16 APRIL 1864, Page 3

The breach between Napoleon and the Papacy seems to be

widening. Under the French concordat, no Papal Bull has any validity in France without the consent of the State ; but Cardinal Bonald, Archbishop of Lyons, has not only introduced but obeyed one abolishing the Gallic= liturgy in favour of that of Rome. He has gone a little too far; the Prefect has been ordered to stop the circulation and execution of the Bull, and the Cardinal may be called upon to answer for his conduct before the Council of State. The Pope really deserves credit for his courage. To break a solemn treaty, defy the Sovereign who holds Rome, and insult the only people who give him aid, in order that in one diocese one Roman liturgy may be used instead of another, is an act worthy of the beet times of the Papacy. It would ahnost suggest that Pius IX. actually believes in himself, only in that case he would dismiss his French guard and excommunicate Italy.