21 JULY 1877, Page 3

A great opponent of the Falk Laws has died in

Germaoy. Baron von Ketteler, Bishop of Mayence, was a descendant. of the old Dukes of Courland, and his high birth, his ecclesiastical porfition, and his great courage gave him influence over all Catholics within the Empire. He was on, many points of policy a Liberal, and he resisted the declaration of ,infallibility as inopportune ; but he accepted the dogma when it was voted, and, denounced the Falk . laws with unfaltering energy, escaping imprisonment indeed only by his death. • It is believed that a. serious fight will be waged over the choice of his successor, the lieseian Government being anxious to prevent a nomination until the death of the present Pope, and the Church being anxious , that the nomination should be made at once. Rome, we venture to prophecy, will win, for Rome can wait,. and the diocese of Mayenee cannot.