congratulation to the Queen and to the Prince and Princess of Wales was proposed. Five Aldermen and nineteen Town Councillors were present. The address was voted, there being three dissentient Town Councillors, viz., Mr. J. O'Donnell, Mr. Ambrose Hall, and Mr. Hickie. Mr. J. O'Donnell said there was nothing in the antecedents of the Royal Family to justify them in looking on the birth of a child as an extraordinary event. Judging from the antecedents of the Prince of Wales there was nothing to justify the slightest apprehension of any failure of issue. The Prince of Wales was too much occupied with his amusements to pay attention to their addresses, and would rather not be pestered with them. It was not compatible with the dignity of the Catholic members of the Council to join in this address. Not long since that Council had unanimously adopted an address to the Lord Lieutenant, asking for a charter for the Catholic University, and it had been unceremoniously refused. There were also other reasons why the people of Ireland should not go into hysterical fits of loyalty and devotion to the Royal Family of England. Mr. Ambrose Hall fully agreed with every word of Mr. O'Donnell. In the veins of the Prince flowed the blood of the hereditary enemies of Ireland. Mr. Hickie said the people of Ireland owed no gratitude to England or her Sovereign, and he should therefore oppose an address on the present occasion. Our readers may perhaps wonder why we should report these proceedings. They may consider them as proving nothing, but that Mr. O'Donnell is a very brutal Town Councillor, and that Mr. Ambrose Hall is no better. But there is something more than that in it. It will be remembered that while the great O'Connell lived and gave the tone to the public utterances of the Catholics of Ireland, personal devotion to the Sovereign and loyalty to the Crown were expressed and inculcated by him. The Cabinets and Administrations, the Tory party and the Whig party, came in by turns for his censure, his satire, and his invectives, but that Catholics should set Protestants an example of loyalty to the Sovereign, was O'Connell's maxim. Since then, however, a portion of the Irish Press has adopted a different rule, and the three Town Councilmen of Limerick have profited by the new teaching. At present, however, they count only one out of eight, and the proportions are worth noting."-Tablet, Jan. 30, 1864.

A ROMISH BISHOP AND THE MODEL SCHOOLS." The Roman Catholic Bishop of Galway, Dr. M'Evilly, addressing a congregation on the Feast of the Epiphany, referred to the Model School in that town as a standing danger to the faith. He congratulated the Catholics of Galway on the feeling of selfrespect they had shown in withdrawing their children from that school, which he had denounced twelve months ago. After that scarcely a decent Catholic child, or the child of a parent that could in any sense be deemed respectable in Galway, continued in the Model School. The condemnation of the Model School was not merely his act, though with every well regulated mind the authority of the Bishop's office ought to be sufficient to secure the obedience of the clergy and laity. It is the act of the entire episcopacy. If any one, no matter how estimable, or eloquent, or learned, or popular, should so far forget the feelings, and insult the faith of those upon whose shoulders he mounted to a position of trust or emolument, or should forget the heavy judgment he was incurring, which might be swifter than he imagined, and, insensible to the irreparable mischief he was causing to generations yet unborn, should virtually declare that he was more competent to judge a question of faith and morals than those whom God has appointed to govern His Church, then Dr. M'Evilly affirms that he deserves only the brief but telling reply which St. Paul deigned to the sophists of his day-whose damnation is just.' He proceeded to prove that the system of mixed education destroys faith by ideas of false liberty and unmeaning independence. He denied the moral right of parents to send their children to schools which the Bishops condemned, and declared that 'the exercise of such a monstrous power was alike repugnant to all the dictates of natural and educated religion.' He concluded a long

and vehement attack on the Model Schools, by declaring that he deprived every confessor, of whatever grade or position in the diocese, of all jurisdiction to absolve either the parents of the children or the children themselves, who resort to such establishments, or to any other parties who actively co-operate in the infliction of such present and prospective spiritual evils."-Times, Jan. 13,

1864.

BELGIUM. The Catholic party has gained a signal victory in Belgium by the return of the three "Clerical" candidates at Bruges. The Chamber had annulled the last election, and both parties had mustered all their strength for the present conflict. The result is that Messrs. Soenens, Visart, and De Clercy have been returned, and that the Liberal candidates, Messrs. Devriere, Devaux, and Derrider, have been defeated. The telegram announces that the excitement is great, and that the Liberal Ministry have tendered their resignation.— Tablet, Jan. 16, 1864.

PEKIN.-The Bishop of Victoria has published a letter, giving a graphic and very interesting account of his first visit to Pekin, of which the following extracts will convey some idea of the field of missionary labour which it presents, and of the difficulties which will beset all attempts to promote the social and religious welfare of the Chinese. The Bishop's letter is dated Pekin, May 22, 1862-"The French minister, having no commercial interests to foster, is the open and acknowledged patron and ally of the Jesuit Missions. Here in Pekin there are some three or four Lazarist priests, and the Bishop of Pekin is now said to be on his return from Europe, bringing with him a numerous staff of French priests and nine sisters of mercy, who will soon be settled in this city and at liberty to pursue their work of propagandism among the people. They number about 2,000 converts, the hereditary professors of Roman Catholicism. A large and beautiful Cathedral is near completion in the southern part of the Tartar city, and another lesser church raises its square tower about half a mile west of the imperial palace. These material signs of progress, with similar trophies of French diplomacy exerted on their behalf in the recovery of magnificent Cathedral sites in the cities of Canton and Ningpo, must not be accepted too hastily as proofs of an increased moral ascendancy over the native government or the popular mind. On the contrary, I am informed, by persons of competent knowledge and high in office, that there is a perceptible reaction against the Roman Catholics, caused by their violent assumption of old ecclesiastical sites which had lapsed into other hands, and the recovery of which has entailed confusion and loss, similar to what may be imagined as likely to be caused by a forced Papal resumption of Woburn Abbey, and the sequestered monasteries of Henry VIII.'s time. The recent capital punishment of a Roman Catholic missionary and eight converts by a high mandarin in Keveichow province is giving matter of diplomatic trouble to the French Legation at the present time, and furnishes a specimen of the hostile reaction which pervades the ruling powers in China.'

The only English missionary at present permitted to settle in Pekin is Dr. Lockhart, of the London Missionary Society, whose gratuitous medical labours are among the most valuable and effective moral agencies among this people, and confer on about two or three thousand weekly patients the benefits of a Christian physician's philanthropic aid.-Annual Report of the Church Missionary Society, 1863.

Entelligence.

THE CARMELITE CONVENT AT HALES' PLACE.-(From the Kentish Observer.) -As there have been lately various rumours afloat with regard to the Carmelite Convent, now in the course of erection at Hales' Place, we thought it worth while to pay a visit to the spot, to ascertain their truth or otherwise. It had been stated that, for various reasons, the works had been stopped. Some

said Government had interfered; others, that the Archbishop of Canterbury had put his veto on the project; and others that the next heir or heiress to the estate, whoever he or she may be, had a decided objection to a Convent. Then, again, the money was said not to be forthcoming. All these rumours, however, have proved upon inquiry to be without foundation. The only stoppage of the works worth mentioning has been caused by the late frosts. On arriving at the site of the new buildings, we found 150 bricklayers, masons, and other labourers busily at work, and some of the buildings already ten feet out of the ground. Besides the men actually engaged on the spot, fifty at Maidstone and forty at Bath are employed in hewing and shaping stone for the Convent. On taking a survey of the ground (about two acres in extent) on which the various edifices will stand, we found it to be composed of hard, solid clay. All the foundations are composed of concrete, of two feet thick, and of great width. This concrete is made of the best gravel that could be obtained, and fresh ground stone lime; both selected by the Clerk of the Works (Mr. Edwards). Nothing could be more firm or solid. The walls are of great strength, and, from their appearance, would suggest some massive castle of olden time. The whole of the buildings will be surrounded by a wall, 3,300 ft. in length, and 9 ft. 6 in. high. The Convent, lay-church, chapels, &c., will be built of brick, with an exterior of Kentish rag, from Maidstone, and with box-ground Bath stone dressings. The following is a rough sketch of the buildings to be enclosed by the great wall:-Attached to the Convent, the dimensions of which are not yet certainly fixed, will be a lay-church, 96 ft. by 30 ft., and measuring, to the top of a very beautiful spire, 120 ft. high. There will also be a Nuns' chapel, 53 ft. by 23 ft.; a refectory, 40 ft. by 18 ft.; a library of the same size, a chapterroom, and a "Novitiate." The quadrangle will be 93 ft. square, surrounded by cloisters, which will be used for the burial of the dead, and outside these, again, will be the various offices for baking, cooking, washing, &c. A little distance from the main building will be the Presbyters' house, also a private chapel, from a French design, 50 ft. high, with a look-out tower from the top; and near this, again, there is a double grotto, which is nearly finished, formed of huge masses of calcined brick, firmly cemented together. In this grotto there are twenty truck-loads of the rough material. There are two separate cells in it, and it has altogether a very unique and rustic appearance. One would almost

imagine that it had been the chosen residence of some hermit for years past. It will be used by the nuns for the purposes of private devotion. The farm buildings, which will also be close to the Convent, will consist of five blocks of cottages, stables, cow-houses, granaries, &c. We believe it is proposed also to supply all the buildings with gas from a gasometer to be erected close by. The grounds are being fast cleared of useless wood and rubbish, and will be laid out in a variety of shaded walks, and planted with shrubs and flowers. All the material used is of the very best quality, and the buildings, when finished, will reflect the very highest credit upon our energetic townsman, Mr. H. Wilson, who, our readers will remember, was fortunate enough to obtain the contract. Mr. Pugin, of Ramsgate, as we have before stated, is the architect; and, from the hasty glance that we have taken of the various plans, we should say that, when finished, the work will be one of which even the bearer of so celebrated a name may well be proud. Mr. Wilson is ably assisted by a most experienced man as Clerk of the Works, whom we feel convinced will carry out the undertaking in a most substantial and satisfactory manner.

MONKS AND MONASTERIES IN NORWICH.-Many of our readers will learn with surprise that a monastery has been established in Norwich, and that monks, habited in cowl and gown, will soon be walking our streets; not, indeed, a Roman Catholic monastery, but a monastery formed and supported by members of the Church of England, and presided over by a clergyman of the Anglican order. Brother Ignatius and his compeers, driven, apparently, from the inhospitable limits of Claydon, have emigrated to what they trust will prove a more genial atmosphere, where they hope and expect to receive a cordial welcome from their secret partisans in this Protestant city. Rumour had some

time previously pointed out the site of the monastery-a large, rambling building on Elm-hill, once the residence of a worthy citizen, who still lives in the memory of some of our older townsmen-Mr. Elisha de Hague, formerly Town Clerk of Norwich. It is somewhat singular that the property, which is leasehold, belongs, as we understand, to the Dean and Chapter, the lease having been purchased for the Brotherhood from a Dissenting gentleman of the city. Workmen have been employed upon the premises, turning an extensive room into a chapel, where public services will shortly be held. The small boys who run about the streets already call out to each other, "Them's the monks there;" and the neighbours state that there is now from morn till eve a constant round of bell-ringing, chanting, and music. Any one who has business at the monastery goes up to an old-fashioned door, and rings for admission. Soon a grating is opened, and a monk, dressed in black gown, cowl, and gold crucifix, with sandalled feet, inquires the business of the applicant; and, if the answer is satisfactory, admits into the holy precincts. The first services of a public character were held on Sunday, but the “grand opening night" took place on Wednesday. On ringing, we were admitted through the postern; and, having crossed a courtyard, were left to find our way, guided by the sound of chanting, to the upper room, where the service was being held. Near the door was a small receptacle for holy water, and on the mantel-shelf was, we suppose, some holier water still, possessing, no doubt, peculiarly potent and meritorious power. An inscription on the vessel ran, "I certify that this water was obtained from the river Jordan, Tuesday in Holy Week, 1862.—A. Willis Flemming." Clad in a white gown, with a weird, black, pointed cowl on his head, and with his back to the audience, sat a monk in an attitude of devotion, utterly motionless and impassive; straight before him, on the same side of the altar, sat another monk, similarly clad, with his face towards the wall, and his back to his brother monk. The service was entirely musical, even the prayers being chanted.-Norfolk News.

BEATIFICATION OF THE VEN. MARGARET MARY ALACOCQUE.-The following letter from his Eminence Cardinal Wiseman, has been sent us ("Tablet") for publication:

"8, York-place, W., Feb. 23, 1864.

"Rev. and dear Sir,-You are familiar with the thought that we, in common with all lovers of the Adorable heart of Our Blessed Lord, owe a large debt of gratitude to the Ven. Margaret Mary Alacocque, and therefore we are sure that you will be interested in the progress of the cause of the Beatification of this Ven. Servant of God. You will therefore be glad to know that on the 1st of March the Sacred Congregation of Rites will discuss the proof of the Miracles wrought under her intercession; the question of the heroic degree of her virtues having been already favourably decided.

"In many churches of Rome and throughout the Catholic world, and in many Religious Houses, especially in those of the Order of the Visitation, it is proposed to unite in prayer for the Divine light on the deliberations of the Sacred Congregation, and on the decision of his Holiness. Earnestly hoping that the Beatification of the Ven. Margaret Mary may be numbered amongst the glories of the Pontificate of Our Holy Father, and trusting that the Clergy and the Faithful, and especially the Religious, of our Diocese will unite with us in prayer, that the glory of God may be advanced by the honour of His servant, at the special request of our dear Sisters, the Religious of the Order of the Visitation, we invite all who are willing to do so, to keep a Triduo on the last three days of this month, giving leave for the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on those days in the usual manner; and also granting permission for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from Mass till Vespers on Sunday, the 28th instant, in all Churches and Chapels, and particularly in all the Convent Chapels, in the Diocese.

Wishing you every blessing and all spiritual consolations in this holy season, "I remain, Rev. and dear Sir, your faithful servant in Christ, "N. CARD. WISEMAN."

THE

PROTESTANT MAGAZINE.

APRIL 1, 1864.

ROMAN CATHOLIC BURIAL GROUND AT SYDENHAM.

WE have here a correspondence extending over a period of between seven and eight years, as to the Roman Catholic Burial Ground at Sydenham.

It consists of a return made "to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons, dated 16th March, 1864.”

If it has no other merit, it has that of brevity, which is saying a good deal for Parliamentary returns, and as regards the twenty-six letters which fill the ten folio pages of this document, we think we may say they contain more than ordinary interest, at least for the majority of our readers.

The first letter is from Dr. Faber, to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, dated St. Mary's, Sydenham-hill, Kent, 3d September, 1856:

"Sir,—I am the present Superior of a Roman Catholic College at Brompton, commonly called the Oratory. Our community possesses a country-house with nine acres of ground on Sydenham Hill, and we are anxious to set apart a small portion of this ground as a burial place for ourselves only. Our community is now twenty in number, and may possibly average hereafter twenty-five members. I believe that Sydenham is within the Act of Parliament boundaries which render your consent necessary. May I request to be informed what steps are necessary for us in order to bring this request in a regular manner before your department ? "

A reply was sent by direction of "Secretary Sir George Grey," dated Whitehall, 4th September, 1856, acknowledging such letter, and proceeding thus:—

"If the ground which you desire to set apart as a burial-place for your community is within the district of the Metropolitan Interment Act, it cannot be used without the sanction of the Secretary of State. If you will send a letter asking for approval, it will be referred to an Inspector of Burial Grounds for his report."

Now apart altogether from the bearing of this correspondence upon the case of Mr. Smee, the question arises, what is this community? New Series, No. 281.

VOL. XXVI.

E