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Leader (1850-1860), 30th November 1850, Edition Town of 1, Page 844

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      torial dominion and sovereign power within the country . If you deny that this country is a fief of Rome , and that the Pontiff has any dominion over it , you deny his power to create a territorial see , and you condemn the late bull as ' sound and fury signifying nothing . * If , on the contrary * you admit his power to raise Westminster into an archbishopric and Beverley into a bishopric , you make over to the Pope a power which , according to the constitution , rests solely with the Queen and her Parliament , and thereby infringe the prerogative of the one , and interfere with the authority of the other . It is impossible to act up to the spirit of the British constitution , and at th « same time to acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Pope

      in local matters . Such is the dilemma in which the lately-published bull places the English Roman Catholic . I am not , however , sufficiently acquainted with their views on the subject , or their intentions respecting it , to give any opinion as to the effect this newly-assumed authority of Rome will have upon their conduct ; but I am inclined to believe that the Tablet and L' Uniyers newspapers speak the sentiments of the zealous portions of the Roman Catholic community , and that they are the real , if not the avowed organs of the priesthood . ' The church of Rome admits of no moderate party among the laity ; moderation in respect to her ordinances is lukewarmness , and the lukewarm she invariably spues out of

      her mouth . You must be with her against all opponents , or you are not of her ; and , therefore , when Rome adopts a measure such as the present , it places the laity in the awkward dilemma I have alluded to . Believing , therefore , that the late bold and clearly-expressed edict of the Court of Rome cannot be received or accepted by English Roman Catholics without a violation of their duties as citizens , I need not add , that I consider the line of conduct now adopted by Lord John Russell as that of a true friend of the British constitution . " Believe me , my dear Lord Zetland , yours very truly , " Beaumont . " To the Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland . "

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      THE POPE AND THE DESPOTS . The Italian journals have lately been making some strange revelations of the shameful way in which the Catholic priests are made to lend their aid to the Austrian Government . Spies enter the confessionals of an unsuspecting clergyman supposed to be of patriotic sentiments ; disclosures of political conspiracies are made ; the fact of such overtures having been made is conveyed to the police by the parties confessing . Should the priest remain silent , he is denounced as privy to the plot ; should he reveal the *• secret" to the authorities , he is dishonoured among his parishioners . The only course for an honest priesthood to take , under these circumstances , would be to join the people at once , and denounce their

      oppressors . Another instance of the way in which the despots use the priests for their vile work is the following circular , which has been addressed to the Bishops of IiOmbardy by Schwarzenberg , Governor of Milan : — " Monsignor , — Although frequently his Excellency Field * Marshal the Governor General , Civil and Military , of these provinces has exhorted the clergy to give up that moral and political aberration which , in the

      confusion of all ideas , is called Liberalism , it is still an ascertained fact that , far from quitting these pernicious principles , a great portion of the priesthood persists therein with stupid wickedness : further , blinding themselves to the consequences of their foolish and sacrilegious conduct , they disseminate incendiary writings subversive of order and the Throne , and , falsifying the precepts of the Church , and prostituting the sacerdotal ministry to factious purposes , they are become instruments of moral and political corruption .

      " What Providence in its goodness intended as an antidote to the convulsive movement of the population has been changed into poison , and under the hypocritical pretext of conciliating Liberty with the Church , Deznocracy with Religion , the only result has been to bring disgrace on the whole priesthood and disturb order and the peace of families . " It is high time for the clergy , ashamed of its past errors and its scandalous behaviour , to confine itself within the strict limit of its ministerial functions , and , instead of being the abject vehicle of social demoralization , preach order and loyalty .

      •* Wherefore , Monsignor , by order of Field-Marshal Count Radetzki , and on your personal responsibility , you are invited to watch your subordinates , that they meddle not with politics , even in the most remote manner , and you are requested to use proper and sure means of information with regard to each in particular . * ' The Lieutenant of Police has instructions to remove instantly from his curacy , or parish , any person guilty of abusing his spiritual powers . 44 Receive , Monsignor , the assurances of my high consideration . •« SCHWAUZENBEttG . "

      The Paris Pressc , in publishing the above document , gives some account of a circular of the same stamp which has been sent to all the Bishops of Poland , by Paskiowtch , governor , the object of which is to make Russian spies of the inferior priesthood , with the full assent of Pio Nono , who seems willing to lend his aid to any despot who can make any uao of it .

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      PRUSSIA AND AUSTRIA . Another week hns passed without bringing any noro dciinitc news from Germany . The prevailing umours are , that Austria will probably yield somerhat , and as parties in the Prussian Chamber are iiich divided , Monteuffol hopes , with the aid of the

      Catholics and the Poles , to have a majority in favour of peace at all hazards . On the other hand it is alleged that Austria will force on a war , if possible , because she is kept a ban krupt , and therefore anxious to do something desperate . The Altona correspondent of the Daily News draws a close parallel between Frederick William in 1850 and Louis Phili ppe in 1830 : — " The northern powers then menaced Franee with an invasion in opposition to the constitutional principle . It was then that Louis Philippe undertook to execute himself the work of reaction in the name of constitutionalism . Odillon Barrot put his trust in a war , and sought to kindle the enthusiasm of the shopkeepers of Paris . Our Louis Philippe is Frederick William : our Odillon Barrot M . Camphausen . the leader of the shopkeepers of Berlin . Compare the speech of the Louis Philippe of the present day with those made by him of 1830 , and you will find the same ideas , the same ends , the same phrases . In both we find —prospericy of the country , augmentation of receipts , affecting allusions to the dead , mention of regicides and anarchists , denunciations of the press , and magnificent hopes of the future . The European spirit which at that day had all Germany against it has conquered Prussia , notwithstanding its court and its Manteuffel . Russia is to-day compelled to make the same efforts against Prussia that it made then against France . I believe he will content himself with seeing Frederick William play the same pacific and reactionary part now as Louis Philippe played then . We shall then see all this bruit of war exchanged for a policy of peace at any price . "

      A telegraphic despatch in the Cologne Gazette of the 26 th , dated Berlin , Nov . 25 , states that according to the Neue Preussiche Zeitung , Austria will guarantee to Prussia her military roads in Hesse , but urges her temporary evacuation of the Electorate , while the same journal has the following extract from a despatch from Berlin of the 24 th instant : — " Prussia is to be allowed to occupy the military road in the Hesse territory till the pacification of Schleswig-Holstein is undertaken by the four powers . "

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      FRENCH NOTIONS ON GERMANY . A debate which took place in the bureaux , on Monday , on the policy to be observed by France regarding the German question , furnishes us with a tolerably accurate notion of the international morality of the French . M . Gustave de Beaumont said he was quite ready to vote the 8 , 000 , 000 f . demanded for the encrease of the army , but at the same time he thought the bureaux should seize the occasion of the bill , presented by the Minister of War , to express the complete approbation of the Assembly for the neutral policy adopted by the President . He was entirely opposed to intervention . The question at present was purely a German one . If Russia interfered the state of things would be altered , and France might then come forward without distrust in Germany . M . Odillon Barrot said the policy of France should compel her to prevent war . It was necessary to the interests of France that Germany should continue a divided state , " that a multiple state should be placed between France and Russia . " M . Mole was strongly in favour of peace . If war should burst forth , he thought the part of France should be " to prevent the war from degenerating into a war of principles , where anarchy might raise its formidable flag . " Most of the speakers appear to have taken the same view of the question . One member had the courage to denounce the system of armed peace which has been followed so long in France , at so ruinous a cost , but he found hardly one to support him . M . de Montalembert was for absolute neutrality at the moment , but if a choice must be made , he would be in favour of Austria : —

      ' * If we must one day draw the sword and resign ourselves to war , I hope and trust that this foreign war will be the same as that we wage internally—the war of order against disorder , and of society against revolution . "

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      PIEDMONT AND ROME . The ceremony of opening the Sardinian Parliament took place with great pomp , at Turin , on the 23 rd instant . All the rank and fashion of Turin assembled at the Senate to witness the proceedings . ^ When the King presented himself he was hailed with the most enthusiastic cheers . The most important part of the royal speech was the following , which relates

      to Home : — * ' The efforts of my Government have not succeeded hitherto in overcoming the difficulties which have arisen with the Court of Rome , in consequence of certain laws which the powers of the State could not refuse to introduce in the new political and legal organization of the country . The rule of our conduct has constantly been the respect we all profess for the Holy See , in conjunction with a firm resolution to uphold the independence of our legislation . Faithful to our duties , and persevering in the exi'rcise of our ri g hts , we hope that time and the happy influence of religion and civilization will enable us to establish that harmony which is one of the first wants of the social state . " This part of the speech was received with loud cheers from the Chambers and the public who had been admitted . The Minister of the Interior then declared the session of 1851 to be opened .

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      THEATRICALS AT KNEBWORTH . We see from the morning papers that Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton has been giving a series of dramatic entertainments at Kneb worth-hall , during last week , aided by the amateur party who have created so great a sensation on the London boards on various occasions . The Daily News says : — Three nights were devoted to the amateur theatricalsthe first to the tenantry and their friends of the respected baronet , and the remaining two to the nobility and gentry connected with the county , nearly 200 visitors being invited to each dramatic representation . A temporary stage and its appliances was erected in the spacious banquetting-hall , having in front tiers of seats arranged for the spectators .

      Among the visitors who participated in the festivities were the Duchess of Bedford , the Marquis of Salisbury , the Earl and Countess of Hardwicke , the Earl and Countess of Verulam , the Countess of Essex and Ladies Capel , Baron and Baroness Dimsdale and Mr . Dimsdale , the Hon . E . Yorke , M . P ., the Hon . W . F . Cowper , M . P ., the Hon . Mr . Capel , the Hon . H . Yorke , the Hon . Mrs . Seymour Bathurst , the Hon . C . Lyon , Lady Salisbury , Sir Minto and Lady Farquhar , Sir Robert and Lady Fitzwygram , Lady F . Villiers , Sir John and Lady Burgoyne , Mr . F . and Lady Rose Greville , Mr . Brand , M . P ., and Hon . Mrs . Brand , Mr . F . Cavendish , Mr . H . Baillie , M . P ., Mr . Rogers , Mr . and Mrs . Dudley Ryder , Sir Thos . Sebright , Mr . and Mrs . Whitbread and Misses Whitbread , Captain Connop , Hon . Mr . West , Mr . Gaussen , Miss Cayler , Mr . Drake , Mr . Ames , Mr . and Mrs . Shelley and Miss Shelley , &c . _ _

      The performances commenced between eight and nine o ' clock , and were Ben Jonson ' s comedy of Every Man in his Humour , Animal Magnetismy and Turning the Tables . The following is the programme : —

      " Every Man in his Humour . Knowell ( an old gentleman ) ... Mr . Delme Radcliffe Edward Knowell ( his son ) ...... Mr . Henry Hawkins Brainwbrm ( the father ' s man ) .. Mr . Mark Lemon . George Downright ( a plain squire ) Mr . Frank Stone . Wellbred ( his half-brother ) Mr . Henry Hale . Kitely ( a merchant ) Mr . JohnForster . Captain Bobadil ( a Paul ' s man ) .. Mr . Charles Dickens Master Stephen ( a country gull ) .. Mr . Douglas Jerrold ,

      Master Mathew ( a town gull ) .... Mr . John Leech . Thomas Cash ( Kitely ' s cashier ) .. Mr . Fred . Dickens . Oliver Cob ( a water bearer ) .. .... Mr . Augustus Egg . Justice Clement ( an old merry ) Hon . E . Yorke . M . P magistrate ) ) Roger Formal ( his clerk ) Mr . Phantom . Dame Kitely ( Kitely ' s wife ) .... Miss Anne Romer . Mistress Bridget ( his sister ) Miss Hogarth . Tim Cob's wife .... Mrs . Mark Lemon .

      The whole of the characters were ably sustained throughout , and when the curtain dropped at the termination of the performances , there followed a round of applause from the audience . The curtain once more rose to present the several dramatis persona , who were most enthusiastically applauded . On the first night , Ben Jonson ' s play was followed by the farce of Animal Magnclism . On the two last nights of diamatic displays , the farce of Turning the Tables was substituted for Animal Magnetism .

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      THE STRIKE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE . "We are sorry to learn that the glaziers employed at

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      THE FRENCH ACADEMY . —A VACANCY . A contest is going on at the present moment in the Academie Franchise which greatly interests the literary world of Paris . Two vacancies have recently taken plaee among the members of that illustrious body—the one , by the death of M . Droz , who was a great man , no doubt , since he was a member of the Academy , but whose best chance of immortality seems to rest upon the fact that M . Guizot pronounced his funeral oration ; the other , b y the death of another illustrious savant , who , not having the good luck of M . Droz in the matter of the oration , has passed into oblivion already . The choice of the

      successors of these two academicians is the great bone of contention in the literary world , and it excites the greatest interest because the Academy has lately fallen into some disrepute in consequence of its having always excluded M . de Balzac , whose death France is now mourning . Some of the younger and purely literary members of the Academy think that the present opportunity ought not to be lost sight of , and recommend strongly that the choice of the members should fall upon M . Alexandre Dumas and M . Alfred de Musset . At the head of the supporters of these two candidates are MM . "Victor Hugo , Merimee , Alfred de Vigny , and several other eminent writers of the day . The political leaders

      support a different class of candidates . M . Thiers and M . Guizot are at the head of a party which supports the illustrious orator of Catholicism , the Count de Montalembert , whose sole qualification for academical honours is his being the author of a religious romance , called " Sainte Elisabeth de Hongrie . " As regards the other vacancy , a party in the Academy has declared in favour of no less a personage than Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte , the President of the Republic . The great Napoleon was a member of the Institute , and why should not the nephew imitate so illustrious an example ? It is said that M . Guizot , who is director of the Academy for the present year , approves of the choice , and will give the President his support .

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      844 &i * e & , e&Het + Saturday

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 30, 1850, page 844, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1861/page/4/