painters, with figures of St. John, Mary Virgin, Mary Magdalene at foot of the cross, &c.; the cross is surmounted by a pelican in her piety, above which are angels holding a crown of vine leaves. The border contains figures of the four evangelists, with their emblems beneath the feet of each; also the Agnus Dei, chalice and wafer, &c., comprised in a rich mosaic, in which are introduced passion flowers, crosses, and emblems of the Trinity. The colouring throughout is rich. In the design generally a severity of feeling, adapted to the devotional character of the subject, has been observed, at the same time with an endeavour to avoid the imperfect drawing of the early artists. The work has been executed by Mr. Wilmhurst, from the The reredos and designs of Mr. N. J. Cottingham, at a limited cost. sacrariam are decorated in polychrome (less successfully than the window), and a large painting of the entombment of our Lord is in progress for the former. The style of the church is "Domestic Greek," so to speak. The strictly correct character of glass for such a building is still a question.Builder.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE SYNOD OF THURLES, of the Irish prelates, held, by injunction of His Holiness, with an unanimity, decorum, and religious majesty, which excites the envy and the malice of our separated brother, has risen after adopting resolutions which have been published in a pamphlet entitled "The Synodical Address of the Fathers of the National Council of Thurles to their beloved Flock, the Catholics of Ireland." In this important document, the Government Colleges are formally condemned in accordance with former rescripts of the Holy Father: "all controversy is now at an end-THE effort QUESTION IS DECIDED:" a resolution is announced to make every to establish a Catholic University: a warning is proclaimed against every College in which "the doctrines and practices of the Church are impugned and the legitimate authority of its pastors set at nought:" an exhortation is made to the clergy to extend spiritual and temporal charitable associations in this time of Ireland's affliction: an encouragement is given to the poor to bear their sufferings and an admonition to those who oppress them : an announcement is made that the half-century jubilee will commence on Michaelmas Day and continue for three months: and a direction is issued to add certain prayers in honour of the Immaculate Conception to the Church services during the ensuing year.

[We would suggest to those Protestants who exclaim against our condemnation of these Colleges, to ask themselves on what principle it is that Catholics and Dissenters are excluded from the University of Oxford. Do not they themselves set us an example to avoid mixed education ?-EDITOR CATH. MAG.]

Archhishop M'Hale and Archbishop Slattery, appointed visitors to the colleges have declined the appointments.

The correspondent of the Freeman, writing from Thurles on Monday week says:- Among the ecclesiastics who arrived to-day was the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Spencer, Provincial of the Passionists, whose appearance, wearing the strict ecclesiastical costume of his order, created no small sensation as the gifted and eminent convert walked through the town to the Monastery. He wore the flowing black serge habit cincture of the order of Passionists, with the symbolic emblems richly embroidered over the left breast, broadleaved hat, turned up at the sides, and laced sandals, without stockings."

The magnificient Church of St. Mary, at Sheffield, was dedicated on Wednesday, the 12th September, by the Right Rev. Dr. Briggs, supported by a large body of the clergy,

Dr. Wiseman arrived at Rome on the 6th September. A report is current that he will return to England again before the Consistory. This is evidently 66 a weak invention of the enemy."-[EDIT. CATH. MAG.]

THE ARCHBISHOP OF PARIS AND THE "UNIVERS."-The Archbishop has just issued a Pastoral letter, in which he publishes a decree passed by the Provincial Council of Paris last year regarding writers on ecclesiastical subjects. He remarks at great length, and in very stringent terms, on the indiscreet discussion of such subjects-proclaims the decree obligatory, and establishes a committee of ecclesiastical writings, threatening those who publish without leave with the censure of the Church. Finally, he publishes an avertissement specially directed to the conduct of the "Univers" in this particular, and condemning that journal for its violent polemics on the late Education Bill, the controversy on the Inquisition, &c. It is a very severe and lengthy castigation. The remarks of the "Univers on the subject are as follows:-"We received yesterday, and this morning was read in all the Churches, a mandement of the Archbishop, followed by an advertisement on the subject of the journal, the "Univers" in which the Archbishop blames with the greatest severity the whole of our conduct, especially in discussing the questions of the councils, education, the Inquisition and miracles.

* It is impossible for us to preserve the character of our journal without violating the prescriptions of the Archbishop. Two ways are open to us immediate submission, or appeal to a higher decision. Transform the "Univers" into a journal purely political, we will not; suppress it, we dare not. Before we abandon the work which we have taken in hand, we must see this work, blamed to-day by an authority which we respect, cease to be lauded and encouraged by other authorities equally respectable. For these and other considerations we carry our cause and our defence to the tribunal of the Sovereign Pontiff." In reply to some remarks of the "Constitutionnel," in which it was said that "this journal ('l'Univers') has already been visited with the rebuke of Rome, on the subject of its polemics and education," (referring to the Papal Nuncio's letter), the "Univers" writes:-"The only news that we have received from Rome on the subject are sufficiently recent, and we could not in our hearts desire them to be more pleasing. A month ago, the Holy Father himself, speaking to the correspondent of the "Univers," whom he had admitted to kiss his feet, condescended to praise our submission, which was one not of form, but from the heart.' These are his own words; and he bestowed upon our friend, in testimony of his satisfaction, a beautiful medal struck in commemoration of his return to Rome."

THE LAST PRIEST TRIED IN ENGLAND FOR SAYING MASS.-In his Lives of the Chief Justices of England, Lord Campbell has recorded how it was that these bloody and infamous persecutions were put an end to. The memory of the manner of their deliverance ought to be preserved by English Catholics: a priest had been arraigned before the Chief Justice for the crime of saying Mass: his charge to the Jury was as follows:-" Lord Mansfield : "There are here two questions for your consideration: 1st. Is the defendant a priest? 2nd. Did he say Mass? By the statute of Queen Elizabeth it is high treason for any man proved to be a Popish priest to breathe in this kingdom. By what was considered a mild enactment in the reign of William III., a Popish priest convicted of exercising his functions is subject to fine and perpetual imprisonment. But, first, he is to be proved to be a priest, for, unless he be a priest, he cannot be touched for the enormity of saying Mass; and then, unless he be proved to have said Mass, the crime of being a priest will escape with impunity. Now the only witness to the Mass is Payne-a very illiterate man, who knows nothing of Latin, the language in which it is said; and, moreover, he as informer, is witness in his own cause; for, upon

conviction, he is entitled to £100 reward. Several others were called, but not one of them would venture to swear that he saw the defendant say Mass. One swore that he sprinkled with holy water; another, that he addressed some prayers to the Virgin Mary in English; another, that he heard him preach, and being asked what the sermon was about, observed that it taught the people that good works were necessary to salvation-a doctrine which he looked upon as wholly at variance with the Protestant religion!' Then as to the defendant being a priest, you are not to infer that because he preached; for laymen often perform this office with us, and a deacon may preach in the Church of Rome. A deacon may be a cardinal,-if he may not be Pope.. A deacon may even administer some of their sacraments, and perform many of their services; and we do not know that he may not elevate the Host -at least I do not know but he may, and I am persuaded you know nothing about it. If a deacon may perform all the ceremonies which Payne swears, there is no evidence that the defendant is a priest. Why do they not call some one who was present at his ordination? You must not infer that he is a priest because he said Mass, and that he said Mass because he is a priest. At the Reformation, they thought it in some measure necessary to pass these penal laws; for then the Pope had great power, and the Jesuits were then a very formidable body. Now the Pope has little power, and it seems to grow less every day. As for the Jesuits, they are now banished from almost every state in Europe. These penal laws were not meant to be enforced except at proper seasons, when there is a necessity for it; or, more properly speaking, they were not meant to be enforced at all, but were merely made in terrorem. Now, when you have considered all these things, you will say if the evidence satisfies you. Take notice, if you bring him in guilty the punishment is very severe; a dreadful punishment indeed! Nothing less than perpetual imprisonment!"

The jury found a verdict of Not Guilty; but many zealous Protestants were much scandalized, and rumours were spread that the Chief Justice was not only a Jacobite but a Papist, and some even asserted that he was a Jesuit in disguise."

Dr. Achilli was exhibiting last week at Macclesfield, under the auspices of the Evangelical Alliance. Not a word about the "Dublin Review," except that it had had " a full answer" from M. Tonua, one of "the Doctor's" deluded patrons.

Monsignor Alemani, Bishop of San Francisco and of all California, who has been in Paris for some days, at the Dominican Convent, left yesterday for Dublin to recruit some Irish priests for the mission amongst the British settlers in California. Monsignor Alemani is a Spaniard, and was provincial of the Dominican Friars in America. The French mission in California is served by friars from Valparaiso and some priests from France.

PRESTON. GUILD PARTY.-On Thursday, the 12th inst., the members of the Youth's Guild attached to St. Wilfrid's, assembled in the Lower School-room, Fox-street, where they were regaled with coffee, buns, tarts, meat, pies, fruits, &c., to the number of one hundred and fifty. Amongst the visitors we noticed the Reyds. Wm. H. Walmsley, Bridge, T. Weston, R. Cooper, T. Clarke, J. J. Bond, and J. Gosford. Also Mr. Howell, Head Master of Fox-street School, and Mr. Spencer, Head Master of St. Ignatius Boys' School, Upper Walker-street, and a few friends, members of the Men's Guild. After the good things provided for them by their respected pastor and chaplain, the Rev. J. Gosford, had received ample justice, the evening was spent most harmoniously in songs and recitations, enlivened by the youth's band in uniform, who played several appropriate airs, that reflected the greatest credit upon themselves and their music

master.

The Archdeacon of Worcester has been accused by the Rev. Lucius Arthur, curate of Oddingley, in a letter addressed to the bishop, with propounding heresy in his primary charge.-Local paper.

THE GORHAM CASE.-Although the Bishop of Exeter does not intend taking immediate proceedings against Mr. Gorham for heresy, it is considered certain that, before many weeks shall have passed, the contest will be revived. The bishop, as we stated last week, has urged upon the churchwardens of Brampford Speke the necessity of informing him of any statements which may be made by Mr. Gorham on the subject of baptism; but as the testimony of village churchwardens might not be of a very weighty character in a court of law, a shorthand writer in London has been engaged to attend Brampton Speke church, and to supply a verbatim report of Mr. Gorham's sermons, especially those preached on reading himself into the benefice, a ceremony which is expected to take place on the 1st Sunday in October.— It is also stated, that the bishop of Exeter has refused to license the appointment of the Rev. George Bellamy to the office of assistant curate, at Charles Chapel, Plymouth, to which he had been appointed, on the ground that Mr. Bellamy holds opinions, on the subject of baptismal regeneration, identical with those of the Rev. Mr. Gorham. Mr. Bellamy officiates at present as chaplain to the borough prison, Plymouth, and a volumnious correspondence is said to have taken place between him and the bishop, the result being a positive refusal on the part of the latter to give the required license.

BIRTHS.

On the 6th September, at Hampstead, MRS. W. W. WARDELL, of a son. On the 6th September, at Westbourne Grove West, MRS. A. A. LACKERSTEEN, of a son.

On the 12th September, at Margate, the wife of J. C. MACDERMOT, Esq., of Tadmarton, Oxfordshire, of a son, stillborn.

MARRIAGES.

On the 4th of July, at Calcutta, at the Catholic Cathedral, by his Grace the Archbishop, the Rev. Dr. Carew, ROBERT LEWIS WILLiam Read, Esq., son of the late Captain James Read, of the Hon. East India Company's Service, to AGNES TESTAR, youngest daughter of the late John Testar, Esq. of South Audley Street, Grosvenor Square, London.

On the 6th September, at the Catholic Chapel, Stratford, by the Rev. Thomas Shattock, of Prior Park College, Bath, ALFRED ZOUCH PALMER, Esq., of Sonning, Berks, to CATHERINE ELIZABETH PITCHFORD, second daughter of the late John Pitchford, Esq., of Bromley, Middlesex

On the 22nd of September, at Hammersmith, by the Right Rev. Dr. Morris, JOHN ALEXANDER, second son of Joseph Spencer, Esq., of Westbourneplace, Hyde-park, to ELIZA ST. AGNES, eldest daughter of the late Captain Washington Carden, H.M.'s 30th Regiment.

DEATHS.

On the 26th of August, at the residence of J. Hall, Esq., Wiseton, Notts, HENRY RIDDELL, Esq., Barrister-at-law, of the Middle Temple, aged 31. On the 31st of August, at Weybridge, Surrey, the Rev. JOHN WELCH, beloved and lamented by all who had the happiness of knowing him.

Lately, at her house, in Ulverston, MISS FRANCES BELASYSE, second paternal niece of the two last Catholic Viscounts Fauconberg.

On the 15th of September, MRS. ELLEN DUNDERDALE, of Bolton-le Moors, Lancashire.

THE CATHOLIC

MAGAZINE AND REGISTER.

No. LXIX.

NOVEMBER, 1850.

VOL. XII.

RELIGION OF LORD BYRON.

IN a letter from Sir Walter Scott, quoted in Moore's Life of Byron, the writer says, "I told him that, if he lived, I thought he would end by becoming a Catholic." These are remarkable words: but, if we carefully study the writings of the noble Poet, we shall find reason to believe that the Scotch Seer truly foretold of the future. Lord Byron's conversion was not far distant when his doubts were cut short and solved by death.

Moore's admirable "NOTICES" made each reader of them feel personally acquainted with Lord Byron: biography can rarely do more. But although these "NOTICES" made us thus acquainted with the writer, they have done it only so far as he was known to himself. Byron was himself ignorant of his own religious opinions-was ignorant of how much or how little he believed. Yet as the religious sentiments of one so situated must ever constitute the most interesting feature in the character of his mind, so it is that one which chiefly attracted the attention of the public, and was studied with an anxiety which still remains unappeased. Let us now seek for information at a different source from that from which the Biographers of the Poet attempted to draw their conclusions.

All the Biographers of Byron have hesitated to decide what were his religious sentiments; all have declared their conviction that he was not an atheist; while fragments of letters and conversations have been brought forward to prove that he was a better Christian than would be deemed from his writings. However interesting such anecdotical fragments may be to the public, and however willingly we would believe in the inferences to which they lead, yet must we protest against them as a mode of argument. It is by his works that an author must be judged. And this is fair: it is more probable that the real sentiments of his mind will be conveyed in those thoughts which he has been. in the habit of committing to paper and of publishing during a course of fifteen years, than in a letter or conversation prompted

VOL. XII.