plies of medicine, of wine, when necessary, and of all things calculated to mitigate their sufferings, reach them, they know not from whom. We could name some ladies of rank and fortune who almost daily inspect hospitals and poor schools, supported chiefly by their own bounty, or by collections which they obtained from their friends. We have seen them watching over the beds of sick orphans, administering to them medicine, standing as sponsors for them at confirmation, and arranging for the due supply of their little wardrobes. What did Lady Morgan, who has so grossly vituperated all Italian nobles-those of Rome most especially-know of the facts we have just mentioned ?

Every body is aware of the infamous titles by which foreigners, differing from us in faith, are accustomed to designate Rome : the "scarlet lady," the "pit of corruption," the "residence of antichrist," and "the mother of shame and pollution of every description." Instances have been known, and we could mention some ourselves-of German Protestants being ordered by their medical men to repair to Naples for the improvement of their health, and of their putting themselves to the utmost inconvenience in the course of their journey, in order, if possible, to avoid passing through Rome on their way to their destination, so great was their horror of breathing even for a day, the same atmosphere with the "man of sin," that is, the holy Father! But a little, indeed, very little, well directed inquiry might have enabled them to satisfy their minds that there is not in the world a community of human beings, their numbers and general situation considered, so free from vice as are the Roman people. Exceptions to this representation no doubt occur from time to time, under the form of robberies and assassinations. But, on the other hand, if the corruption of the female sex extend to any considerable degreewhich is believed not to be the case-at least it is hidden from the eye of the world, a homage to virtue which we certainly cannot boast of with reference to London, Edinburgh, or Dublin. One need only go into the churches on Sundays to see how VOL. II.-No. 1.

well they are attended by both sexes, from an early hour in the morning to midday, and at vespers in the afternoon. During the week-days, also, mass is celebrated in almost all public churches of Rome every half hour, from sunrise until noon. During those hours hundreds of the faithful may be seen kneeling on the bare floor round the side chapels.

One of the most important hospitals in Rome is that of St. Sauveur, on the Celian Mount, originally founded by the Cardinal John Colonna. It is under the care of the order of the "Hospital Sisters." Seven clergymen reside regularly in the establishment, and they receive abundant assistance from others, both secular and regular, who voluntarily repair thither to know if their services might be required. This establishment is dedicated to the reception of female invalids, without any distinction of station, country, or religion, according to the general and generous plan upon which all Roman charities are conducted. The institution of the "Hospital Sisters" was founded in the year 1821, by the Princess Teresa Doria Pamphili. They make four simple vows, poverty, chastity, obedience, and hospitality. They wear a uniform of black serge, and live in community. Widows are admissible to the order as well as unmarried females. They divide themselves into batches of six members each, who take it in turn to attend the sick throughout the night and day. They are supplied with cells, food, and raiment, by the hospital. To their hospital labors they, of course, add the performance of religious duties adapted to their order, but so arranged as never to interfere with their attentions to the sick. The charity of these admirable women, who thus separate themselves from all the pleasures and seductions of the world, can only have been inspired by real and profound sentiments of religion. The establishment enjoys a revenue of thirty-two thousand crowns a year, of which nearly the half is supplied by the government.

The Hospital Sisters have also been introduced into several other similar establishments, the number of which we need not here specify, as they are to be found in

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almost every quarter of Rome, adapted to diseases of every description, and generally richly endowed by the founders. In every case where sufficient funds do not exist, arising from these sources, the deficit is made good by the government, and sometimes by private benevolence.

During what are called the sacred years, that is, the years of jubilee (a jubilee is held every twenty-five years), the number of pilgrims who flock to Rome from all parts of the world is surprising. The number in the year 1825 (the last jubilee) was very near one hundred and eighty-two thousand men and ninety-one thousand three hundred and eighty-five women; in the whole upwards of two hundred and seventy-three thousand persons. The highest number recorded in the work before us is that set down opposite to the year 1625, I when no fewer than five hundred and eighty-two thousand seven hundred and sixty pilgrims found their way to the holy city, of whom one hundred and twenty-two thousand four hundred and ninety-one were females! In ordinary years, during the festivals of Easter, of Corpus Christi, and other great solemnities, the number of pilgrims in Rome does not exceed four or five hundred. Several establishments for the reception of pilgrims had been founded by Christian kings and princes in the early ages, but these fell away, from various causes, so that when the number of these pious characters was excessive, many arrived overpowered by fasting and fatigue, without a roof beneath which they might lay down their weary heads. The care of all the pilgrims for whom no hospital had been provided was transferred to the society of the adoration of the holy sacrament, who obtained for their use, from a noble lady, Elena Orsini, a large mansion near the baths of Agrippina; besides this, they have another hospital, in which they can accommodate a considerable number of pilgrims, on the ground-floor of which there are two chambers, in which, in remembrance of the act of our Saviour, the washing of the feet is annually performed.

In order to entitle him to be received in any of the hospitals under the care of the

society, the pilgrims must have come from a distance of at least sixty miles from Rome, and be furnished with a certificate from his parish priest, attesting that his object in going to Rome is to visit the holy places. Members of the society are in attendance to receive and examine these certificates, with a view to guard against fraud. Poor travellers here, also, find an asylum. If they be Italian, they receive entertainment for one day; if they be ultra-montane, for two days. Should they be Bohemians, they are presented on their departure with a crown out of funds which have been bequeathed specially to the hospital for that purpose. Portuguese are entertained for five days, and on going away receive each a present of a Roman sequin. The repast consists of a pound of bread, a portion of wine, six ounces of meat, a potage, fruit, and cheese. While serving their guests, the members of the society are clothed from head to foot in a coarse red garb, and our author very justly remarks, that it is indeed a beautiful and edifying spectacle to behold seated at long tables rows of men of different features, languages, and manners, assembled together from all parts of the world, in order to gain the indulgences, and attended in the most humble manner by persons eminently distinguished by their birth and station. It often happens that noblemen and others of elevated rank put on the habit of the pilgrim, and, as an act of Christian humility, repair in that dress to Rome, seeking, like other pilgrims, the hospitality provided for them by the care of the society, who are called the Society of the Holy Trinity. Although in the jubilee years they have to sustain an expense of upwards of one hundred thousand crowns, still their establishments are in a prosperous condition. Their annual revenue amounts to eighteen thousand crowns, of which two thousand and four hundred are paid by the apostolic chamber. We learn that Mrs. Trollope has been lately posting through Italy, and that she actually spent a whole week at Rome! We venture to predict that in her account of what may be literally called her "flying journey," she will not say one word of the Society of the Holy Trinity, for this good

reason, that she will have come away without knowing that there ever was such a society in existence.

There is, under the immediate protection of the Pope's almoner, an establishment for supplying with medical assistance at their own houses invalids who would not, from various considerations, like to repair to the public hospitals. For this purpose the city is divided into a certain number of sections, which are placed under the care of eleven visiters, who are usually virtuous, charitable ecclesiastics, each of whom has his own doctor and surgeon. When an invalid requires the aid of this establishment he informs his curé, who sends a note to the dispensary belonging to this establishment, and every thing is then done for him which his case requires.

Allusion has already been made to the confraternity for the burial of the dead. Their church is in Via Giulia. When they receive intelligence of the death of a person who is in need of their services, they repair to their church, where they assume their black dresses; they proceed forthwith, at all

times and seasons, to the place where the body lies, even though it may be twenty or thirty miles from Rome. During an inundation of the Tiber which occurred in the pontificate of Clement VIII, the members took their stations along the river as far as Ostia, and made use of every possible measure for recovering the bodies which had been carried away by the flood.

Within the city they usually accompany the funeral of the departed, accompanied frequently by other societies also. Their secretary summons them by a note to meet at their church at a certain hour after dinner. Clothed in their habit which covers their head, and permits only their eyes to be seen, they proceed to the place where the body is, and bear it to the church, singing psalms and holding lighted torches in their hands. They subsequently take it to the grave. These duties they perform not only for departed members of their own fraternity, but for any person, Roman or foreign, for whom their services may be necessary. They have a cemetery near their church.

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An ancient volume, speaking of the celebration of this day, observes: "Jesus Christ wished to teach us by this mystery that although the divinity was united to his humanity, he had not come to claim for himself an exemption from the observance of the law." At the commencement of a new year, the Church offers to the meditation of the faithful, an example of obedience and submission to the established laws; addressing them, as it were, in such terms as

allotted you, be obedient to those whom Providence has placed over you. Look upon him whose divine person was never sullied by the slightest stain of sin, and who, therefore, had no need of circumcision or baptism;-but, as he came to teach humility, he does not refuse to submit to the common yoke."

In the Mosaic law, no special place was assigned for the ceremony of circumcision. It is, therefore, probable that the Son of Mary was circumcised in Bethlehem, his native city, for there the Magi found him when they went to pay him the tribute of their adoration. The day on which the blood of the new-born infant first flowed, was selected for giving him the adorable

name which was to distinguish him among men. The Son of God might have assumed of right the most illustrious names, such as had been honored by the most celebrated kings and conquerors. But no; he preferred the name of Jesus, which signifies Saviour, to all other titles. Hence we read in the hymn for this festival: "To add to their glory, conquerors are distinguished by the names of the nations which they have subdued; but thou, O Jesus! thou who preferrest rather to liberate than to conquer, assumest a name which proclaims deliverance."

From the council of Tours, held in the year 566, we learn that on the first of January a decree was passed, which required that the chant of the sacred litanies should be substituted for the impious and superstitious songs of the pagans. This shows that the first day of the year was not so much a day of rejoicing and festivity as of penance and expiation; a day on which the joyful alleluia did not occur in the divine office. Towards the end of the seventh century the Church abrogated the three fasting days which preceding councils had prescribed for the end of the closing year and the beginning of the next. She strenuously exhorted the faithful to substitute the poor for their friends, and to convert their new year's presents into alms. This practice implies the perfection of Christian charity. Time in its onward course, may effect some changes in the ceremonies of the religious festivals, but the spirit of Catholicity remains unaltered, ever pure and elevated, full of tenderness and love, of mercy and justice. And when time shall have been swallowed up in eternity, that spirit will return to God who made it; like those angels who visited the holy patriarchs and prophets, and again winged their flight to heaven with their snowy feet unsullied by the dust of earth, and without having lost a feather from their wings!

If the custom of giving new year's presents and paying complimentary visits has become an established usage, religion has sanctified it by her wisdom and her councils. I shall never forget one new year's day; it was about nine in the morning. I was at Rouen. I entered the church of St. Maclan

which was thronged with the faithful, and the venerable and respected pastor was in the pulpit. It well became the poor inhabitants of #i this poor neighborhood, to assemble at the opening of the new year, in order to ask of God strength for the proper discharge of their various duties, and resignation in their sufferings; for in this parish but few wealthy persons resided, and resignation and fortitude were virtues of primary importance. The good pastor addressed his flock in that feeling tone of paternal solicitude which goes to the heart. I remained standing in the crowd, and so deep was the impression made upon me by the words of the good father, that I have not forgotten them. "Many among you," said the venerable curate, many among you have come to wish me a happy new year. I thank you sincerely; but in order that the year which this day has ushered in, may be a happy one for me, it must also be so for you. In my turn, then, my dear children, I wish you all a happy year; a year free from poverty and distress, marked by no awful visitation from God, a year spent in the practice of virtue, and conducting you to the blissful years of eternity. To you who are now listening to my feeble accents, and who are unaccustomed to splendid and costly garments, and princely attire, I wish and recommend resignation and patience.

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Continue, in the spirit of Christian submission and humility, to wear the poor clothing in which I now behold you clad ; and when those eternal years which I have wished you shall arrive, God will change that humble apparel into robes of purple, more splendid than the garments of kings."

Being in the crowd, I witnessed the emotion which the good father's words created; one could not but observe that there existed between the flock and its pastor, between the children and their father, between Christians and their priest, a union of charity so intimate, that they seemed to possess but one heart and one soul. I have witnessed many a new-year's day, in times of prosperity as well as of adversity; I have repaired with the crowd to the houses of the great, to present my congratulations to the favored of this world; and under all the various cir

cumstances of this festive period, much has passed under my observation; I have forgotten all. How is it that I still retain the recollection of that interchange of kind feelings between the venerable curate and his poor parishioners? . . . . Ah! it is because Religion stamped upon the scene her sacred impress, which nothing has been able to efface.

There are many who pass from one year to another, without any peculiar sensation, and who sneer at you when you tell them that you cannot finish one year and begin another without experiencing some emotion. For my part, I acknowledge that I never count the strokes of the midnight clock on the 31st of December, without an involuntary shudder; when the last sound has been given, I listen to it as it dies away upon the ear, and the lingering vibration irresistibly leads me to reflection.

In this solemn moment of transition from the old to the new year, we should call to mind some religious thought; otherwise the soul would be a prey to sadness. How many of our dearest friends has not the year that has just been swallowed up in eternity, consigned to the gloomy silence of the tomb!

With hope for the future, and resignation for the past, I hail the new year with the following sentiments: Welcome, daughter of time; though thou approachest us as a stranger, I welcome thee; thou comest en

veloped in a mist; we cannot tell whether thy countenance wears a stern or a smiling aspect; whether thy yet closed hands are the bearers of prosperity or misfortune, whether thou hast in the ample folds of thy mantle, the blessings of peace or the calamities of war; but although wrapped up in mystery for us, still thou art a messenger from God, and therefore do we bid you welcome. "Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord."

The day which commences the year, appears to me so solemn, that I could wish religion had a still greater share in its celebration. In some countries, when a fountain is to be opened in a city for the use of the inhabitants, a venerable pontiff appears to bless the salutary waters, which are about to flow. Would, too, that from the steps of the altar, a benediction were pronounced upon the days which are about to be added to the stream of life! Could we find in the whole system of nature, a greater resemblance between objects, than what is exhibited by a fountain of water and the fleeting current of time? The water mingles ultimately with the ocean; time is merged in eternity. But though the aged ocean says not to the returning waves, why are you thus turbid and agitated? God will nevertheless put to us the important question, "why have not your days been pure?". Let us, therefore, endeavor to return them to their author, unspotted as they left him.