other hand, traces of a new order of things can already with certainty be pointed out. Germany outstrips the other European states with a slow, but steady progress. Whilst these are engaged in war, pecuniary speculations, and civil dissensions, the Germans are preparing themselves to participate in a higher order of civilization, and such an advance must give them, in the course of time, a great superiority over other nations. In every branch of art and science, we may perceive a mighty fermentation. A wonderful spirit unfolds itself on all sides. New and fresh mines are examined and explored. Never were the sciences in better hands, at least, never were greater expectations raised. Subjects are studied under all their various points of view; nothing is left undisturbed, unexamined, uncriticised. Every department is cultivated: writers have become more original and powerful; every ancient historical monument, every art, every science has its friends and admirers, which is embraced with new ardour, and is thus rendered fruitful. A boundless versatility, a wonderful depth, a most polished literature, a comprehensive knowledge, and a rich aud powerful imagination, are here and there found boldly united together. A powerful opposition to arbitrary creations; a boundless-infinite variety; the sacred, personal character and capability of the inward man, appear to be stirring in every direction.* ... *"If from the blissful seats, which we trust it has now attained, the noble spirit of Novalis were to look down upon his beloved country, surely it would experience a new joy on contemplating the happy fulfilment of these predictions. In the period which has elapsed since those prophetic words were written, German literature and science have indeed achieved marvellous triumphs; triumphs which even in foreign countries are now recognised and celebrated. The fine arts have put forth an unwonted splendour, to embellish and ennoble German life; while industry and commerce are daily pouring forth their treasures to minister to its convenience. . . . Above all, that holy religion after which Novalis had so ardently yearned, has been extending its influence wider and wider over the land; and while in many places, it hallows, pervades, and vivifies art, science, and policy, it has re-acted on the Protestant world itself, and checked the progress of Rationalism, and awoke a feeling of piety which will ultimately, we think, lead to the happiest results." (See "Dublin Review," No. vi, Oct. 1837: also, No. xxi, article-"Moral and Intellectual Condition of Catholic Germany.") These glorious triumphs of Catholicity over Protestantism cannot possibly be denied ; illustrious writers have arisen, learned Catholic works have appeared, interesting journals are edited by distinguished individuals, whilst our holy religion is daily advancing in Westphalia, in Würtemberg, Bavaria, Austria, and other places. Most important changes have also taken place in the Prussian monarchy, which are already well known. In fine, German Catholic literature is A portion of mankind awake from the dream of helpless childhood, and exercise their first powers on snakes, which twine round their cradle, desirous of depriving them of the use of their limbs. As yet, everything is but merely indicative of something else; everything is disconnected and imperfect; but to an historical eye they bespeak an universal individuality, a new period of history, a renovated humanity, when a loving God shall unite his new Church with others in a sweetest embrace, and a new Messias shall be received and inwardly embraced by a thousand members, at one and the same time !* Who does not feel better hopes arising within himself, and a sweeter calm? The " new born" will be the image of his Father; a new golden period shall come with heavenly features, and it shall be a prophetic, wonder working, and healing one; comforting and ravishing us with the prospect of everlasting life! It shall be a season of propitiation, for there shall be a Saviour dwelling amongst men-like a good spirit; he shall be seen only with the eyes of faith, and thus in countless forms he will be visible to the faithful: he will be eaten as bread and wine, embraced as a beloved spouse; in Him we shall breathe and exist, and with heavenly delight-with the deepest sorrows of love, he will be received into the innermost part of our satiated soul! Our minds are now sufficiently enlightened, good-humouredly to laugh at the past times to which I have alluded, and even in such strange and foolish proceedings, to perceive the remarkable "crystallization" of historic events. Gratefully do we desire to embrace this instructor and philosopher, since the former erroneous conceits must, for the good of posterity, be entirely eradicated, and a proper perception of things introduced. Poetry is still gay and attractive, as a polished Indian in comparison with the understanding of a cold, lifeless Spitzbergan. In order that India, situate as it is in the middle of the earth, may be warm and glorious, there must be a cold, dead sea, with bar now completely gaining the upper hand, and producing effects that were little thought of some few years ago. What illustrious names are these:-J. Görres, Dr. Döllinger, Möhler, Dr. Hönighaus, F. Schlegel, Stolberg, Veith, Moliter, Dr. Theiner, Sailer, Hug, Dr. Klee! &c. * Surely these prophetic words are now hastening to their fulfilment. And oh! when shall the day-star arise, that will allow us to behold their perfect accomplishment! When shall we once more embrace each other, as children of one and the same Father? When shall Catholic elements, that now lie scattered in different parts, be brought into effectual coalition? When shall true Catholic hearts which now mourn apart, be unchained from their narrow cell, and restored to the bosom of that Mother after whom they fondly yearn? ren rocks, and fogs, (instead of the starry heavens and a long night,) whereby both poles are made uninhabitable. The deep meaning of creation had great weight with these anchorets-in such a wilderness, such a barrenness of understanding; the attractions of their newly acquired knowledge overpowered them; the old system avenged itself in them, for they offered, with wonderful denial, the holiest and most beautiful things of earth, to their first self-conscious existence: they were the first that again acknowledged, in word and in deed, the sanctity of nature, the infinity of science, the necessity of knowledge, the respect due to this earth, the universality of historic truth; these they acknowledged and proclaimed, and put an end to a higher, more extensive, and fearful phantom-dominion than they themselves had believed in. It is only through a more intimate knowledge of religion, that the fearful production of a religious sleep, the dream and deliria of the mind, can be properly regulated, for then we shall learn rightly to appreciate its importance. Where there are no gods, there spectres rule; and the proper time for the rise of European phantoms (which even their form fully explains), is also the period for the introduction of mythology into Christendom. Come then, ye philanthropists and encyclopædists, come with peace and receive a brother's kiss; throw off the old veil, and contemplate with newer feelings of love the wonderful majesty of nature, of history, and mankind. I will conduct you to a brother who will speak with you, and deliver all hearts to you; then your beloved soul, clothed with a new body, will again understand what was veiled from you, and what our dull, earthly mind, could not have easily apprehended. This brother is the palpitation of a new period, (whoever has felt it, cannot doubt of its coming), and he advances with secret pride from the crowd-onwards towards a new band of youths. He has made a new garment for the "holy," a garment which will bespeak their heavenly form, and veil them more chastely than any other. This garment is for the spouse, what the soul is for the body, -an essential organ; and the folds thereof are the characters of her sweet announcement, and their continual playful forms as music, for mere words are too rash and dull for the spouse; her lips are opened only for song. To me, all this is nothing but a solemn call to some universal assembly, the powerful trumpet sound of some coming herald! These are its first throes: let each one put himself in readiness for the birth.* "That feelings of a return to unity are every day widely spreading, and deeply 315 LINES SUGGESTED BY A PASSAGE IN THE "SOLILOQUIUM ANIMÆ," of the B. THOMAS A KEMPIS. TARRY not here, my soul! earth has no spot Oft as desires for the eternal day Spring up within, and urge thy heart away, So oft the path of virtue still is trod. If still thou strive to please Him,—still despise If for his love, each common act of life Is done, each slander borne, allayed each strife,- Then know ye tread the path of holy rest! sinking, no one who has the means of judging, I think, can doubt. These sentiments bave a strict echo in hundreds of sympathising bosoms, and they who receive them as sounds dear to them, are not idle in communicating their own thoughts to many more over whom they have influence; and thus has a far more general sense been awakened, than appears at first sight, to the religious state of things. There are many evidences, (which it would be hardly proper to detail), that Catholic feelings have penetrated deeper into society, than at first one would suspect. Whole parishes have received the leaven, and it is fermenting; and places where it might least be expected, seem to have received it in more secret and mysterious ways. . . . Experience has now shown, that the country population are ready to receive without murmuring-indeed with pleasure-the Catholic views propounded from Oxford, and indeed even more, when taught through regular parochial instruction. Add the richness and majesty of the Catholic ritual, the variety of its sublime services, the touching offices of peculiar seasons, the numberless institutions for charitable objects, and its hourly sanctifications of domestic life, and dissent shall break in pieces beneath the silent action of universal attraction, and its fragments gather round its all powerful principle.... Then shall we see wonders of reformation, pure faith revive with better lives, and the head converted by the converted heart."-("A Letter on Catholic Unity."―pp. 21-41.) Yet call to mind, 'twas God that gave thee first ECCLESIASTICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS ITALY. ROME. On the 27th of January the English, Scotch, and Irish Colleges presented the following address of congratulation to Monsignor Acton, on his promotion to the dignity of the Cardinalate. It was read by the Very Rev. C. M. Baggs, D.D., Rector of the English College, who was attended by the Rev. Dr. Cullen, and the Rev. Dr. Grant, the respective Rectors of the Irish and Scotch Colleges, and by the students of the three establishments. 66 May it please your Eminence,-We, the superiors of the English, Irish, and Scotch colleges in Rome, are anxious to be allowed to express to your Eminence, in our own names and in those of our respective communities, our great joy at the promotion of your Eminence to the exalted dignity of the Roman purple. "If we mourned over the premature loss of Cardinal Weld, to whose virtues we pay a willing tribute of respect and gratitude, we rejoice that his Holiness, in his wisdom and paternal solicitude for his children, has been pleased to appoint as the successor of his Eminence, an English prelate, whose many and distinguished merits we have long admired. "It is highly gratifying and consoling to us that your Eminence is invested with the authority of a cardinal priest of the Roman Church under the most favourable auspices, as our holy religion has already made considerable progress, and continues to gain fresh laurels, in the British dominious; and we place unbounded confidence in your Eminence's well-known zeal and prudence, that on all occasions your Eminence will promote, as did the Poles and Allens, the great cause to which we are all devoted. "In conclusion, we beg leave to recommend ourselves and our respective communities to the prayers and the protection of your Eminence, and, for our parts, we shall fervently pray that God may long preserve your Eminence for the advancement of His glory and the good of His Church." |