The Debats publishes a letter from the Pope to the
Emperor of Austria, which appears to be genuine, and to have been written by the old Pontiff, as the children say, " out of his own head." His Holiness alludes to the Emperor's title of Apostolic Majesty, and rebukes him for allowing the "reins of empire to float inert, instead of grasping themwith a hand of iron;" taunts him with "de- stroying the principal base of a regular State, namely, morality;" declares that he will " remain in the face of a menacing popula- tion without a pure conscience ;" bids him think of his wife, "now awaiting a painful but happy event;" and finally, threatens "to change benedictions into so many just excommunications." The Pope, of course, writing mero motu, writes like any other very old Italian gentleman, and exposes himself to a little ridicule. But is there not something also not ridiculous in a man whose authority is derived wholly from a spiritual claim scolding a master of legions after that style? There certainly would be something sublime in it if the Pope had neither revenue nor soldiers. The letter must have been published by some lady who thought it would turn the hearts of the faithful. No Catholic man would have so greatly exasperated Austrian hatred of the Papacy by proving that it recommends despotism.
