The uselessness of inspection for Convents until Catholics ask for
it has been curiously shown this week. Mr. Lyne, alias Father Ignatius, of Llanthony Abbey, had persuaded a lad named Todd, aged 17, to enter his house, and on his father demanding him back refused to restore him, impudently adding that if his father would not make him an allowance he should be made to work among the monks as a menial servant. Letters were returned unopened, and Mr. Lyne seems to have thought it quite sufficient to say that the lad could go if he liked. At last, the father, being well advised, made his son a ward in Chancery, and after attempting to evade summons, Mr. Lyne, on sight of the sergeant, submitted humbly to the Court, which "he had never intended to disobey." Mr. Lyne admitted that he had administered the vows to the lad, but was told that if he attempted to regain him he would be. imprisoned. For some reason not given, Mr. Todd's counsel did not press for costs, which, as the lad had been retained for months, and actually tonsured, left the reverend father under a very insufficient punishment.
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