BRIEF FROM THE POPE ON EDUCATION. coxcomical. Unreasonable ambition | ment of what many lawgivers have in generally operates to its own preju- vain attempted; viz. the adaptation of dice, by annulling the object which it punishment to crime. is intended to effect. The jackdaw, adorned with the peacock's pilfered plumes, is ever exposed to discovery and contempt. How frequently has the blush of confusion and shame betrayed the lordly importance of assuming arrogance; and how deservedly has the hesitation of conscious ignorance consigned the impostures of pedantry to universal derision!" There is an explanation, in some Greek writer, of that compendious maxim, “ Tvwet σɛavrov," which I have frequently admired :-"To know one's self," says he, "is to know our circumstances, and what is incumbent on us to do." Had not this paper already reached its regular limits, I might with considerable pleasure enlarge on this sentiment; but as I have recently received a communication from a lady whose rank entitles her to respect, and the subject of whose letter is intimately associated with that of the present article, I purpose concluding with its insertion: MR. MORALIZer, I take the liberty of apprising you, that in consequence of having mistaken my lord's steward for his master yesterday evening, on account of an affected imitation in dress, the following regulations have been introduced, enacted, and proclaimed, throughout the mansion:-"That no servant whatever, in the family of Sir Richard Rosemary, Bart. shall, from this time forth, on any account, presume to wear abroad a dress, which is not familiar to the whole family. And that the steward aforementioned shall, for the said offence, during the six months following, apply the said suit to common use, by the daily putting on and wearing of the same, throughout the whole of the said period, Sundays not excepted. I am, Sir, Rosemary Hall, Aug. 8, 1820. I have only to congratulate her ladyship on her success in the accomplishNo. 22.-VOL. II, WE should pay but a bad compliment to any civil government, were we to insinuate that its welfare and stability depended upon the ignorance of its subjects; and in a theological point of view, the case would not be much altered, if it were asserted, that the prosperity of the church would be rendered doubtful in proportion as its members became enlightened. Directed by these principles, we can be at no loss how to estimate the Romish communion. The following article too plainly discovers the secret feelings of the Vatican towards Protestants. And although neither the lightning to glare, it does not require thunder is permitted to roar, nor the much penetration to discover both who reads the following Brief, seriousstruggling for vent. Let any man ly ask himself, what might Protestants if its power were correspondent to the expect from that dreadful hierarchy, disposition which it displays? We tholic ascendency in these kingdoms, will may learn from this article, that Cabe Protestant slavery. The following is a literal translation of a Brief, lately received from the Holy See by the Roman Catholic Prelates of England and Ireland :-(The original is in Latin of the customary species, being something between dogLatin and law-Latin.) TRANSLATION. Right Illustrious and Right Reverend Sir, That forewarning speech of Jesus Christ our Lord, long since uttered by him, when employing the parable of the husbandman, who had sown the good seed in his field; but his enemy, while mankind were asleep, came, and made an aftersowing of tares in the midst of the wheat corn,"-(Matthew, chap. xiii. ver. 24,) appears to be realizing in our days, particularly in Ireland, to the grievous loss and wrong of the Catholic weal. For information has reached this Sacred Congregation, that schools of a Bible Society have been set up in almost every part of Ireland; upholden with the resources, and by the patro 3 U nage of the higher Anti-Catholic | sídiously are introducing themselves Gentry; and that in those schools, under the artificial complexion of Charity, the untutored youth of either sex, especially those of the peasantry, and of the indigent class, allured by the cajolement, nay, by affectionate, petty presents from the teachers, come to be tainted with the deadly poison of perverse doctrines. It is further stated, that the teachers in those schools, lately described, are Methodists, who make use of Eibles, rendered into English by that Bible Society, and pregnant with errors; those teaching, having in view the sole object of seducing the youthful population, and eradicating from their hearts and affections, the truth of the orthodox faith. Considering these things to be certain, your Lordship is already aware, that great solicitude, application, and vigilance, are to be demanded of the shepherds, in sedulously guarding their flocks from the ambuscade of wolves, who come in sheep's clothing. If the shepherds will slumber during the while, quickly will the inimical man steal in, and sow his noxious seed; quickly will the after-growth of tares shew itself, and overlay the wheat corn. Wherefore it is indispensably requisite to make every possible effort, in order to recal the youthful sort from the pernicious schools; and to admonish the parents that they are not, by any means, to suffer their offspring to be led into error. However, for avoiding the snares of the adversaries, nothing appears more fitting than the setting up of Catholic schools, wherein to educate the poor, and the peasantry in a course of moral instruction and reputable learning. Perhaps it may be said, that a fund cannot be provided. As to this point, you will have naturally gained a lesson from those very seceders from the right faith for, as we are told, they ask individually from the people at large, a penny subscription by the week, for the support of those mentioned schools. What should hinder the Catholics from doing likewise? Wherefore, we exhort, and by the tender sympathies of Jesus Christ our Lord, we conjure you, my Lord, to guard with diligence your flock, in that best manner which your discretion may suggest, from such persons as in | 66 into the sheepfold of Christ, with the design of carrying away from him the incautious sheep; and to exert yourself most carefully (recollecting the prophecy of Peter the Apostle, who delivered, of old, in these words, And amongst you shall there be lying Teachers, who shall bring in Sects of perdition") to prevent the corrupting by those men of the Catholic youth. This object I hope you will easily attain by instituting within your diocese Catholic schools: and in the wellfounded hope that in this most important matter your Lordship will exert all your force and resoluteness to prevent the sound wheat from being choked by the tares, I beg of the Holy Divine Majesty to be your protector and safeguard for very many years. Your Lordship's, in all brotherly affection, JULIS MARIA CARDINAL DELLA SOMAGLIA, Pro-Prefect. C. M. PEDICINI, Secretary. From the Palace of the Propaganda Fide, Rome, 14th August, 1820. ASTRONOMICAL OCCURRENCES FOR DECEMBER. THE Sun enters Capricorn on the 21st at fifty-two minutes past eight in the evening, when the winter quarter commences. The Moon is new on the 5th; enters her first quarter on the 12th; she is full on the 19th; and enters her last quarter on the 27th. She is in her perigee on the 13th, and her apogee on the 27th. She will pass Venus and Ceres on the 2d, Mercury on the 5th, Mars and the Georgian planet on the 6th, Jupiter on the 12th, Saturn on the 13th, and Ceres again on the 31st. Mercury sets on the 1st at forty-one minutes past four in the evening, and he is in his inferior conjunction on the 6th. He is in his ascending node on the 2d, stationary on the 16th, and in his greatest elongation on the 26th. On the day of his greatest elongation, he is nearly in a line with Arcturus, and the seventh of the Serpent-bearer. Mars sets on the 1st at thirty-five minutes past four in the evening, and on the 31st at one minute past four. He is too near the Sun to be visible this month. The Georgian planet sets on the 1st at thirty-eight minutes past five in the evening, and is in conjunction with past five. Sirius rises on the 1st at the Sun on the 21st. He is likewise too near the Sun to be visible this month. Jupiter sets on the 1st at fifty-nine minutes past eleven in the evening, and on the 31st at six minutes past ten; he is in quartile with the Sun on the 6th. He is first seen under and near to the twenty-second of the Water-bearer, passing this star on the 4th, and receding from it in the barren space under the four stars in square. Saturn sets on the 1st at six minutes past two in the morning, and on the 31st at fifty-six minutes past eleven in the evening. He is stationary on the 10th, and in quartile with the Sun on the 28th. He is seen near the same barren spot, under the fourth of the Fishes, to the east of him, and the two eastern of the four stars in square, to the west of, and at a considerable distance from Reply to a Query on the Use of Rosc him. Ceres is first seen under and this constellation on the 16th, and | mary at Funerals. MR. EDITOR, from "Wheatly on the Book of Com- A Constant Reader. Bristol, Sept. 20, 1820. "But to express their hopes that their friend is not lost for ever, each person in the company usually bears in his hand a sprig of Rosemary. A custom which seems to have taken its rise from a practice among the Heathens, of a quite different import: for they, having no thoughts of a future resurrection, but believing that the bodies of those that were dead would for ever lie in the grave, made use of cypress at their funerals; which is a tree, that being once cut, never revives again. But Christians, on the other side, having better hopes, and knowing that this very body of their friend, which they are now going solemnly to commit to the grave, shall one day rise again, and be reunited to his soul; instead of Cypress, distribute Rosemary to the company, which (being always green, and flourishing the more for being cropt, and of which a sprig only being set in the ground will sprout up immediately, and branch into a tree) is more proper to express this confidence and trust. A custom Taken from the Author's personal Narrative to "The church service of England being in heresy and schism, is, therefore, not only unprofitable, but damnable."-Annot. on Acts 10. 9. "The prayer of a Protestant cannot be heard in heaven." Annot. on John 15. 7. “Their prayers and service are no better than the howling of wolves."Annot, on Mark 3. 12. "The translators of the English Bible ought to be abhorred to the depths of hell."-Heb. 5. 7. "A Christian (that is, a Catholic) is bound to burn and deface all heretical books; for example, the English Bible." The title of this record of Catholic principles, in the 19th Century, is the New Testament with Annotations, &c. and approved of by the Most Rev. Dr. Troy, R. C. Archbishop of Dublin, 1816. Review.-Sketches of Sermons, preached to Congregations in various parts of the United Kingdom, and on the European Continent; furnished by their respective Authors, 12mo. pp. 175, London. Holdsworth, 1820. ter bestowed upon the discontented frogs, the sudden blaze of unexpected greatness has awed popular clamour into temporary silence, and eclipsed the humbler glories of secondary wit. The eye has been dazzled with the glare of ostentation, and the ear stunned by the thunder of applause. But half the attention thus commanded, ceases with the novelty of the object by which it was first excited. One more bold than the rest ventures to approach the literary prodigy. His example is universally followed: swarms of critics commence their attacks, and deliver piecemeal to the public, the several members of the lacerated author. Such has been the treatment of writers; nor is it very surprising that, notwithstanding the severity with which they have been frequently handled, they have increased, like the Lernean serpent, under the hand of these Herculean heroes. For whatever influence criticism may demand, or whatever reverence it may expect, still there is a higher and a more decisive tribunal; which, though partially regulated by the testimony of these professed judges, is not unfrequently found to act in total opposition to their sentiments. To the public eye, authors appeal; public opinion they conciliate, and public approbation they court. But opinion is not likely to be unanimous, where there is a number to be pleased; nor will approbation be universally expressed, where there must exist an incongruity of manners, pursuits, and motives. Hence, in reference to many literary productions, a declared difin open enmity; a spirit of emulation ference of judgment has terminated has been excited; parties have been formed and cemented, and each "Has done his best, "To make as much waste paper as the rest.” Thus spectators are often entertained by the malicious attempts of petty scribblers to blast the fame, and to actuated by passions equally urgent, mortify the vanity, of their antagonists, and impelled by a power SINCE the means of information have been more or less afforded to every individual, and the press has been open to every pretender, latent genius has "Which makes them, as it were in spite been drawn from the shades of retireOf nature and their stars, to write." ment, polished from the native dross But all are not inspired with the same of indolence and rusticity, and exhi-martial spirit: and though it is not bited to an admiring public as the impossible to deny the strongest facts, oracle of taste, and the arbiter of sci-and to doubt the clearest truths; yet, Like the monarch which Jupi- rather than hazard the uncertainty of ence. ing about Zion, telling her bulwarks, and considering her palaces; but into her courts he may seldom enter, and to the fire that burns on her altars never approach: cold and frigid, his soul remains unaffected by the solemn and awful realities which he constantly urges upon others." The volume contains 50 sketches, "furnished," as the title intimates, a literary engagement, there are a few, who, assuming certain points, found their arguments and their faith on these premises, suffer their superstructure to be swept away without an effort to support the falling fabric; and again behold it more firmly established, without swelling the shout of joy, or waving the banner of triumph. We need not wonder, that the most extensive and important schemes have" by their respective authors."-They been most warmly attacked, and most present distinct features of arrangement vigorously defended. The glory of and expression; but their main object conquest is heightened by the value of evidently consists in the diffusion of the prize, and the danger of the en- Scriptural knowledge, and the estagagement; and the valour of the com-blishment of evangelical truth-an batants exalted by the numbers of the enemy. And thus Christianity, which embraces objects of supreme interest, and affords discoveries of infinite consequence, has been more or less opposed since the first moment of its introduction into the world; and that opposition has become more specious, and more determined, in proportion as the evidences of its truth have brightened, and the crowd of its disciples increased. Infidelity has produced its sophisms, and depravity has exposed its examples, et adhuc sub judice lis est." 66 The little work before us appears well calculated to furnish those, who are but just enlisted in the ranks of the Christian ministry, with correct and judicious models, for the formation of their weapons; interspersed with useful instructions for giving them a finer edge and a sharper point, preserving them from rust, and keeping them in use. The preface, which is evidently the labour of a manly and judicious hand, exposes the dangers, and exhibits the duties, of young ministers :- "It is not an uncommon case, for a preacher to be so much alive to the arrangement and filling up of his discourse, and so employed in calling into exercise his invention, judgment, and memory, as even to leave his affections entirely out of the work. He may be more anxious to excel, in what may be termed the mechanism of a sermon, than in the spirit and power of it; and to win the admiration of his hearers, rather than their souls. He may be sound in his doctrines, cogent in his arguments, and practical in his applications: in fine, he may be a popular, and in some respects a useful preacher; by guarding the outworks of Christianity, walk 66 object, whose importance is inferred from its utility; and in the prosecution of which we can readily dispense with the redundances of rhetorical embellishment, and the sterility of critical disquisition.-Yet, we would by no means be understood to insinuate, a deficiency of ability in the direction of the work, though there evidently appears a considerable difference in the display of talent, by the several contributors. To give a separate extract from each of these, is foreign to our purpose; as there are no less than seven who have thus promoted the design. Two, however, we have selected, which may be considered as impartial specimens of the whole. The FIRST of these, No. 36, is signed Zeta. Eph. iv. 1." He considers, 1st. "THE NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN CALLING. A calling may be esteemed, on account of its intrinsic goodness; because it is honest, useful, &c.-on account of the reputation it brings, or on account of the profit it affords. In relation to the first of these, the Christian's is a holy calling, 2 Tim. i. 9.an honourable calling, Phil. iii. 14. Heb. iii. 1.—a profitable calling, 1 Tim. iv. 8. 2d. THE OBLIGATION OF THE CALLING. That ye walk worthy,' &c. To do this, a man must study the principles and rules of his calling-claim the privileges of the calling-cultivate the spirit of the calling-perform the duties of the calling, Eph. iv. 20-24, and v. 5, 15-21, &c. pp. 124, 125." The SECOND, No. 48, is signed Delta. 66 1 John iv. 10." From which he is led to observe; 1st. "THAT THE STATE OF MAN REQUIRED A PROPITIATION. This is obvious, from a reflection on the perfection and excellence of the law which he has broken.-From the inability of man to expiate his offences,-From |
