ACHILLI'S DEALINGS WITH THE INQUISITION. * TICE title of this volume
does not completely convey the idea of its contents. Dr. Achilli's "dealings with the Inquisition," and his account of the Inquisition as it now exists, form only a section of the book. The true subject is the autobiography of the writer, with the pictures which are incidentally furnished of the conduct and character of many of the Italian priests, as well as of Roman- ism in Italy. In this point of view it is an interesting work. The style, indeed, has the diffuse minuteness of an Italian writer, and -of a teacher and preacher accustomed to address an unin- structed. audience ; but it is clear, scholarly, and animated, without • Dealings with the Inquisition: or Papal Rome, hen Priests, and her Jesuits* With Important Disclosures. By the Reverend Giiciuto Achilh, D.D., late Prior and Vislter of the Dominican Order, vicar of the- Master of the Sacred ApoStolic
Palace, &c. Published by Hall and Virtue.
requiring much allowance for a person writing in a foreign tongue. The mere events of the life have a novel air : very curious is the pro- gress of a mind led on from questioning to doubt, from doubt to in- tellectual conviction—a Protestantism of the head, and from Chris- tianity of the intellect to the state of grace, which Dr. Aehilli con- siders he has now arrived at : still more curious are the picture of the workings of religion in Italy, the glimpses behind the scenes of the Italian religions drama, so opposite to the notions of fietionists and fanatics, and even to the conclusions the author himself is endea- vouring to impress, while they often have the character of subdued prose satire. At the same time, the evils of Popery in producing an abject superstition or an ignorant infidelity, and of the Popish priesthood in establishing an universal system of espionage, and in corrupting or destroying the family relations and the dearest feel- ings of nature, are sufficiently exhibited to render the ecclesiastical system under which Italy is groaning odious enough. Although we apprehend that Giacinto Achilli is not the man to establish his "Italian Church," or to turn out an Italian Luther, yet he is a remarkable person. He belongs to the present century, having been born about 1801. From an early age he was at- tracted to the cloister, rather, apparently, from a love of study, of learned leisure, and of literary distinction, than any especial "
From his aptitude for acquirement and his power of elocution, the Romish Church seemed to think that it had drawn a prize ; for his advancement was rapid. At twenty he was a fashionable and followed preacher. In his twenty-fourth year he was appointed as " teacher " of the Dominicans, to which order he belonged, not- withstanding the doubts he had been known as a pupil to enter- tain respecting some theories of Thomas Aquinas. He was ap- pointed soon after this professor of various sciences at the Semi- nary and Bishop's College at Viterbo, and Professor of Theology of the College of the Dominicans. His early rise made him numerous enemies, chiefly, he says, among the Friars ; but he was befriended by-many Bishops, and even by the Popes. Leo Twelfth offer- ed him the poet of Deputy Master of the Sacred Palace ; in 1827 Gregory the Sixteenth, whom he had known before he reached the Papacy, was anxious to befriend him; at the age of flirty he reached the great object of a studious Dominican's ambi- tion, the dignity of Ii Maestro Dominieano, which is seldom at- tained till late in life. A few years afterwards he was sent for to Rome by the head of his order ; high advancement was offered to him.; and prospects were opened to him of a bishopric, nay even a oardinalship. But his taste or his temper was disgusted by,the enmities, disputes, and intrigues of the priests, especially of the Dominicans; and his doubts had already ripened into strong ob- jeetions both to doctrines and practices, especially transubstantia- tion, confession' and absolution. But he had yet only a religion of the head. He fancied that if he were out of Rome and away from its troubles and annoyances, he could rub on decently in public, though talking, as he says he did in private, both to lales and clerics in a style the reverse of orthodox. He petitioned the Pope for letters of secularization; which enabled him to get out of the Dominican order : and he might perhaps have gone on quietly studying, talking, and preaching at Naples, where he lived, so as to avoid scandal ; but, in a rash moment, the Inquisition arrested him, in 1841. He alleges they had been watching him for years, and employing spies of every description ; but from some cause or other the case broke down, though the particulars of this imprisonment are not given, owing to a promise made on his release. It might be that the Church was unwilling to pro- ceed to extremities against him ; or that the interest of his friends, including Pope Gregory, protected him ; especially as Lambrus- chini failed to connect him with political disaffection.
"Another circumstance is worth relating. The two principal agents in
aaaratuea Au°aEllTea:!lCua)au and Cardinalbrui. 'l ought t: this heretic alive,'It Anca at one of the t- tines of the Inquisition; at another he was a little more moderate, and only suggested my being sent to the galleys for life. The Cardinal asserted that
• I was not only a heretic, but a conspirator as well. In a meeting of Cardi- nals at the Holy Office, this dreamer assured their Eminences and the Pope, that he could bring proof that I was a heretic in religion, a Freemason, a Carbonazi, a member of a secret society, and I know not what besides. "Several of the Cardinals who were personally acquainted with me op- posed his remarks ; but he was obstinate in his assertions, declaring that he had papers in his possession, and expected others from Naples, which would • prove the truth of what he advanced. It appears, he was furnished with the
• fabricated documents of the monks, instigated by Ancarani, and expected to receive more of the same description. But above all, he hoped to gain pos- session of my private papers • for which object he had directed the Papal Nuncio at Naples to make a diligent search in my own house, and to forward all that he could lay his hands upon to Rome.
"The Nuncio could not refuse the Secretary of State's order, but he was obliged to act through the agency of the Police ; which was refused when it was understood I was in the hands of the Inquisition ; for the Neapolitans have the greatest horror of that establishment, and, to their honour, would never allow of it among themselves, rising up in open revolt every Arne the Pope or the Bishops endeavoured to introduce it. It is an interesting fact, that the Minister of Police refused the Pope's Nuncio permission to break into my private dwelling, and possess himself of my papers. I have been . assured that he said to the Nuncio, 'I have no charge to preftr against Signor Achilli ; he has lived in Naples quietly, and in obedience to the Laws, and has gained great credit as a preacher; the Police have had no reason to sus- pect him of belonging to any secret society.' "Cardinal Lambruschini made but a sorry figure before the Inquisition after this event ; I fancy he was not very ready to come forward any more with his papers and precious documents.
"I have frequently had occasion to observe how remarkably all those who at that juncture sought to oppress and calumniate me have come to shame and confusion, without any effort on my part towards hostility or revenge. God himself has defeated and humbled them, and covered them with infamy in the sight of mankind. Ancarani died loaded with execrations. Lam- bruschini is still, for his greater punishment, among the living. Many others from Naples and other parts, who persecuted me, have been signally visited with the chastisement of the Almighty. To Him be all honour, glary, and praise. Amen."
On Althilli's liberation from "the dungeons of the Inquisition," he went to Corfu, and thence to Malta, with the view of founding "the Italian Church" and an university in conjunction with it. On this matter he has some grievances ; the pith of which seems to be, that he expected the Protestants of this country would furnish money to make a pie, and not expect to put their finger in it. On the flight of the Pope from Rome and the establishment of the Republic, Achilli returned to spread abroad his religions views ; and remaining there after the return of the Papal Govern- ment, in despite of warnings, was for the second time arrested, and imprisoned by the Inquisition' as the world already knew. After a while he was released, at the instance or by means of the French; who sent for him, nominally to give information touch- ing an accused, in reality to bid him go away. This was the man- ner in which it was managed when he was summoned the second time.
"This time my vehicle was an open one, and as it traversed the long street from the Castle of St. Angelo to the Piazza Minerva, I saw and was seen by many persons. I was regarded with curiosity. It was indeed a singular spectacle to see a prisoner of the Inquisition under the guard of the French Republic.
"I found the Capitaine Rapporteur even more conciliatory in his deport- ment towards ins than he was before, and I felt persuaded that he enter- tained a personal sympathy towards me. I will not, however, repeat our conversation. I will only say that it cheered me greatly, and made me feel so thoroughly sail I were my own maker that I determined to try if it was really the case.
"I walked into an antechamber, where I saw several seta of military garbs and accoutrements. In a moment I found myself in the uniform of a French soldier. I proceeded towards the doors on the landing; they were open ; not a single individual anywhere to be Been, to oppose my egress. It was half after five in the evening, consequently dusk. I did Alit any one else, I suppose, in my situation would have done and! did it with a smile of confidence and joy. I descended into the Piazza Minerva, paned through the Strada Pie di Memo the Piazza delgCntlet Romano, and walked down the Corso, in my military garb. Unrecognized, uninterrupted, I arrived at a place where I changed my dress. Here I found money prepared for me ; a passport and a carriage with post-horses were soon ready, and at seven in the evening I found myself beyond the walls of Rome."
Various accusations have been brought against Dr. Achill'. by Anglo-Romanists in England, nor is there any leak of charges in Italy but we suspect they are inventions. There are some prophetic dialogues in his book touching late occurrences, that have the air of hiving been written after the event ; some things seem dramatized, and there is an exaggerated tone against the Inquisition which the evidence rather gainsays. But the book carries internal evidence of truth. Had the writer been the character his enemies represent, he would have made oat a better case for himself and a worse against them. On the other hand, we do not see that Aehilli is the martyr certain persons would represent him to be. However righteous a war may be, those against whom it is waged will do their best to resist. Perse- cution for opinion is a bad thing, exercised by whom it may or how it will, whether by means of physical force or of slander and so- cial injuries. But we cannot expect the Pope and the Inquisition to act upon the discovery of the American sage as quoted in Salmagundi, that "believing in one God or in twenty Gods neither breaks a leg nor picks a pocket." Aehilli has no complaint against Rome. He was early advanced to distinction : whatever doubts might hang over his orthodoiy they were overlooked; he was pro- moted, caressed, and the very highest prospects opened out before him, his irregularities of opinion and speech being tolerate& Unless the first arrest was undertaken with the hope of sub- duing him, it was a blunder ; for it forced him into a line which we suspect he would not spontaneously have taken. His se- cond arrest was evidently courted. Ile had ample opportunities to get away, and was advised to go ; but he says he felt that God called him to stop, with a reliance, as it strikes us, upon the French army, which did not altogether fail him. During his imprison- ment, he suffered hardships and inconveniences; but he had indul- gences, and altogether was better off than he would have been if committed for trial in this country sixty or seventy years ago. The existence of the Inquisition is a disgraceful fact, and may show the unchanging and persecuting spirit of Popery ; but it answers no purpose to rave in " Ereles vein" about victims and martyrs that have no existence.
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