cord, conflicting opinions, and especially of religious perse

cution.

But, in our own country, the Government is fully aware of the inestimable value put by all Protestants on the unalienable rights of conscience, and on the utmost freedom in the exercise of private judgment. We cannot endure any limits or restraints on such a point; and, therefore, when every class of Religionists, both in the Established Church, as well as out of its pale, had endeavoured to promote the widest possible circulation of the Holy Scriptures (though all did not agree as to the mode of doing so), it could not be that a succession of Papal Bulls or Prohibitions, expressing an utter abhorrence of such religious objects, would produce no indignation against Popish principles thus clearly divulged from the highest authority.

In this view a peculiar feeling of disgust and odium is every where excited, by official and violent measures which must be thought consistent with a fixed Church-discipline, although not universally admired by Roman Catholics of Great Britain. If the present Pope, as we are told, “has neither horns nor cloven feet," he has nevertheless shown that he possesses a heart to execute whatever mischief lies in his power and we cannot deem him an inoffensive Head or Bishop, while he continually raves and gnashes his teeth at us Biblical Christians. Even the above cited author of "the State and Behaviour of English Catholics," honestly confesses, that "Catholics have often denied the external practice of religion to Sectaries, and continue to do so in many countries; but to be intolerant," he adds, as an ex cuse, "is a leading maxim of every Established Church, whether in England, or in France, in Hindostan, or in China." It is hoped, however, that ONE exception AT HOME may be allowed to so general a charge of religious intolerance.

SIR,

LETTER VIII.

I HAVE no means of discovering how many Priests of the Roman Church are now in England, &c. and I must therefore decline forming any conjecture. But the author whom I last quoted, has given a statement applicable to the year 1781, which I lay before you: "By an arrangement, which took place in the reign of James the Second, England was divided into four districts, and a Bishop was appointed to preside over each. They had then 10007. per ann. settled on each of them, out of the Exchequer: but this only continued till the Revolution, when they were reduced to the necessity of supporting themselves by the best means in their power.

Since that time, the same regulation with regard to numbers has continued; and as they have no particular place of residence allotted, each Bishop generally chooses to live in the most central and convenient situation. Their office is, to attend to the small concerns of their respective districts; to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation; to provide the different Congregations with Priests; and to take care that these perform their duties, and be have in a manner becoming the character of Churchmen.It has been said by a peevish writer, "That Popish Bishops go about, and exercise every part of their function, without offence and without observation." This is an unfair representation: for it is in the most private manner that any part of their function is exercised; and as they possess none of the insignia of the episcopal order, their goings about do not distinguish them from other men.

"As far as I can rely on my information, which I think is accurate, the number of Priests, now employed, is about

360. Their distribution is as follows:-In the northern district, which takes in the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, York, Lancaster, and Chester, there are about 167. Of these 48 are ExJesuits.§ Three places are now vacant. This district contains the greatest number of Priests, and also the greatest number of Catholics; but not in proportion to the number of Clergy, many being private Chaplains to gentlemen, where there are no congregations. Since their dissolution, nine places have been given up by the ExJesuits, two of which are not likely ever to be revived.

"In the midland district, are about 90 Priests; 28 of whom are Ex-Jesuits. There are now fourteen places vacant. This district declines very fast, as appears from the great number of congregations now without Priests.Most of these have been vacant for some time, and no Clergymen unengaged have hitherto been found to supply them; though some of them are gentlemen's houses; by which means some families are obliged to go from five to ten miles, on Sundays, to Chapel. It may be noticed that this district, though composed of the greatest number of counties, and those mostly large, to the amount of sixteen, contains only 8460 Catholics, which is computed to be about two thirds of what there were thirty or forty years ago.

"The western district contains about 44 Priests; 23 are Ex-Jesuits. There is one place vacant, and has been so for some time; no person can be found to occupy it. This district is the thinnest of Catholics of any in England, though its extent be great. It contains eight English counties, and the whole of North and South Wales.

"The London district, comprising nine counties, has

"The Fathers of the late Society of Jesus, are distinguished by this appellation, since their Canonical dissolution in the Pontificate of Clement XIV. Ann. 1773."

58 Priests; 11 are Ex-Jesuits. There are five places vacant. This district has also diminished, and is declining very fast.

"These Priests, whose number and distribution I have given, either live as Chaplains in the families of gentlemen, and have the care of the little congregations round them; or else they reside in towns, or in some country-places, where funds have been settled for their support. The cha pels are in their own houses. From many places being now vacant, as I have noticed, where Priests were formerly kept, it is evident that their number is greatly on the decrease. The Jesuits also are daily dying away; nor is there any succession to supply their places."-[This was first written in 1780.]-" In the lapse of a few years, we shall see a very great additional falling off. Never, surely, was there a wilder fancy than the common cry of the growth of Popery, and of the great influx of Priests, since the passing of the late act in favour of Catholics!

"Our Priests, in their general character, are upright and sincere: but, narrowed by a bad education, they contract early prejudices, which they very seldom afterwards deposite. The theological lumber of the schools too often supplies the place of more useful furniture. Moderately skilled in the Latin and Greek languages, they know little of their own nor do they become sensible of their manifold deficiencies, till it be sometimes too late to attempt improve

ment.

"A man truly Orthodox flies heretical company; he fears to be contaminated, and he would not receive instruction from so foul a source. A Priest is seldom seen in the society of Protestants. The Catholics, he is told to herd with, either are unable to improve him; or, if able, they are seldom willing. Contracted in his circumstances, he has not the means of drawing information from books; the labours of his calling demand much of his time; and unfa

shioned in the forms of elegant life, his company is not asked for. Thus denied most occasions of improvement, if his native dispositions will allow him, he soon sits down silently contented, and looks no further. If he ever had abilities, disuse will, in a short time, lay them asleep; and at sixty he will probably be found the same man he was at twenty-five.

"Whilst the Jesuits stood, St. Omer was their great school for classical improvement; and they supplied England with many able and active, Churchmen. At the ex pulsion of that body from France, their College was given to the Clergy of Douay; in whose hands it now is; but as yet it seems to have answered little purpose. English Catholics are not sufficiently numerous to supply scholars for so many houses.-The Jesuits themselves first retired to Bruges, in the Austrian Netherlands, where they opened another College; but, on their total suppression a few years after, that house also was dissolved, together with every other foundation they possessed. They then erected an Academy at Liege (for their spirit of laudable enterprise was not to be broken), under the protection of the Bishop and Prince of that place. They are now no longer Jesuits; but their Academy is in great estimation, and the children of our Catholic gentry principally resort thither for educa tion."

Besides the Order of Jesuits, in England, this author gives some account of the Nuns, the Dominicans, the Franciscans, the Benedictines, &c. &c.

I have thought it was fair to let that candid writer tell his own story, and wish an account as little alarming as this could be authenticated in 1819; but, Sir, you know the fact to be quite otherwise. It cannot be supposed, however, that any private individual, unconnected with Roman Catholics, can find out the present number of their Priests.