1 JANUARY 1870, Page 22

THE SITUATION IN ROME.—ILL

[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Rome, December 25, 1869. As far as I can judge out here from the stray scraps of the Eng- lish Press that are smuggled in at intervals, it would seem to me that the historical bearings of this Council are not fully taken in (at least as they present themselves to me) by the general public. It is at all times difficult to guard oneself against becoming involun- tarily the victim of one's predispositions, and though not con- scious of partizanship in the matter, I am quite aware that from much intercourse with men who are themselves actively enlisted in the promotion of particular ends, I may be inadverte ntly guilty of too much repeating one particular view. I know that you will be quite able to detect and correct any undue leanings of mine. My object in this letter will be to the best of my means to state succinctly what I believe to be the great practical issues at this moment in course of being fought out—probably not finally, but yet very severely—in the Council. Daring the last week the situation has been as fluctuating as it was exciting. It has been marked by very remarkable combinations among the Bishops, branching out, it would seem, into tentative alliances for common defence against the Pope's despotism with political force ; and just as all seemed on the point of a notable demonstration by Bishops —the most notable since the Reformation from any body of the Roman Catholic Episcopate to the Pope—all this has 'been sus- pended and disturbed by the unaccountable defection of the one prelate, of all others, who has least reason for apprehension, and hitherto has been prominently distinguished for his trenchant attitude.

- In the first place, it is well deserving notice what the pivot has been on which the contemplated demonstration turned. It will be found to be none other than the wide-spread desire of episcopal emancipation from Papal usurpation. Bishops of all countries, but in different degrees of definiteness, and in varying numbers, are painfully affected with the sense that gradually the Court of Rome has taken from them, one after another, their inherent privileges, and through the suppression of all independent action has reduced them from freeholders by the grace of the Church to mere dependents on the will of the Pope. After having blindly abetted for a long course of time the centralizing action of Rome, because they saw therein a natural support against that action of the State which, through a confusion of ideas, was deemed hostile to the Church, on account of having been hostile to Rome, Bis- hops are now awakening to the fact that they have raised for themselves an ogre who will tolerate them in no other shape than as the victims of his whim.

It is a singular ignorance of fact to say that the Bishops in being dissatisfied with the regulations prescribed by the Pope for their conduct in Council have shown an unreasonable pretension, inas- much as it depends upon the Pope's pleasure to lay down what rules he may see fit. To affirm such a proposition is simply to deny the existence of any historical right to the hierarchy, and to define the primitive constitution of the Church to be a level despotism under the sway of an autocrat. It is too true that the course of events has for some time been in the direction of such a state of things, and it is an undeniable fact that the Bishops themselves have abetted this end by their obsequious attitude towards the reigning Pope on several occasions when he innovated greatly on the established prerogatives of his dignity. But this makes it only the more remarkable and the more worthy of obser- vation by such as care to watch the signs of the age, that now amongst these very same bishops of tested deferentialness before the Holy See, there should have shown itself, and this not merely amongst bishops of one country, a spirit of reaction against any further abdication of their independence at the behest of an autocratic Pope. I do not wish to convey an exaggerated impres- sion as to the strength of this sentiment. I am convinced that the selection for the Episcopate of men with an approved absence of independent character has been far too careful not to secure a sure majority to the Court of Rome in the assembly. But the general existence of this flock of tame sheep only gives greater relief to the presence of nobler creatures. It is a fact that, for the first time since a very long while, bishops from all parts, and amongst them the men who rank in their respective countries as the ornaments of their Church, and the approved champions of their faith,—here in Rome have instinctively been drawn towards each other for an associated protest in defence of liberties which they have come to see are now threatened to be trampled out by Rome. It is no less significant for the future course of events that the manifestation of awakening reaction against Roman despotism has been most distinct in the two nations that, while the most Catholic, are also the most conspicu- ous for intellectual power, the French and the Germans. The movement amongst these sections was, moreover, thoroughly spontaneous, emanating from no external influence, but solely from the rising sentiment of Episcopal dignity. The Bishop of Orleans is not a satellite of the Empire, and the leading Episcopal leverage amongst the German bishops did cer- tainly not proceed from prelates connected with Prussia. It is perfectly true that once the question of independent privilege was started,—both the French and the German Governments, including Prussia, looked favourably on the efforts made, and, perhaps, even intimated some assurances of support. Indeed, it could hardly have been otherwise with France, which is too essentially Catholic not to be specially interested in an issue invoving the final fate of what survives of historical Gallicanism,—a tradition dear to Frenchmen. I believe that the following account of what has happened will prove substantially correct. The great difficulty which had to be overcome lay in finding the means for bringing into combination the different elementeof opposition disseminated in the Episcopate. The Bishops came to Rome to be so many atoms in that organic connection amongst themselves, and labouring from diversities of tongue and of habits under great disadvantage for union. Nor was the separa- tion only between Bishops of different countries. The French Bishops amongst themselves were very much divided by political colour and political sympathies. There is an Orleanist and a Bonapartist faction—men who had an eye to the Emperor and men who had run at him furiously—and, again, Monsigneur Dtipanloup, because he had so vehemently assaulted Veuillot, was looked on by not a few timid brethren as one who was almost on the verge of following Pere Hyacinthe into disobedience, while the Archbishop of Paris, on the other hand, was itemised of being a time-server to the Emperor. All this made it a hard task to bring about an understanding and a combination, but by degrees and by tact the thing was effected. The French Bishops held several meetings, and a number of them came to the resolution to draw up and sign a respectful protest against the limitation on their rights of initiative sought to be imposed by the Pope s regulations. It is not necessary that I should repeat the stories I have heard in regard to the negotiation that led to this result. The Bishops who were partners to the step are men who hold a high position, whose names command respect. The protest was drawn up, and was signed by fourteen French Bishops, when a very amazing incident occurred. It had been settled that the French and the German Bishops should separately present a remonstrance. Now, the Germans, though in one sense more disunited, or rather isolated, had found a natural centre in Cardinal Schwarzenberg, who by birth and rank stood in an exceptional position. He had from the very outset pronounced himself strongly against the intentions and plans of the Jesuit party. Indeed, the language ascribed to him, and, I believe, quite truly, was remarkable for a Cardinal to have spoken. It thus happened that the Germans found in him, if not an actual leader in the intellectual sense in which Monsigneur Dupauloup was one, by his indefatigable speech and pen, yet a great prelate of high distinction, and quite unusual independence, who was both willing to figure as a representative man and able to speak with authority. Under his presidency the German Bishops met, and under his influence and example a very considerable number of them assented to the plan of a corresponding remonstrance. I am led to believe that its language was even more explicit, and the adhesions more numerous than had been reckoned. Indeed, I have heard of signatures that a short while ago I never could have expected, and the sight of which must prove a vision of shame to the prime leader and now for ever disgraced man. It is beyond my power to inform you what motive came into play to bring about this astounding defection. I have been unable to find the solution of this mystery. Even to the last moment the Cardinal evinced himself quite firm in the views he has all along expressed with singular outspokenness. When the paper was brought to him for signature, he faltered and declined. It is not to be thought that any bribe could have influenced him. There is, in fact, no bribe at the command of Rome which could have attraction for Schwarzen- berg. In a worldly sense, he has everything already which is within gift. Moreover, he has always been an honourable gentleman. I am more inclined to assume that, being not a man of great mental calibre, and, moreover, a devout Catholic, he staggered back at the critical moment in conscience-stricken fear of what he was doing in bearding a Pope. This is, at least, what I am disposed to think the secret of this untoward break-down, involving the ruin of a hitherto fair reputation and the probable collapse of a movement,—for already I hear of other defections in the wake of Schwarzenberg. The artful wedge has been driven into the opposition phalanx, and what between luring promises, glittering benefices, purple hats, and other good things, I fear the Jesuits will have it their own way with the Bishops, for the few who will not prostrate themselves into the dust will survive only as proscribed forerunners of a spirit yet in the distant future.

AN ENGLISHMAN IN ROME.