PREFACE. THE title-page will have informed the reader that the Tour, of which an account is given in the present publication, was undertaken by the Author for the purpose of observing the state of Religion in Italy. He was disposed to believe, before he set out from England, that the present juncture of Italian affairs may perhaps prove more important to the Church in Italy than any crisis in her history since the days of the Council of Trent in the sixteenth century. That impression was strengthened by his visit to that country. The following pages do not pretend to give any description of pictures, statues, or other interesting objects of Ancient and Modern Art. The Author's design will have been fully accomplished, if they serve to shed any light on the religious condition of Italy; and to render any assistance, however small, to the endeavours of those loyal and disinterested persons in that country, who are labouring to build up and consolidate the fabric of constitutional Monarchy, and of social Order, Prosperity, and Peace, on the foundations of true Religion; and to restore the Church of Italy to the purity, liberty, and vigour, which distinguished her in ancient times. Cloisters, Westminster Abbey, Jan. 3, 1863. TABLE OF CONTENTS. London to Mouscron, 1; Conversation, 1-5; Cologne,-Churches,—— Congregations, 6; Frankfort,-Friburg, 7; Dr. Hirscher on Reformation in the Roman Catholic Church, 7-9; Bâle, 9; Cathedral at Bâle, 10; Altar front, 11; Liturgy of the Reformed Communion at Bâle, 13-18; Council of Bâle, History of, 19; Its importance at the present time, ib.; Primitive Election of FROM BÂLE TO MILAN. Lucerne, 24; Funeral Service, 25; Cemetery,-Monumental inscrip- tions, ib.; Protestant Cemetery, 27; English Chapel, 28; Conver- sation with Swiss Roman Catholic Priest and Professor, 29; Purgatory,-Immaculate Conception,-Protestantism,―Gorham Case, 29-37; Fluellen, 37; Roman Catholic Services, ib.; Influ- ence of Reformation on, 39; Altorf, 40; Sermon at, ib.; Passage of Mount St. Gothard,-Scenery, &c., 41-45; Vineyards, Mul- berries, Cemetery, 46, 47; Bellinzona,-Lago Maggiore, 47; Roman Catholic Priest on Temporal Power, 48; Alpine Scenery,— different opinions on, ib. ; A Peasant's opinions on Italian affairs, 49; Garibaldian attempt against Austria, ib.; Novara, battle of, |