolonged, notwithstanding authentic acts of submission, repeated several times-order, that the said Belgian Priests confined in France, shall be immediately set at liberty.

vernment."

M. de Beaumont shewed an inclination to

best intentions. "I depend much more on the Allied Princes than on him," said the Sovereign Pontiff. The Prelate, astonished, desired some explanation of these words."It does not suit me to give an explanation, nor for you to hear it," replied the Head

of the Church. M. de Beaumont then said it was the Emperor's intention that his Holiness should return to Rome. "It must be then with all my Cardinals," said the Sovereign Pontiff. The Bishop said that that could not be at present-that the Emperor had the best intentions; but that circumstances would not allow him to permit the departure of the Cardinals for Rome at the same time. "Then," said Pius VII. "if your Emperor chuses to treat me as a mere Member of the Church (un simple Religieux), I do not forget who I am myself. I want only a voiture to carry me. All that I demand is to be at Rome, to fulfil the functions of my pastoral charge." The Bishop replied, that the Emperor felt what was due to his dignity, and wished to give him an honourable escort; -a Colonel would accompany his Holiness.

66

At least," replied the Pope with dignity, "the Colonel shall not be in my carriage." M. de Beaumont departed, and a Colonel entered the apartment, and said he was commanded to accompany him to Rome. This was Saturday afternoon. The Pope said he would not depart till the next day, after he The following narrative of what pass-claration with so much firmness, that no anhad performed his Mass. He made this deed at Fontainbleau on the 22d and 23d January, 1814, when his Holiness the Pope was sent off from thence, has been transmitted from Paris, and the account is truly interesting.

M. de Beaumont, Bishop of Plaisance, whom Napoleon had named Archbishop of Bourges, was led several times to the Holy Father, to persuade him to agree to some arrangements, All his efforts were in vain.— The Archbishop of Tours, the Bishop of Evreux, and the Cardinal Maury, were also

sent. Pius VII. refused to see the Cardinal. He admitted the other Prelates, and in answer to their pressing solicitations to make some sacrifices, by which he might avert the consequences of a refusal, he said, "Leave me to die worthy of the sufferings I have endured." M. de Beaumont afterwards presented to him in writing the declaration of the Emperor, that he would consent to restore to the Head of the Church a part of his estates, provided that Pius VII. would agree to cede the other. To this, the Holy Father replied, "The domains of Saint Peter are

swer was made; but the Colonel never

quitted the apartment, nor was his Holiness suffered to speak to any person apart.

His Holiness, however, convoked all the Cardinals then at Fontainbleau, to the number of 17, and in the presence of the Colonel prescribed to them three things:

1. Not to wear the decorations which they had received from the Emperor.

2. Not to accept of any treatment or of any pension from the French Government.

3. Not to go to any repast to which they might be invited by the persons attached to the Government.

On Sunday the 23d January, at eleven o'clock, the Holy Father was carried away from Fontainbleau, and slept that night at Orleans. They made him travel under the name of the bishop of Imola. Afterwards the Cardinals were carried away, each by himself, and each conducted by a gens d'arme; and they were not to be told the place of their destination till after they had

On the 31st the Sovereign Pontiff arrived "I recommend to the kindness of your Hoat Bologna, and his Majesty immediately liness all the Roman subjects who have sepaid a visit to his Holiness, who afterwards conded the Neapolitan Administration, espevisited the King. On the 2d of April the cially those to whom I have granted particuPope proceeded to Imola, his ancient Bishop-cular distinctions. They owe them entire