The life of pope Pius the seventh [ed. by T.W. Allies].

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Preface

Two Cardinals, eye-witnesses of the highest credit, Consalvi in his Mhnoircs, and Pacca in his Memorie Storiche, have supplied valuable materials for the following narrative: and the dry Histoire de Pie VII. by Artaud de Montor, is supplemented by d'Haussonville's late work of conspicuous merit, VEglise Romaine et le Premier Empire. The main staple of facts is drawn from these sources : the Author's task has been to weave out of them a life of the Pope in very moderate compass, but sufficient, it is hoped, to give a clear notion of the greatness of his Pontificate as well as the purity and delicacy of his personal character. #

The picture, if I mistake not, is one of rare, almost unique interest A simple Benedictine monk is placed by the Divine Providence on the Chair of Peter, when an universal deluge cast forth by the anti-Christian Revolution threatens to destroy the Church. At that moment rises a great warrior, a splendid genius, a remarkable legislator, who presumes that by setting himself at the head of the Revolution he can control and guide its forces. He seats himself on the throne of the eldest Son of the Church, and forthwith seeks to viii

Preface.

raise again her altars. But soon appears in him the spirit not of a son, but of one who, himself enthroned above the kings of the earth, would make the Church his footstool. He proceeds from victory to victory: and in the height of his power, he lays his hands upon the Vicar of Christ, who had consecrated his throne, seizes him in his Apostolic Palace, drags him like a gagged criminal through the length of Italy and France, confines him in a small episcopal residence of a provincial town, and pronounces that the States of the Church form departments of his Empire. The Vicar of Christ utters his protest in the name of Him Who in his person is insulted, imprisoned, and dethroned. At this the crowned Son of the Revolution, who has just trampled Prussia into the dust, snorting with anger, exclaims :

'What does Pius VII. mean by denouncing me to Christendom? Would he put my throne under an interdict or excommunicate me ? Does he imagine that their arms will fall from the hands of my soldiers ? '

In the meantime Europe crouches before him in silence. It seems not even to be indignant at the dethronement, the captivity of the Vicar of Christ. Napoleon having incarcerated the Head of the Church, proceeds in the sight of all men to dishonour publicly one of her sacraments : and Austria and Russia vie with each other for the honour of introducing a daughter into a marriage-chamber not vacant. From that point the retribution begins. Napoleon cannot marry two daughters of sovereigns at once, and the disappointed

Preface.

ix monarch becomes an enemy. Within three years from the date of the pseudo-marriage the arms fall from the hands of hundreds of thousands of soldiers marshalled in vain against the snows of Russia! From his own palace of Fontainebleau the Emperor sends back the Pope to his States, and Pius enters Rome in triumph, as Napoleon descends from his throne.

But more than this. The expiation is not yet made. The Rock of St Helena has to atone for Savona and Fontainebleau, and a gaoler is found who repeats in some measure upon Napoleon the insults but not the cruelties which gaolers of his own appointing had practised upon the Vicar of Christ. Moreover, the period of Napoleon's captivity, terminated by his death a discrowned outcast, coincides with the period of the Pope's dethronement and captivity terminated by his triumphant restoration.

Such were the consequences of making the Quirinal a prison in 1808. Two generations have passed, the same battle is now waging : a royal locksmith has again taken possession of the Quirinal: another Emperor mocks the Vicar of Christ : and the last quarter of the century will witness the consequences of fraud and violence imitating, with the distance which becomes their several authors, the fraud and violence of Napoleon, and exercised upon one who bears the name and repeats without a blemish the constancy of Pius VII.

T. W. A.

Contents

PAGE

Chapter I

The Revolution and the See of Peter. Actual meaning of the word

State .... i Mission of the Church in

Society .... 2

Relations of Church and State 3 Two principles represented by

Pius VII. and Napoleon . 4 Pitt's notion of opposing the

Revolution 5 Jansenists false friends of the

Church .... 7

Fenelon's view of the sect . 8 Republican principles applied

to the Church ... 9 Gallicanism second great enemy of principle of authority zo Joseph II. and his system . iz Mediation of Pius VI. to

Belgians .... 14

The social revolution of 1789 15

Its results in France . . 16 Treaty of Tolentino . .17 Exile and testament of

Pius VI 18

The Conclave of 1799-1800 . 19 Election of Barnaba Chiara-

Policy of German Cabinet . 21

Negotiations with Pius VII. 23

Battle of Marengo . . 24 The Holy Father's voyage in

theBellona ... 25

His entrance into Rome • 26

PAGE

Chapter II. The Sovereign and the Minister

Choice of Consalvi as Secretary of State ... 27 Antecedents of the 'great

Cardinal' .... 28 His character ... 29 Reforms in Papal administration 30

Bonaparte's notion of utilizing

the Church ... 31

His Allocution at Milan . 32

Bonaparte's Ministers . . 33

Bernier, his man of business . 34

Cacault at Rome 35

Consalvi' s departure for Paris 36

Chapter III. Two Cardinals: Strength and Weakness

Aspirations of the spiritual

and temporal Powers . 37

Substance of the Concordat . 38

Bonaparte's religion . . 39 Consalvi's audience at the

Tuileries .... 40

Attitude of First Consul . 41

Herculean labours . . 42

A snare .... 44 The First Consul and the

Roman plenipotentiary at

dinner .... 45

Consalvi's battle ... 46

Unpleasant surprizes . . 47

A last assault ... 48

Contents.

xi

PAGE

Cardinal Caprara . . •

AO

His line of conduct with

Bonaparte

5°

Gallican counsellor .

5*

Discussions ....

Obstinacy of constitutional bishops ....

Useless concessions

Publication of Concordat

The Organic Articles .

Text of Concordat

Substance of Organic Articles

Chapter IV. Pius the Seventh at the Tuiteries

1804-1805.

Anticipations of Pius VII. .

The first results of publication of Organic Articles .

Napoleon seconded by Portalis, Minister of Worship.

The Emperor's views as to

Gospel morality

First appearance of Cardinal

Fesch ....

Napoleon voted Emperor by the Senate

Policy of Papal Legate in Paris

Reasons and conditions for the Coronation .

Talleyrand's empty promises

A premature breach of faith

Meeting of Pope and Emperor

Convenience of a huntsman's

Efforts to beguile Pius .

Josephine's secret visit to the Holy Father

The Coronation .

Mutual appreciation of Pius jind Napoleon .

Demand of Pius in favour of

Temporal Power

Nature of Napoleon's answer

Solitary advantage reaped by

Pius VII. at Paris .

PAGE

The Avignon scheme rejected by the Holy Father . . 86

Imperial jealousy a fruit of ambition .... 87

Proclamation of new kingdom of Italy .... 87

Return to Rome ... 88

The Holy Father's experiences of French enthusiasm 89

Chapter V. The Apple of Discord, 1805-1806

Pius VII. 's ruling thought . 91

Napoleon's domestic tyranny 92

Expectations from a 'green blossom* 93

Napoleon's letter to Pius concerning Jerome Bonaparte .... 94

Validity of Jerome's marriage to Miss Patterson . . 95

Immediate result of the Holy Father's decision . . 96

General aspect of Europe . 97

New allotments of European territory .... 98

Napoleon's schemes respecting England and Germany 99

Occupation of Ancona . . 99

Influence of human glory on Napoleon .... 100

His letter to Pius . . . 101

Gentleness and long-suffering opposed to insulting language .... 103

Threats .... 104

Self-illusion of a wayward genius . . . . 105

Erroneous opinion of an English peer . . . 107

Reply of Pius invited to accede to Continental Blockade . 108

Ambition necessarily inconsistent .... 109

Fesch endeavours successfully to play a double part . zio xii

Contents.

PAGE

Consalvi's retirement from the Ministry . . . in

Danger of Pius from his devotion to duty . .112

Chapter VI

The position assumed by Napoleon as a Ruler towards the Church.

Napoleon's advances to religion prompted by policy . 113

The Holy Father's estimation of the Concordat . .114

The Organic Articles . . 115

Napoleon's programme with regard to religion . * 116

His notion of profiting by spiritual things . . -117

The constitutional clergy gradually discarded . .118

The imperially ordered Te Deums and pastorals . 119

His views about 'heretical England* .... 120

Measure of praise expected from bishops . , . 120

State despotism compared with Catholic liberty of Rome .... 121

The 15th of August given to St. Napoleon . . . 122

Ignorance as to the Emperors patron saint . . . 123

Caprara and Consalvi on the Imperial Catechism . . 123

Why the Catechism was called into existence . . . 124

Its commentary of the Fourth Commandment . . 125

Caprara's compliance duly appreciated by Napoleon . 127

Chapter VII. The Quirinal a Prison, 1 806-1809

A one-sided view . . 128

Cardinal Casoni as Secretary of State .... 129

PAGE

A Papal Legate at an imperial

reception .... 130 Napoleon's plans specified to

Caprara .... 131 M. Alquier's Ultimatum . 132 Servile notion of ' rights ' . 132 Resistance and expectations

of Pius .... 133 His letter to Caprara . . 134 The difference between ' cannot' and 'will not' . . 136 Napoleon at Berlin . . 137 The Emperor's demand of an

extraordinary Legate . 138 The communication from

Dresden .... 139 Napoleon's conviction that he is a 'pillar of the faith' .... 140 Napoleon unconsciously a

true prophet . . . 141 Foresees the time when he

may call a general council 142 M. de Talleyrand succeeded by M. de Champagny for a motive .... 143 Pius' letter of invitation to

the Emperor . . . 144 Its answer .... 145 A useless condescension . 146 The essence of the Catholic Religion opposed to State supervision . . . 147 The Holy Father's letter to Caprara respecting imperial requirements . . 148 Plan of approaching invasion

of Rome .... 149 The shadow of what was to

come .... 150 The Feast of the Purification

at Rome in 1808 . . 151 French monoply of the Post

and Press .... 152 Pius VII. a close prisoner in

the Quirinal . . . 153 Ministry of Pacca . . 154

Contents.

xiii

PAGE

Brigandage tolerated by invaders .... 155

Attempts to exile Pacca . 156

Intervention of the Holy Father .... 157

Friendly disposition of Cabinet of St. James . . 158

Napoleon's letter to M. de Champagny . . . 159

Consummatum est . . 160

Publication of Bull of Excommunication . . . 161

Its results .... 163

Chapter VIII. Safuona, 1809-1810

Terms of conflict between

Pope and Emperor . . 165 Armed force at the Quirinal . 166 The Holy Father found at his

post 167

Pius' answer to General

Radet's notification < . 168 His testament to the Romans 169 Apostolic poverty . . 170 The Chartreuse at Florence

and its Bonaparte ruler . 171 Progress of Pius VII. and

sojourn at Grenoble . . 172 Aim of Napoleon . . 173 Servility a result of despotism 174 Ignoble similitude adopted in

Moniteur .... 175 Life of Pius at Savona . 176 His gaolers .... 177 Importance of the Holy See

proved by circumstances . 178 Remonstrances of courtier

prelates .... 179 Pius' letter to Caprara . . 180 Maury's expedient to supply

a spiritual need . . . 181 The new Minister of Worship 182 Imperial acts of spiritual jurisdiction .... 183 M. Emery's audience with

Napoleon . . . .184

PAGE

Effects of State-legislation on the Church . . . 185

Roman Court transferred to Paris . . . .186

Religious aspect of Italy . 187

Results of State interference 189

Chapter IX. Strife through Woman, 1810

Domestic life of Napoleon and Josephine . , . 190

Divorce prompted by ambition 191

Result of imperial disclosure on Josephine . . . 192

The Empress* farewell to the Tuileries .... 193

Conversation of two courtiers 194

Difficulties as to religious marriage .... 195

Napoleon's arguments . . 196

Pius VII. excluded from the whole question of new marriage .... 197

Glory not infallibly conducive to happiness . . . 198

Consalvi's second appearance in Paris .... 199

Another audience . . 200

Demeanour of Consalvi in imperial marriage . . 201

Opinions of the Sacred College 202

Assaults directed against Consalvi's conscience . 203

The religious marriage 204

The Black and Red Cardinals .... 205

A deputy from Austria at Savona 206

Desires of Pius VII. . 207

Negotiations of Spina and Caselli with the Holy Father . 208

The Emperor strengthened in his evil resolutions . . 209 xiv

Contents.

PAGE

Chapter X. The government of the Church monarchical . 211

Schism essentially inconsistent 212

Maury named Archbishop of Paris by Napoleon . . 213

The Abbe" d' Astros at Notre Dame . 214

The Holy Father's protest against Maury's election . 215

The Minister of Police's weapons against conscience . 216

Tyrannical measures and their fruits . . . 217

Napoleon's directions to M.

Bigot . . . .218

Search at the Holy Father's prison .... 220

Pius divested of the Ring of the Fisherman . . . 221

Address of Metropolitan Canons drawn up by Napoleon and Maury . . 222

Bossuet erroneously cited as a Gallican champion . 223

Capitulary addresses, a new seduction used by Napoleon 224

Bishop of Savona rewarded by imperial gratitude . 225

Ecclesiastical Commission to solve an impossible riddle . 226

Its decision .... 227

Independence of the Holy Father necessary for his spiritual liberty . . . 228

Ground for National Council 229

Degeneration . . . 230

An extraordinary sitting at the Tuileries . . . 231

Emery's defence of the Temporal Power . . . 232

The Sulpician's defence of truth to Napoleon . . 233

Emery's advice not acted upon 234

PAGE

Chapter XI. A Gallican Council, 181 1

Death of M. Emery . . 236 Peculiar character of Napoleon's National Council 237 Ignorance of bishops as to

the state of things . . 238 Value of the Council viewed

as a resisting body . . 239 Deputation to Savona . . 240 Emperor and Minister of Worship controlling the bishops .... 241 Bribing of the Pope's doctor 242 M. de Chabrol's notion of

confessors . . . 243 The Holy Father's attitude

with regard to Deputation 245 Misdirected energy of M. de

Chabrol .... 246 Alarming state of Pius VII. 247 Feeble advantage wrenched

from him by Deputation . 247 Results of Deputation . . 249 The real president of the

Council .... 250 The Bishop of Seez and his

Vicar-General . . . 251 Opening of the National

Council .... 253 Situation prepared by Galli-

canism .... 254 Inaugural oration . . 255 Demeanour of presiding Prelate 256

The Ministers of Worship at the First General Congregation .... 257 Napoleon's will notified to

National Council . . 258 Fesch's interview at St. Cloud 260 Motion of Council in favour

of Pius VII. . . .261 Bishop of Chambery's speech 262 Worldly prudence of Fesch . 263 Authority of Council of Trent invoked by Mgr.d'Aviau . 264

Contents.

xv

PAGE

Impotence of Council displeasing to Napoleon . 265 Holy Father's interference solicited by helpless bishops 266 Napoleon's decree . . 267 Bishops beguiled . . . 268 Partial retractation . . 269 Arrest of opposing prelates . 270 Despotism not propitious to

moral courage . . . 271

M. Bigot's operations . . 272 Attempt at resurrection, and

its fruits .... 273

Summing up of Council . 274

Chapter XII. From Savona to FontcditebUau, 1811-1812

A novel negotiation . . 275

Capital made of the Holy Father's ignorance . . 276

Members of the new Deputation 277

Solitude in the midst of unfaithful friends . . . 278

Deceitful conduct of Deputation 279

M. de Chabrol's notions of liberty and the truth . 280

The Papal Brief of September, 1811 .... 281

Napoleon's absorption in Russian Campaign . . 282

Dissatisfied ambition . . 283

A pictured elysium of earthly glory . . . .285

Emperor's communication to Deputation . . . 286

Disenchantment . . . 287

Letter of Pius to Napoleon . 288

Its answer. . . . 289

Aggravated severity of Holy Father's imprisonment . 291

Napoleon's ground for removing the Pope to Fontainebleau. . . . 292

Farewell to Savona . . 293

PAGE

Sufferings of Pius VII. . . 294 His reception at Fontaine-

bleau 295

New weapons in the conflict 296 The Holy Father's arms . 297 Simplicity and nobility of his

conduct .... 298 Condition of French Church . 299 Napoleon's new device for

punishing bishops . . 300 Result of Emperor's expedients in spiritual administration .... 301 What is involved in Gallican

system .... 302 Protestation of Chapter of

Ghent . 303

The Man of the Iron Mask supplied with a successor . 304

Chapter XIII. Greatness in Humility, 1813

Last ordeal of Pius VII. . 305 Aspect of social and religious

horizon .... 306 Napoleon's renewed negotiations with the Holy Father 307 Primary scheme of Concordat

of Fontainebleau . . 308 Fontainebleau a new Savona 309 Mgr. Duvoisin's admission

concerning Pius VII. . 310 The huntsman's second appearance .... 311 Conferences .... 312 False counsellors . . . 313 Text of Concordat of Fontainebleau .... 314 Formality of signing . . 315 Its value as a treaty . . 317 Sadness and remorse of the

Holy Father . . .318 Pacca's journey and arrival at

Fontainebleau . . . 319 Pius VII. a sovereign without a kingdom . • . 320 xvi

Contents.

PAGE

His fixed idea . . . 321 Division amongst the Black

Cardinals .... 322 Retractation decided upon . 323 Its arduous process . . 324 Letter of Pius to Emperor . 325 Allocution to Sacred College 327 Retractation ignored by Napoleon .... 328 Vain attempts of Cardinal

Maury . 329

Arrest of Cardinal di Pietro . 330 Evils resulting from double

administration of a diocese 331 Napoleon's dealings with

Catholic Flanders . . 332

Voice from a death-bed . 333 Emperor's chances with the

French Church . . . 334

Cardinal Fesch's prediction . 335

Chapter XIV. The Fallen Emperor and the Restored Pontiff

The secret of resistance offered by Pius VII. . 336

The Church must triumph . 337

Waning of the Emperor's star 338

Marie Louise's notification to the Holy Father . . 339

Reasons for inactivity of the

. Holy Father . . . 341

An interested offer of restitution 34 s

Once more an Apostolic Pilgrim 343

Napoleon's policy with regard to Pius VII. ... 344

The Holy Father's confidence in God . . . .345

A tardy restitution viewed as a hateful necessity . . 346

Homeward journey of Pius VII 347

PAGE

Entry into Rome . . . 348 The Holy Father's prayer at

St. Peter's .... 349 Another signing at Fontaine-

bleau 350

Vengeance of Pius VII. . 351 Gratitude expressed by Napoleon's mother . . . 353

Chapter XV. ' They who sow in tears shall reap in joy'

Europe in 1814 , . . 354 Re-establishment of the Society of Jesus . . . 355 The Holy Father's estimation

of its services . . . 356 The Congress and Treaty of

Vienna .... 357 Temporary exile . . . 358 Napoleon's final sentence . 359 Consalvi Secretary of State

again .... 360 The Holy Father's important

motu proprio . . . 361 Another concordat for France 362 Difficulties with French

bishops .... 363 Policy of French Legislative

Assemblies . . . 364 New Archbishop of Paris . 365 An age of concordats . . 365 Calm after the storm . . 366 Corpus Domini at Rome . 367 Roman hospitality freely shown to house of Bonaparte 368

Napoleon's death as a humble viewed together. . . 370 A few parting words about

the 'great Cardinal' . . 371 Protest of Pius against Carbonari and secret societies 372 Death of Pius VII. . . 373

Chapter I

The Revolution and the See of Peter. The Conclave o/iygg — 1800.

As liberty is a divine gift to man, and yet many a thoughtful mind in this nineteenth century is wary of pronouncing the word owing to the excesses of unbridled licence to which it has lent the support of its name, so in the same way the word State, which ought simply to denote a divine institution, actually brings before the mind under an unfavourable aspect the relation of the natural to the supernatural order. Society is the natural communion of mankind assembled on the earth to accomplish all those works which belong to man as not only a rational, but a social animal. It is an ordination of God, for in the beginning we read that He said : ' It is not good for man to be alone.' 1 He had made man with a heart which could not even naturally suffice to itself. Eve first supplied this want and met this need, and through her children were born unto Adam, and the world became gradually inhabited. But it would seem that the word State, in its present signification, is an offspring of our own times. Thus considered, it seems to mean a material power having no soul, as it were, and possessing no aspirations beyond this world. As we view the whole 1 Genesis ii. 18.

B subject-matter implied in the word, it may perhaps be denned to be the effort of the secular authority to predominate, and to overrule that supernatural authority, which was likewise an ordination of God in society, in order to be the guardian of the soul's liberties. The most superficial knowledge of the question would prompt a man to own at once in theory the superiority of the Church over the State, one representing temporary, the other eternal interests. But in practice this is often denied. The claims of Almighty God are found to be too many and too pressing; and the State, which personifies to us a power which we can almost grasp with the senses, is always at hand inviting us to throw off the yoke, to eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die. When such a voice is listened to by men, they are unconsciously led to the most grievous of despotisms ; for may not that be called grievous which is the destruction of a divine law and the marring of the divine idea ?

God, Who willed that each man should help and soothe his fellow-man in the common bond of society, instituted the Church as the guardian of the higher and nobler part of His creatures. This world, fleeting and full of sorrow as it is, is singularly attractive, and the human heart cleaves to its pleasant places, and eagerly drinks of the cup of life. This is an inordinate attachment whose weakness God stooped to consider, and together with the natural society, or rather over this natural society, He gave to a divine religion a working organization in time. When the secular power pressed heavily on man he was to refresh himself by inhaling the higher atmosphere of an institution presenting, it is true, a certain appearance of material structure, but whose last word is in eternity, and whose daily admonition is Sursum corda ! God and Caesar, or, to express the respective claims of each in the familiar phrase, Church and State, are not antagoand the See of Peter.

nistic, but in obedience to the divine law must fulfil their respective ends. As the secular power watches over the material, so the divine power guards the spiritual life of man; but dealing as they do with the same persons, under the same conditions of time and place, the course productive of true peace and happiness is found in the perfect harmony of the two. History tells us that concord has only been attained and preserved through the submission of the minor and temporary interests to the greater and eternal. Too often the non serviam of the State has called forth, as its necessary echo, the non possum of the Church. It is a fact which explains to us many otherwise incomprehensible pages in the world's annals. God has given an innate force to this legitimate non possum, a strength more divine than human, as He has proved it to be by the dearth of natural means, and yet by the never-failing endurance of His cause through His all-sufficing power. When a full comprehension is arrived at of the nature of the struggle provoked by the attempts of pride to resist the control involved in the teaching of the Church, to own no superior, and to invade the territory of religion, the divine institution, which, as we know, mere natural reason had condemned as 'folly/ stands out in clearer beauty. We see a reason for the contest waged from the beginning of the Christian era. The seed which the Divine Truth sowed in person blossomed in simplicity and purity. But as the contest between Church and State had begun, martyrs were its fruit, and catacombs its first resting-place on earth. What can we expect when we contemplate beginnings so contrary to all human ideas of greatness ? We can look for weakness triumphing over material force by a divine strength which is not from men, but from God. It is the reverse of all our preconceived notions of power and magnificence, and by this very mark we acknowledge the parentage and mission of the Church, and we say the more : truly the ringer of God is here. As on Mount Calvary, the centurion who looked upon a poor, mangled Body, distorted by terrible suffering, cried out, against the dictates of human reason as it might seem, truly this Man was the Son of God ; so it is through all the ages of the Christian history.

Thus also in this instance of Pius the Seventh and Napoleon. On the one side, we are to see the most splendid conqueror of modern times, revelling in genius, empire, and riches. In the pride of his dream of universal dominion, he forgot the respect due to the limits which a Divine Legislator had set up ; he passed beyond them, and proclaimed that there should be no more distinction between the kingdom of God and that of Caesar, but that he himself should become the magnificent sovereign of both. But where was the champion on the other side bold enough to confront the desire and the power of one who ruled absolutely sixty millions of subjects? An old man whose outward circumstances were in all things opposed to those of the Conqueror, but who carried in his person the principle of divine authority. Here we see not lands, riches, empire, or even sparkling and wonderful natural gifts, but a Pontiff who was meek and humble of heart, and whose hope, as the Successor of Peter, was founded upon the Rock of the divine promises. These were his arms, yet Napoleon died an exile from his land and his own people, whilst from the depths of humiliation Pius VII. was led back in triumph to his capital. In patience he had awaited God's time. The issue of the contest causes a well of gladness to spring up in our hearts. May not all who suffer in defence of the truth and of justice look for something of the reward and the See of Peter.

of Pius VII. ? May they not expect to see truth and justice, after a temporary humiliation, exalted ?

A Catholic mind and appreciation of events were by no means necessary in order, towards the end of the last century, to arrive at this conclusion, for the human sagacity of a great statesman saw that the Papacy alone had power to impede the growth of the Revolution, the Papacy though separate from the splendour of the middle ages. The Pope was still the Pope, but Europe was no longer the Europe of Urban II. or St. Gregory VII. We find the Bishop of Arras, a prelate who had emigrated to England during the Revolution, writing to Cardinal de Bernis in May 1794, at the instigation of Pitt, and thus rendering an account of an interview with England's great Minister. 'Mr. Pitt expressed a deep and sincere admiration for the vigour of the Court of Rome ; but he also told me very plainly, that without wishing to make a vast monarchical coalition an affair of religion, he believed the intervention of the Pope to be more than ever essential under existing circumstances. . . . He is of opinion that the revolutionary torrent is only to be stemmed by opposing to it, as a dyke, Europe armed for the combat These are his notions of such a coalition. " I do not ask," he said, " the Pope to put himself in person at the head of a political crusade, or to preach it as Urban II. did. Those days are over ; and, if as an Anglican I do not regret them, I may well be allowed, under existing circumstances, to be of one opinion as an individual and of another as a statesman of Great Britain, having at heart the disturbed state of Europe. Particular interests cross and disarm the coalitions we are organizing in the name of social tranquillity. More than once, I have seen continental courts draw back before the diversity of opinion and religion which separates us; I think that a bond common to all should unite us. The Pope alone can be such a bond. He has Italy, Spain, Austria, and part of Germany in his power. His authority, temporarily weakened from regrettable causes, can easily recover its prestige, especially when Prussia and Russia in conjunction with England set themselves to work together. . . . Society is divided by personal interests and political views, Rome alone can speak with an impartial voice free from all external pre-occupation. . . . A Papal Bull, presented to Catholic Courts by legates a latere, announcing a holy war, war to anarchy, would produce a great and salutary effect. It would arm sovereigns and nations, founding an indissoluble alliance, which is the only means of resisting the fierce enthusiasm of democracy. . . . Differences of religion are forgotten in a vast and common peril. If the Pope consents to publish a Bull of coalition, an English fleet shall be sent to protect the Roman States, and it shall carry with it an extraordinary ambassador from his Majesty to the Holy See, to honour the visible chief of this indispensable alliance. 2