That the Pope himself has not iu any way given
up the hope of seeing his own infallibility proclaimed as a teacher of dogma ex cathedra, we gather from more than one speech officially, or un- officially, attributed to him. O On Sunday, 9th January, in address- ing some 1,500 Catholics, he is officially reported in the Vatican to have spoken as follows :—" Certain pretended wise men, blind leaders of the blind, desire that particular questions be avoided, and that nothing be done contrary to the prevailing ideas of the age. But I tell you that the truth must be proclaimed in order that liberty may be established, and that we must never fear either to proclaim truth or to condemn error. I wish to be free myself, and that truth should be free. As to the affairs of the world, I have nothing to do with them." To all appearance, however, the Pope has a good deal to do with the affairs of the world,—cer- taiuly, in the way of secular government, more than is good for him. If once declared morally and theologically infallible, might be not wisely effect a retreat on the empire of the mind?
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