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Priests are deprived of their government subsidies. Two newspapers have been brought before the courts-the Croix de la Lozère and L'Indépendance Bretonne. There is a threat, too, to strangle all journals condemning the ministry. It has been decided that Religious, even though they quit the habit, may not teach. The prosecutions of ex-religious continue. M. Pelletan, minister of marine, demands in a circular, that all his functionaries show their loyalty by sending their children to non-religious schools; and André, minister of war, has publicly declared that education must be secular, that "the workingman must be dragged away from the (religious) education which hinders his emancipation." The Lanterne proclaims, "Now we must not forget the curés (parish-priests): after the monks, let us attend to them!"

The Catholic Movement.-" What twenty years could not do, Jacobin persecution has effected in one day," says the Univers. Old dissensions are forgotten, and wounds healed in the Catholic hosts. The question of the day in France is the religious persecution of the sectarian minority which administers the affairs of the nation. The Catholic movement continues, has deepened, and is becoming better organized. There was a great demonstration at Nantes, and a fierce condemnation of the ministry by Coppée, with whom were associated Piou and the Marquis de La Ferronnays. A ringing appeal was made to the young men. A similar meeting of 5,000 persons at Turcoing was characterized, says the Vie Catholique, by "indescribable enthusiasm." M. Piou presided over an assembly of several thousands at the rue d'Enghien, Paris. At his right was the Baronne Reille, grand-daughter of Soult, and mother of the two Catholic deputies of Tarn. François Coppée spoke amid storms of applause, the whole assembly rising to receive him. M. Georges Thiébaud declared that "Catholicity is indissolubly united with the French mind and character, and to attack it is the deed of a bad Frenchman." Several similar meetings were held in various parts of Paris, as in the rue d'Athènes and Vaugirard. The provinces have imitated Paris. The League of Liberty of Teaching "does not purpose to limit itself to a theoretic and general protest against the tyranny of a government of degenerate Jacobins'; but determines to act, and to act effectually by confining itself to a few objects precisely determined." The Catholic Union of the Gironde is "pertinaciously active." Adhesions and protests are pouring in from members of the Institute and Academy, such as Vandal, Brunetière, Thureau-Dangin and Barth; from senators, from the General Society of Education. There are resignations and refusals to obey tyrannical commands, such as that of Dr. Robin, cantonal delegate of Saint-Savin, dismissed by the

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Departmental Council of Public Instruction because he wrote: "My conscience forbids me to be with the proscribers: I prefer to be numbered with the proscribed." The chamber of commerce of Angers demanded that the government allow the re opening of the religious schools, in the name of economy, industry and commerce; and when disciplined by Trouillot, minister of commerce, asked him if he intended "to frighten men born free," and reminded him that he had failed "even in the most elementary rules of politeness in their regard."

What was practically the acquittal of Lieutenant-Colonel de SaintRemy by the Council of War, for refusing to lead his soldiers against the Sisters, has made the sectarian press furious. The Radical, with contemptible hypocrisy, calls the decision "an apology for insurrection against the law." Commandant Delolm de Labaudie resigned. rather than take part in the proceedings against Lieutenant-Colonel de Saint-Remy and Commandant Le Roy Ladurie..

ENGLAND.

Catholic School Successes.-At the recent Oxford Local Examinations, 11,079 candidates presented themselves. Of these, 7,647 obtained certificates. In the senior examination, 1,317 passed, out of 2,084 competing; and amongst the successful, were 260 from Catholic colleges and convent schools. J. Murphy, a student of St. Francis Xavier's College, Liverpool, was sixth in the first class senior honors list; while another student of the same college was first in the list of the first class of juniors, out of 5,272 competitors. St. Francis Xavier's and St. Ignatius (Stamford Hill) had each a student standing second in the preliminary examination. A scholarship (10) and a local prize were the rewards following the successes of St. Francis Xavier's.

Six Catholic students have passed the intermediate examinations in arts of the London University. Two were from convent schools. Of the six, one had a place in the first division. In the Cambridge examinations six graduates of convent schools won first and second honors, and six others passed. In a list of schools warned by the education department that their subsidies may be withdrawn for inefficiency, no Catholic school is mentioned.

In the very important and difficult examinations of the joint board of Oxford and Cambridge, taken by most of the larger public schools, and in which only 64 per cent. passed in the higher, and 53 in the lower, Catholics have been even more successful this year than last. Manresa House, Roehampton, leads. St. Edmund's College has 19 certificates and 33 first classes.

The Education Bill.-After a seven-night's debate, clause 7 was carried by 220 voices to 98. This gives, as of course in plain justice. it should, to the managers of denominational schools the right to appoint the teachers. The length of the debate shows the pertinacity of Noncomformist opposition. This, instead of abating, is growing stronger; and the local elections, just now occurring, are going against the ministry. "Religious rancor" is the chief obstacle, says the Tablet; which is undoubtedly true, for the nation evidently desires denominational schools, seeing that the majority of the children are taught in them.

The Pope's Congratulations to the King.-As our readers know, Mgr. Merry del Val was the special envoy of Pope Leo to the king's coronation. He presided at the special religious services at the Brompton Oratory. At these were present, in the crowded congregation, Sir Wilfrid Laurier; Sir Nicholas O'Connor, Ambassador to Constantinople; Lord Edmund Talbot, the Duke of Norfolk's brother

-he himself being absent owing to the illness of his son-the two Lords Kerr, one a General, the other, First Sea Lord of the Admiralty; Lord Howard, and Lord Clifford.

The bulk of the worshippers remained to witness the departure of the Papal Envoy, raising loud cheers for the Holy Father, the King, and the Envoy.

The Indo-European Correspondence (July 30) informs us that after the service at Brompton Oratory on Sunday, the Nuncio received a representative of the press and authorized him to say that the Pope had ever entertained towards the late Queen feelings of the highest esteem and sympathy, that he had followed her reign and rule with the liveliest interest and admiration ever since he first made her acquaintance when he was Nuncio in Brussels; that he hailed with every confidence the accession of Edward VII to the throne, being convinced that his (the Pope's) spiritual subjects would continue to enjoy every religious liberty; that it was with very special pleasure he sent his envoy, being deeply sensible of his Majesty's recognition of his own Papal jubilee; that he heard with the deepest sorrow and sympathy of the king's illness, and participated to the fullest in the function celebrated that day by his representative at the Oratory for the king's recovery.

The Religious Orders in England. -All people of honor and knowledge now understand the depth of the low calumnies which Henry VIII had published against the Religious Orders when he ruthlessly destroyed them in England. In our own day of the "Second Spring,' besides the old historic Orders, such as the Benedictines, some of

which are restored to their ancient seats, England sees springing up everywhere a splendid array of new foundations. The number of religious women in England now is far greater than at any time before the so-called Reformation. Amongst the more numerous communities, the Benedictine monks, who had 25 priories in 1501, have at present eight principal establishments, with 59 dependent "cells," as they are called. The Franciscans have 14 houses, the Dominicans 9, the Jesuits 31, the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul 49, the Sisters of Mercy 84.

SPAIN.

The Bishops, the King and the Congress of Compostea.-In their address to the king, which sums up the resolutions of the late Con gress, the bishops demand liberty for the Religious Orders, the best men and minds of Spain recognizing society's debt to them. Instead of being reduced, they should be more numerous, in order that their teaching and example may influence the people, especially in the populous cities. Parents have the first right in education, and the Church the right of supervision. Whosoever opposes such rights is the enemy of the Christian family. Let the State aid and protect education, not suffocate it. The bishops pledge to their sovereign the lasting loyalty of the Christian people of Spain, shown in the recent coronation, "notwithstanding the corrosive action of the press and tribune." The congress and all Spain laments that politicians should neglect the true interests of the country for selfish and sectarian trifles. Men of all political views attended the Congress and professed to put the interests of religion above all others. In fact, some enthusiastic Catholics were anything but pleased over the professions of men who had not so long ago, and not without reason, figured as anti-clericals. The great desire of the prelates was to unite all the Catholic elements. against the social forces rising against religion and order. Freemasonry, false liberalism, anarchy and irreligion were vigorously condemned. The development of the Catholic press was insisted upon, as well as the use of the vote in favor of representatives and governments that respected the rights of the people. The extension and betterment of educational establishments were traced out and social reforms methodically urged. Arbitration between employers and men, economic instruction of the toilers, their religious training and observance, their homes and those of the poor, rural and savingsbanks, the regulation of salaries, the teaching of sociology in seminaries-these and like matters engaged, and, we may trust, not fruitlessly, the attention of the Congress.

The Character of Spanish Anti-Clericalism.-The Congress at Compostela has revealed how little anti-clericalism accords with the bent

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of the Spanish character. It is against the grain; and, according to the London Times, superficial." The Times correspondent testifies that the secular clergy live on the merest pittance and are scarcely numerous enough. Compared with the state of things in England, the revenue of the bishops seems modest and penurious. The most rabid anti-clerical desires no other than a convent education for his daughters, and no one wishes that women should be anything else than clerical. A nation which fought for its religion for seven hundred years and which spread it most zealously over all its vast possessions, is not likely to turn against it in a day.

The Ladies of the Christian Doctrine in Seville.-The Association of Ladies of the Christian Doctrine has had, according to the Spanish Messenger of the Sacred Heart (August), "a prodigious development" within the last three years, during which it has been extended to seventeen cities of Spain, including Toledo, Burgos and Barcelona. So successful has been the work of those ladies, that even men who had banded themselves together under oath never to enter a church, have been induced to return to the practices of religion.

Seville is one of the dangerous centres of advanced Socialism, its dupes being amongst the laborers, and its method of propaganda impiety. Here the ladies began, in 1895, to teach Christian doctrine to the working-people and the poor of both sexes, particularly in the remoter suburbs of the city. At present there are six centres with 2,960 members, divided into 83 sections, and in charge of 118 ladies. The organization of these devoted women is admirable. Their work is portioned out; some looking after irregular marriages, others procuring clothing, etc. There are honorary associates, also, who contribute by alms and influence to the success of the work. Generally speaking, each teaching associate has charge of forty working people, towards whom, says the Messenger, "she exercises all the offices of zeal and self-denial which a solid Christian piety can inspire." Besides instructing them, the ladies bring the bands of toilers to Mass on Sundays, and lead in the recitation of the rosary before the service begins. So great is the influence of those apostolic teachers, that in quarters of the city ill-affected towards religion, they can bring a large attendance to the church and the altar. Their zeal is, not infrequently, a little daring. They will go to the entrance of the wine-shops and even to the bull-fights to gather their flock, nor do they fail of success.

A notable feature of the work is the giving of rewards-substantial and practical; bread, rice, etc.-to the more faithful families. There is a distribution, twice a year, of as many as three thousand gifts of useful or necessary things. An annual mission in each one of the

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