*
V, '
M
2
so little corresponded to the spirit ot her
state. She had been admitted as a cate
chumen, and, as sueh, she was expected
to renounce in practice as well as in
theory, every thing connected with tbe
vanities and impurities of paganism. This
she found somewhat difficult. Vanity
was still the idol before which she wor
shipped, and it soon reassumed its power.
“Father,” she replied, rising from her
scat and coming proudly forward; “I
admire your virtue. It is as great as
your faith and as sublime as your genius.
But is it not possible that you ask too
much from a feeble woman, whose mind
has but opened to the falsity of a system
to which she bus beeu accustomed from
her earlier years. I see around me pre
cious gifts which my frieuds have given
me. I attach importance to them and I
do confess that my heart is not free from
all affection for them. But since I have
ceased going to the temple, I can truly
say that I am not guilty of any improper
predilection for anything that you see
around me. I have, it is true, adorned
this place with everything that Eastern
luxury could supply, but my only thought
lias been to please my husband and a few
female friends, whose friendship I still
cherish though removed from them now
bv the almost inseparable gulf of reli
gious division. Permit me, my dear
father, permit me to say that, at my age,
and occupying the position I do. it would
be ridiculous on my part, to appear
dressed as one of my slaves ! After all,
is it not enough that the heart be pure V’
Pride flashed from her brilliant eyes,
and she walked up and down the cham
ber under the influence of an excitement
bordering upon anger.
Tertullian moved not from his first
position. He still preserved the utmost
composure of countenance, as also tho
severe attitude which he had assumed
from the beginning.
“Do you think to deceive me, Vivia ?
he replied, with somewhat of a sarcastic
smile. “Do you think me as liable to de
ception as yourself? Penetrate into the
depths of your heart; descend into its
dark abysses and bring with you the
torch of an unbiased mind, in order that
you nay see clearly through its myste
rious windings. Perhaps you will find
there a germ of evil from which springs
that “desire to please.” It is a hidden
danger, and one calculated to renew that
terrible passion which is within ns all
and which never dies. Why thus expose
yourself, Vi via ? Why do you thus hurl
defiance to the growling tempest which
may at any moment smite you to the
ground ? Those who have grown old in
the austerities of a penitential life still
tremble at the thought, and woe to them
if they tremble not. They see the preci
pice, yawning beneath their feet, and
every step may precipitate them to the
lowest depths. And you in the vigor
and strength of youth, an infant in the
profession of the faith, you, who instead
of chastising your body to bring it unto
subjection, have become enervated by
the refinements of luxury and ease—
you have the presumption to think that
you can walk over these burning coals
unscathed and unhurt! This pride and
folly will yet sting you with keen remorse,
and cost you many a bitter tear. No, a
just and proper mistrust of ourself is a
pillar of strength and a shield of safety.
I will even admit for a moment that you
have arrived at a very high degree of
sanctity, and that you have placed your
self on a level with the angels; is it law
ful for you to take pleasure in that
beauteous form of which you may be
possessed ? You do not care to reflect
that that part of man is formed from the
slime of the earth and that one day it
will mingle with its kindred dust. You
may glory in the body when it is torn
and lacerated by the hand of the execu
tioner—when it is mangled by the teeth
of furious animals in the Roman Amphi
theatre, or gradually consumed by inches
in flames enkindled by those who hate
the name of a Nazarene.”
‘‘o! father. These ideas are new. You
bring me into another world to which I
have hitherto been a stangcr. Even in
the night assemblies of the Christians I
have never heard thoughts so heavenly
and sublime. I grow fearful at my weak
ness?. But is it not too much for human
frailty, beset with so many temptations,
and so prone to evil ? Permit me,
father, to ask again, where is the crime
when there is no bad intention ?”
Tertullian started. A flush of holy
indignation crimsoned his manly face,
and as he raised his hand it trembled
with a convulsive agitation.
“In the assembly of Christians you
have no doubt learned to criticise the
words of those to whom you ought to
listen with patience and respect. But
no, I shall not get offended at your ob
stinacy: I rather take pity upon your
blindness. Your intention, you say, is
not bad, but are you sure that those who
come here to admire you can say the
same ? We are surrounded with pagans
and with tnose who are the slaves of vol
uptousness and of every species of
crime. Amongst ourselves, too, who can
say that he is clad with an armor that is
impregnable, and that no temptation can
overcome him ? Oh! Vivia, it is not
enough that we be pure ourselves; we
must, also, take care not to be com o the
occasion of sin to others, for we shall one
day have to render a rigorous account of
those souls that shall have perished
through our fault. There are points of
resemblance between women of pretend
ed virtue and those lamentable victims of
public incontinance. Both affect the same
haughty demeanor. Both take compla
cency in the charms of their person, and
use the same artifices to attract attention.
Around their lofty foreheads hang the
same brilliant diamonds, upon their wrists
the same golden bracelets, and suspend
ed from their necks tho same glittering
chains. Where is the young pagan lady
that is free from this charge ? Where is
the young widow that does not know full
well that she inhabits that city built by
the nefarious Dido? Where is the ten
der young female just springing forth
into bloom that does not offer incense to
that very god whose name inspires feel
ings of horror and disgust ? Oh! Vi
via, follow not in their footsteps, for they
lead to an abyss. Abandon their evil
ways; it is enough for you to breathe the
same atmosphere and speak the same
language ?”
“For you and forme, there is a veil
that hides from our view the secrets of
the future. Our horizon is limited and
we cannot go beyond. ITp to the present
time the great Church of Africa has been
at peace, and this while in other regions
the blood of martyrs have flowed in tor
rents. But, perhaps, this peace has
been too long, and I fear we have become
enervated by the absence of persecution.
The storm that has passed all round us,
may at length come to burst over our
heads and both you and I shall be called
to gird ourselves for the combat. Who
knows whether we shall acquit ourselves
nobly and issue forth from the struggle
bedecked with laurels and wearing the
auriola of martyrdom ? Suppose this
day that should come, Vivia, are those
delicate arms ready to exchange their
golden ornaments for heavy chains of
iron ?
“ Oh, Vivia ! recognize your error.
Let a sweet simplicity shine in your fea
tures, lot a saintly modesty adorn your
brow, and an angelic chastity lend a
charm to your whole exterior. Let
these be your ornaments.
The young lady, whose pride a mo
ment before had revolted against ttie se
verity of the Priest’s admonitions, now
cast down her eyes with shame. She
felt herself crushed beneath the truth of
his words. She might be compared to
the tender, pliant reed which, at the first
breath of wind, lifts its feeble head to
struggle with the storm, but as the agita
tion of the air increases, it bends to the
earth and remains in its prostrate form
until the storm is passed. Tertullian
knew well the secrets of human nature,
and saw clearly in the frank and candid
features of Vivia the reflection of her
inward impressions. The time had come
to strike the decisive blow and he hesitated
not ail instant.
“Viva,” he resumed, in a grave voice,
and approaching somewhat nearer; “Vi
via, he whom you see standing before you
is not Tertullian, the unworthy Priest,
the miserable sinner—but the represen
tative of the Church of Carthage, the en
voy of the holy Bishop, our common
father. Do you remember when pros
trate at his feet, before that numerous as
sembly of Christians, you besought with
eyes suffused in tears the favor of being
among the catechumens. A murmur of
joy was heard in that vast enclosure, and
all eyes were raised to tliauk heaven for
that supernatural inspiration which had
led you to the threshold of the Church.
The saintly pontiff was moved, and ex
pressed to you in sentences broken by the
transports of pleasure which filled his
heart, how happy he was to sec you aban
doning the worship of the idols, and
leaving these infamous temples of im
purity to adore in spirit and in truth the
true and living God. His voice trembled
when he stood at the altar, and eutoued the
hymn of thanksgiving, which was caught
up and reechoed by that immense con
course of people. Do you remember
when the ceremony was over, how venera
ble matrons and holy virgins pressed
around you to call you by the name of
sis-eis, and imprint upon your brow
the sacred kiss ot peace !
Do you remember how your saintly
mother embraced you in tears of rapture;
and how she told you that since you had
become a Christian, she could now go down
to the crave in happinessand tranquility?
Well, then, Vivia, do you know that you
have ’greived the heart of that Bishop,
and caused that mother to shed tears of
i W arken and Costkllo. —We learn from
London that the Fenian prisoners, Warren
and Costello, whose release was refused
by Lord Stanley some months ago when
demanded by the American Government
upon grounds that could not be entertain
el, have now' been liberated.
Colonel Kelly. —The Tralee corres
pondent of the Cork Examiner , in writing
on Wednesday, says: “A rumor was pre
valent to-day that Colonel Kelly, of Man
chester celebrity, for whose arrest the
Government have offered a reward of
£SOO, has paid a visit to Tralee. The po
lice are remarkably vigilant, and it is
stated that two detectives, either from
London or Dublin, are in town.”
A correspondent of the Dublin Express
says that a curious hoax was perpetrated
on February 10 oil the Queenstown police.
Information -was communicated to them
from some very confidential quarter that a
vessel in the harbor was laden with Greek
fire. The constabulary boarded the vessel
and seized the cargo, which turned out to
be glycerine.
Kilkenny.— lt is with deep and heart
felt regret we have to announce to a sym
pathising public the unexpected bereave
ment caused by the death of P. O’Shea,
Esq., Castlecomer. Through life his
career was marked by a universal straight
forwardness of manner, frankness of dis
position, and sterling probity as a merch
ant, which earned for him the well de
served reputation of being one of our
foremost and upright traders.— Journal.
Clare. — A correspondent writing of the
results of the late flood says: In Lahinch
the amount of damage done has been ex
cessive, so much so as to threaten whole
sale ruin to that well-known and favorite
sea resort. The storm wall has been not
only shattered, but dispersed—and the
road cut up nearly to the distance of the
Victoria Hotel from the strand. At En
nistymon, the effects of the flood were se
verely felt also. From the south-eastern
coast* the accounts have been equally
fraught with calamitous results, particular
ly at Dunmore East, where a life boat has
been capsized and five Coastguards lost.
Roscommon. — Spring still holds on,
though the air is somewhat sharper and
more March-like than in January. We
have had an excessive fall of rain during
the eaily part of the week, which inter
fered with outdoor work, but the surface
is now dry again, and tillage is resumed.
Wheat looks remarkably forward, and if
no injury from frost occurs it will evident
ly be an early and a heavy crop. Contrary
to all expectation turnips are just now a
drug in the market, swedes selling at 9d.
per cwt. Hay is at a stand. — Messenger,
February 13.
Leitrim. — The Rev. John Keany, G. C.,
died on the Ist of February, at his resi
dence, Killarga, in the lifty-nioth year of
his age, after a short illness, and was in
terred on the following Wednesday in the
parish church. Although but a short time
in Killarga —not two years—yet he en
deared himself to the people by his uni
versal kindness of heart and attention to
the education of children, whom it was
liis constant care to instruct in the doc
trines of his Divine Master.
Monaghan. —At the petty sessions held
in Carrickmacross, on February 12th, be
fore a large bench ot magistrates, two
young men were charged with illegal drill
ing, under the following circumstances :
On Sunday, January 31st, according to
evidence, about ten or twelve young men
assembled near a public road, in the sub
urbs of the town, and there engaged at
Pitch-at-toss. They had not long enjoyed
themselves till they were observed by a
policeman, at a distance of about 1000
bitterness ? It has been said that you
still cling, with fond recollection to those
shrines in which you had formerly offered
up incense to the pagan gods of Carthage,
and that you are purposely deferring the
day of your Baptism. It has been even
said that you are to appear once more in
the temple and effect a reconciliation
with those whom we thought you had
abandoned for evermore. Vivia, I have
received a commission from the venera
ble Pontiff, and let his words be deeply en
graven on your heart. They are : ‘Let
that woman seek to repair the evil she has
done in tramping under foot her pagan
luxury, and let. her enter upon a life of
piety and simplicity.’ Vivia, my mis
sion is accomplished ” And, as lie fin
ished, he proudly drew his cloak around
him and departed, without even saluting
the young lady whose heart he had
well nigh broken.
[to be continued.J
,§OMp JjfelVfc
IRELANI.
From tho Belfast Observer of l'eb. 27.
Suae Election Petition. — Carried-on
Shannon , Wednesday. —Major Knox has
been unseated and condemned to pay the
costs of the petition.
Cardinal Cullen.-— Cardinal Cullen
dined with the Lord Lieutenant on Tues
day night at Dublin Castle. The Church
News says: “It is reported in well-inform
ed Roman Catholic circles that his Emin
ence Cardinal Cullen will be recommend
ed to her Majesty to be sworn of the Irish
Privy Council by the Lord Lieutenant
and the Roman Catholic Lord Chancel
lor.”
yards. He thought the party fell into line
and began to form hollow squares, etc.,
which any person acquainted with the
above game can understand. The alarm
was at once given at the barracks that the
Fenian army was at drill and that the
towm was about being taken by storm !
Louth. —Dundalk February fair was
held on February 16, and it was numer
ously attended. Superior beef was scarce,
and sold readily at 755. to 80s. per cwt.
There was a better supply of second class
beasts, w'hieh were quickly purchased at
60s. to 65. and a few 675. 6d. per cw't.
Sheep were in small supply, and unequal
to the demand. Mutton rated at 6d to
7d. per lb. In the pig department the
business w as very animated, and 65 to 70s.
per cwt. was paid for prime animals.
Score pigs were also dear. The horse
fair exhibited some good roadsters and
young farm horses, which were sold at
£lO to £2O. The fair was one of the
i best we have had. for some time.
Longford.— The Fair of Lanesborough
was held on yesterday, and is looked on
as one of our leading spring fairs—it is
however chiefly noted for the sale of pigs
and horses; however the quality of the
latter article has latterly much fallen off,
but our porcine favorites still lully main
tain their pristine character. Pigs went
at Lanesborough on yesterday still higher
than at previous markets, reaching fully
Us. per score. Working horses w'ere
looked after and those of a serviceable
class freely purchased at prices ranging
from £lO to £2O. There w r as a small
supply of beef, which went fully 635. per
cwt. * Messrs. M’Corinack & Fallon, vict
uallers of this town, bought ten bullocks
from Mr. Johnstone, of Rathcline, at
£23 10s.; these were about the best ani
mals of their class at the fair. The supply
of stores w r as not numerous and prices
reached the highest point of the season.
On the whole the fair was a good one.—
Roscoft m >n Messenger, February 13.
The Weather—The Crops, —The Mal
low correspondent of the Cork Examiner
says : In consequence of the long contin
uance of inclement weather we have had
during the past two months, the state of
agriculture in all departments was never
more backward at this season than at
present, in all parts of the country. There
is scarcely any wheat sown, the weather
having been so unfavorable at the proper
season for sowing. Flax will, I under
stand, be extensively grown this season
in this neighborhood (Mallow) ; not by
local farmers, but by a northern company,
who have already commissioned Mr. C.
Roister, of Curraghbower (who is also an
extensive grower of the crop), to purchase
land on which “lea” oats grew last sea
son, for the growth of the crop. Several
acres have been already selected for this
purpose, at sums varying from £5 to £lO
per acre.
The Constabulary. —At the suppres
sion of the Feniau revolt, the peelers, as
ourroaders are aware, were rewarded for
their services to the Crown, by receiving
the title of “Royal Irish Constabulary.”
The Inspector General was so delighted
with the force, that he further gave them
permission to wear a harp embroidered
on the front of their caps, and a very
handsome addition it was to the uniform.
Latterly the harp has disappeared, wheth
er by order of the Inspector General or.
otherwise, is not known to the public.—
Waterford Citizen.
Anti-Ritualistic Orangemen.—Dun
gannon, Wednesday. —The Orangemen of
Moy appear to he greatly incensed about
some devices on the interior of the roof of
their church, which has been recently al
tered at very considerable expense, and is
now really a handsome structure; but the
architect lias had the audacity to dot the
spaces between the rafters of the hexagon
roof over the communion table with gold
en stars on a blue ground, and the in
cumbent of the parish the temerity to
cause to be printed, on the semi-circle
which supports the frame of the roof,
the text, “My flesh is meat indeed, and
my blood is drink iudeed,” &c., &c. This
is more than Orange Protestantism in the
county Tyrone could bear, and the conse
quence is, the men of Moy belonging to
the brotherhood have determined to put
an end to those “ Popish devices; and on
last Sunday night threatening notices ad
dressed to the incumbent, the Rev. Mr.
Carter, -were posted on tho church gate
and on the school-house of the town, warn
ing him that if the “stars” and objec
tionable text were not obliterated within
eight days, the Orangemen of the neigh
borhood would feel it to be their bounden
duty to have it done by force. It remains
to be seen whether the intolerance of
those worthies will be gratified.— Corres
pondent oj Freeman.
ROME.
Rome , Feb. 11.—-The Roman Carnival
was happily interred on Tuesday night,
and the repose of Lent has settled down on
the Eternal City. Very little animation
existed during the latter days of the Car
nival festivities, although tho balconies
were full of spectators. Many of the
Royal Family of Naples took part in the
confetti-throwing, especially the Count of
Trepani, but the carriages were very few
indeed. Madam De La Mazzieure and her
daughter occupied a balcony, and received
a shower of boquets during the whole
Carnival. The masqued ball is said to
have been very brilliant on Tuesday niMit
as it had been on the previous Friday. ° ’
liiE Holy Father.— His Holiness’ Car
nival consists, as your readers are aware,
in visits to Churches and Convents; on
Saturday lie visited the Caravita, and on
Monday the Jesu, and the affection and
loyalty with which his passage was hailed
by all classes of the population was most
touching. His health is excellent, and
although he looked tired on the 2d, at St
Peter's, he is perfectly restored. A re
port of his death has, it appears, been cir
culated on ’change at Paris and Vienna
and probably took its origin from a slight
appearance of fatigue on Candlemas Day.
lie received the Archbishop of Anazarbar
last night in a farew r ell audience, and was
then perfectly well. Ilis grace leaves to
morrow for London and Glasgow.
Holiness will confer the Sacrament of Com
firmation on Lord Bute in his private
chapel to-morrow morning, previous to his
departure for the Holy Land, whence he
returns here for Easter.
The Pontifical Army. —The Pontifical
troops will be agained manoeuvred to-mor
row morning (Friday) near Maglianella, on
the Civita Vecchia road, outside Porta
Oavalleggori. The spiritual exercises for
the military will commence immediately
after in the various corps.
Victor Emmanuel. —ls Victor Emman
uel was ill received on previous occasions
in Naples, his cup of tnpopularitv has
brimmed over during last visit. No one.
save the demimonde, and a few of tbe
families who were among the most no-
torious traitors to Francis 11., attended the
balls. The noblesse sent back the keys of
their boxes at the ■ San Carlo when the
King announced his intention of being
present, and the police gave away the
places, and filled the dress circle with the
wives of employes, &c. The flowers
thrown into the Princess’s carriage had
“Viva Francesco II,” on the paper en
circling them, and not only the Clerical
bnt the Liberal press testify to the utter
fiasco the Royal visit has been. The Car
dinal Archbishop removed at once to the
villa lie possesses at Sorreno, and only re
turned for the Ash Wednesday ceremony.
Distribution of Ashes— The distribu
tion of ashes by the Pope took place yes
terday in the Sixtine Chapel. His Holi
ness officiated, after having first received
them from the hands of the Cardinal-Vi
car. The chapel was crowded by English
and foreign visitors, both Protestants and
Catholic.
Father Burke, O. S. D. —The Rev.
Father Burke’s sermons commence at
Monte Santo on Sunday. The Zouaves
will make their retreat later on in Lent.
The Two Convicts. —Ajani and Ster
bini’s judgments will be given next week.
The minor offenders of Serristori have
been sent to the fortress of Pagliano, a
strung castle between Valmontone and
Zagurolo, where the Pontifical Govern
ment have a penal establishment for con
victs of an aggravated class of guilt.
Gasparoni. —Gasparoni, the brigand of
1820, still lives in the fortress of Gi vita
Castellano. He refused to escape last
year when the Garibaldians took the
town.
Intelligence.
More than 200,000 people came over
from Europe during the past year, and
fully 40,000 of them were of the Catholic
faith.
Among the matters upon which the Uni
versal Council, appointed to meet in Rome
in the month of December next, will h ave
to deliberate, there is one in which Italy
is particularly interested. This is a pro
ject for proceeding to the choice of anew
Pontiff without awaiting the death ot him
whom he shall succeed.
The Administrator of the Latin Catholic
Bishopric of Lubim (Russian Poland), be
ing in fear of transportation to Siberia, has
just taken refuge in Lembnrg, the capital
of Galicia. He intends going, to Rome
with a view to lay his complainst against
the Russian Government before the Rope.
Death of a Priest. — Died, on Februa
ry 27, in the Good Samaritan Hospital, m
the thirty-third year of his age, Re>.
Desideratus Rornbouts, late Pastor ot bt.
John Baptist Church, Harrison, Hamilton
county', Ohio. Deceased was a native oi
Antwerp, Belgium. lie was ordained m
1858 by the Most Rev. Cardinal Archbbuop
of Maline for a Franciscan convent
which he was a member.
The Diocesan Council of the Propaga
tion of the Faith held its first annual
ing on the 4th of February, at ‘V“h
France, in presence of the member?
Central Council, H. E. Cardinal deßona.a
being President. The receipts in the
cese of Lyons during the year
amounted to 338,980.73 fr., in 180 u ’
770.73 fr., showing an increase ot <-*•
000 fr.
At a meeting of the Cathedral 1 a- ; P/“-
held in St. Barnabas, Nottingham.
land, on February Kith, the ' eiy *
Provost Water worth, assisted by f
ons of the Diocese, went through tm
inony of the installation ot the new < _ '
recently appointed by 11 is Ilolinc-- [ f
Pius IX, to the vacancies in the *-M \
The following Priests were raised ■'.
dignity of Canons on the occa?^- 1 - ‘
Rev. Wm. Brown, Stamford; ‘
Arthur McKenna, Derby; ana >• -
Wm. Croft, Boston.
Baron Nicolai, a General in
service, Governor oi Tiilis, iuiu u ‘ j IU .
er of a corps d'armee in the (
left all to become a Monkin t.ie
St. Bruno, at the great Chartreuse._
Nicolai was converted to .
vears ago by the Bishop ot Or ea * •
name in religion is Brother John
