5 SEPTEMBER 1868, Page 3

The Austrian Government has struck another and a tremendous blow

at clerical ascendancy. The Church Courts have hitherto claimed an almost total exemption from secular authority, have in fact regarded all their proceedings as partaking more or less of the privilege of the Confessional. Henceforward, they will be compelled to " recognize " civil proceedings, and to yield up any documents demanded by suitors. If they do not, they must go to prison, or in legal phrase must submit to civil execution. In practice this rule will give every man wronged by the Ecclesiastical Courts —say, every third suitor—an appeal to a lay tribunal.