LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE PAPACY AND EDUCATION IN FRANCE. [To THE EDITOR 01 THE "SPECTATOR.'] SIR,—The Spectator, which shows such a noble thirst for truth, especially when international questions are con- cerned, will excuse me if I call its attention to one of the main points of the article on "The Papacy" published in its last number. You quote from Mr. Conybeare's article in the National Review some extracts from what you term "a French school-book used in French Roman Catholic schools," "Lea Flews de l'Histoire," by Theophile Valentin. I do not intend to defend this book ; I despise it as much as Mr. Conybeare and yourself ; but it is only fair to acknowledge that in France the educational authorities, represented by the Conseil Superieur de Unstruction publigue (presided over by the Minister of Public Instruction, and including Jews, Protes- tants, and Roman Catholics), have forbidden its use in all the schools, be they Roman Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish, either public or private. You see, consequently, that this book, which certainly is a French book—as so many ridiculous pamphlets about the Catholic convents are English books—is by no means "a school-book used in French Roman Catholic schools," and that it cannot be, as you add, "constantly given as a prize in Catholic schools." It is only a wicked publication solemnly and legally condemned by the highest educational Council in the country some eight or nine months ago. The Spectator, as a friend of truth and tolerance, will certainly be glad to hear this.—I am, Sir, &c., 2% Amhurst Road, N., March 12th. MiURICE KUHN.
[We gladly publish our correspondent's letter, but we do not understand him to deny that the book in question is published with high episcopal authority, and this is the gravamen of Mr. Conybeare's charge and the most deplorable feature of the incident. It shows that the Roman Church in France, or at any rate an important section, is hounding on, instead of discouraging, the vile attacks on the Jews.—En.
Spectator. I
Previous page
