Interesting Letters of Pope Clement XIV (Ganganelli): To which are Prefixed, Anecdotes of His Life

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I

INTERE.,

T^ E T iVe R; s

, O F POT*--

CLEMENT XIV.

(GANGANELLI.)

TO 'WHICH ARE PREFIXED,

ANECDOTES OF HIS LIFE.

TRANSLATED PROM THE FRENCH EDITION PUB-
LISHED AT PARIS BY LOTTIN, JUN.

i IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

DUBLIN:

Printed for Meffrs. P*ici, Whitistowi, W.Sleater,
W. Watsow, R. Cross, Chamberlain, J. Pott*,

WlLRINSOW, BTRNI, BURROWES, J. HoEY, WIL-
LIAMS, W. Colles, W. Wilson, Armitagb, Wal>

KER % JEHKIN, WoOAN, MoNCRIEPPE, BURNET)

White, E. Cross, Flik, Mills, Hioly, Exshaw,
Mehaih, Beatty, Talbot, Grueber, T.Kelly,
Bod T. M* Dokkill. MjDCCjLXXVII. ^

l( , ,,

L E 1 1 E R $, &e.

LET TE& Uqcv.

t«o;t.h : ^ ^Rfi-'t.A^..; c.BRAT : k

IP tS5s tttj&r was' to carry all myfenti?
ments, yoto would not find it 4 iigjht
oc,e ; for I yrould load it with all the efte$tni
blithe aitaehmcnt,, /toft aft ;^-;^irn)AtkiQ
i ami cajtefelc bf, io f r coiivinW 'you more
than ever, how much I wvcift' and hovir
much Hove you.

I have feen the Auguftine Monk whom

3fou recPmmended io me. and, have foupd

him,, as you *old rile, fiilfofthe Fathers 'of

the Church.' f They axe upob Hfe ; lip^ : mey

;are in hisjieart, afed hi is the than in 1 tbt

world tHit we can £eru(fe with the greateft

pleafure, when his full value is Knowrii

His hero is, with reafon, St. Auguftine,

fcecfcufe he was an univcrial i^cher^jdhl^

gracing all Science, and was fiiigui^rly

fevpured 1 by it'- 1 Excellent encdittntos

have been made' 'upon that incomjp^wf

man; but he has tipt beph praifed as hie

vdcfcrvps. Spme time ago I advifed an

Vol. H. B lj&\&aS&fc

*^

* LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

Ecclefiaftic who confulted me about com-
pofing a panegyric on that great Saint,
to fay nothing of his own, but to extradt
all from the hdy Fajthex's .wri^ogs, thinks
ingrfmt ^agufpiie hi^fel^onlji^a^ capable
or praifing St. Auguftine worthily. He has
followed my advice •, and we have feen the
moft fublime and affedting paflages of this
great Teacher compof? hi$ qulo^ium. It was
extremely wdl toniiefted, though here and
there interrupted., with, exclamations and
ejaculations,' which dfedifed thVaiidiehde.
—When will our ..Rhetoricians jand joijr
Preachers know that true eloquence ao<s
I not confift cither in being witty or elegant^
*^~ but in ah expreffion of the fpiil, an ebulli-
tion of th$ heart, whicHiburns^ aftpiufhes^
*nd works wonders ? . /

There are certain moments where the
great Orators feem neither to have ftylc
nQr words, left the fublimity (liquid be
altered by ftudied phrafes. .

There are .people who put .themfclves
into, an .alembic .to .be eloquent, and no-
thing, ifliies from that operation biit forced
conceits and .bombaft phrafes ^ whereas, if
they would give themfelves up \p the
epergy of their hearts., they would have
gpjktei tongues. ... ... * i

^iiSihd nothing but elegance in' almof^

$t( .-Ijiie writings of the times, and yet they

.are very far from being eloquent. Ele-

gfthge pleafes* but eloquence captivates;

" " • ' ■' l ., and.

CLEMENT XIV. s

and when it is natural, it amalgamates it-
felf with all the beauties of nature and
genius, to (hew them in all their luftre,
and according to truth : — it is, in a word,
fuch as that part of your compofition
which you (hewed me (bme time agojj
where I could fee the true touch of Be-
mofthenes, notwithftanditog the immenfe
interval which has pafled from his time to
yours.

Nothing is « more admirable than to
approach to the .Ancients, and notwith-
standing the diftance of time, to adhere
ftrongly to them, as if you were their co-
temporary ; for it mud be confefled, that
they have reaped all, and we come only to
glean. ' .[

I was requefted fome time ago to com?
pofe a Scientific Difcoiirfe, wtiich w is to bfe
placed at the head of a bbok of Geometry;
I coMe&ed my whole force, fcnd in the
ebullition of a work which lafted more tharl

r m a week, I thought I had produced fonde^
thing very interefti rig and quite new;/but
I cannot tell you how I was furprifed arid
humbled to find all my thoughts (battered
.over a few pages of the Ancients. In the
mean time I was no plagiary ; but ; the
mind of man having only drie circle, all gfei

: Derations nearly reftmbling each other hi
their manner of thinking, although ■ ■ the
tints may confider ably differ,

B 2 I have

4 LETTERS OF GANQANELLI,

: I have lately had a perfQn, ; of the name
of Sagri, pretented to me, juft come from
the fchools of : Pifa* — he appears to have
^here-withal to make a coofiderable figure^
But into what hands will lie fall? The
moment a young man teave§ College, is th*
inftant which decides his fate: and all eif
ther proves abortive or all coines ta good-
I'ijave feen fome whp have g§(n$d alttfhfl
prizes, and have been mentioned witbfcor
pour «s true Coriphaeus-s, yet, nptwitfo-
ilaoding all this emphatic admiration, have
become lefs than nothing. They havfi
Been entangled by criminal pleafyres, pr
cing^d in mechanical pmpjoymenta i -of
jtfccir talents, after having made an effort*
'were exhaufted by the laborious opera*
fion, and could produce npftifig raQrei
*tk&y are like too early fruit, which
charm? by the gaiety of the cploiirs an4
the novelty, but is blighted at the rpo P
ment you admire, and are difpoied to ga-
ihertt.

: : < $Vhat a deal of trouble before the mind
fur&ves at perfection! All that I know is,
*hat mipe thinks it has gained it, when it
JOtapea wtt^i youip by a communication of \
idieas* and that it puts me in a fituation to*
repeat my fentiments of attachmientand
rerpea, tec.

ft 0*1, *7*Ani.iW4*

LETTER

CLEMENT XIV.

LETTER LXXVI.
TO /CA*ftlNAL QAJ!RIN£

HE different refle&ions which your
Eminency has made upon the diffe-
rent ages that have pifs'd from the be-
gmniiig ctf the world, a** worthy of fucit
a genius as yours* I thtok I fee Reafoa
Weighing all thefe ages, fome like ingots*,
others like leaves of tinfel. In fadt, there:
are fome fo folid, and others fo light, that
they make the mod aftonifhing. contrail.
QUr'fc without contradiction, is . more
marked than any other by its lightnefe*
but it pleafes, it feduces, efpecially by
the gbbd offices of the French, who have
given, it an elegance, which, infpite of us,* .
we find agreeable.

v The Ancients would have murmured;,
and with reafon ^ neverthelefs* if they hid-
Ufred ia.our times*, they would have (uffer*
td! themfelves to be led away as we are, and,
been as well amufed with our trifling" dif-
Courfe and airy writings.

The antient Roman tafte and corredfcr
H$& might not perhaps have relifhed fuch
flight compofuions ; but the Romans of
thefe days are not fo nice as formerly.
French elegance has paiTed the Alps, and
& 3 ^*

6 LETTERS OF GANGANfiLLI,

we have received it with complacency,, at

the very moment we were criticifing it.

Your Eminericy, who loves the French*
has certainly looked with a forgiving eye
upon their prcttinejs, though it might
have offended the fuperior tafte of the an-
cient manners. There is no evil but may
be found colledlive in all ages; there
are fparks and flames, lillies and blue-
bottles, rains «nd dews, ftars and meteors,
rivers and rivulets, which is a perfeft pic*
fure of nature ; and to judge of the world
and of times, you muft unite the different
views, and make but one piece of the
whole.

/The a^es do not all refembte one an-
other * it is their variety Which helps
us to judge ; without this difference there
would be no comparing. I know we fhouid
prefer living in an age which prefented not-
thing to the view but what was gpreat ;. but
we muft take the times as they come, and
not continually regret the paft, in being
tied to the chariot-wheels of the Ancients.
Let us endeavour to preferve their tafte*
and we (hall have nothing to fear from our
own futility.

We cannot look without horror upon
the gulph from whence the times illue,
and that into which they are precipitating.
"What a number of years, months, days,
hours, minutes, and feconds, are abforbed
by eternity, which is always the fame,

and

.■ :i -d'fc--fr«i , -E f M- , r ; -!Hv"- " : j

a^d remains- immoveable m the midft
of changes and revolutions! It is a
rock in the- midft : of the Sea, againft
which the waves beat in vain. -Wc are
but like grains of fand^ -imti' which' the
wind fporteth, if we do not attach our;
fejves, immoy eable . to that point - of fup-
port. It fe there your Emmency hath* cafc
anchor, and which has made you under-
take fo many learned writings that all
Europe 'admires, and religion' appl&nds.

I never am tired with reading the ao
count ofyour. .travels e^tocially the de-
fcriptions you have given: of Paris and.
France. Bsfides that . the ' Latin may be
compared with, that of St. Jerome, thene
are admirable reflexions on every tiling
which your Eminency has met with. What
a~ penetrating- eye is your's! It fearches
the eiTence of things, the fubftance of
writings,- and the fouls of the writers*
Youhaye had. the happinefs to fee feveral
great men at Paris who are Hill alive, the
precious remains of the age of Louis XIV.
and who muft have convinced you that
that age has • not. been exalted beyond its
merit.

Nothing opens the mind fo much as
travels, I read them as much as I can,
that I may make my thoughts range, tho*
nay body is fedentary. What I am certain
of is, that I am often in idea at Brefcia, that
town which your Lordihip 'enriches by your
B 4 example

V LETTERS OF; GANGfAN^LLF,
example and precepts, and where yop hourly
receive homage, to which I unite, with *li
my foul, the profound refpedt with which
lam* &c.

Roms, ioth Dec 1754.

: LETTER LXXVIL

TO CARDINAL BANCHIERt

Most Eminent*

1H A V E not yet feen the peribn from
Ferrara whom your Emintacy deigned
to r^conimend to me ; but I have neverthe*
lefs announced him to the Keeper of the
Ara pell, who will do every thing in hi*
power to prove to you how much the in-
tereft you feem to have in this perfon* is
d£ar to him*

. I wifh my employments would allovr
me to take a journey to Ferrara, that
town fo celebrated for many events, and
which has the happinefs to poflefs your
Eminency, and the aihes of Ariofto. My
firft care would be to go and vifit them.
Some poetic (parks would iflue forth and
feize me, and enable me to aflure you in

vcrfe

eLCNTEWT xrv. *

tetfe*. as well as in profc, that nothing
can equal the profound refpeft with which,
lam, &c»
Rome, 7th January, 1755.

XKXXCKXXXXX>0XK><K>OOCX>C

LETTER LXXVIII.
TO A GANON. OF.MILAN..

A PANEGYRIC on Saint Paul i*
no fmall undertaking. It require*
a foul equal to the Teacher of the Gen*
tiles, to celebrate him- in a manner worthy
of him. His eulogium is theeulogium of
Religion^ thzy are fo eflentially united^,
that they cannot be praifed feparately.

You. find in this great Apoftle the fame-
fpirit, the fame 2eaT, and: tto? fame (Pa-
rity. How. rapid fliould your pen be, if
you would; defcribe his. Travels and Apof-
tolical : Labours!- He flies as . fwift as
thought, when he is about to- undertake
a good work; and breathes nothing but
Jems Chrift, when be preaches die Gofc
p?t One would Wieve, by the manner ia
which he multiplies himfelfv that he alone
formecj the whole i&poftqlical GoUege: he
is~at the fame inftant on land and lea, al~~

ro LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
ways watching for the falvation of the
Faithful, always defiring the palm of
martyrdom, always prefling forward to e-
ternity. Nobody was fa good a citizen,
fb good a friend ; he forgot nothing - 9 he
rerriembred the fmalleft fervices that were
done him, and his heart did not once
palpitate, but with a defire for Heaven,
which enlightened him ; or with a move-
ment of love for Jefus Chrift, who con-
verted him ; or with an adt of acknow-
ledgment to thofc Chriftians. who aflifted
him.

Panegyric, in general* is a kind of
writing which (hould not .refemble a fer-
mpn; it (hould lighten, but the flafhes
flxoiijd burfl from a fund of morality,
which (hould he the hafis of the difcourfe.
They do not indraft who only praife^
and they do hot celebrate their Hero, wha
confine thenjfelves folelyno hftrudt.

The (kill of the Orator confifts in prp^
ducing from the bpfom of the eulogium.
Aiming reflexions,, which (hould have ia
view the reformation of morals. But
above all things, my dear Friend, take
c*re that you do not make a panegyric for
one Saint at the expence of another ; no-
thing can better prove the fterility of the.
Orator,. Every illuflrious perfon has his,
ijierit, and,it is an infult to the memory
pf one fervant of Qod,, who. looked upon.

himfelf

CLEMENT XIV. 1 1

himfelf as the loweft of all, to raifc his glo->
ry to the prejudice of another.

Let there be no digreffions foreign from
your fubjeft Do not lofe fight that it is
St. Paul whom you mean to praife, and it
is ta mifs your aim, if you attach yourfelft
to any tiling but his eulogium.

• No languors are to be excufed in Pane-
gyric ; — all ought to be rapid, and efpe-
cially in that of the great Apoftle, whofe
zeal was always a&ive. Your audience
(hould believe they fee and hear him, that
they may fay, "It is he, behold him." You
(hould, like him, difplay all the powers of
grace; like him, difcomfit all thofe who
would lefien the abfolute dominion of
God over the heart of man, and like
him, thunder againft the falfe Prophets,
and the corrupters of morals. And in the
end, you (hould give a fuccindt account
of his different Epiftles, and prefent them -■
burning with the flames of Charity, andi
radiating with the lights of Truth.

Nq forced companions (hould here have
place.; they ought to rife out of the Tub-
je&: — no ufelefs words be admitted — every
fcntence (hould be inftru&ive ; no bom?*
ball phrafes— ■ they ought to be all natural.
Your heart (hould- be the Orator in this*
#fcburfe, and . not your imagination : re-
ferye your rhetorical' flights tor the- Ata J
demies, . when you are to pronounce an
Eulogium there-, but the dignity of th£

Pulpit

,£ LETTERS OF GAtfGANELLI,

Puljpit. the (andtity of the Temple, the
eminence of the fubjett, in fine the Pane-
gyric of Paul, are all fuperior to ami-
tbefes.

. Human eloquence is intended to praifc
human a&iobs; but divine eloquence is
requifite to celebrate divine men. It is
not among the Poets that you (hould ga-
ther flowers to crown the Eledt, but from
among the Prophets, I am more than I
cap tell, &c
Rome, 13th Oft. 1755.

LETTER LXXI3C

TO THE ABBE L AMI.

CANNOT join in your opinion, my

dear Abbe, of the book you have criti-

cifed with fo much feverity* I do not think
fo indifferendy \>f it as you do. There
are principles, views, and beauties in it*
which render it interefting. Some negli-
gences of ftyle do not disfigure a book al-
together. The ftyle is only the bark^
and fometimes the tree may be good*
though the bark k good tor nothing*
Unfortunately, in this age, we sire left at-
tached to things than to words., The
didtign too often determines the fate of

a book.

1

CLE M E NT XIV. ty

a book. I have run over a multitude of
Pamphlets printed at Paris, which had:
liothing in them but a rapid and feducing
ftyk. One is obliged to alk himfelf what
the Author meant to fay, and yet he doea
not know. It is not furprifing, that in a
country where they are fo Angularly fond
of drefs and tinfel, they fliould be pleafed
with a production whofe outward appear-
ance conftitutes all its merit,

There are fome fubjedts that of ihem-
felves are fufficient to captivate the atten-
tion; while there are others which will
not be regarded, without the paffport of
a brilliant ftyle, An able Writer (hould
attend to this difference.

I (hall be very glad if you will analyfe
two different works which have juft ap-
peared here 5 Cbnverfation tcitb One's-felf % . „
and Tbe Elements of Metapbvfics. The firft «
is Angularly interfiling, as it elevates
the foul upon the wreck of the paffiona
and fenfes. The fecond is not lefs fo, as
it tends to render its fpirituality and im-
mortality deirionftrable. Thefe are two
metaphyfical productions differently pre-
fented : the Converfatiou with a clearnefs
which, makes it univerfally understood;
tjie Elements with a depth which prevents
its being generally read.

I look upon your Papers as an alarm-bell,
which prevents our Italians from deeping
wer Literature and the Sciences* In. a

warm

if LETTERS OPGANGANELLI,

warm climate there is need of being fre-
quently roufed, in order to ftudy. The
mind flumbers like the body, if we do not.
take care to fpur it up, and in that ftate
we have neither fpirit ta read nor to
think.

Florence was always renowned for learn-
ing and tafte, and I am not afraid of the
Florentines degenerating while you con-
tinue to inftrud them. A periodical work
executed with difcernment, gives light to
the underftanding, fupports emulation, and
makes up for the want of perufing a mul-
titude of works, which we have not time
to read, or means to procure.

When I read a journal which gives ac-
count of the produftions printed in Europe,
I learn to know the genius of the different
Nations, and I perceive that an Englifh-
man does not write like a German, nor
think like a Frenchman. This national
difference, which diftinguifhcs the people
by their manner of writing and thinking,
perfuades me that the moral world is a
copy of the natural one, and that there
are minds like faces, which have no fort
of refemblance.

Adieu, I leave you to throw myfelf
among the. thorns of controverfy, where I
certainly (hall not find the flowers which I
perceive in your writings...
Rome, 5th Nov. 1755.

LETTER

CLEMENT XIV. i$

LETTER LXXX.
TO A CURATE OF THE DIOCESE OF RIMINI.

IT is with great raflinefs, my dear Pat
tor that you judge your father, mine,
the Father of all die Faithful, the great
Lambertini, for whom all the churches
have the greateft veneration. Befides his
being celebrated for his extenfive and fub-
lime knowledge, for his penetrating ge-
nius, for his confummate prudence; he is
the chief of our religion, the Sovereign
Pontiff, of whom we cannot fpeak any ill
without blafphemy. You are not ignorant
of St. Paul's having begged pardon of the
High priefts of the Synagogue, although
it was expiring, becaufe he had called him *
a wbited wall.

The treaty which Benedift XIV. made
with Spain, that the Spanifli Clerks ihonld
come no, more to Rome* has prevented, I
do not know how many, young Ecclefi-
aflics from being vagabonds and leading
licentious lives. Nothing is more proper
than to fee thofe who are deftined for the
Miniftry ftudying under the eyes of their
own Biftjpps, who learn to know them*
and do not lofe fight of them.

Betides* there are fo many reafons requir-
ed for judgpga Sovereign widi equity, that

if

,6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLJ,

if wc da not know what pafles in the Ca-
binets of Princes, the nature of events, the
confequences which an affair may have,
and if even we cannot penetrate the fouls
of thofe who aft themfelves or employ
others to do fo, we cannot form any
judgment but an unjuft one.

Alas! — who are we who condemn the
Vicar of Chrift; and, above all* while we
are ignorant of the motives of his pro-
ceedings, or without knowing what he
could forefee ? In every kind of bufinefe,
prejudice ihould be in favour of the
Judge. How can they be juftified who
take the liberty,, on flight appearances, to
blame the conduft of the Sovereign Pon-
tiff"? This is undoubtedly to give arms
to the Proteftants, and to fail eflentially
in the refpeft that is due to him whom
God has eftablifhed upon a throne, to fee
and to judge ; and whom he hath ordained
that we fhould hearken to^ as to himfelf $
I fay more, it is to riik falvatibn.

There is not a circumftance, nor a mo-
ment, that our hearts or opinions ftiould
£e capable of rifmg up againft the pro*
ceedings of the Sovereign Pontiff unlefs
we are of his Council. He fees what you
cannot fee; and if he does not account to
us, it is becairfe he is bpund by coriiidifrai-
tions which withhold both his tongue' tod
his peri. There is* a Chriftiari Jx>Kfcy,
iflhigh* without injuring truth, dde$ not de-
clare

:.: ..pktMSVT XIV. tj

dare the whole of it; and which enve-
lops irfetf in a prudent referve, when it is
proper to keep fiteriw*. How xian you
preach to your Parifhioners the refpedt due
00 the Hwd of iter Qiufdi; if they hear
you yourfelfdeclattrt againft him? Suppofe
even that Jhe has done amifs* you ought,
as a Chriftkri, as a Ptieft, as a! Paftor >
to excufe him in public^ find iirtpofe an
eternal ; Jllence(^ /: thore who would dare, to
attack hin^. X\$fc are myfentiments with
regard, to Sovereign Pontiffs- They are
theaaointed of the Lord, the Chrifla,. pf J
whom we never (hould fpeak ill : Noliie
longer* Cbrifios mcos % fe? m Propbetis men
mJignari**

I flatter myfelf that t you will get th$
better of this prejudice, and that you
will approve ray reafons, becaufe you
have a reafonable mind and a good heart.
It is an effervescence of the imaginauoa
which led you to condemn Benedict XIV.
whofe proceedings are weighed in the
fcales of juftice, and even in the fanttuary
of truth.

I embrace you, my dear Paftor, and
am, &c.

Rqme, 14 May, 1755^

LETTER

* Touch not my anointed, and da my Prophets
•0 harm.

** LETTERSi'OF GANGAWELLl,

LETTER LXXXI.

TO MR. MEKNER, A PROTESTANT GEN-
TLEMAN.

I AM forry, my dear Sir, to hear you
perpetually repeating a multitude of
objections which have been employed
againft the Church of Rome* and which
M. Bofluet, a French BUhop, has demo-
lifted in his . Expedition of the Catholic
Faith, and iti his excellent work on the
Diverfity of Opinions. It is impoffible to
follow the traft of a Protectant, becaufe
inftead of waiting an anfwer to his ques-
tion, he propofes a new brie, and never
gives time to breathe.

If youfpeak to me all at once of Purga-
tory, the Eucharift, and the worfhip of
Saints, it is impoflible for me to reply to
three points at one inftant. A contro-
verfy fhould be carried on in a rational
manner, if we would underftand it; and,
confequentiy, it is neccflary that one fub-
je& be examined to the bottom, before
you pafs to anothor. Without that, we
ftrike the air, and (hall have the fate of
all wranglers, who, after having difputed,
end with remaining obitinate in dieir
original opinions.

You

CLEMENT XIV. . 19
- You are fatisfied with the plan I have
kid down, to prove all the truths which
you conteft by the gofpel, and by the
Epiftles of St. Paul, whrch you receive as
infpired works, and to (hew you that un-
interrupted tradition hath always taught
them.

If it was otherwife, ybu ftiould know
the day and the date, when we made the
innovation ; at leaft, if you would not
perfuade us that the whole Church, in the
twinkling of an eye, notwithftanding its
members are difperfed all ovei« the world,
did change its belief without perceiving it.
What an abfurdity !

The reproaches which you are conftantly
making againft the Romi(h Church,; my
dear Sir, on the celibacy prefcribed to the
Prieft, and on the cup which is with-
held frpm the faithful in partaking of the
holy myfteries, fall of themfelves, when
we think that marriage and the priefthood
are united daily among the Greek Catho-
lics; and there alfo they give the faith-
ful the Communion in both kinds.

Return to the Church in good faith,*
and the Pope, who governs at prefent,
will not rejedt you from his bofom, be-
caufe you have miniftcrs who are married,
and becaufe you defire the ufe of the cup.
His prudence will find a modification
which will grant you all that he can grant,

without

W LETTEftS OP GAtfGAtiELLI,

Without altering opinions and morals, but
only changing the difcipline, which has at
*ll*ihtts Varied. § .

Cardirial Quirihi? whofe zeatf foir Jqiir
reWrri confronts him, win be yotir inedia-
tdf with the Holy Father. In returning
to the Pope, you will return to him who
tras formerly your Chief, for it is you who
have withdrawn. The abufes which reign-;
Cd at tkdt tirfie in the Church, bettofc it is
ncc*ffar% as Jefus Chrift faid, thai there bit
fcandw and bcrefies^ cannot absolutely au-
thorife you* anceftors in revolting and fe-
parating themfelves. They had no other
method but that of remonftrating; and if
they had flopped there, without mixing
either fournefs* gall, or a fpirit of rebel-
lion, they would certainly have obtained
fome reform. To heal fome tumours in
the body, we neither think of mutilating
Or furthering it.

Many Proteftants would return, if they
were not withheld by wretched worldly
reafonsj for it is impoffible but in read-
ing the Holy Scriptures fo often as they
do, they muft perceive the prerogatives of
the chief of the Apoftles, and the infalli-
bility of the Church, which can never teach
any error; and the more fo, as Chrift is
truly with her even to the confumraation
of time, without interruption: Omnibus
diebus vit# 9 ufque ad eon/ummatknem f<e-

There

C L E M P N T X|V. u

There need but eyes to fee whether
the Romifh or «* jProteftam Church if
ridiL The ope appears to be that Holy
Mountain/ of which, the Scripture fpeaks;
and toother, 'a vapour which dims the
fight* aqd ha? no folidity.

i wquld give the fc& <Jrqp of my Hood,
my dear Sir, to, f?e ypu all reunited to u*
agpip, being cerjain.thatypuhav^ broken
thp, chain which ti$d you to tfoe centre of
unity, apdthat you are no longer but for
litary beings, ■ without compafs, gi^ide, or
chief. • - • .

God makes you feel it in the moil terrible
manner, in giving you up to I don't know
how many errors, which form almoft as
many different fedts as there are commu-
nions: and that circumftance proves to us,
that fince there is no-Tonger in authority to
unite the Faithful, they truft to their own
judgments, and are led aWay by preju-
dice. . ■/ }

Do not im#gin$ thajt I mean to infalt
your iituation.; /Ljas! t every' thing; tells
me that you h^ys the good faith; but
thdt will notjuftify you' before Cfod, who
requires a .ftritt ^xaminaxion upon fo effert-
tiaj $j\ furjjcie* $nd. the mpre (a, as no
one is more <^p^bJ<*of jiujgipg than you
are ypurfelf. - ;

The fentence iwhiph one pronounce*
againft one -s felf, wh<?n in the wrong, is the
b$(t reproof,^ and is worthy of your candid

aa LETTERS OF GANGANELLT,

foul and good heart. Your candour pro-
mifes me, that you will inform yourfelf of
the truth, and will not rejedt it when
you fee it* It is upon the lips of good
Catholics and in hearing them, you hear
it. I defire it in all the fullnefe of my
heart, by the fincere ardour I have to find
myfelf with you in the dwelling of peace,
wl^ere there will be only thole who are
marked with the figtr of Faith. Judge
by * that of the extent of attachment with
"whi^h I. bare the honour to be, &c. :
Ro^b, i4fhMay, 1753.

. LETTEilixXXH.-,:^. ri!

TO PRINCE SAN-SEVERO.

THE petrefadliOTs I have fent you
ate not wdrth you¥ thanks. I know
the full' value, as well as the advan-
tage, of entering into a ■ c6rrefpohdence
with a Philofopher who is occupied in ftu-
dying the hiftory of Nature, and who does
not admire her fporte and phenomena, but
with^a knowledge, of the fcatife: f . * '

The birds you are importing fromf the
New World for the Emperor,' are ex-
tremely curious j but, notwithftariding

. every

C,LE M E NT XIV. 13

every precaution,- I doubt of their getting *
to our climate alive. People have fre-
quently tried to bring over different kinds
of huriuning-birda, but always have had
the ; mortification :of feeing' them die at
fomediftance from our coafts.
. Providence, in giving us the Peacock,
has provided us mod richly, without our
going in fearch of -winged beauties elfe-
where r , In reality,. America has nothing
more beautiful than- , our own birds; but
wecommortly prefer, what is foreign, be-
cause it comes from a dlftajice.

You will be enchanted, my Lord, with
the undertaking of Monf. Buffon, the
French Academician, and with the volumes
whiclj have appeared. . I know ttem oniy
by tne extracts jthat have been ; given from
them, and they appear admirable. lam
forry that the Author of a Natural Hiftory
(hould declare for a fyftem: it muft be a
. means of having ijiany things which hp ad-
vances 'doiibted, .and obligq him to. com-
\nt all thole . w^io are not of his opiniqn. -
Befides,, wherever he wanders from the book
of Genefia oh the creation of the world, he
has nofupport but 'paradoxes, or, at beft,.
hypothefes*. - l{ - } ., i!; ,
.. N^fea^^as an iflfp^ed ^uthpr, ; is. the
only oik; who could' inftru<5t; us. in the for-
mation and unfolding . of the world. He
is not an Epicurus, <■ who has recourfe to
atoms; a Lucretius, who bfeV^s& trattsx

t4 LETTERS OF GANGANELL1,
to be eternal; a Spinoff who admits a
material Gbd^ a Defcartes, who pratte
about die laws of motion i but a legislator,
who announces to all men whl^piit fcfefita*
ti on, without fear of being jniftaken, : hoy
the world w« created. -Nothing \ can, bfe
more fimpie or triore fublimethaivnis open-
ing: In the beginning Gq$ created ibe'Heavek
and the Earth ^ He coul<$ not foeak more
«fl^red(y, it he-'had^been a,fpeftatorvand
by thfefe \y6to3, my thi^ogy ry^ms,' ariil
absurdities ftifink to ribiight, and atfe irierc
fehimeras in the eyes of reafoii, ' }

Whoever d$es jiot perceive the truth in
^ the relation of Mofes, *ras not formed for
the knowledge; p? it, ' Sdrne ptofo f&£
<JohftantJy attached tohyjpoSi^les, withbut[
even the lfcaft probability, and ■yet' fcrfe ton*
wfllinc ib believe what gives the hi^heff
idea of the power and wifapm of God. *
. An «t : ernal world offers a thpufend great*

f er tliffic^hiefc r than -■ aft eternal intelhgericei
and a . co-eter&aF irorld Is anabfurdtty whitfl^
cannpr e3^''becaiife "nothing pth be fc
ancient ai God fcmfclf. Not to;men$$
that he is neceffinry, and that the world
is not neceflary, 'Horn what right (hall
matter, a r thing r tjuite . contingent* abfo^
lwtely ^oejt, pfeteqd >to : flie fami prero-
gatives with an' $H 'pow^fiil iirid iriirtiate?
rial fpirit ? Thefe -are extravagances which
could only be produced by a diftrafted im*-
r : - giriatioa

CLEMENT XIV 2$

gination, and prove the aftonirtiing weak-
ness of man when he will only hearken to
himfelf, ! "■■ *

The hiftory of Nature is a book ifcut for
all generations, if we do not perceive the
exigence of God, and h$s being a creator
and prefarver v for nothing can be more
evident than his adion. The Sun, all mag-
nificent as he is, although adored by diffe-
rent nations, has neither intelligence nor
difeernment 3 and if his courfe te fo regular
as never *o tee evem for A moment interrupt-
ed, it is darougjh ilhe impulfe received
ftom a Juprerae agent, whofe order? he exe-
cutes with the greateft pundtuality.

Wherever we caft our eyes over the vaft
extent of the univerfe, we fee the immenfi-
ty of a Being, before whom this world is
as nothing. It would be very extraordinary,
fipce die {malleft work cannot exift with-
out a maker, that this world could have the
privilege of owing rts exiftence and its
beauty to itfelf alone. Reafon digs fright-
ful precipices for itfelf, when it hearkens
only to the paflions and fenfes: and reafon
without faith is to be jpitied. All the Aca-
demies of the univerfe may fancy fyftems,
on the. creation of the world ; but after all
their refearches, all their conjectures, all
their combinations, their multitudes of vo-
lumes, they will tell me much lefs than
Mofes has told me in a fingle page ; and will
tell me things, too, that have not any pro-
Vol. IL C bability

*6 LETTERS OF GANG * :■ • -lI,
bability. Such is the difference be -.ween
the man who fpeaks only from turnf-lf, a*id
the man who is infpired.

The Eternal fmiles from on high at all
thefe mad fyftems, which fancifully, arrange
the world; fometimes giving chance for its
parent, and fometimes fuppofing it to be
eternal.

Some people love to perfuade themfelves
that matter governs itfelf, and that there is
no other deity; becaufe they well know
that matter is ftupid and ina&ive, and
JK therefore need not dread its effedts ; -while
the juftice of a God, who fees every thing,
and weighs every thing, is dreadful to the
iipner,

Nothing can be more beautiful than the
hiftory-of Nature, when it is united to that
of Religion. Nature is nothing without
God ; it produces every thing, vivifies every
thing by his help. Without being any part
of what compofes the univerfe, he is the
movement, the fap, and the life of it.
/ Let his activity ceafe, there will be no
more movement in the elements, no more
vegetation in plants, no more fpring in fe-
cond caufes, no more revolutions of jthe
\ ftars. Eternal darknefs muft take place of
I light, and the univerfe become its ow$T
v grave.

The fame thing would happen to this
world, were God Almighty to withdraw his
hand, which happens to our bodies when

CLEMENT XIV. rj

aU motion ceafes. They fall into duft, they
are exhaled in (moke, and it is not even
known that they ever had exifted.

If I had fufficient knowledge to under*
take a hiftory of Nature, I would begin
my work by difplaying the immenfe per-
fections of its Author ; then treat of man
as his mafter-piece ; and fucceffively fro*n
fubftance to fubftance, from kind to kind, I
would defcend to the fmalleft ant, and (hew
in the fmalleft infett, as well as in the moft
perfedt angel, the fame wifdomfhining forth,
and the fame almighty hand employed.

A pidure of this nature muft have en-
gaged the lovers of Truth ; — and Religion
herfelf, who would have traced out the
defign, would have rendered it infinitely
precious.

Let us never fpeak of the creatures, ex-
cept to bring us nearer to our Creator : they
are the reverberation of his never-failing
light, and thefe are ideas which either raife
' or debafe us ; for man is never more dimi-
nutive nor more grand, than when he confi -
ders himfelf in his relation to God. He then
perceives an Infinite Being whofe image he
is, and before whom he is but as an atom :
two apparent contradidions, which muft be
reconciled, to give us a juft idea of our-
felves, that we may not run into the excef-
fes of the proud angels, nor into thofe of
unbelievers, who level themfelves with the
beafts that perifti.

C % Youc

a» LETTERS OF GANGANELLT,

Your Letter, my Lord, led me to thefe
refle&ions ; and I confefs to you at the fame
time, that 1 have no greater fatisfattion
than when I find an opportunity of fpeak-
ing x>f the Deity. He is the element of our
hearts, and it is only in his love that the
foul bloflbms.

Happily, I was fenfible of this great truth
in my earlieft years, and in confequence
I chofe the Cloifter, as a retreat where,
feparated from the creatures, I could
commune more eafily with the Creator.
The. commerce of the world is fo tur-
bulent* that while we are in it we fcarcely
know the recollection neceflary to unite us
with God.

I thought of writing a Letter, and I have
wrote a Sermon ; except that, inftead of fi-
ntfhing with Amen> 1 conclude with the re-
fpc& which is due to you, and with which
I have the honour to be, &c.
Roms, 13 Dfecembet, 1754.

coooccoooooccooccio»cccooooccorooTO^

LETTER LXXXIH.
TO COUNT ALGAROTTI.

IT is a long time, my dear Count, fince
I have had the pleafure of converfing
with you, or rather, fince I was at your

fchool.

CLEMEKT XTV. tg

fchool. A little difciple of Scorns canfiot
do better than profit by the leflbns of a Phi-
lofopher, who has brought to light the New-
tooifm of the Ladies*.

A philofophy on the Subjedt of attraction
ought more particularly to be yours, be-
caufe you have fuch an attracting, amiable
charadteay that you draw all minds after
you j but for my part, I would rather, with
fach advantages,, be left a Newtonian, and
moreaChriftian;

We were not created to be either the
difciples of Ariftotle or Newton. Our fouls
have a much nobler deftiny * and the more
yours is fiiblime, the more you ought to
remount to its fource.

You may fay as often as you pleafe, that
k is the bufmefs of a Monk to preach y
and I will repeat to you continually, that
it is the bufmefe of a Philofopher to em- .
ploy himfelf in thinking from whence he *
eame, and« whither he goes. We have all a
caufe, and final purpofe for our exiftence,
and it mull be God alone who is both the
one and the other.

Your philofophy, notwithftandihg your
reafonings, reft only upon chimeras, if you
feparate it from religion. Chriftianity is the
fubftance of the truths which man ought
to feek after : but he loves to nurfe him-
felf in error, as the reptiles love to fatiate
themfelves on the mud in the ditch. We
feek at a diftance what we may find in our-
C 3 felvevj

3 o LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
felves, would we only look within, as <
the great St. Auguftine ; who having tafc
a. view of every being, to fee if he coi
find his God, returned to his own he*
and declared that he exifted more'th
than any where elfe — Et redii ad me.

I hope you will preach to me one day, a
that each of us (hall have his turn. /
I wifli to God! — However, whether 3
moralife or banter* I will always hear]
with that pleafure which one muft have
hearing thofe they cordially love, anc
whom they are from inclination as well
<Juty, the mod humble, &c

Rome, 7 December, 1754*

LETTER LXXXIV.
TO THE ABBE PA FT.

BEHOLD, my dear Abbe, the lean
Cardinal Quirini is juft gone to ur
hi$ knowledge to God, and to take :
draughts from that torrent of light, wh
we cannot perceive here below, but throi:
•clouds. He died as he lived, with
pen in his hand, finifliing a line, and rea
to go to Church, where his heart alw
was. Mine fhall erefl; a monument to h

wit

CL EM EN T XIV; J*

within myfelf, as lading as my life. He
had a regard for me — but, alas! for whom
had he hot ? His cathedral, his diocefe, all
Italy, even Berlin, hasexperienced his libe-
ralities. The King of Prulfia honoured him
with Angular efteem, and all the Learned of
Europe admired his zeal and his talents.

He had a conciliating turn of mind;—
all the Proteftants loved him, though he
often, told tbem fevere truths. It is to be re-
gretted that he did not leave fome confider*-
able work* initead of writing only detached
pieces. He would have encrealed the Be-
nedictine Library, already fo voluminous ;
and being Qne of the moft diftinguifhed
members of tbe Orclcr of St. Benedict, he
would have enriched the Church with his
productions.

If Poets are fufceptible of friendfhips,
Monf. Voltaire will regreat him. They cor-
refponded amicably ; — genius fought after
genius. For me, who can only admire great
men, and regret the lofs of them, I (hall
died tears upon the tomb of our illuftrious
Cardinal. Quando inveniemus parent?

I have the honour to be, &c.

Convent of the Holy Afostles,
i 3 January, 1755.

LETTER

3* LETTS* S OF GANGANELLI,

LETTER LXXXV.

TO A PAIWTER.

WHILE thdre isexprtffion in your
pictures* my dear Sir, yoa may
applaud yourfetf for your work. That is
the eflence of dbe ixt, and renders a nUht-
berof faults excufable, which would not
be -forgiven in an ordinary Painter,

I have fpoken of your talents to his Emi-
nence Cardinal Porto-Garrero, aid accord-
ing to your defire, he will recommend -yon
in Spain > but nothing will make you bet-
ter known than yoor own genius ;— one
mull be born a Painter^ as well as a Poet.
Carrache, notwithstanding thefpiritof his
.pencil, would have produced no- work
worthy of attention, if he had not poffefled
that rapture which infpires with enthufiafm
and.ardour.

We fee in his pictures a* r foul which
fpeaks, which animates and mfpires: we
think we can become Carrache himfelf 3
from the ftr^ngth of admiration, and be
filled with thejuftnefe.of his images*

How the fpiritof -that great man, whoir
you have chofen for a model, breathes in
you! You will revive him again upon the
canvas! If you were only his fhadow, you
would deferve to be efteemed : the fhadow
of a great man has fome reality.

Nature

CLEMENT XIV. ' a
Nature ought always to be the model
for every man who paints ; and to exe-
cute it well, no efforts areneceflary. Paint-
ers, like Poets, become monftrous, when
they ftrain their genius in compofmg. When
talents are in a proper difpofition for execu-
ting a Work, a man feels himfelf hurried
on by an irrefiftable propensity to feize the
pen or the pencil, and give himfelf up to
his inclination, without which he has neither
expreflion nor tafte.

Rome is undoubtedly the true fchool to
form a Painter ; but wliatever trouble he
takes, he will never rife above mediocrity,
unlefs he has genius.

It is time for me to have done, fince a
Counfellor of the Holy Office is not a
Painter, and we have every thing to lofe,
when we fpeak- of what we know only im*
perfedtiy.

I am, Sir, &c.

xx^xx>o<>d<x<!>o<>;x<)<xx!XX

LETTER LXXXVL
TOMONSIGNOR AYMALDI.

YO U have reafon to be furprifed, i»y
Lord, at the happy alliance which is
henceforth to unite the aoufes of Burbca
and Auftria. There are prodigies in poli-
C 5 tics

34 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

tics as well as in nature ; and Benedict XIV.
on learning this furprifmg news, had reafoni
for exclaiming, O admirabih commercium !

M. de Bernishas immortalifed himfelf by
this pplitical phenomenon, having had jufter
views than Cardinal Richlieu.

By this means we (hall have no more wars
in Europe, except when they grow tired of
. having peace; and the King of Pruffia*
though always thirfting after glory, will not
feek to make conquefts. But I fee Poland
at his mercy ; and becaufe a hero equally
valiant and fortunate, loves to aggrandize
himfelf, he will one day take part of it, if
that part be only the town of Dantzick. Po-
land itfelf may perhaps lend a helping hand
to fuch a revolution, by not watching fuffici-
ently at home, and fplitting into a thoufand
different fa&ions. The patriotic fpirit is no
longer fufficient among the Polanders, to
animate them to defend their country at the
expence of their lives. They are too often
from home, to retain their national fpirit.
It is only in England that the fpirit of pa-
triotifm is never extinguiftied, becaufe it is
founded on principle.

Europe has always had fome warlike Mo-
narch, jealous of extending his territories,
or gathering laurek : fometimes a Guftavus,
fometimes a Sobiefki, fometimes a Louis
the Great, fometimes a Frederic. Arms
more than talents have aggrandifed empires,

becaufe

CLEMENT XIV. 35

becaufe mankind have known that there is
nothing of fueh energy as the law of the
ftrongeft, the ultima ratio regum.

Happily, we feel none of thefe calami-
ties here : all is in peace, and every one re-
iilhes its fruits deficioufly ; as I eminently
tafte the pleafure of afliiring you of all my
efteem, and all my attachment.

LETTER LXXXVIL

TO THE AB&E NICOLINR

Sir,

I Was extremely fbrry that I was not
at the Convent of the Holy Apoftles*
when you came to favour me with a vifit
before your departure. Alas! I was upon
the banks of the Tiber,, which the ancient
Romans magnified as they *did their tri-
umphs ; for as to its length or breadth, it
is but an ordinary river.

This is a walk which I have a particular
liking to, from the ideas it infpires me with
on the grandeur and declenfion of the Ro-
mans. I call to mind the times when thefe
fierce defpots held the world in chains, and
when Rome had as raanyjGods, as they had
vices and paflions.

I thea

3 6 LETTERS OF* GANGAKjSLLI,

I then Ihrink back into my cell, where I
employ myfelf about Chfiftian Rome, and
where, though the loweft in the houfe of
God, I labour for its utility : but it is a work
which is prefer ibftd, and therefore tedious *
for in ftudying, a man commonly loves
what he performs freely.

I dare not fpeak to you of the death of
our common friend ; — That would be to
tear open a too tender wound. 1 came too
late to hear his laft words. He is regretted
like one of thofe Angular men of whom his
age was not worthy, and who poflefled all
the candour of the primitive times.

It is faid that he has left fome pieces of
poetry worthy of the greateft mjtfters. He
never mentioned them, which is the more
extraordinary, as Poets are feldom more
. difbreet with regard to their writings, than
to their merit in other refpe&s.

For fome time we have had a fwarm of
young Frenchmen here, and you may be-
lieve that I have feen them with much plea-
fure. My appartment was not large enough
to hold them* thy all did me the fa-
vour to come and fee me, becaufe they had
been told that there was a Monk in the
Convent of the Holy Apoftles who had a
particular love for France, and every one
that came from thence. They all fpoke to-
gether, and it was an earthquake tnat gave
me much pleafure.

They

CLEMENT XIV. 37

They do not like Italy too much, becaufe
it is not yet quite flrenchified; but I com-
forted them, by affiiring them that in time
they would complete the metamorphofis,
and that I was already more than half a
Frenchman.

I have the honour to be> &c.
Rome, 24 July, 1756.

xx:< ! xxxxxxx'xxxxxxx»xx:<

LETTER LXXXVUL

TO MR. STUART A SCOTCH GENTLEMAN* '

IF you are not affefted by the fluctuation
erf* the waves which furround you, I will
reproach you keenly for your inconftancy ;
for inattention to an old friend, who has been
conftantly attached to you, is not to be for-
given. Your condutt reminds me of what
I have often thought, that the principal na-
tions of Europe refembled the elements.

The Italian, according to this fimilitude,
reprefents the fire, which, always in a&ion,
flames and fparkles, the German, the
earth, which, notwithstanding its denfity,
produces good puMfeand excellent fruits *
the Frrady the air, whofe fubtlety leaves
not a trace behind; the Englifli,. the fickle
wave, which changes every inftant.

Afkilful

38 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

A fkilful Mini iter, with addrefs, chains
thefe elements as he finds neceflary, or
makes them wreftle one againft the other,
according to the interefts of his mafter. It
is what we have feen more than once when
Europe was in combuition, and was agitat-
ed by reciprocal violences.

Human policy embroils or reconciles ac-
cording to intereft, having nothing more at
heart than to govern or aggrandife. Chri-
stian policy, on the contrary, does not
know the criminal art of fowing divifions;
but its greateft fuccefs is in preventing
them. 1 cannot value policy which is not
founded on equity, for that is Machiave-
lifm put into adtion : but I have the moft
advantageous idea of a policy which is fome-
times quiet, fometimes adtive ; is governed
by prudence; meditates, calculates, fore-
fees, and after having recalled the paft, re-
flects upon the prefent, glances into futuri-
ty, and having all times in view, becomes
adive, or remains inadtive.

It is abfolutely neceflary that a good Po-
litician ihould know hiftory perfectly, and
the age in which he lives ; he ftiould know
the degree of ftrength and fpiritpofleffed by
thofe Characters, who appear on the ftage of
the world; to intimidate diem if they are
weak, to oppofe them if they have courage*
and to miflead them if they are raih.

A knowledge of men rather than of
books, is the fcience of a good Politician,

and

CLEMENT XIV. 39

and it is of confequence in his affairs to know
thofe perfectly whom he is to employ.
Some are only proper for fpeaking, while
others have courage which fits them for ac-
tion ; and all depends upon not miftaking
their character. Many politicians fail from
having mifplaced their confidence. There
is no recovering a fecret when it has once
elcaped, and it is better to commit a fault by
being too referved, than by an imprudent
confidence: tVbat we do not /peak, cannot
be wrote.

The fear of being betrayed renders him
pufillanimous, who has too lightly laid open
his heart. There are circumftances where
the Politician (hould appear to fay every
thing, though he fays nothing; and be able
to miflead with addrefe, without betraying
the truth; for it is never lawful to change
it.

It is not wcaknefs to yield when we can-
not do otherwife ; it is then wifdom. All
depends on knowing the proper moment,'
and the characters ofthofeyou have to deal
with; to forefee certainly the effeft which
refiftance could have in fuch circumftances.

Vanity often proves very hurtful to a
Politician . When impelled by refentment,
we would triumph over our enemy, and arc
eafily entangled in difficulties, from not
forefeeing the confequences.

He who would lead men, ought to fub-
due his paffibns, and oppofe a cool head to

thofe

40 LETTERS OF GANGANELU,

thofe who have the greatcft warmth; it is
that which makes us commonly fay, that
P^ the world is the inheritance of the phlegmatic.

The way to difconcert the moft impetuous
adverfary, is by great moderation.

We fliould have much lefs quarrelling
and fewer wars, were we only to calcu-
late what quarrelling and fighting muft coft.
It is not fufficient to have men and money
at our difpofal; we mufl: know how to
employ them, and refledt that fortune is not
always in the hands of the ftrongeft. For a
long time we have had. nothing but a tem-
porifing policy at Rome* becaufe we are
weak, and the courfe of events is the hap-
pieft refource to extricate thofe who cannot
refift. But as this is now a fecret of which no
one is ignorant, and as our flownefsin deter-
mining is generally known, it is not amifs,
but even proper, for a Pope now and then
to be determined; not in things that may
be difputed, but in things that are juft;
without which the Sovereign Pontiffs would-
be certain of being oppreffed every time
they are threatened.

Unfortunately, war is neceflary for fome
nations to become opulent ; there are others,
again, to whom it proves certain ruin: from
all which I conclude, that a Minifter who
knows how to profit ably of circumftances
is truly a treafure ; and when a Sovereign
lias the happinefs to find fuch a man, he

fhould

CLEMENT XIV. 41

ftwoid prefcrve him, notwithftanding ca-

I hare been ftammering upon a fubjedt
which you underftand much better than I
do ; but one word leads on to another, and
infenfibly we fpeak of what we do not
know.

Thus it happens in letter-writing. — We
do not forefee all that we (hall fay. The foul,
when it comes to recoil upon itfelf, is af-
tonifhed, and with realbn, at its fertility.
It is a (hiking pitture of the production of
a world from nothing ; for our thoughts,
which did not exift a httle before, fuddenly
(tart into being, and make us fenfible that
the Creation is realy not impoffible, as
fome modern Philofophcra pretend. I leave
you with yourfelf ; you are much better
than with me. Adieu.

R»mb, 22 Auguft, 1 7 j6*

SCOOCCOOQCOOOCCtttOOQ*

LFTTER LXXXIX.

TO THE REV. FATHER *♦•, APPOINTED
CONFESSOR TO THE DUKE OF •*•.

TTJHAT a charge! What a bur-

VV deni m 7 deareft friend. Is it

for your deftrudtion, or for your falvation r

that Providence has appointed you to this

formidable

4* LETTERS OF GANGAN&LLI,
formidable employment? That idea ought
to make you uemble.

You a(k me what you (hould do to dis-
charge it properly? — Be an Angel.

All things prove (helves and lhares for the
Confeflbr of a Sovereign, if he has not pa-
' - - ' gentleneft

/ 'V5 nce to wa ^ God's good time,
t ^fofcompaffionate imperfections,

and ftdadi-

it

h ^nefs to reftrain paflions. You ought to be
filled, more than anyone, with the gifts of
the Holy Ghoft, fa as to diffufe fometimes
hopes, fometimes fear% aud always inftruc?
tion. You (hould have a zeal capable of
(landing the fevereft ted, and a fpirit of
juftice to balance the iaterefts of the peo-
ple, and the Sovereign of whom you have
the guidance. You (hould firft endeavour
to know, whether the Prince whom you
dire&is inftrudled in the duties of reli-
gion, and his obligations towards his fub-
jedts; for, alas! it 5s too common for Prin-
ces to come out of the hands of thofe

\ who had the forming of them, without any
"knowledge but what is fuperficial. Next

I you (hould oblige your penitent to inftrutt
himfelf, and to draw, inflxu&jon from their
true fources, not loading tlie memory with

- many ledures, but ftudying by principles

v > what Religion and Politics require from a

/ governor.

• There are excellent works upon this fub-
jedt, and you ought not to be ignorant of
them. I know one that was. compofed for

Vi&or-

CLEMENT XIV. 4J

Vi&or-Amadeus, and which has no other
fault but that of being t oo di ffufe, and ex-
acting too much. ~~

When the Duke is folidly inftrudled, for
he fliould not fleep over frivolous ceremo-
nies, recommend to him to feek truth con-
tinually, and to love it without" referve.
Truth fhould beTthe Sovereign's cornpafi.
It will be the means of getting rid of all in-
formers and Courtiers, who fupport them-
felves in Courts by flattery and falfehood,
and who are by a thoufand degrees the moft
dangerousof all fcourges; deftroying Princes
bot h f or this world and the next.'

Infiffc, without iiitermiflTon, on the necef-
fity of (hewing the refpeft that is due to re-
ligion, not by infpiring a fpirit of perfecu-
tiQn, but by recommending an evangeli-
cal courage, which fpares the perfon, but
itops the fcandal. Repeat frequently that
t he li fe -of a Sovereign, like his Crown, is
veryuilecurei if he fuffers jefting about the
wbrfKIp due to God, and does not put a flop
to irreligion.

Endeavour by your firmnefs, by your re-
prefentations, by your prayers, and even by
your tears, to make tjic Prince whom you
guide, diftinguifti himfelf by the goodnefs
of his morals, and to caufe them to flourifh
in his kingdom, as they conftitute- the tran-
quility of citizens, and the happinefs of fa-
milies, which is the feed of population.
Reprefent

44 " LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

Reprefent' to him frequently, that his fab-
jedts are his children, and that he fhould
be a parent to them day and night, to help
\ and comfort them * that he fhould not im-
pofe taxes upon them, but in proportion to
their wealth and induftry, fo as neither to
expofe them to indigence nor defpair ; and
that a ready adminiftration of juftice is his
indifpenfible duty.

If you do not engage him to fee every
thing with his own eyes, you will do your
duty only by halves. The people are not
made happy but by entering into particu-
lars, and there is no means of knowing
them, without defcending to make the en-
quiry.

Though the Great defpife the . people,,
and do not reflect, that in a State the People-
comprehends every individual except the
Sovereign, yet to you, let that people be ever
prefent, as a facred portion, with which the
Prince fhould be conftaatly engaged ;-— a
portion which makes the fupport of the
throne, and which fhould be watched like
the apple of the eye;
. Make him fenfibie, that the life of a So-
vereign is a life of tremble, and that recrea-
tions are only permitted to him, as to the
reft of mankind, for relaxation ; and teach
him to know, that he ought to ftop his
chriftian ftudies, and even h is pray ers^ if he
is wanted for the rupport ofthe ftateT

Speak

CLEMENT XIV. 45

Speak to him of the dreadful account
which he muft render to God of his admi-
niftration, and not of the judgment which
hiftory pronounces againft bad Princes af-
ter their deaths. That is not a proper mo-
tive to adtuate a religious Prince; for hifto-
ry is only the voice of men, which perifh-
eth with them: but the living God, the
punifher of crimes, is the objett which
Ihould regulate the condudt of a Sovereign.
It is of little confequence to mod people,
whether they are well or ill fpoken of after
their death ; but the fight of an eternal and
inflexible Judge makes the mod awful im-
predion upon the human mind.

You will not prefcribe thofe vague pe-
nances which confift in fimple prayers, but
apply a remedy fit to heal the wounds
which will be expofed to you; and parti-
cularly endeavour to difcover what is his
prevailing fault; without which you may
confefe for. a whole age without knowing
your penitent. If you would ftop the
courfe of an evil, you muft go to the foun-
tain-head.

Take great care not to ftep beyond the
bounds ot your miniftry, and not meddle,
I do not fay with any intrigue, but with
any bufmefs, of the Court. It is mod un-
worthy to fee a Monk, who ought not to ap-
pear but as a representative of Jefus Chrift,
difhonour that nuguft fundtionby fordid in-
tereft or deteflable ambition.

Al

4 6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

All your defires, all your views, fliould
have the fafety of the Prince who places
his confidence in you for their fole objedt
Aftonifh him by an incorruptible virtue,
always equally Supported. If a Confeflbr
does not make himfelf refpe&able, and es-
pecially in a Court, where they only feek
pretences for not being Chriftians, he au-
thorifes vices, and expofcs himfelf to bede-
fpifed.

Inculcate into the mind of the Prince,
that he muft be anfwerable to God for all
the employments he bellows, and all the
evil which is done in confequence of his
making an improper choice. Reprefent to
him particularly, the -danger of nominating
ignorant or vicious people to ecclefiaftical
dignities, and nourishing their effeminacy
and covetoufnefs by giving them a plurality
of benefices. Perfuade him to feek out
merit, and to recompenfe thofe who write
for the good of the public, and for Reli-
gion. Teach him to fuppcrt his dignity,
not by pride, but by a magnificence pro-
portioned to the extent of his dominions,
his forces, and his revenues; and tode-
fcend, at the fame time, from his rank, to
humanife himfelf with his people, and to
fearch after true bappinefs.

Place his duty frequently before his eyes,
not with feverity nor with importunity, but
with thar charity, which, being the etfufion
€>f the Holy Spirit, never fpeaks but with

prudence,

CLEMENT XIV. 47

prudence, fei2?s the ptoper feafon, and pr )-
fits by it. When a Prince is convinced of
the knowledge ar.d piety of his Confeflbr,
he hears him with good-na'.ure, if his heart
be not corrupted.

If your illuftrious pupil accufes himfelf
of effential faults in adminiftration, fpeak
to him in general terms, and you will
come infenfibly to the point of making him
confefs what you ought to know. You
fhould often infift upon his hearing all his
people, and doing them immediate juftice.
If you do not find yourfelf inclined to fol-
low this plan, retire •, for thefe are precepts
which you cannot tranfgrefs, without ren-
dering yourfelf guilty both in the fight of
God and Man.

The fundtion of an ordinary ConfefTor
does notattradl the public attention, but all
eyes are fixed on the condutt of the man
who is Confeflbr to a Sovereign. You can-
not be too exadt in the tribunal of penitence,
in not allowing any one to approach to the
facraments whofe fcandalous life muft ren-
der him unworthy in the eyes of the pub-
lic. There are not two Gofpels, one for
the Sovereign, and another for the people :
both the one and the other will be equally
judged by that unalterable Jaw, becaufe the
law of the Lord remaineth eternally.

Princes are not the images of God by
their power and authority only, which they
hold of him alone i they are fo likewife by

48 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
the virtues which they fhould poffefs, t
be proper reprefentatives of him. . A pec
pie (hould be able to fay of their Soverdgc
" He governs like a Deity, with wifiionj
clemency, and equity :" for Sovereigns ar
accountable to their fubjeds for their con
duft , not to difclofe the fecrets of the O
binet, but in doing nothing which can rnij
lead them.

Of all things, take care not to falfify rib
truth, either from weakaefs or any world
ly motive. There is no capitulating wit
the law of God > it has the fame force-at a
times, and the fpirit of the Church is alwaj
the fame. The zeal of the great Ambrofiu
with regard to the Emperor Thepdofius* i
extolled by the Church as highly atprefen
as it was formerly - 9 for fhe neither varies i:
her morals nor opinions.

I pray to God, with all my heart, tha
he may fupport you, and enlighten, you ii
fo hazardous an employment, where, yoi
ought not to be an ordinary man, but
heavenly guide. You will then live as;
hermit, in the midfl of the great world; a
a truly religious man, in a dwelling wher
there is commonly but little religion ; as '
Saint, in a place which would deftroy th
men of God, if the Lord was not ever
where widi his cleft.

I embrace you, and am, &c

Rome, 26 April, 1755.

LETTEI

CLIMEKT XIV.

LETTER. XC

49

TO THE PRELATE CERATI.

My Lord

AT laft the Chapter of Dominicans, at
which our Holy Father folemnly
prefided, is over, find the Rev. Father
Boxadore, equally diftiriguifhed by his birth
and merit, hath been elefted Superior Ge-
neral. He will govern with much wifdom
and honefty, as an enlightened man who
is acquainted with mankind, and knows
that they are not to be governed imperioufly.

Benedidt XIV. who opened the Seflion
with a difcourie the moft eloquent and flat-
tering for the Order of St. Dominick,
which has always been remarkable for the
uaderftanding and virtue of its raem :
bers, defired to have the Rev. Father
Richini for General, a truly modeft and
learned Monk; but notwithftanding his
prefencc, and all his wifttes, he could not
fucceed.

The Pope took it very well, and in go-
ing away, fmiling, feid, " that the Holy
" Therefa having afked Our Saviour, where-
" fore a Carmelite, whom he had declar-
" ed to her (hould be chofen General, w«
" not eledted, he anfwered her, / was for
u bim, but the Monks were againji bim. It is
"not aftonilhing then, added our Holy
Vol II. D "Father

So LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
" Father, that the will of his Vicar hath
" not had its effe#."

AH the world knows that we too often
~s refift the Holy Spirit, and that mankind

( daily defeat the intentions of the Deity by

their wicked ways.

Father Bremond is little regretted, al-
though he was extremely affable and vir-
tuous. His Order reproached him with
having a blind cohdefcenfion for a brother
who governed him, and whom I always
diftruited, becaufe he appeared to me to
be a flatterer. It is feldom that men of
that charafter are not falfe. Your fweeten-
ed language is rarely the language of fin-
cerity.

I pitied poor P. Bremond, without dar-
ing to blame him. What man in employ-
ment but has been deceived?

There are many people unjuft with re-
gard to the Great, and efpecially when they
are not great themfelves. The circum-
stance of the Great being befet-with cares
and embarraffments is not attended to,
which ftiould in part excufe them, when,
they cannot fee all with their own eyes-
Happy he who only fees greatnefs at a difr-
tance, like a mountain which he has iuo
inclination to climb!

I have the honour to be, &<:-
Rome, 29 July, 1756.

LETTER

CLEMENT XIV. 5 t

LETTER XCI.

TO AN ENGLISH LORD.

T Cannot conceive, my Lord, inftrutt-
* ed as you are in the imperfections of
human nature, the variety of opinions,
the fantafticalnefs of tafte, and the force of
culloms, why you (hould be aftoniflied at
the form of our Government. I do not pre-
tend to juftify it, as it neither favours com-
merce, agriculture, nor population; that
is to fay, what is precifely the eflence of
public felicity: but do you think there
arena inconveniencies in other countries?

We are under an infenfible Government,
it is true, which excites neither emulation
nor induftry; but I fee you Englishmen
under the yoke of a populace who drag you
as they pleafe, and who, by their impetuo-
fity, which cannot be reftrained, become your
Sovereigns: and I fee other people, fuchas
the Polanders, under an anarchy,' and the
Ruffians under defpotifm; without men-
tioning the Turks, wi o dare not fpeak for
% fear of the Sultan, who can do whatever he
pleafes.

It is generally imagined, though I do
not know why, that the Ecclefiaftic Go-
vernment is a fceptre of iron ; yet whoever
has read its hiftoty, cannot be ignorant
that the Chriftian Religion has abolilh-
D % ed

5 a LETTERS OF GANG AN EL LI, '

ed flavery : that in thefe countries where
it ftill unhappily prevails, as in Poland
and Hungary, the peafants, who are under
the government of biftiops, are not bondf-
men ; and that, in fine, nothing is more gen-
tle than the dominion of the Popes. Be-
fides their never having war, being neceflk-
rily Princes of Peace, they trouble nobody
either for taxes, or their ways of thinking.

There are certain Inquifitions which have
caufed the Priefts to be branded with the
nameofPerfecutors. But, befides that die
monarchs who authorized them, were equally
guilty with the inftigators, Rome was never
feen to give in to the barbarous pleafure of
burning its citizens for want of the faith,
or becaufe fome improper difcourfe had
cfcaped them. Jefus Chrift, expiring up*
on the Crofs, far from exterminating thofe
who blafphemed him, follicited their pardon
with his Father : Paler, ignofce Hits.

What is certain is, that although fome
minifters of God have fometimes declared
for blood and carnage, they have only done
it by an enormous abufe of religion, which,
having charity for its eflence, preaches up
meeknefs and peace.

Yet, wherefoever Hook round the world,
I fee that, in themidft of our indigence and
apathy, we are ftill the people who live
moft happily. This is owing, it is true,
to the goodnefs of the foil and climate,

whigh

CLEWENT XIV. 53

'which furnilhes us abundantly with the ne-
ceffaries of life.

If our Government had more a&ivity,
there would certainly be more vigour and:
circulation in the Ecclefiaftical State: but
who hath told us that the Government
wfculd not then become defpotic? The
luke-warmnefs of the Popes, commonly too
old to undertake or execute, makes at once
both our misfortune and our happinefs.
They leave the country to produce what
itpleafes, without attending cither to its*
culture or improvement - 9 but they crufh no-
body under the weight of taxes, and every
one is fure of remaining in peace at home, ,
without theleaft moleftation.

Rich countries are taxed in p r opor-~
tbn to their riches ; and I do not know, in
&Q* whether it is better to inhabit a coun-
try flourifhing by its induftry, . and having .
exorbitant burdens to pay, which leaves
only the means of fubfifting; or to live in
a place without this circulation, but in a
happy eafe. It appears to me that every
^dividual, feparately, loves rather to gain
little with nothing to pay, than to gain
xnuch, and pay almoft the whole. I pre-
fer having only twenty five fequins to my-
felf , to the happinefe of pofleffing a hundred
out of which I mull pay ninety.

We are frequently mifled by fpeciouis
advantages in what we fay upon Govern-
ment- The whole world requires undoubt-
D 3 edly

54 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
edly that we ftiould labour and be active,
lending our hands to one another from
the mod diftant parts of the globe, and
by keeping up correfpondences fupport a
juft equilibrium, or at leaft a happy har-
mony: yet that does not hinder but there
may be a little corner in the world which
may be happy, without taking a part in all
thefe enterprifes and revolutions ; and we
are in thatjittleintrenchment where the fer-
pents of Difcord do not hifs^ and where Ty-
janny doth not exercife her cruelties.

The human mind is always in motion,
becaufe man is perpetually agitated: he
never loves to fee countries reft in torpid
indolence. Thus conquerors who ravage
kingdoms, who plunder, who kill, and
ufurp, pleafe him much more than thofe
beings who remain fixed in one place, lead-
ing an uniform life, and who do not, by
their revolutions, prefent him with any intc-
refting fpe&acleon the theatre of the world.

Neverthelefs, the life celebrated by Phi-
lofophers and Poets is not a life of tumult;
they banilh avarice and ambition from the
mind of man to render him happy; and in
this they agree with the true Chriftians,
who preach up difintereftednefs and hu-
mility.

I allure you, I have often eftimated every^
kind of Government, and I fhould be pu2—
zled to decide which is the beft. None
of them are without their inconveniencies;

and

CLEMENT XIV. 5 j

and at this we (faould be the lefs furprifed,
fince the univerfe itfelf, though governed by
Infinite Wifdom, is fubjeft to the ftrangeft
revolutions. Sometimes we are cruflied by
thunder, fometimes aflidted by calamities,,
and almoft always vexed either by (hocks
of the elements, or by the plague otinfe&s ;
in the heavenly country only all will be
perfedt, and there we (hall find neithec
evils nor dangers:

A little lefs enthufiafm for your country*
Sir, would make you allow that there are
abufes in it as in other countries* But how
expeft an Englishman not to be 'an enthu-
fiafl in favour of hfs country f You will?
tell me that die liberty and property of
your citizens, are Angularly refpe&ed with
you ; and 1 wijl anfwer,, that thefe twa
prerogatives, which effentially conftitute
happinefe, and whiph ought never to be
invaded, remain equally inviolate in the
dominions of the Pope. There every one
is allowed to enjoy his property in peace*
to go and come as he pleafeth, without
being molefted. The rigours of authori-
ty are unknown in the Ecclefiaftical States,
and you may fay* that the fuperiors have
more the manner of entreating than com-
manding. Do not imagine, from thefe
obfervations, that I am an apologift for a
government fo defedtive as ours : I know
its dcfefts as well as you ; but think that
there is not an adminiftration in the uni-
D 4 verfe

56 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
verfe of which we may not fpeak both
good and ilL May the republican tove re-
publics, and the fubje&s of monarchs love
monarchies, and then all will be in its pro-
perplace. As for me, I am in mine, whea
I aflure you of the refpedfc, &c. -
Rome, 27 September* 1756.

«cc» omTr ooreoMOQCtt » joooocoo^

LETTER XCIL

TO A PHYSICIAN!.

\ ! T Am grieved, my dear Friend; that your
X domeftic affairs are ftill in fc bad a fitua-
tion, and that your wife* by her exceffive
expences, labours continually to make them
worfe* There is nothing but patience and
mildnefs which can affect her. Gain her con-
fidence, and you will afterwards gain what
you pleafe. You fhould never molefta wife*
whatever fhe may have done amifs * but fall
upon fome means capable of opening her
eyes. Speak reafon to her ; feem to enter
into her views fo as not to have the appear-
ance of qontradi&ing her ; and infenfibly,.
by candid reprefentations, by good treat-
ment, by fenfible reafonings, by the effii-
ftons of the heart, fhe may be brought to
relifh the morals you preach to her * but you

• muft

CI7BM EN'T XIV. 57

muft not aflurae either a pedantic manner,
or the tone of a moralifer,

Above all things, do not complain of
your wife before your children, but ftill lefs
before your fervants. They will acquire
the habit of no longer refpecting her ; per-
haps they may defpife her.

Women deferve attention, and the more

fo, as" it is almoft always the temper of

hufbands, or domeftic vexations, which

make them peeviflu Their tender forms

require attention, as well as their fituation,

which does not permit them to divert their

cares fo eafily as we can do, whofe lives are

divided between buftnefs and ftudy. While

the hufband goes abroad on bufinefs or

pleafure, the wife remains confined at home,

neceflarily employed in minute attentions,

which are confequently teizing.. Women

Avho love reading have a refource* but they

cannot be always reading : befides, almoft

every woman who reads much is vain.

I advife you to recommend to her credi-
tors, to come frequently to perfecute her,
when (he is in their debt. She will foon
grow tired of their vifits, and then you
(hould take occafion to (hew her, that there
cannot be a greater misfortune than to be '
in debt when we cannot pay. You will en-
gage her attention by mentioning the ne-
ceifity of faving fomething for her children..
She loves them tenderly, and that motive
will be the beft leflbn which can be given hen
D 5 I formerly-

58 LETTERS OF GANGANELi-I, v

I formerly knew ati old officer at Pefaroy
who had fuffered much by the paffionate
freaks of his wife. When fhe fell into a rage,
he remained immoveable, and did not fpeak
one Word ; and this filence very foon cooled
her paflion. The paffionate are to be dis-
armed by mildnefs.

■ How pleafed am I, my dearDodtor, that
I am married to my cell ! It is a quiet com-
panion, who does not fpeak one word, who
does not put my patience to the trial, and
whom I find always the fame at whatever
hour I return ; always tranquil and ready
to receive me. The vexations of the Monks,
are nothiug, when compared with thofe of
people who live in. the world : but it is ne-
ceffary that every one ftiould fufFer patient-
ly, and refleft that this life is not eternal.
St. Jerome faid, that he advifed marriage
to thofe only who were fearful in the night*
that they might have a companion to keep
up their courage ; but as he was never fear*
ful, he never inclined to marry.

I am glad that your eldeft fonhas fuchaa
uncommon fagacity. You muft work upon
the temper of the youngeft, finceheismore
referved, that he may (hew himfelf. The ta-
lent of a father is to multiply himfelf, and
to appear to his children under different
forms : to one, as a mafter ; to another* as,
a friend.

The confidence which the firfl people of
the town place in you docs them honour.

They

CLEMENT XIV. 59

They muft have known, from frequent cures,
that the reproaches againft phyficians are
not always well founded. The fafhion is to
be merry at their expence •, but for my part,.
I am convinced that there is more under-
ftanding among them than in almoft all the
other profeffions ; and that their fcience is
not fo conjectural as is commonly thought *■
but man, ingenious in deluding himfelf,
fays, that it is nfcver death, but always
the phyfician that kills. Befides, what
learned men never deceive& himfelf? We
fhould nof fee fo many fophifms and pa-
rodoxes in books, were it not that writers*
are fallible* though they know a. great
deal.

What I fay to you, my dear Do&or, is>
the more generous on<my part, becaufe I en-
joy the moft perfeft health, and have no
need of any phyfician.. I take my chocolate
every morning, lead a frugal life, ufe a great
deal of fnufti and walk frequently ^ and.
with fuch a regimen, one may live an age ;..
but I am not defirous of a long. life.

Love me always as your beftfriend, the
friend of your family, and as one who moft
fincerely wifties to fee you happy.

My compliments to your, dear wife,,
whom I wilh to fee as reasonable in her. ex-
pences as you are: — that time will come.
The happinefs of this life confifts in always
hoping.

Rome, 30 September, 1756.

LETTER

6o LETTERS OP GANGANELL?,

LETTER XCIIf .
TO THE SAME,

YO U will fee, my Friend, by the in-
clofed memorial of your colleagues,
who tear each other in pieces, that ftudy
does not exempt us froni the weakneffes in-
cident to human nature. "

Neverthelefs, the learned ought tafet an •
example of moderation, and leave quar-
rels and jealoufies to the vulgar, as their
proper elements. Every age has produced
literary combats very humiliating to fenfe
and reafon. The merit of one is not the
feme in another, and I cannot fee why envy,
fhould be fo exafperated as to decry thofe
who have reputation. I would rather never
have read in my life, than conceive the
lead hatred againft a writer. If he writes
well, I admire him ; if badly, I excufe him,
becaufe I imagine he did his beft.

The greater the number of mean fouls
who rank themfelves in the lift of writers,
the more they deteft and tear one another
in pieces. Men of genius, like the gene-
rous maftiff, defpife the infults of litde
curs. The truly great never reply to cri-
tics; — fa tii e is beft anfwered by fflent con-
. tempt.

Men of fuperficial knowledge are much
more e*pofed to thefe fquabbles than the

truly

CLEMENT XIV. &

truly learned, becaufe their application is
quite, different. The learned are too much
abforbed in ftudy to hearken to the whif-
pers of jealoufy* while the others, like
light troops, are fcattcred about upon the
watch.

The French have a great deal of thefe
hateful difputes in their writings, from their,
having many more fuperficial than pro-
found authors. Their agreeable vivacity
leads them to trivial ftudies, rather than to
the ftudy of the Sciences:, from a dread-
that their gaiety muft be laid under re-
ftraiot, and, their liberty be loft in intenfe
application. The learned man writes for
pofterity, and the fuperficial for the pre-
fcnt age ; he is in a hurry to gain reputa-
tion for the immediate gratification of felf-
love, preferring the applaufe of a day to a
more lafting glory.

I am delighted to hear that your wife is
become fenhble to your remonftrances :
fhe will poffibly at laft become a mifer.
But take care of that, for (he will perhaps
make you die of hunger ; and a Phyfician
prefcribes only drift regimen to his pa-
tients.

I have fcarce time to read the work you
mention ; but as you fpeak fo highly of its
latinity, I will endeavour to glance it over.
There are fome books which I run over
b the twinkling of an eye, others which

I dive

6* LETTERS OF GANGANELLt,
I dive into fo as to lofe nothing ; but it de-
pends upon the fubje&s, and the manner of
treating them.

I love a work whofe chapters, Tike fo
many avenues, lead agreeably to fome
interefting profpeft. When I fee the road
crooked, and the ground rugged, I re-
ject it at the beginning ; and I do not go
farther, unlefs the importance of the fub-
jeft makes me forget the manner rn which
it is delivered.

I leave you to vifit an Englifh Lord, who*
thinks, as he fpeaks, with energy. He
cannot conceive how Rome can canonize
men who have lived holy Kves -, as if we
did not judge of men by their lives, and
as if God had not promifed the kingdom
of heaven to thofe who faithfully accom-
plifh the law.

I believe, however, that that excellent
work of the Holy Father, On the Canoni-
Tuition of Saints, will open his eyes -, he
efteems the Pontiff greatly, and has a&.
high opinion of his writings. Adieu.

Convent of the Holy Apostles,.
5. November,. 1756.

LETTER

\ [CLEMENT XIV. «J

LETTER XCIV.*

TO THE ABBE LAMT.

I WISH, my dear Abbe, for the honour of
your country and of Italy, that tha
Hiftory of Tttfcany, which is going to be
publifhed, may correfpond with its title.

What excellent matter to haiKlle, if the
writer, equally judicious and delicate, (hews
the Artsfpringing from this country, where
they had been buried during fo many ages ;
and if he paints in proper colours the Me-
dicis, to whom we owe this ineftimable
advantage \ '

Hiftory brings together all ages and ali
mankind into one point of view, prefenting
a charming landftape to the mental eye.
It gives colour to the thoughts, foul to the
a&ions, and life to the dead ; and brings
them again upon the ftage of the world,
as if they were flill living; but with this
difference, that it i& not to flatter, but to
judge them.

Formerly hiftory was but badly written,
and even at this day our Italian authors are
not much improved. They only compile
events and dates, without characterizing
the genius either of nations or heroes.

The generality of men look upon hiftory
with a curfory glance, as they would at a

^iec<i

6 4 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
piece of Flanders tapeftry. They are con-
tent to fee characters (hining by the vi-
vacity of the colouring, without thinking
of the head which drew the defign, or
the hand which executed it., And thus
they think they fee every thing, while they
fee nothing.

It is impoffible to profit by hiftory, if
we are attentive only to princes, battles,
and exploits, paffing in review before us;
but I do not know more inftru&ive reading,
if we confider the progrefs of events,
and obferve how they were condu&edr
when we analyfe the talents and defigns
of thofe people who fet all in motion, and
tranfport ourfelves to the ages and coun-
tries in which fuch memorable adtions hap-
pened.

Hiftory affords an inexhauftible fund for
reflexions. Every adtion fhould be weigh-
ed, not with a minute examination which
doubts of every thing, but with a critical
eye which will not be deceived. It is fel-
dom that young people profit by the read-
ing of hiftory, becaufe it is given to them
as a kind of exercife calculated folely for.
the memory; inftead of being told, that it
is the foul, and not the eyes, which ought
to be employed in fuch a ltudy.

Then they will obferve fome men highly
praifed, who were the difgrace of human
nature; others who were perfecuted, yet.
were the glory of their country, and the age

in

CLEMENT XIV. 65

in which they lived. Then they will know
the fprings of emulation* and the dangers
of ambition ; they will fee felf-intereft the
primum mobile in cities, courts, and families*

Hiftorians rarely make reflexions, that
they may leave their readers at leifure to
analyfe and judge of people of whom they
fpeak.

In all the hiftories of the world, we find
people who fcarcely appear on the fcene, yet
behind the curtain fet all in motion. The^
efcape not the attentive reader, who gives
them the honour of what flattery has too
often afcribed to the man in office. Al-
moft all princes and almoft every minifter.
have fome fecret agent that moves them,,
^ho is only to be difcovered by analizing
themfelves.

Wc may likewife lay that fome of the
greateft events which have aftonifhed the
world,, have frequently taken rife from
perfona obfeure both in rank and extrac-
tion. Many women who appeared only as
the wives of princes or ambafladors, and.
who are not evea mentioned in hiftory,
have frequendy -been the caufe of fome
of the nobleft exploits. Their counfels have
prevailed and been followed; and the huf-
bands have had all the honour of enter-
prizes which was due to the fagacity of their,
wives*

Tufcanyfurnifhesmuch excellent matter,,
which an able hiftorian might difplay in a

moft

66 LETTERS OFGANGANELL

mod lively and ftriking manner,
period where we fee princes of fuch
tradted power as the family of Medici
viving the arts, and fpreading them all
Europe, will not be the leaft interef
When I refledt upon this aera, it (i
like a new world rifing out of chac
new fun coming to give light to the
ferent nations. O that this work, my
Abbe, had fallen into your hands!
would have given, it all the fpirit it i
pable of. Adieu. Somebody is comii
befiege me, and I won't be blocked u
they are vifits of politenefs, which ftiou
refpeded.

Rome, 8th November, 1756.

LETTER XCV:

TO COUNT •••

I Cannot fufficiently exprefe my joy
dear Count, when I think you ar
ing on fteadily in the paths of virtue,
that you are fufficiently matter of yo
to keep your fenfes* paifions > and he
order.

Yes, we will make that little exci
we projected. Your company is be
my delight, fmce you have become a
man.

CLEMENT XIV. 67

I will willingly prefent you to the Holy
Father, when you come to Rome; and
I proteft to you he will be happy to fee
you, efpecially when he knows that you
apply yourfelf to proper ftudies. You will
find him as lively as if he was only five-and-
twenty.

Gaiety is the balm of life ; and what in-
duces me to believe that your piety will be
preferved, is, your being always of a chear-
ftil temper. They become infeiifibly tired
of virtue, who become tired of themfelves.
Every thing then becomes a burden, and
the whole concludes with finking into a
difmalmifanthropy,or the greateft diffipa-
tion. I approve much of your bodily exer-
cifes; they enliven the fpirits, and make
us fit for every thing: I take as much
exercife as the difmal profeflion of a monk
allows.

When you come to fee me, I will tell
you all that the implacable Marchionefe
alledges in her own vindication for not
feeing you. I always thought that her par-
ticular devotion would not allow her to
do fo good an aftion : (he would fupport
her condudl by vanity. You cannot ima-
gine how difficult it is for fome devotees to
acknowledge themfelves in the wrong.

As for you, flop where you are. You have
written to her ; you have fpoken to her ;
and certainly that is enough -, efpecially as
£t. Paul tells us, that we fhould be at peace

with

68 LETTERSOF GANGANELLI,

with all the world, if poffible— -Ji fieri potcfl*
He knew that there are fome unfociable
people in tlie woild, with whom it is impof-
fible to live cordially.

I embrace you with all my heart, &c

LETTER XCVI.
^ TOR.P, LUCIARDI, A BARNABITE;.

Most Rev. Father,

YOUR decifion is quite conformable
to the Councils, and I ftiould have
been much aftonilhed if it had been other-
wife, confidering the long time that I have,
been acquainted with your extenfive know-
ledge and your judicious opinions,

Befides the excellent books which you
always have in your Library, you conftantly
^ have the revetend P. Gerdil, whofe learning,
and modefty deferve the greateft praife.

Take care of your health, for the fake of
religion and our own interefts.

The city of Turin where you live, cer-
tainly knows, the value of poffeffing you*
for it is a place where iperit is efteemecL
and cherifhed.

I make a fcruple of detaining you longer,
from your ftudies and exercifes of piety,

and

CLEMENT XIV 69

and therefore conclude without ceremony
by alluring you moft cordially, that

lam, &c.
Rome, 3d. December 1754.

XX»XXXXXXXX«XXXXXXXXiXX

LETTER XCVU.

TO A DIRECTOR OF NUNS.

I DO not congratulate you upon your
employment, but I will endeavour that
you lhall acquit yourfelf with all poffible
prudence and charity.

Take my advice, and go very feldom
into the parlour : it is a place of idle con-
version, fenfelefs tales, and little flanders,
•and your frequenting it cannot fail to excite
jealoufies ; for if you fee one oftener than
another, * they will come fecretly to hear you
from a fpiri t of curiofity, which muft produce
cabals and parties, and the leaft word you
fpeak will have a thoufand commentaries.
Secondly, you cannot remove the idle
fcruples you will often hear of, except by
defpifing them, and never hearing them
more than twice.

• Thirdly, accuftom the Nuns never to
fpeak of any thing which does not regard
themfelves, while at confefllon, frecaufethey
will otherwife make the confeffion of their
neighbours j and in confefling one only,

you

70 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
you will learn infenfibly the faults of die
whole community.

Fourthly, endeavour conftantly to main-
tain peace in all their hearts, repeating in-
ceflantly that Jefus Chrift is to be found
only in the bofom of peace.

Frequently refledl, that if there is luft in
the eyes of all men, as St. John tells us,
there is a luft in the tongues and ears of
many Nuns. Have you fkill to cure them?
If it is not proper to prefcfibe abfolute
filence, it is at leaft neceflary to prohibit
malicious difcourfe, where they amufe
themfelves at the expence of their neigh-
bours.

Refpeft the tendernefs of the fex, which
requires condefcenfion in governing them i
and (hew fome indulgence to the poor re-
clufe labouring in fpirit, fo as not to add
to the yoke, already fufficiently heavy
from the burden of an eternal folitude.

Our Holy Father has known their "wants,
by allowing them to vifit each other once
a year. Whatever is done from a prin-
ciple of charity deferves to be praifed.

There are occafions where you will have
ufe for all your firmnefs, and without
which you will not be Disedtor, but diredt-
ed. Some Devotees have the adcjrefs to
lead him who hath the care of their con-
fciences : they appear to do it quite pioufly,
without feeming to intend it.

If

CLEMENT XIV. 71

If you negle& thefe hints, you will re-
pent; but you will do better if you ap-
pear only at confeffion, or in the Pulpit,
and at the Altar. You will be much more
refpedted. There are few Directors who do
not lofe a great deal by making themfelves
too much known. It is great wifdom never
to appear among them unfeafonably. Afk
me nothing farther upon this article, for
lhave told you all that I know. Adieu.

Convent of the Holy Apostles,
19 December, 1756.

LETTER XCVIIL

TO THE COUNT GENORI.

MY books, my monadic exercifes,
my employment, all join to oppofe
the pleafure I (hould otherwife have in
vifiting you. Befides, what would you
do with a Monk whofe time is continually
interrupted with reading and prayer, which
would break in upon our walks and our
converfations?

I am fo accuftomed to my hours of ibli-
tude and application, that I believe I could
not exift without them.

All the happinefs of a Monk confifts in
being alone, in praying and in ftudying. I

have

7 i LETTERSOF GANGAlfELLI
have no other, and I prefer it to all the
pleafures of the world. The convcr&tion of
the learned or fome of my friends is infi-
nitely precious to me, provided they do not
break in upon my time. I never propofed to
be the flave of the minute in the hours which
I can difpofe of, becaufe I hate every thing
which is trifling; but I love order, and I
fee nothing which can preferve the har-
mony of the foul and the fenics, but a love
of order.

Where there is no order, there can be
no peace. Tranquility is the daughter of
Regularity, and it is by regularity that man
can (hut himfelf up within the fphere of
his duty. All the inanimate creation preach
up regularity ; the ftars perform their courfe
periodically, and the plants revive at the
moment which is marked out to them.
We can tell the inftant the day fhould ap-
pear, and it doth not fail ; we know the
moment of the night, and then darkoefe
covers the earth.

The true Philofopher never perverts the
order of time, unlefs obliged by occupa-
tions or cuftoms which require it.

To return, Sir, to naiural hiftory, which
you mentioned to me; it is certain we
have ftudied it lefs than antiquity, although
the former is much more ufef ul than the lat-
ter. Nevertheless, Italy at every ftep prefents
wherewithal to exercife and iatisfy the cu-
riofity of Naturalifts. Phenomena may be

ieea

CLEMENT XIV. 7i

feen in Italy, that arc not to be feen elfe-
where ; and people who are faid to be left
fuperftitious than the Italians* would in-
ftantly take them to be miracles;

A French Abbe, who has been here for
forae time, and whom I got acquainted
with through Cardinal Paffionei, was in the
greateft aftonilhment at feeing the wonders
which nature every where presented to him.
I lhall always remember a walk which I
had with him near the Villa Mattei, and
which lafted five hours, though no great
diftance, becaufe he ftopped every inftant.
He has knowledge, and fuch a tafte for na-
tural hiftory, that he glues himfelf to an
infe& or a flint, fo that he cannot tear him-
felf from them. I was afraid he would
petrify himfelf with looking fo much upon
ftones ; and I mnft fay I (hould have been
a great lofer, for his converfation is ex-
ceedingly engaging and chearful. This is
the Abbe who has written againft the fyf-
tems of Monf. Buffon. How much longer
would he not have remained, if he had the
happinefs of being with you ?

I have the honour to be with the moft
lively gratitude, and moft refpedtful at-
tachment,

Your moft humble, &c.

j Vol. II. E LETTER

74 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

LETTER XCIX.
TO COUNSELLOR C***.

OSuch . compliments! If "you knew
how I love them, you would nol
make them.

What has been fa id with regard to thd
pcrfon in queftion, is only founded od
envy and malice. Js there a man in officej
jot a man who liath wrote, that has not
enemies? Libels and fa tires make an im-
preflion only upon weak and badly organifed
iieads; and you will obferve, that it is al-
ways the moft vicious andfpatted charadten
which moft readily believe calumny, anc
who feem to have the greateft relu&anc*
to fee thofe whom they have offended.

Prejudice, however, is fo common, that
according to the bbfervation of the Hob
Father, a thoufand recommendations ar<
wanted to determine a man in office in fa
vour of any perfon ; but there needs on<
word only to make him change, or to pro
voke him. This is the ftrongeft proof o
the depravity of the human heart.

We (hould be obliged to fee nobody
were we to (hut our doors againft all wh
have been ill fpoken of. We ought to b
very careful to avoid judging rafhly. J
is (hameful to pafs fentence againlt ou

brothej

CL EM E N'T XIV. ■ 75

brother, when we have not fufficient proofs
to accufe him.

Prejudice "ruins a number of the Great,
and efperially Devotees, who think they
ought piouily to give credit to all the evil
which is fpoken of their neighbour. They
pretend to be ignoraht'that God hath ex-
prefsly commanded us not to judge, left
we be judged ; and that it is lefs criminal
in his eyes, to commit faults which they
repent o£ than to accufe their brethren
ft(Wy.

The firft rule of chriftian charity is to
believe no ill if we have not feen it ; and to
be (Sent, if we have feen it.

Befides, if he;whorri they would prevent
youlrom feeing, feeks the facie ty of good
people, it is a proof that he is not fuch a
libertine sis they pretend, or that he is in-
clined to reform. Perhaps his falvation
depends upon the good example you will
fet him: therefore I would not have you
reje& him

Charity does not judge like the world;
becaufe the world almofl: never fails to
judge amifs.

lam, &c.
CeirvBNT of the Holy Apostles,

E 4 \AXt3k

}6 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI,

LETTER C

TO THE AEBt L»*V

Sir, ; ^ u :

SINCE you confuk me upon the dii
courfe which I lately heard, I mutt tc]
you with my ufual freedom, that 1 fovuw
ibme excellent things; in it, but did not Jifa
that affectation which enervated it, f l
looks like a work that had been made saji<
painted at a Lady V toilette. ; For theft
ture, let your heart (peak when you moun
the Pulpit, and you will fpcak well. Fanci
fhould be employed only to make a borde
for the painting, bujt you have made it tbj
foundation of your difcourfe. :

A good Orator fhould keqp a mediuii
between the Italian and French, that is t<
fay, between a Giant and a Dwarf.

Do not let yourfelf be fpoiled by th
manners of the age, or you will never b
able to get rid of that .affefted eloquenc
which tortures both words and thoughts
It is of importance to a young man of a
bilities to receive fuch advice, and abov
all to follow it ; and I depend upon you
modefty for taking it in good part. I an
with all poffible delire of feeing you a per
fedt Orator,

Sir, your's, &c.
Rome, ioth of the Month.

LETTEE

CLEMEN T XIV. f7

LETTER CI.

TO PRINCE SAN SEVER O:

I Am always m admiration at your new
difcoveries. By what you have created*
you have produced- a fccond world from
the fall. This, will, diftfaft our Antiqua-
ries, who perfuade themfelves that there is
nothing ; excellent or engaging which is not
feryoldi

It is undoubtedly very proper that we*
fhould value Antiquity $ but I think we
would, not make ourfelves fuch flaves to it,
as to exalt beyond meafure a thing which
is defpicable in itfelf,. only, becaufe it was,
dug out of Adrian's garden*

The Ancients had things for common
ufe as well -as we; and if they are to be
valued merely becaufe of their antiquity,
the earth in this quality dfeferves our firft
homage,, for furely its antiquity is not to *
be queftioned.

I neither love enthufiafm nor infenfibili-
ty : thofe only who keep the middle be-
tween thefe two extremes, can either fee
or judge rightly. The cold indifferenc of
the infenfible, takes away all tafte and cu-
riofity ; and we ought to be poffeffed of
either the one or the other, to examine and*
intitle us to pronounce;

E 3 Fancy,

78 LETTERS QF GANGANELLI,

Fancy, when not regulated, is much
more dangerous than indifference. It daz-
zles the eye, and clouds the underftand-
ing. Even Philofophy, of whom this fbor-
tive Deity (hould have no hold, daily reels
the too fatal impreffion. Sophiftry, para-
doxes, captious reafonings, compofe the
train of our modern Philofophers, and have
no other origin than Fancy. She takes wing
as whim happens to lead, without having
the leaft refpect either for truth or expe-
rience.

Your Excellency certainly knows this
kind of writing, as you have frequent op-
portunities of reading the productions of
the times. England, which on account of
its phlegm we ihould imagine had lefs fan-
cy than other nations, has often publilhed
the moft extravagant ideas. Its Philofo-
phers have been ftill more diftratted than
ours, becaufe they mull have made greater
efforts to furmount their natural character
of referve and taciturnity. Their imagina-
tion is like the coal which flames, and whole
vapour difturbs the brain.
• It is faid, with reafon. that the imagi-
nation is the mother of dreams, and even
produces more than the night ; but thefe
are the more dangerous, as in giving up to
them, we do not think we dream, while
the morning is fure to undeceive us as to
the illufions of the night.

lam

CLEM EN- T XlVi 79

I am always afraid of yourchymical expe-
riments hurting your health, for fometimes
very terrible accidents happen from them.
But when new experiments in Phyfics are to
be made,, a man runs into them without any
dread of the confequences, like an Officer
hurried on by his valour, who throws him-
felf at all hazards into the midft of the fire
I have the honour to be,

With refpeft and attachment, &c
Rome, 13th January, 1757*.

xxxx:o<>><xx!Xxxxxxxi>x<

LETTER CIL

TO A PRELATE..

My Lord,

UNITE yourfelf with me, that we
may revengp .the memory of Sextus
Quintus. I was moved to adegree of warmth
yefterday in : fupporting* him againft fome
who # called* him a cruel Pope, a. Pontiff un-
worthy of reigning.. It is aftonifhing how
this character which has been beftowed up-^
on him. is fupported,. and what footing it has
obtained in the world.

Is it reafonable to judge fo great a man,

without once reflecting on the times in

which he lived, when Italy fwarmed with

robbers j when. Rome was lefs fecure than

E 4 a foreft

So LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

a foreft, and modeft women were infulted

in her ftreetsat mid-day?

The feverity of Sextus Qumtus, who is
improperly called Cruel* would in fuch cir-
cumftances be at lead as pleafing in the
fight of God, as the piety of Pius V.

We have feen that thoufaads of men
have been afiaffinated under the reign of
fome Popes, without the murderers being
brought to punilhment : then was the time
when it might have been faid with pro-
priety, that the Popes were cruel : but when
Sextus Quintus put to death nearly fifty
robbers to fave the lives of his fubjefts* to
re-eftablifti morals in the midft of the cities,
and fecurity in the heart of the country, at
a time when there was neither law, nor or*
der, nor reftraint ; this was an ad of juftica
and zeal, ufeful to the public, and therefore
agreeable to God.

I confefs to you, that I mourn when I
fee great men's characters become the fable
of ignorant and prejudiced writers. Even
pofterity, which is faid to be an impartial
judge, has more than once been milled
by the reflections of an artful Hiftorian,
who feats himfelf upon the bench without
authority, and pronounces according to his
prejudices.

It is in vain to cry out calumny ; — the
impreflion has been made, — the book has
been read, and the multitude judge only
from the firft account. Thus Gregorio Lett

has

CE EHINT XIV. ft-

has rendered, the character of SextusQijin--
tus hateful all over the world, inftead of
reprefenting him as a fovereign who was
obliged to intimidate his people, and re-
ftrain them by the mod ftriking examples
of feverity.

Nothing- is fo dfreadful for a country as
too mild a. government. Crimes make a
thoufendtimes more vidims than well-timed
puaiftimenta The Old- Teftament is full
of examples of juftice and terror, and they
were commanded by God himfelf, who
finely cannot beaccufed of cruelty.

I will certainly wait upon you the firft
moment in my power; you may depend
upon it, as upon the affedtion with which L
fliali be all my life, &c.

Convent op the Holy Apostles,.
8. April, 1757.

>a©<>o<><xxxxixxxxxxxx!>»t-.

L E.TT E R Cm..

TO A YOUNG MONK,

My deah Friend,

TH E advice you afk aboutyour man*
ncr of Undying, ought to be fuited
to .your difpofition and talents. If viva-
city ia*your prevailing temper, it may be
E 5 moderated;

«» LETTERS bP GANGAttELLI,.

moderated by reading works of little ima-
gination; but, on the contrary, if you find
your thoughts knguid r you lhould enli-
ven yourfelf by reading books written with
fpirit.

Do not burthen your memory with dates
and fa&s, before you have arranged your
ideas, and acquired a juftnefs in reafbning*.
You fliould accuftom yourfelf to think me-
thodically, and to difpel as much as poffible
the chimeras that may ftart up in your
brain.

He who thinks only vaguely, is fit for
nothing, becaufe nothing can.be found ca-
pable of fixing him.

The foundation of your ftudies ought to
be the knowledge of God and. yourfelf. In
philofophizing upon your nature, you will
acknowledge an Exiftence, to whom you.
owe your creation ; and by reflecting on the
ftrayings of the imagination* and the wan-
derings of the heart, you will be fenfible of
the neceflity of a revelation, which hath re-
vived the law of nature in a more lively and
effeftual manner.

Then will you give yourfelf up without
referve to that fcience which from reafon
and authority introduces us into the fane-
tuary of religion ; and there you will attain
a knowledge of that heavenly do&rine de-
clared in the Scriptures, and interpreted by
the Councils and Fathers of the Church.

Reading

CLEMENT XIV. 8j:

Reading them will render true eloquence :
familiar to you, and you (hould take thenv
early for models, fo as to fucceed after-
wards in your manner of writing or preach-
ing.

You will take the opportunity, when
there are intervals in your exercifes, to caft
your eye on the finelt fragments of the.
Orators and Poets, as St. Jerome did;
that is to fay, not as- a man who made
them his ftudy, but as one who extra&ed
from them .whatever was beft to improve
his ftyle, and. to make them ufeful in the
caufe of religion..

Ths Hiftorians will next lead you by *J
the hand from age to age, and (hew you
die events^ind revolutions which have ne-
ver ceafed.to employ and agitate the world :
this will give, you a conftant opportunity
of acknowledging and adoring a Provi-
dence which diredts alL according to its
defigns^

You will fee in aimed every page of hif-
tory, how Empires and Emperors have been
inftruments of juftice or mercy in the hands
of God; how he exalted, and how- he de-
prefled them ; . how- he created, and how
he deftroyed them, being himfelf always >-
unchangeably the.famd.

You (hould read over again in * the
morning, what you read at night, fo as to
fix it in your memory ; and in order to pre-
vent ypur becoming a pedant, after read-
ing;

S* LETTERS OF G ANGANELLT,
i ng a work of lively imagination, never fail
to take up fome more folid and phlegmatic
compofition.

This will compofe your thoughts, which
the productions of an elevated mind are apt
to ferment, and will reftrain the genius,,
which might otherwife be to eafily hurried
out of its proper fphere.

Endeavour to procure the converfation
of learned men as much as you poffibly
can. Happily Providence has fupplied you ;
for in almoft all our Houfes, there are
Monks who have ftudied to advantage.

Do not neglett the fociety of old mea:
their memories are furnifhed with many
fads which they witneffed^and which make
them repofitorics well worth examining.
They refemble old books, which contain
excellent matter, though badly bound*
dufty, and worm-eaten.

Be not too fond of any work, author, or
fentiment, for fear of becoming a party-
man ; but when you prefer one writer to
another, let it be becaufe you find him.
more folid and truly excellent.

Yt)u ought to guard with great caution
againft prepoffeffion and prejudice j but
unfortunately, the more we ftudy, the more
we are liable to be infefted by them. '

We become interefted in an Author
who has written well, and infenfibly we
praife and admire all his opinions, though

they

CLEMENT XIV. & $

they are perhaps very often fantafticaU
Guaid againft this misfortune, and be al-
ways more the friend of Truth than o£
Plato or Scotus.

Refpedt the fentiments of your Order*
that you may notdifturb the eflabliflied
opinions; but I do not mean that you.
(hould be a Have to thofe opinions. You:
ought not to be immoveable in any opi-
nion but what relates to the Faith, and has
been rendered facred by the concurrence
of the whole Church. I have feen Profef-
fors who would rather fuflfer death, than
abandon the opinions they imbibed in the
Schools : my conduft with, regard to them
has been, always to pity and avoid them;
Do not apply to the fcholaftic erudition:
farther than is neceffary to know the jar-
gon of the Schools, and to confute the
Sophifts; fear, fo far from being the eflence
of Theology, it is only the bark.

Avoid difputes, fmce nothing is cleared
up by wranglings: but when opportuni-
ties offer^ fupport truth and combat error
with the arms which Jefus Chrift and the
Apoftles have put into your hands, and
which confift in mildnefs, perfuafion and
charity. The mind is not to be taken by
force, but to be gained by infinuation.

Do not fatigue the faculties of your mind,
by giving up to immoderate ftudy. Suffix
cient for the day is the labour thereof;
and unlefe in a cafe of neceflity it is

£6 LETTERS OF GkANGANELU,
needlefs to anticipate .the ftudiea of the
next day,, by prolonging your application..
in the night.

The man who regulates his time, and:
uniformly devotes only a few hours to
ttudy, advances much more than he who:
heaps up moment upon moment, and does*
not know when, to Hop. They who are of
# this character, commonly end by becoming,,
only the title-pages of books, . or a library
turned upfide down.

Love order, but without being, atten-
tive to minute trifles ; fo that you may leave
off till another time, when you no longer,
find yourfelf inclined to ftudy. The fcho--
lar fhould not labour like an ox who is*
yoked to the plough, nor. like a mercenary.
who is paid by the day.

It is a bad cuftom to flxuggje continually
againfl reft, and fleep; that which is done
againfl the grain, is never well done ; and
too earnefl an application to any thing ^in-
jures the health.

There are days and hours, when we have
no difpofition for application * and. then it
is a folly to attempt it, unlefe , in a cafe of
ne.ceffity.

There is fcarcely any. book which does.
not favour of painful compofuion in feme
part of it, becaufe the Author, has often
wrote when he fhould have reftecL

The great art in ftudying is to know
when it is proper to begin, and when to

leave.

CLEMENT XFV. 87

leave off; without which the head becomes
heated, the (pirits are either abforbed or
exalted, fo tlut we produce nothing but.
what is either languid or flighty- Learn to
make a proper choice, of books, that .ydu
may know only what is excellent,, and to
make a good ufe of it. Life is too fhort to.
wafte in fuperfluous ftudies ; and if we do
not make hafbe to learn, we (ball find our—
felves old without knowing anything,

Above all things, pray to God to en-
lighten, your mind^ for there- is no know-
ledge without his afliftance,. and we are in
utter darknefs, if we do not follow the light
which he hath revealed to us.

Dread becoming learned folely to gaia
a reputation^ for. befides that knowledge
puffeth up, and charity edifieth, a Com.-
munity becomes difgufted with thofe who
make a parade of their learning.

Let events, have their courfe, and let
your merit procure your advancement. If
employments do not come to feek you, be
content with the loweft, and take my word
for it> that is the beft.

I never was more fetisfied after the
Chapters were over, than to find myfeif
without any other dignity than the honour
of exifting : I then applauded myfeif for
having refufed all that they would have
given me, and that I had only myfeif to
govern.

The

i

88 LETTERS-OF GANGANELLT,.

The advantage of loving ftudy, and con-
verfing with the dead, is a thoufand times
greater than the frivolous glory of com-
manding the living. The moft agreeable
command is that of keeping our fenfes and;
paflions in order, and of procuring to the
foul the fovereignty which is due to it.

The man who is in the habit ofapplica-
tion is a ftranger to the fpleen; he believes,
himfelf to be (till young, when he is become
old; the buftle of the cloifter, like the em-
barraffments of the world, is always far from;
him,

I advife you then,, my dear friend, nou
only for the good of religion, not only for.
the credit of our Order, but ftill more for
your own fake, to acquire a habit of appli-
cation. With a book, a pen,, and your.
Jz thoughts, you will find yourfelf happy,.
• wherever you are: — Man has a certain
afylum in his mind as well as in. his hearty
when he knows how to retire within him-
felf.

I am fenfible of the Angular confidence
you place in me ; and the more fo, as you
fhould have applied to the Fathers Colom-
bini, Marzoni and Martialli in preference
to me. They are men whole extenfive know-
ledge and abilities enable them to give you
excellent advice. Adieu. Believe me to
be your good friend and fervant,

Rome, 7 June, 1757.

LETTER*

CLEMENT XIV. 89

LETTER CIV.

TO g. P*** A MONK OF the CONGREGA-
TION OF SOMASQUES.

My most Reverend Father,

THE lofs which the Church has fut
tained in the perfon of Benedidl XIV.
is the more affedting to me, as I always
found him an excellent Protedtor, I re-
turned to Rome in the year 1740, which
was the firft of his Pontificate, and from
that time he never ceafed to honour me
with his kindnefs. If you will make his
fiineral oration, you have an excellent fub-
jedt. you certainly will not forget that he
ftudied among you in the Clementine Col-
lege, and that there he was initiated into
that fublime and extenfive knowledge,
which made him one of the great Dodtors
of the Church, and will one day rank him,
with the Fathers Bernard and Bonaventure.

Take care, in this funeral oration, that
your ftyle rife with the fubjedt, and that
the magnanimity which charadterifed your
Hero be exprefled with dignity.

Endeavour to be the Htftorian as well as
the Orator, but fo as to admit of notlii ng dry
or languid in your recital; for the attention
of the Public ftiould be constantly kept up,
by fome great ftrokes worthy of tlie majefty

of

90 LETTERS OF GANGANELL1,

of the Pulpit, and the fublimi'cy of La
bertini.

You will in vain call all the figures
.rhetoric to your affiftance, if they do r
prefent themfelves of their own acco
Eloquence is only fuccefsful when it flo
freely from its fource, and rifes from 1
greatnefs of the fubjett: forced panegy
is not panegyric, but amplification.

From the a(hes of Benedift XIV.
virtue Spring forth, and feize upon the mir
of your auditors*, that they may be tra
formed into him, and their- fouls be fil
with nothing but the idea of him.

Let there be no trifling detail, no
fe&ed phrafegj no bombafl: expreflio
Mingle the fublijne as much as poffible w
the temperate* fo as to form agreea
ftiadings y which will adorn your difcoui
Be attentive to chufe a text which i
happily announce the whole plan of y<
Hero. The divifion is the touchftone
the panegyrift* and his difcourfe can:
be excellent, if that divifioa- be not h
pily chofen.

Scatter moral reffeftk>n& with difcreti
that they may appear to come natural
that it may be faid, they could: not
Biore happily introduced -,- that there \
their proper place.

Shun all common-place ; — and. in fi
a manner, that all may fee Lambert
without perceiving the orator. Praife v,

delic

CLEMENT XIV. 91

delicacy and with moderation, and let your
praifes foar to heaven, and remount towards
God.

If you do not affeft the Soul by happy
furpnfes and grand images, your work will
only be a work of good fenfe, and you will
have made a fimple epitaph, inftead of
ere&ing a maufoleum.

Speak chiefly to the heart, filling it with
thofe dreadful truths which detach us from
the thoughts of this life, and make your
auditors defcend into the tomb of the Holy
Father.

Pafs flighdy over the infant days of your
Hero, for all men are nearly the fame till
their reafon begins to (hine forth. Let
your periods be neither too long nor too
fhort ; — there can be no ftrength in a dis-
jointed difcourfe.

Let your exordium be pompous without
bombaft, and your firft fentence announce
fomething truly great. I compare the open*
ing of a funeral oration to the portico of
a temple ; and I fuppofe the edifice to be
beautiful, if I find That maje&ic.

In the moft forcible language ihew Death
overturning thrones, hreaking fcepters,.
blading crowns, and treading the tiara un-
der hia feet : place the genius of Benedid.
upon the ruins, as having nothing to.dread*
from the deftroying hand of Time,, and
defying Death to tarnifh. his glory* or blot
out his name.

Parttcularife*

92 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

Particularife his virtues, and analyfe his
•writings; and every where flicw the fub-
limity of his foul* which would have afto-
niftied Pagan Rome, as it has edified
Chriftian Rome, and has attracted the ad-
miration of. the univerfe. '

In a word, thunder and lighten, but ma-
nage your clouds fo that the light may flaffe
with greater fplendour, and worn the moll
ftriking contrafts.

My imagination kindles into flame when:
I think of fo great a Pope as Benedict ; —
that Pontiff regretted even, by the Prote-
ftants, and whom. Michael Angelo alone:
could paint.

If I have enlarged upon this article, it is.
becaufe I know that you can eafily catch
the fpirit of what is recommended to yoiu
A funeral oration is only excellent, as it
happens to be pidurefque, and ftrength and.
truth muft guide the pencil..

The generality of elogies defcend into-
the tomb with thofe they praife, becaufe
it is only the eloquence of a day, and. the
production of fancy, whofe luftre is but
counterfeit.

It would diftradt me to fee LambertinL
celebrated by an orator who is only ele-
gant : every one ftiould be ferved accord-
ing to his tafte, and Lambertini's was al-
ways unerring, always good.

Engage in it, my deareft friend ; — I will
moft gladly fee what you. throw, out upon

paper,

-C^ EM EN T. XIV. 93

paper, being convinced that it will have
fire to confume whatever is unworthy of
fuch andbgy. 1 judge from the producti-
ons you have already fhewnmc, . and in
which I have obferyed the greateft beauties.
It is time that Italy fhduld' forget its con-
fetti, and aflume the raafculine and fublime
tone of true eloquence.

I endeavour by my advice to form fome
young orators, who take the trouble to con-
sult me ; and I ftrive #s much as poffible
to difguft them at diofe incongruities in : our
difcourfes, which fo frequently plade the
burlefque by the fide of the fublime. Stran-
gers ftartle, and with reafon, at fo monftrous
an alliance. The French efpecially are
unacquainted with this unnatural. niedly:
their difcourfes are often fuperficial, hav-
ing much lefs fubftange than furface ; ,but
at leaft they commonly preferve an equali-
ty of ftyle. Nothing can be fo (hocking
as to mount above the clouds, to come af-
terwards tumbling auktyardly down.

My compliments to our little Fatter, who
would have done wonders, if it had not
been for his deplorable ftate of health,

Rome, loth May, 1758.

LETTER

94 LETTERS OF GANGANELU,

LETTER CV.

TO THE ABBE LAMI.

NO doubt, my dear Abbe, your papers
are about to announce the death of
our Holy Father. He was a learned man,
who has a claim upon all the periodical pub-
lications, and to whom all their writers owe
the highefl: encomiums. :

He preferved his chearfulnefs to the laftj!
-—a few days before his death, when fpeak-
ing of a Theatin*whofe claim to be placed
in the rank of the Saints was under examin-
ation, he faid, Great Servant of God, teal
mc\ — as you do by me, . I will do by you ; if
you obtain the recovery of my health, Iwillca-
nonizc you.

The analyfis of his works will requfre
fuchan abridger as you: it would be right
to give extra&s, that they may pafe into
hands who have not time to read much,
or who cannot purchafe them in the great.

Particularly, his book on the Canonifation
of Saints Ihculd be univerfally known. Be-
fides that he fpuaks as a phyfician, a natu-
ral philofopher, a civilian, a canonift and
theologian, he there treats on a fubjeft not
commonly known.

The

* One cf the Order of Theatlnes.

CLEMENT XIV. 9$

The Public imagine, that it is fufficient
to fend money to Rome to obtain canonifa-
tion, while it is notorious that the Pope
gets no part of it, and that every poflible
means is taken to guard againft deception
on a fubjedt of fuch importance.

This is fo true, that Benedift XIV. whofe
death we bewail, being prote&or of the
Faith* begged of two well-informed En-
glilhmen, who were diverting themfelves
upon the fubject of canonifations, to en-
deavour to (hake off all prejudice, and to
read with the greateft attention the verbal
procels which concerned the caufe of a
Servant of God who was put on the lift of
candidates for canonifation.

They confented ; and after having read for
feveral days with the moft criticifing fpirit
the proofs and teftimonies which afcertain-
ed fen&ity, and all the means which had
been employed to come at the truth, they
told my Lord Lambertini, that if the fame
precautions, the fame examinations, and
the fame feverity were ufed vwth regard to
all thoie that were canonifed, there was no
doubt but the matter was pufhed even to
dent(mfiration y erven to evidence

My Lord Lambertini replied : 1Vcll> Gen-
tlemen^ notwithftanding what you think, the
Congregation rejett tbefe proofs as infnfjicient \
and the caufe of the hleffed pjrfon in quejlion
remains undetermined.

Nothing

96 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI,

Nothing can cxprcfs their aftoniftiment*
and they left Rome perfedtly convinced,
that we do not canonift rafnly, and that
there is no means eafy or difficult left un-
employed to come at the truth. The
beatification of a Saint is a caufe often
argued for a whole age ; and he who is vul-
garly called f Avocat iu Diable ( the De-
vil's Counfellor ) never fails to colled all
the teftimonies which can be found to the
difadvantage of the Servant of God, and
to urge the firongeft proofs and mod pow-
erful objections to invalidate his fan&ity,
and leflen the merit of his adtions.

There are a multitude of people reputed
Saints who will never be canonifed, be-
caufe there are not fufficient proofs in their
favour. It is not fufficient that their vir-
tue has been unftained, or even Alining ; it
muft have been heroical, and perfevered
in till death — in gradu bcroico ( in the high-
eft degree).

Befides this, the teftimony of miracles
is required i though unbelievers fay, that
every thing which is called a miracle is the
produce of a troubled mind, or the fruit of
fuperftition ; as if God Almighty could be
chained down by his own laws, without
having the power to fufpend the execution
of them i in which cafe he would be lefs
powerful than the moft petty monarch.

C L E M E N T XIV 97

Jut what truths will they not deny, when
hey are blinded by the corruption of the
leart and mind ?

God Almighty frequendy makes manifeft
the fan&ity of his ferrants by healing di-
feafes; and if thofe miracles which are
wrought after their death laft only for *
time, and do not continue for ever, it is
becaufe the Deity difplays himfelf but fel~
dom, and only to fhew that his power is
always the fame, and that he can glorify
his Saints when it feemeth good unto him.

Our.Conclave is in labour ; and according
to cuftom, we cannot know till the laft mo-
ment who is to be the new Pontiff. Con-
je&ures, wagers, and pafquinades fill the
whole town at prefent ; — this is an old cuf-
tom, which will not foon be left off.

As for my part, during the confufion I
am in Rome as if I was not in Rome, w idl-
ing only {if it were poflible) that Lamber-
tini were replaced, and only quitting my
ccH for bufinefs or relaxation. It is there
that I enjoy my books and myfelf, and
regale on the reflections of my dear Abbe
Lami, to whom I am an unchangeable, and
ojoft humble, &.c.

Rome, 9th May, 1758

Vol. 1L F LETTER

98 LETTE.RS QF.GAN.GANELU

.LETTER CVI.

TO THE SAME.

WE have at laft got Cardinal Rez-
zonico, Biftiop of Padua, for the
Head of the Church; who has taken the
name of Cement, and will edify the Ro-
mans by his piety. It .wasjnuch Jigainft
his inclination, and after (hedding many
tears, that he could be prevailed on to ac-
cept it. What a .charge for hinrwho would
fulfil the duties! He.muft dedicate himfelf
to Sod, . to all the world, and to himfelf;
he muft be folely employed in thefe great
obligations, and nave only Heaven in view,
amidft the things .of this world. His dig-
nity is the more formidable, ashefucceeds
Benedict XIV. and that it will be difficult
,to appear to advantage, after him.

£lqment XIII. .continues Cardinal Ar-
>chmtQ ^Secretary of State. There could
be no tetter method of being well with
crowned Heads, .and of making his Pontifi-
cate illuftrious. He who reigns, muft ei-
ther choofe an excellent Minifter, or do all
himfelf. Benedict XII f. was the moft un-
happy of men, from having placed his con-
fidence in Cardinal Cofcia; and Benedict
XIV. the moll happy, by having Cardinal
'Volenti for his Minifter.

a

CLEM E N T XIV. 9$

It is eflential for a Sovereign, but more
particularly the Pope, to be furrounded with
good people. The underftanding of the
moil clear-fighted Prince is abufed, when
he allows himfelf to be dazzled. Then cop-
per is gold in his eyes; and be the confe-
quence what it will, he fupports thofe men
he has once patronifed.

Difcernment is another quality not left
neceffary to Princes. There is no attempt-
ing to impofe upon a Monarch who is
known to be penetrating-/ while he who
fufFers himfelf to be led, will moll certainly
be deceived. There are Sovereigns who
have done much more hurt by inactivity
and weaknefs, than by wickednefs. Men
grow weary of doing crying a&s of injus-
tice; but are never tired of infenfibility and
blindnefs.

The more a Prince is weak, the more
he is inclined to be defpotic ; becaufe au-
thority never deftroying itfelf, is laid hold
of by the Minifters, and they become ty-
rannical.

Another quality which I look upon as
eflential to good government, is to put
every one in his right place. The moral
world is governed like a game at Chefs,
where every thing goes on in order, ac-
cording to its rank: if we place one pawn
in the room of another, there is nothing but
confufion.

F z A Sovereign

ico LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

A Sovereign is not only the image of God
by the eminence of his rank, but he ought
to be more fo by his underftanding. David*
although he was but a ihepherd, had a fu-
perior underftanding which directed him,
and which he difplayed the moment he
began to reign.

A Prince who is only good, is no more
than what every man ought to be ; a Prince
who is only fevere, has not that love for his
fubje&s which he ought to have,

Alas! how excellently we atoms (peak
of the duties of royalty ! And yet if we were
clothed with the dignity, we (hould not know
how to behave ourfelves. There is a great
difference between fpeaking and reigning.
Nothing refills us when our imagination
takes wing, or when we allow our pen to
run ; but when we fee ourfelves opprefled
with bufinefs, furrounded with danger^
befet with falfe friends, loaded with debts,
4nd the moft important duties, we lofe our
courage, and dare not undertake any thing;
and by a lazinefs natural to all men, we
truft the cares of governing to a fubaltern,
and are only employed in pleafures and
commanding.

One thing is certain, the art of govern-
ing is attended with the greateft difficul-
ties!, If a monarch wears an hereditary
crown, he knows the grandeur withou
knowing the management of his kingdom

anc

C L ft M E N T XIV. ret

andfefcafily deceived. If, on the contrary
he comes to an eledtive crown, he takes on
him a fovereignty to which he has not ferved
an apprenticeship, and appears equally em-
barrafled in the midft of his honours, and
m the center of his bufinefs.

He who is placed upon a throne in the
decline of life, is fit only to be a reprefenta-
tive. He dares not. undertake any thing ;
he is afraid of every thmg, and he is luke-
warm in every thing, efpecially if he is ig-
norant who is to be his fuccefibr. This is
the fituation of the Popes, if they are too
old, and then they cannot attend to the
affairs of church and ftate.

But the work! will never be without
abufes -, if they are not in one place, they
are in another, becaufe imperfedlions are
the natural inheritance of humanity. There
is none but the holy City; faid the great Au-
guftine, where all will be in order, in peace,
and in charity - r for there /ball be the kingdom
of God.

I (hall go and congratulate the new Pon-
tiff, not as a Monk who wants to fet him-
felf forward, but in quality of Counfellor
of the Holy Office, He does not know me,
and I (hall not put myfclf to the trouble of
making myfelf known. I tove to remain
covered with the duft of my Cloifter, and I
do not think myfelf in the leaft difhonoured.

Adieu. Preferve to us always the good

tafte of the Medici, and your memory will

F 3 ^

104 LETTERS OF GANGANELL

be long preferred, although you care
little about it*

lam, &c»
Rome, July 5, 1758.

LETTER CVIL

TO A PRELATE.

My Lord,

TH E raoft eminent dignity to vi
I have been raifed by the Sovei
Pontiff, has humbled me as much
would have elated others. I thought ]
to have quitted Rorne^ by the manner
which they announced this very extra
nary event to me, and I have not yet 1
vered the furprife.

It is a reward conferred in ray perfo
the Order of St. Francis, of which I
the honour to be a member* and I afl
. nothing of it to myfelf. My name is
lent on the occafion •, for the more I re
the more 1 fee, that I had neither 01
fide 'of birth, nor on the fide of merit
redlly nor indire&ly, any claim to the
dinalihip.

If any thing can confole me in the 1
of the trouble with which I am agit

CLEMENT XIV. t^j

k is to fee myfclf aflbciated with thofc il--
luftrious perfonages who compofc the Sa-
cred College, and whofe (hoes I am not
worthy to untie. I imagine to myfelf,.that
in participating in the credit of their virtues,
I (hall: acquire them; and in converfing
with them, I (half imitate them: we im-
perceptibly modeL ourfelves by thofe with
whom we converfe. I have declared to my
dear brethren,* that I (hall never be Cardi-
nal to thenv but they will always find me
their brother Laurence Ganganelli\ moreef-
pecially as* h owe to them what I am, and-
as the habit of St. Francis has procured me
the honour of the Purple.

You know me fufficiently to be convin-
ced that I am not dazzled by it. The foul
takes no colour, and it is by the foul* alone;
that we can have any value in the fight of
God* The Lord, in making us after his*
own image and in his likenefs, has- given
us more than all the. dignities this world
can poffibly confer. It is frorrr that -view
alone I can ever look upon myfelf as' great.-
The Purple, all-dazzling as it is,< was not
made for my eyes, happily accuftomed to
look. only towards eternity. That view
wonderfully diminilheth worldly jgrandeur ;
neither Eminency nor- HighneTs can be
confidered as any thing in the computation
of an immortal life, where nothing appears
great but God alone.

F 4 I look

io 4 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI,

I look upon dignities only as fo many
more fyllables in an Epitaph* and ftom
whence no vanity can be extracted, fince
he who i6 interred is beneath even the in-
fcriptions which are read upon his tomb.

Will my allies have any more feeling by
being qualified with the title of Eminency?
Or (hall I fare better in eternky, when feme
feeble voice upon earth fhall lay Cardinal
GanganeUi) or fome perUhable pen fhall
write it ?

New dignities are always a new burden*
and more efpecially the Cardinalate, which
impofes a multitude of obligations. There
are as many duties to difcharge, as there
are occafions which require our Ipeaking,
without having any refpett to aught in thia
world.

I (hall arrange matters lb as. to he as
Kttle affected as poflible with this ftran^e
metamorphofis. I lhall> as ufual<, remain
at the Convent of the Holy Apoftles with
my dear brotherhood, whom I have always
tenderly loved, and whofe fociety is infi-
nitely dear to me.

If I quit my dear Cell, where I was hap-
pier than all the Kings upon earth, it is be-
caufe I mull have more room to receive thofe
who come to do me the favour of viliting
me: but I lhall often fay to it, May my
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if ever
J forget you! I lhall frequendy go and re-

vifit

CLEMENT XIV. 105

vifitit, and recolledt how many, very many
days parted like a dream.

Thus Khali make no change in my way
of life, and the dear brother Francis (hall
be to me in place of a whole houfehold ; he
is ftrong, he is vigilant, he is zealous, and
he will fupply all wants. My perfon is of
no greater extent, nor has grown an atom;
fince my appointment to the Cardinalate,.
and therefore I do not fee that more hand?
are neceffary to ferve me.

I walked fo well on foot! but what com-
forts me is,- that I (hall ftill continue to*
walk on foot.. I (hall allow myfelf to be
dragged in a carriage only when ceremonial
requires it, and I (hall become Brother
Gangdnelli again a& often as I pofliby can.
We do not care to quit a way of life we
have been accuftomed to, efpecially after
having lived fifty-four years in it without
any trouble, and in perfect freedom.

I flatter myfelf that you will come and:
fee, not the Cardinal, biu Brother Ganga-
nelli. The firft will never, be at home to
you ; but the fecond (hall always be found
to repeat to you, and whatever ftation I
am in, I (hall always be your friend and-
fervant.

Rome, 1 O&ober, 1759,

f 5 letter;

io6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

LETTER CVIII.

TO A CONVENTUAL MONK.

My old Friend and Brother,

IHave not yet received the packet you
fent me; but I can be patient, though.
I am naturally very impatient. Our life is
nothing but a fucceflion of contradictions
and croffings, which we muft be able to.
bear, if we would neither difturb our reft,
nor hurt our health.

P. Georgi, always an honour to the Au-
guftines, always beloved by thofe who
know him, has not feen the perfon you.
fpoke of to me ; fhe pafled this place too
quickly for him to obtain that fatisfadttion.
She faw M. Tiflbt, Procureur General of
the Congregation of the Priefts of the Mif*
fion, whom I infinitely efteem, becaufe he
has great perfonal merit, and becaufe he is
a member of a body who preach to the
poor with the^greateft fuccefs ; and laftly*
becaufe he is a Frenchman.

I muft tell you, that I have had a very
Angular combat with myfelf fince my pro-
motion. Cardinal Ganganelli reproaches
Brother Ganganelli for his too great plain-
nefs and notwithftanding all the refpeft
which is due to the Purple, the Brother
has carried it againft the Cardinal. I love

live as I always have lived — poor, re-
tired

CLEMENT XIV. 107

tired, and much more with my Brethren
than with the Great. It is a matter of
tafte, for I am very far from afcribing this
mode of thinking to virtue.

One thing is certain : I never can put on
that cold diftant manner, as you would call
it, with which perfons in office commonly
receive people of low extraction who have
bufinefs with them.. It is enough forme, if
they accoft me, or fpeak to me, to become
the equal of my vifitor. Is it poflibfethat .
one man fhould affett-haughtinefs towards"
another :man^ and that a Chriftian ftiould
ftudy his.expreflions, his geftures, his pro-
ceedings* .his letters, from the dread of ap-
pearing too modeftlwith his brethren? Is
it poflible. that any one can refufc an anfwer
to a man becaufe he has no titles • to pro- -
duce ? v If the lowed \ of wretches does me
the favour . to write to me, : I anfwer him
inftantly; s and 1 fhould think myfelf molt .
gpilty both in the fight of God and man, .
if I were .• to. omit that duty . There is no ■■-
foul defpicable in the eyes of religion and
humanity. There is nothing fo pitiful in .
my eyes, as a great man governed by
pride.

I enlarge upon this article to let you :
know, that the perfon for whom you are
interefted may come whenever he pleafes, .
and 1 (hall be entirely his. He will be as
well received by Cardinal Corfini, whofe
pplitcnefe .correfpond* with his noble ex-
traction-

io8 LETTERS OF GANGANELL1,.
traftion. If there is a fault in being too
affable, it is the fault of the Cardinals.
It is rare that you find any haughtinefs
among them; — happily there is not a ftran-
ger but does us the juftice to declare
it.

You will very much oblige me* by tell-
ing Signor Antonio, when you fee him*
that Cardinal Dataire will not forget his,
bufinefs.

Take care of your little (hare of health,,
by watching lefs, walking oftner, and
drinking lefs coffee. R is the drink of the
ftudious; but it inflames the blood, and
then head-achs, fore throats, and pains in
the breaft, are felt with more violence
Neverthelefs, I am no enemy to coffee ;.
nor think of it like M. Thierry* Phyfician
to the Pretender, who lives here, and is*
of opinion that this liquor is truly a
poifon.

Your grand nephew came to fee mc on.
Thurfday: his fpirits are as lively as hi&
eyes. He tore one of my books in playing:
with it; it is to be hoped, that he will learn
to have more refpeft for them. He told
me with great franknefs, that he would be
a Cardinal. I love very much to fee the
fouls of chi'dren begin to unfold themfelves:.
it is a bloirom. which begins to open, and
gives the moft pleafing hopes. He wanted
to fay his Breviary with me. Alas! his in-
nocence would have been more agreeable

CLEMENT XIV. 109

fa the fight of God than all my prayers. I
fent him home by my Chamberlain, but
abfolutely could not fend him away till I
had given him a chaplet, — he told me he.
would come again to-morrow to have ano-
ther. Such things are very agreeable in a.
child only five years old- I wifti to God
he may one day refemble his father ! Adieu..
I embrace you in all the fullnefs of my
heart.

Rome, 8th of the Year, 1760.

^**********I***********

LETTER CIX.

TO A PROTESTANT MINISTER.

I am much obliged to you, my dear
Sir, for the intereft you take in my
health. I thank Heaven it is very good,
and it would appear to me ftill better, if
I could employ it in fomething more agree-
able to you. The pleafure of obliging*
lbouldbe of all Communions.

I wifh with all my foul that I could con- )
vincc you, that I have all mankind in my ;
heart, that they are ali dear to me, and! h
that I refpeft merit wherever it is to bey^'
found. It your nephew comes to Rome* ]
a& you have taught me to expeft, he will \ ~

finds

**■

rae LETTERS OF GANGAN^LLt,

find nie mod 2ealous to teftify to him the
affectionate regard I have for you.

My de^r Sir, the Church of Rome is fo-
perfectly convinced of the merit o£< the
greateft part of the Minifters-ofnhe Pro-
teftant Communions* that fh« would con-
gratulate herfelf for ever*. i£ (he could fee
them return tocher bofom. There would*
be no occafion TSTTiyup old Quarrels of
times part,, to renew thoIePTEorms and
tempefts, when .each parIyr*traiiTported by
pillion, forfook the paths of chriftian mo-
defati6n : . but the queftion would be, how
(hall we be reunited in the fame belief*
founded upon fcripture and tradition, fuch
as is handed down to us by the Apoftles, .
the counfefc, and the Fathers .*' No body
laments more than I do, the injuries that
were done you irr the laft age : the fpirit of*
perfecution is hateful in my eyes.

What a mutitude of people would not
a happy reunion gain! If this could be ef-
fected, I would be content to die; fori
would facritice a thoufand lives to be once*
wicnefs of fo happy an event. . That mo-
ment will come, my dear Sir, becaufe a-
time, muft neceflarily come, when there
will be but one and the fame faith. . Even-
the Jews will enter into the bofom of the
Churchy and it is in that firm perfiiafion,
founded upon the holy Scriptures, that
they are allowed the. full exercife of : their-
religion in the heart of Rome,

God^

CLEWEWT XRT. *,*

God knows, my whole foul is with you*
and there is nothing in the world I would,
not undertake to prove to you, and to all,
of you, how dear you are to me. We have,
the fame God for a Father, we believe in*
the fame Mediator, we acknowledge the-
fame dodtrines of the Trinity,, the Tricar-
nation and the redemption, and* we would «
both the one and the other of us defire to
go to heaven. It is an eftabliftie&do&rine, .
that there are not two ways ta heaven:,
that there fhould be reenter of unity upon
earth, as well as a. Chief to reprefent Jefus
Chrift. The Church would be truly de-
formed, unworthy of our homage and fide-
lity, if it were only a body without a head.
The work, of the Meffiah is not like the
work of men. What he hath eftabliftied,
ought to laft for ever. He has not ceafed
one inflant to fupport his Church, and you
are too enlightened, my dear Sir, to look
upon the Albigenfes as pillars of the truth
to which you ought to cleave. Do me the
favour to tell all your brethren, all your
flock, and all your friends, that Cardinal
Ganganelli has nothing fo much at heart
as their happinefs, both in this world and
the next, and that he wilhes to know them
all, that he may aflure them of it. I can
add nothing, &c.
« Rome, 30th of the Year 1769.

LETTER

i*a LETTERS OF GANGANELLI

LETTER CX.

TOCO UNT •••

IMuft acquaint you, my dear friend* m
the folitude where you have been for
fome weeks, that that Brother Ganganelli
who always tenderly loved you, is become
Cardinal, and that he htmfelf does not know
how, nor wherefore.

There are events in; the eourfe of human
life which we cannot account for; they arc
brought about by circumftances, and or*
dained by Providence, which is the origin
of all.

However it be, whether in purple or not
in purple, I (hall not be lefs yours than I
ever was, but always happy to fee and ob-
lige you.

Sometimes 1 feel my pulfe, to know if
I am really myfelf, being truly aftonifheA
that the lot which has elevated me to one
of the higheft dignities, did not rather fall
upon fome other of my brethren, among
whom there are a number whom it would
have perfectly fuited.

All the world fays, in fpeaking of the
new Cardinal Ganganelli, It is incredible
that he (hould arrive at fuch a rank, with-
out cabal or without intrigue > neverthelefs^
k is very true,

Omy

CLEMENT XIV. nj

' Omy books! O my cell ! I know what
I have left, but I know not what I (hall
find Alas! many troublefome people will
come and make me lofe my time ; many
felfifh (buls will pay me diffembled homage !

For you, my dear Friend, perfevere in
nrtue: being truly virtuous is being fupe-
rior to all dignities: perfeverance is only
promifed to thofe who diftruft themfelves,
and avoid temptations ; whoever is prefump-
tuous ought to expedt a relapfe.

When I think how the public papers
will deign to employ themfelves about
me, and fend my name beyond the Alps,
to acquaint different nations when I had
the head-ach, or when I was. blooded* I
(hall fmile with contempt. Dignities are
fhares which have been made fplendid, that
people might be catched by them. Few
people knew the troubles which attend
grandeur; we are no longer our own matters,
and let us a£t how we will, we are fure of
having enemies.

I think like St. Gregory of Nazianzen,
who,, when the people ranged themfelves
on each fide to fee him pafs, thought they
imagined him to be fome uncommon ani-
mal. I own, I cannot accuftom myfelf to
this ufage ; and if this be what is called

randeur, I will molt willingly bid it adieu,.
look upon all mankind as my brethren,
and am delighted when the poor or wretch-
ed approach and fpeak to me.

•People

n 4 LETTERS OF GANOANELLr,

People will fay that my manners are pie*
beian; but I do not dread that reproach,
for I am only afraid of pride. It is fo in*
finuating, that, ft will do all it can to pene-
trate and lay hold of me.;, butl (hall, con-
template the nothinguefe that is in me and-
around me, and this (hall defend me againft
vanity or felf-fufficiency.

Do not think of making compliments,
when you come to fee me ; they are a fort
of merchandife I do not love, efpecialty
from a friend. But here are fame vifitors*
that is to fay* every thing, which thwarts me*,
and has rendered me infupportable to my-
felf, for feveral. days. Grandeur, has its*
clouds, its lightnings, and. its whirlwinds,
like the tempeftsv I wifh for the moment,
of calm ferenity, I am without referve^
and beyond all expreffion, as before youft
affe&ionate friend and fervant, &c,

Rome, tf 0&ob*r t 1 75a,

><X'X>CKXXXXX.»XXXXXXXX^XX

L E T T E R CXI.

TO CARDINAL CA.VALCH1NL

Most Eminent,,

YOUR recommendations* are com-
mands to me ; and I (hall not fleep
in peace, 'till I have done what ypu defire^

Your

CLEMENT XIV. «5

Your Eminency cannot furnifli me with
too many opportunities of teftifying the ex-
tent of my efteem and attachment. In be-
coming your Brother*, I become ftill more
than ever your fervant.

It would be proper that we had a parti-
cular conference upon what regards the
affairs of the Church, as you are infinitely
fcealous for the good of Religion, which is
the only objeft that ought to engage my
attention. We are not Cardinals to impole
upon the world by haughtinefs, but to be
the pillars of the Holy See. Our rank, our.
habits, our functions, alt remin^d us, that,,
even to the effiifion of our blood, we ought
to employ all our power for the afliftance of
religion, according to the will of God and
the exigencies of the CnurcFu

When I fee Cardinal de Tournon flying:
to the extremities of the world, to caufe the
truth tabe preached there in its purity; L
find myfelf inflamed with the noble exam-
ple, and am difpofed to undertake every
thing in the fame caufe.

The Sacred College had always men
eminent for their knowledge and zeal, and
we ftiould ufe every effort to renew the
example. Human policy ought not to re-
gulate our proceedings, but the fpirit of
God ;. that fpirit without which all our acr
tions are barren, but with which we may
do all kind of good.

I know

* By his rank of Cardinal.

\

1 16 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI,

I know your piety, I know your uncjer-
ftanding; and I am convinced, that in pro-
per time and place, you can and will fpeak
your mind without any dread.

Some people are endeavouring to jnake
the Holy Father enter into engagements
which he may repent of-, for, fince the
death of Cardinal Archinto, there are no
longer the fame kind of men about him ;
and the confequences may be unhappy.
The Holy See is not refpe&ed as it was
formerly, and prudence requires that we
fhould pay proper attention to times and
circumftances. Jefus Chrift, in recom-
mending to his Apofties to be fvmph as _
doves, adds, and wife asferptnts. An in*
confiderate ftep on the part of Rome, in
fuch critical times as thefe, may have very
badeffefts. Benedict XIV. himfelf,, though*
he was very capable of conciliating people's-
minds, would nave been embarraued upon
this occafion \ but he would have been very
cautious of infringing the rights of Princes*
What we have to treat about is delicate.
There is no occafion to run counter to the
Holy Father or his Council; neverthelefs.
we mull take meafures to prevent his be-
ing milled by thofe about him. As his in-
tentions are pure, he does not fufpedt that
he can be impofed on. He ought at leaft
to balance the advantages and the difad-
vantages of what they attempt to make him

undertake*

CLEMENT XIV. 117

mdertake. We always fucceed badly, if
art do not calculate before-hand.
^ The Council affeft to give no explana-
tions but to certain Cardinals, and to leave
the reft uninformed The King of Por-
tugal will never defift from his manner of
thinking, and I can fee that the other Ca-
tholic powers will fupport and confirm him
in his opinions.

Monarchy no longer live detached from
one another, as they did formerly ; they
are all friends, and aft with fuch regard to
each other's interefts, that if you have the
misfortune to offend any one of them, you
wilLoffend the whole ; and inftead of hav-
ing one enemy, you will have all Europe
to contend with.

Shall the Holy Father, by an indifcreet
,zeal, ftinggle againft all the powers? Shall
he fulminate againft the eldeft Son of the
Church, --and againft his Moft Faithful Ma-
jefty ? He fhould confider that thefe are not
Pag&n Emperors, whom he would oppofe,
but Catholic Princes like himfelf.

England (hould have corre&ed for ever
-all indifcreet zeal in the Popes. What would
Clement VII. fay, were he to return upon
earth ? Would he applaud his work, it he
was to fee that kingdom, which was for-
merly the nurfery of Saints, become the
aflemblage of all Se&aries, and every kind
of error i We ihould learn to facrifice a
part, for the prefervation of the whole,

* 57U* ' /£l f^kjl^*- erf JWc~l|<

f i8 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

The Holy See can never be more bril-
liant, never more fecure, never more in
peace, than when it has the Catholic So-
vereigns for its defenders and fupport. It
is a harmony abfolutely neceflary for
the glory and good of religion. TKe faith-
ful would be expofed to every wind of
dottrine, if unfortunately the princes want-
ed that deference for the Court of Rome
which they ought to have ; and the Sove-
reign Pontiff would fee his flock infenfibly
decay, and chufe bad pafture inftead of
what he offers them-

The good fhepherd fhould not only call
back the Sheep that have gone aftray, but
labour to the utmoft to prevent any more
from wandering. Infidelity, whofe fatal
blaft is fpread over all, does not wifh for
any thing more than to fee Rome at va-
riance with the Kings: but religion abhors
thefe divifions- We fhould not give room
for the enemies of the Church to repeat
what they have too often faid, that the
Court of Rome is intra&able, and has a
domineering fpirit, which is dangerous to
the other States.
/f The truth is, that every Sovereign is
mafter at home, and that no foreign power
has a right to command him. We thought
differently in times of trouble and horror,
which it would be dangerous to revive.
Charity, peace, and moderation, are the
proper arms of Chriftians, and efpecially

thofe

-CLE MS NT XIV: . 119

thofe of Rome, which ought to fct an ex-
ample of patience and humility to all the
other powers of the earth.

We (hould recoiled that when Peter
•cut off the ear of Malchus, who was an ene-
my to Chrift, he was reproved by our Sa-
viour, and commanded him to put up his
iword in. the fcabbard.

How much more unjuftifiable mud it
then appear, if fuch a fword was to be em-
ployed againft thofe who have always de-
fended, and made it their glory to be the
iupporters of the Holy See J

There .is nothing more dangerous than

.an indifcreetizeal, which breaks the bruifed

reed, which extinguiflieth the yet fmoking

lamp, and which would bring down fire

from Heaven.

I know that a Pope is obliged to preferve
the i mmunitie s of the Holy See ; but there
is no rieceflity for getting embroiled with
all the Catholic Princes, on account of
fbme feig norial rig hts. — This would be to
ftir up the fire or infidelity, and to give
pretences for inveighing more than ever
againft the Church of Rome.

They fee badly who fee things but in
part; the whole (hould be examined at
once, and the confequence of the prefent
proceedings weighed, to judge of the fu-
ture. One /park, faid St. James, will kin-
dle a whole J or e/i.

Narrow

,10 LETTERS OP GANGANELLI,

Narrow minds imagine, that we wifh the
definition of certain Monks, becaufe we
will not fupport them in oppofition to the
Kings, with whom they are at variance.
But befides that jpore tempefts would ftill
follow by refilling thofe Powers, we ought
not to give a preference to thefe Monks,
which would embroil the Court of Rome
with all the Catholic Princes.

I could not poflibly fleep, if I was to wiffi
harm to any one. I fincerely love all the re-
ligious Orders; I wifh from my foul, that
the whole could be preferved ; but I refleft
upon what is moft proper, when it is become
neceflary to decide. I do not even propofe
that the Holy Father ftiould diflblve any of
them, but that he fhould at lead write to
thefe Crowned Heads, and let them know
that he will examine the complaints againft
that Order, and then immediately begin to
make the inquiry.

Suppofe Rome expofed to all thefe potent
enemies — how can fhe fupport herfelf in the
midft of tempefts? We are not yet in Hea-
ven; and if God preferves his Church to the
end of ages, it is by infpiring thofe who go-
vern it with a prudence fuited to times and
places, as well as with a love of peace.

It is not to be expected that God will
work a miracle to defend an indifcreet
2eal. He leaves fecond caufes to a<5t;
and when an improper choice is made,
things cannot poflibly go well.

None

CL1MENT XIV. 121

None but the vifionary will refufe to bend
to the exigency of things, when the difpute
is neither about faith nor morals. In im-
portant affairs we ought always to confider
how they will terminate, if we would avoid
the greateft calamities.

As I know your zeal, my Lord, as well
as your ttnderftanding, I prefume that you
will fall upon fome method capable of
laving, not the Holy See, which cannot
perifh, but the Court of Rome, which is
«pofed to the greateft dangers.

Thefe are my reflections : — I perfuade
myfelf that you will find them juft. 1 dare
Affure you I have weighed them before the
Tribunal of God, whotrieth the reins and
hearts of men, and who knows that I have
neither antipathy nor .animofity in my heart
againft any man.

1 have the honour to be, with all the fen-
timents due to your great underftanding and
uncommon virtues,

Your moft humble, &c,

Convent of the Holy Apostles,
ifithof the Month.

*G LETTER

i

U% LETTERS S>F GANGANELU,

LETTER CXIL

TO CARDINAL S»**.

Most Eminent,

I Had not time to (peak to you, yefter-
day, with freedom, upon the great bu-
finefs which at prefent agitates Europe*
and from which Rome will receive a fatal
blow, if flie does not ad with that mode-
ration which Sovereigns require. The Popes
are Pilots who are always fleering upon
tempeftuous feas, and confequendy are ob-
liged to go fometimes with full fails, and
fometimes to furl them, according to cir-
cumftances.

Now certainly is the time to employ fhat
wifdom of the Serpent recommended by
Chrifl to his Apoftles. At a time when
Infidelity has broken loofe againft every
religious Order, it is certainly lamentable
to fee the Miniftefs of the {Jo^el forfaken,

' who were deftined for Colleges, Semina-
ries, and Miffiona, .and who had diftin-
guifhed themfelves fo much by their wri-
tings upon the truths of our religion ; but
it remains to be confidered, whether in the
fight of God it may be better to engage in

S a Arife againft the Powers of the earth, or
Y* j to relinquifti the fupport of any particular

\ Order of the Church.

For

CLEMENT XIV. uj

For my part, I think, on a view of die
torm which feems to threaten us on all
ides, and may be perceived already hang-
ing over our heads, that it would be more
prudent to take the neceflary Heps of our*
felves, and to facrifice any one of our dear-« ^
eft connections, rather than to incur thes
wrath of Kings, which cannot be too mucly
dreaded.

Let our Holy Father and his Secretary
of State regard the Jefuits as much as they
will; — I fubfcribe with all my heart to their
attachment towards them, having never
had the leaft animofity, nor the leaft anti-
pathy againft any one of the religious Or-
ders: but I (hall always fay, notwithftand-
ing the veneration which I have for Saint
Ignatius, and my efteem for thofe of his
Order, that it is extremely dangerous, and
even ralh, to fupport the Jefuits, as things
are circumftanced at prefent.

It would undoubtedly be right, that
Rome ihouid fojicit in their favour, in
quality of Mother and Prote&refs of all the ^
religious Orders of the Church, and employ
every means to preferve the Society ; pro~
vided always that they fub mit to a refo rm;
according to the Decree of Benedict XIV.
and to the defire of all thofe who fincerely
wifti well to religion: but my advice i^
that when all thefe means have been tried^
the affair fhould be left in the hands of God
and of the Kings. M

H4 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

Rome muft always ftand in need of die

?rote£tion and affiftance of the CathoKc
owers. They are fortrefles which flielttr
her from incurfions and hoftilities in fuch
a manner, that (he never has more glory>
nor more authority, than when fhe feemfi
to yield to thofe Sovereigns. Then it is
that they fupport her with luftre, and make
it their duty to publifti every where, and
to prove by a£ts of deference and fubmiffi-
on, that they are the tradable fons of the
common Father of the faithful, and that
they refped him as the firft man in the
world, in the eyes of the faith.

The more I call to mind thofe unfortu-
nate times when the Popes wandering with-
out help, without afylum, had Emperors
and Kings for their enemies, the more I
feel the neceflity of being at peace with all
the Monarchs of "the earth. The Church
knows but two Orders iAdifbenfebly ne-
ceflary, and founded by Chrift himfelf, to
perpetuate his do&rine, and to propagate
Christianity, I mean the Bifhops and Priefts,
The firft ages of the Chriftian world,
which we call the beft ages of the Church,
had neither Monks nor Friars ; which evi-
dently proves to us, that if Religion had no
need of any but of her ordinary Ministers
to preferve her, the Regulars, her auxiliary
.troops, however ufeful they may be, are
.hot abfolutely necefTary.

K

CLEMENT XIV. 125

V the Jcfuits havp the true fpirit of their

proieflion, as I prefume they have, they

will be the firft to fay, " We will rather

* fecrifice ourfelves, than excite troubles .

* and tempefts."

As a religious Society ought not to de-
pend upon psrilhable riches, nor temporal
honours, but upon a determined love to-
wards JefusChrift and his fpoufe, it ought
to retire with the fame alacrity it was call-
ed, if his Vicar, the Minifter and Interpre-
ter of his will .upon earth, fhould no longer
demand its fervices. The religious Orders
are not refpe&able, indeed ought not to be
kept up, but fo long as they preferve the
true fpirit of the Church ; and as that is
always the fame, independent of all the
tegular inftitutions, every Order ought to*
confole itfelf if it happens to be fupprefled.
— But frequently vanity perfuades us that
we are necsfTary, even at thofe times when,
authority judges otherwife.

If there was lefe enthufiafm, and more
found principles, ever one would agree in
thefe truths ; and fo far from raftily fupport-
ing a corps which Kings complain of, they
would induce that fame corps to retire of
itfelf, without murmur or noife ; but unfor-
tunately they form an illufion to themfelves,
and imagine that a fmgle inftitution cannot
be touched, without attacking the very
cflence of religion itfelf.

G 3 If

1

126 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

If in giving up a religious Order, a dog-
ma was to be altered, a point in morals to
be corrupted ; it were then, without doubt,
better to perilh. But the Church will
teach the fame truths after the Jefuits arc
fupprefled, which file taught before they
were eftablifhed ; — the Church will ftill fubr
fift; and Chrift will rather raife children to
Abraham, even from the (tones, to fuftain
his work, than leave his myftical body with-
out fuccour or fupport.

The Head of the Church is. like the

matter of a magnificent Garden, who leps

thole branches at his difcretion, which, by

^ extending too.- fa r, may happen toobftruflt

the view. *

Do you, my Lord, who have both zeat
and knowledge, confer upon thofe fubje&s
with the Holy Father. It will be much
more proper for you than for me, who con-
fider rayielf in every reipett as the leaft
important member of the Sacred College
Shew his Holinefs what an ahyfs he is dig-
ging for himfelf, when he obftinately refius
thefe Potentates. The rettitude of his
heart will make him hearken to you; for
we may affirm that he has taken the refo-
* " lution of refilling thefe Powers only becaufe
he thinks it to be right. 1 expeft this libe-
ral condudt from your love of the Church,
and am, Your Eminency's, &c.

Convent of the Holy Apostles*
oth November, i 76^ •

, , LETTER

CLEMENT XIV. t*y

le t t kr exiir;

TO A LAY ffR OTHER;.

My dear Brother,

WHereforc do you* hefitate in addrefs-^
ing yourfelf to* me?' Am I ano-
ther man than what twas; becaufe I have
the honour of being a Cardinal? My heart
and my arms fhall always be open to fe-
eeive my dear brethren. I owe them toa-
much ever to forget them ;. for I owe thertt*
every things

The confeflion whfcK you make bf you*'
feult, perfuadesine that you truly repent
of it. However little a man may deviate
from the flraight path in cloiftfcrs, he in-
fenfibly gives into excefs. You have not
filmed through ignorance, and therefore you*-
are the mose to blame ; and- what is flail*
worfe^ your fault has blazed abroad;

Humble yourfelf before men, and (hew*
your contrition before the throne of grace, •
that you- may obtain forgivenefs; I (hall
write to your Superior- to receive you again-
with mildncfe*-

My: dear- brother,., you have imagined ■
that in quilting your retreat, you would ;
find infinite fatisfa&ions in the world at
large. Alas! this world is but a deceiver.
It.promifes what it never performs* View-
G 4 *d

h*S LETTERS QF QAHGANELLF,

ed at a diftance, it appears to be a parterre^
of flowers; when nearer, feen, it proves a.
brake of thorns.

I pray the Lord that he may touch yoik
feelingly, for every good impulfe comes,
from him. You mult refume your exer-
cifes with the moft lively fervour, and.
oblige thof§ to admire your, reformation,
who might otherways reproach you with
having gone aflray. Yoii may be fully
aflured, that you. will always be dear to me,
and that I focerely bewail with you the
error you have committed. I am your af-
fectionate, &c.

The Card. Ga no an ell**

Convent of tbe Holy Apostlub*
i 8th November, 1760.

LETT E R CXIV.
TO: R. p ; aUARDIAN OF»K

IF you have any attachment to me, my
Reverend Father* I pray you to re-
ceive with cordiality Brother * * *, who
has fcandaloufly ftrayed from his duty;
but he returns, he weeps, and he pro-
mifes ; and, what is ftiU more afFe<3ting,
Jefus Chrift our model hath taught us
how we ought to forgive. I pray you to

look

CL CMS' NT XIV. 1*9

lcx>k upon him who was crucified for the
falvation of them that crucified him ; and
I cannot doubt of obtaining what I defire.

Hurn^n nature is fo depraved, that I am ■
much lefe aftonifhed than alarmed at the
exceffes t9 jvhich men daily give themfelves
up- There needs but one emotion of pride* •
or a fclfifh regard towards ourfelves, to-
make us loft to grace; and from thence-
forth we become capable of every crime.

The more the Lord : has preferved us -
from . excefTes which require repentance, .
the more companionate we ought to be to
thofe who furrender themfelves up to them * ..
for our exemption is the pure effect of his
mercy, .and for which we ftiould afcribe no >
merit to ourfelves.

Youp flock will blefs their Paftor, when :
they fee with what tendernefs he again re- -
ceives the ftray ftieep.

I do not write to *you to difpenfe with *:
the penance prefcribed by the confti^
unions, but to lighten it as much as is pofli-
ble, by abftaining from bitter .reproaches,
more capable of irritating than aifefting
him.

May your reproof be friendly; may your
correction be paternal ; may your recep-
tion inftead of being auftere have nothing .
but what is gracious, fo as not to terrify -
the guilty 1

<G> 5., Remember *

ijo LETTERS OF G ANGANELLT,

ftemember that it is always Charity that
ought to adt; that ft is (he who ought to
punilh, and (he who (hould pardon.

I embrace you raoft fincerety^ as my old
brother ; and I hope to team even by him
whom I recommend to, you, that he has
found in you rather a father than a matter.
No body loves or honours you- more
than

The Card. Gang AjNELLi..

CONVENT OF THE HOLY APOSTLE*,

i i th December, 1 764,.

XX!><XXXXXXXl><X>Q<XXXX&Ort

L ET.T E R CXV*

TO R. P. COLLOZ, PRIOR. OF GRAFFEN*
THAL, AND SUPERIOR-GENERAL OP
THE ORDER OF GUILLELMITES;

My Reverend Fath*b&,,

YOUR letter expreffes how muck
fetisfadtion you feel ©n my promotion
to the Cardinalfhip, and pf the choice the-
Holy Father has made pf me, among all
the members of the Sacred College, to truft
with the proteftion of your * Order. I did
not doubt but your fentiments, in effett,,
were fuch, nevertheless it is a matter of
true fatisfa&ion ta me, to fee the chearfiil-

nefe

m Every religious Oidet bntCtxdi&il Pcoftor.

CLEMENT XIV, 131 >

nefe which is imprefled on your hearty
and to find fuch certain marks of the con-
fidence with which you honour me. Your
Order has certainly been deprived of a
great and powerful fupport in lofing Cardi-
nal Guadagni. Ma^the hopes you have
conceived of me, reftore peace and tran-
quility to your fouls!.. At lead,' I (hall em-
ploy every effort,:* my Reverend Father, .
that you and all yours may find in me a
tender friend r , a vigilant protester, . and a *•
zealous defender of your privileges. 4

It is with pleafure that I frequently hear "
the Procureur General of the Capuchins
praifmg your Reverence, and thofe of your -
Ordar. ..'

NdthmgTemains to be defired, my Re- -
verend Father, but that you will excufe me
for fo- ldng delaying to anfwer you, which
was occafioned by my having been oppreff-
ed .with a multitude of affairs, that have
fearce left me time to breathe, on a change
fo new, and fo little expected on my part.
I likewife beg you will put me to the Proof, ,
and fee if I can be of any fervice to you.
I have had fome conversation with our Ho-
ly Father about you:— rihall fpeak to him
on whatever concerns your affairs, every
time you chufe to employ me. I beg to
recommend myfelf in the ftrongeft manner
to the Prayers of your Order. I hope to
anfwer your Reverence's expectations in
fuch a .manner,* as to convince all of you

\fe»x

, fl * LETTERS OF -QANOANttLLiY
that you have in me a moft truly affectio-
nate Protestor.

I am with all my heart,
My Rev. Father, &c;
Rome, Convent of the Holy Apostles,
aoth May, 1769.

-•^'sr^^f^^Sf^^^^^

LETT ER CXVI.

TO THE ABBE F* # *.

IT is eafy to«obferve, both in your writr
ings and converfation, my dear Abbe,
that you do not read the Fathers of the
Church fo much as you ought to do. Do
you know that they are the foui of Chriftian
eloquence, and that like thofe fertile trees .
which ornament gardens while they enrich
them, : they produce abundance both of.
flowers and , of fruits ?

The Church is proud of producing their
works as fomany monuments of victories
which (he has gained over her enemies,
and every enlightened Chriftian ought to
be delighted with reading them. The more
they are examined, they will be found the
more confpicuoufly bright ; — every Father
of the Church has a cbafadteriftical diftinc-
tion. The genius of Tertullian may be
compared to iron, which breaks the hard-

efc

CLEMENT XIV. 133^

eft bodies, and will not bend ; St. Atha- •
nalius tathe diamond, which can neither
be deprived of its luftre norfolidity; St.
Gyprian to fteel, which cutsv to the
quick ; St. Chryfoftome to gold, whofe ,
value is equal to its beauty 5 St. Leo to
thofe enfigns of dignity which are at once
graceful and majeftic; St. Jerome to brafs,
which neither, dreads fwords nor arrows ;
St. Ambrofe to filver,. which is folid and
(hining , St. Gregory to a mirror, in which
every one fees himfelf ; St. Auguftine to .
hrmfelf, as Angular in his kind, though *
univerfal.

As to St. Bernard* the laflf of the Fa- - a"
thers in the order of Chronology, I com-
pare, him to thofe flowers of the velvet
kind, which died an exquifite perfume.

If the French reckon Boffuet, Biftiop of <*r
Meaux, among the Fathers, it is a prema-
ture judgment, which cannot be fubmit-
ted , to, until the univerfal Church has pro-
nounced, it, as ihe has the fcde right of
afligning the rank which is due to Writers.
Even St. Thomas Aquinas has not obtained
the title of a Father of the Church ; and k
is not to be prefumed that the Do&ors who
have fucceeded him, (hould enjoy that
prerogative : but every nation has an ethu-
fiafin for its Authors; yet it muft be allow-
ed, that the Biftiop of Meaux was a burn-
ing and (hining lamp, whofe light can ne-
ver be ofcfcurecL

*j 4 LETTERS OT G A NG ATNELCr;

I confefs to you, my dear Abb£, if I
know any thing, I owe it to the reading
the Fathers, efpecially the works of St.
Auguftine. Nothing efcapes his fagacity ; .
nothing is beyond his depth, nothingabove.
his fublimity; he contracts* h« extends
himfelf, he walks in a path of his own,, va?
rying his ftyje and manner according to the
fubje&s which he treats of,., and always with
the fame advantage, always elevating the
foul, even into the bofom of God ;, a fanc-r
tuary of which he feems to hold the key, .
and where he feems imperceptibly to in-
troduce thofe whom he nouriftieth with his
fublime ideas. I particularly admire him *
upon the fubjettof Grace. Ah I I wifti to *
Heaven, that his dodrine upon that point
had been eftabliftoed in all the Schools* and.
all minds! Prefumptuous writers -would not
then have endeavoured to found an impe-
netrable abyfs, and the grace of Jefus
Chrift would have preferved all its rights,,
and man his liberty*

What afflitts me is, . that the FatKers ot
the Church are fcarcely read ; and they
who have occafion to confult them, truft to -
extra&s,, , which are often unfaithful, and »
always too much abridged. A Pried- or a -
Bifhop made it his duty formerly to read -r-
the Fathers . of the Church, as much as .to
fay his breviary * but now-a-days they are
only known by name, except it be in the
Cloifters, where that excellent cuJftom is ~

not

CLEMENT XIV; 13&

not quite left off: whence it comes, that
in many countries they, have meagre theo-
logians, without life or foul; ftudents who-
can only fyllogife; andtinftru&ions which
contain nothings but woads without mean-
ing.

N'everthefefs', I ought to fay to thepraife
of the Sacred College, without meaning to.,
compliment it,, that they have always had.
members who have, perfevered in the ftudy
of the Fathers ; and fome may. be named .
who actually prefer that kind. of reading:
to- all other employment. — Our Schools
likewife feel, that influence, where they
teach only the dodtrine of St. Auguftine
and St. Thomas;— a. certain means of
avoiding whatever breathes novelty.

Let me conjure you, thereto lay it dowr*
as a rule, to read, the Fathers everyday;
it requires but a beginning ; for when once
you enter upon them, you will not. care tar-
leave them:— they are always with God,
and they will place you on the fame feat
with themfelves* if youjiourifli yourfelf dai-
ly, with, their writings. — It is reading the
Holy Scripture to read them, for they ex-
plain it in amafterly manner,, and quote it.
on all occafions.

It were to deprive me of three^fourthg of
my exiftence, if the confolation of enter-
taining myfelf with the Holy Fathers was
taken from me 5 — the more they are prer

fent>

t S 6 LETTERS Of SAN.QT4NELLI;
fent, the more I confole royfelf, the more
I rejoice, and the greater I think myfelf.

Profit by my leflbns, and you will love
me if you love yourfelf ; for in reading the
Fathers, you will make acquifitions a thou-
fand times more precious than wealth or
titles. An Ecclefiaftic has nothing to dp
with the world, but to inftru&^nd edify
it. I am with all ray heart, and with jthle
warmeft defire to fee your. talents produce
good fruit,

Your . affectionate,
The Card. Gangaitellj.

Rome 13 December, 176S..

LETTER CXVII.

TO R.P*** HIS FRIEND,.

YO U have given me a Angular pieafure
by not mentioning that 1 bad writ-
ten to you. Without being mytterious, I
very much love difcretioo; and although
I have been eight-and-twenty years in the
Convent of the Holy Apoftles, I never ao
quainted my brethren with what connecti-
ons I have. — They may guefs, if they will
or if they can ; but they know nothing : Jkr -
cremm meum mibi\ my fecret is my own. .

e t E WL E N T X!\r. 137

IlatefyGwthe Cardinals York, Porftnj,
and John Francis AJbani, whofe excellent
qualities I hiahly efteemi hut I have learn-
ed nothing from them of what I wanted to
know.

I (ubfcribe with the greateft pleafure to
ajl the obliging things you fay of the Pre-
late Durini : he has joined the Italian fa-
Pacity to the pleafing manners of the
rench, and deferves to attain the greateft
dignities.

I have learned nothing of the late refo-
lutions of the great Perfonage you fpeak
of ; I fee him but very feldom, and in a
moft referved manner : — he does not be-
lieve me to be his friend, h he wrong ?
Is he right? This is what he himfelf can-
not decide* notwithstanding all the fineffe
he is fuppofed to be matter of; but moft
certainly, God knows. I bear no ill will
to him, becaufe I never have done fo to
any one.

I will recommend the good work which
you mention, to the Cardinals Fantuzzi and
Borromeo, who breathe nothing but cha-
rity. Do you yourfelf deliver the inclofed,
which I fend you for M * * *, and let me
have his anfwer by the flying Poft, which
is both quick and fure. For fome time
paft my correfpondences overpower me,
and yet I cannot get rid of them. From
this time do not lofe half a page in (hew-
ing me. refpedt : I with you to write to me,.

t 3 8 LETTERS OF GATJGANELLI,
as to Brother GanganelR* I am always the
feme individual, whatever efforts may be
made ufe of to perfuade me to the contra-
ry ; for, alas! if I was to attend to etiquettes:
and flatterers, they would intoxicate me.
with their ridiculous incenfe.

I lbve to be fimply myfelf,. and*- not to^
be befet with all the accompaniments of
grandeur. Your great Ktdeneflfes difgufb
me i and furely they who are fond of them>,
muft have but a contemptible fpirit.

There is no probability that our common,
friend^ can recover; he has a complication
of diforders, any one of which is fufficient.
to deftroy the ffrongeft perfon.

1 am foliciting a place which I thmk will
fuit your nephew, provided he can bear
confinement, and hear grumbling ; for the
nobleman, whofe Secretary I intend him to
be, haSr the unfortunate madnefe of fall-
ing in a- paffion at every trifle ~ but his
heart is not the left excellent; — it is a blet.
which fhould be overlooked, becaufe oft
his goodnefs. He is like Benedict XIV-
who always concluded by beltowing fome
favour upon thofe he had fcolded. You~
fee that I am in a humour to prate, and -
that I have not the air. of a man of bufi-
nefs. When I haye faid my breviary,.
and finifhed my engagements. I chat more^
than is perhaps liked, but then I have nee A-
of it.

Lleav^

C L E M E N T XIV. r 39

Heave you with yourfeif, that is to fay,

in the beft company that I know j and am^

as ufua^ and for my whole life,

Your affeftionate fervant^

The Card.Ganganelln
Rout, 6th December, 176&.

LETTER CXVIIL

TO M. D»«*

TH E giving of alms is not fufficfent to
pleafeGod, for charity extends over
all; you ftiould not opprefs your tenants,,
normoleft your vaflals; they who with the
greateft feverity exadt trifles which they
ought to defpiie,. have not a proper fenfe
of religion. Chriftianky does not know
that fordid intercity which i& attentive ta
little things ; and they have only die bark
who are always upon the watch with their
Tenants, for fear of being cheated, The
heart is become too. earthly, when it is over-
anxious about worldly matters.

Ahl why torment yourfeif, Sir, fo fo-
licixoufly about the things that perifh*
The kingdom of Jefus Chrift fhould have
worftiippers in fpirit and ia truth, whofe
hearts are not contracted by a felf-interefted
conduct* and views merely carnal.

»4* LETTERS OP GANG ANELL

I am mortified when I ft© people of
tune living in dread of want, and tho
very rich, often much more attached
dirty piece of gold than apoorlabo
would be.

I dare add, Sir, that all your work
devotion will be abfolutely ufelefs, if
do not detach yourfelf intirely from
things of this world ; and ceafe to be
tyrant of your debtors, by a greed
after riches. It is better to forego a r
than to recover it by oppreffion. The :
of juftice which you plead in your fa\
.has no connedion with continual difl
with apprehenfions about future want,
with eternal wranglings.

If there are fome difputes between
and your tenants, fettle them more to
advantage than your own* it is conf
able to the advice of Jefus Chrift,
orders us, if they alk our cloak to
our coat alfo. All your fuperfluities,
even a part of your neceflaries, on ui
occa%>ris, belong to the poor v fo that
will be guilty if yoa heap up. Xhe(
harfturuths,, but the law was not mac
me..

The affair you fpoke to me about, (
not be in better hands than Monf
JJrafchi's : his re&itude is equal to hi
derftanding, and there is no fear c

CLEMENT XIV. 141

being prejudiced* nevertheless, iff you de-
Sire it, I will lpeak a few words to him.
I am, Sir,
With the fentiments due to you, &c.
The Card. Gang anelli.
Rom*, 2i of the pcefem Month.

LETTER CXIX.

TO

f T E R CXIX. / _

MY LORD*»< r

Ittave not been accuftomed to fee fuch a
genius as your's become the dupe of
jnoderh philofqphy. Your underftanding
fKould fePyouabove the fophiftry it en-
genders, and which levels us to the fad
condition of the brutes.

If there is a God, as nature cries aloud
<thro' all her works, there rauft be a Religion*
If there is a Religion, it muft be incom-
tprehenfible, fublime, and as antient as the
world, asbeingan emanation from an in-
finite affd^eternaT Being. If thefe are its
charadters, it muft be Christianity * and if
it is Chriftianity, it muft be acknowledged
to be divine, and heart and foul ftiould ac-
quiefce in it.

Is it then credible that God Almighty
ihould display this Uftiverfe in fuch fplendor*

to

142 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

to feed the eyes with flocks of men and

beads, that ought to be confounded together,

as having all the famedeftiny ; and that this

intelligence which -dwells in us, which

J combines, which calculates, which extends

{ beyond the earth, which mounts above the

' firmament, which recolledts the ages paft,

i and penetrates into thofe which are to come,

j and has an idea of that which ought to laft

\' for ever, fhould fhine forth one moment,

only to be diflipated afterwards like a feeble

vapour L -'^^

I 1 What is that voice which inceffantly pro-
claims within you, that you were born for
great things? What are thofe defires which
continually renew themfelves, and which
make you feel that there is nothing in this
world which can occupy the wifhep of your
heart. /

When man eftrangeth himfelf from God,
he is like a fick wretch rolling in agony ;
and the light of his reafon, which h$ ex-
tinguiftieth, leaves him in the midft of a
\ darknefs which is replete with horror.
( The fame truth which aflures you of
\ your own exiftence ; I would fay that in-
timate teftimony which you find within
yourfelf, aflures you of the exiftence of a
God, and cannot give you a lively idea of
him, without imprefling you with an idea
of Religion. The worfhip which we render
to the Supreme Being, is fo linked with
him, that our heart is not fatisfied but

when-

CLEMENT XIV. 143

when it is rendering homage to him, or
conforming to the order which he hath
eftablifhed.

If there is a God, he ought naturally
to be beneficent; and if he is beneficent,
you ought by the jufteft confequence to
thank him for his benefits. Neither your
exiftence nor your health comes from your-
felf : about feven-and-twenty years ago,
you was nothing, when all on a fudden
pu became an organifed body, enriched
with a foul to adt as mafter, to command
and guide it according to its will and
yleafure.

This reflection engages you to feek for
the Author of life ; and when you will ex-
amine, you will find him in yourfelf, and
in every thing which furrounds you, with-
out any one of thefe objects being able to
boaft of their being a part of his fubftance ;
for God is fingle and indivifible, and can-
not therefore be indentified with the ele-
ments.

If the Religion which he hath eftabliftied
hath taken different forms, and has been
iince perfected by the coming of the Mef-
iiah ; it is becaufe God hath treated it as
he has done our reafon, which at firft was
-only a feeble ray * but afterwards, difclo-
fingitfelfby degrees, at laft appears in the
brighteft light.

Befides, is it for man to interrogate the
Deity with regard to his conduit? Is it

for

144 LETTERS OF GANGANELLt,
for a Creature to regulate the ways of his
Creator* and to prefcribe a manner of
derating to him? God communicate*
hiflifelf to us in part, but ftill referves to
himfelf the right of abfolute dominion,
becaufe there is nothing but what is truly
fubjedt to him. If he clearly mantfefted
his defigns to us here below, if the myste-
ries which aftonifh and confotrad us were
laid open to our view, we ftiould have
that intuitive fight which he refetves tifl
after this life, and death would then be
unneceflary. Evidence is only for Hea-
ven, cognofcain, ficut & cognitus futii* :
yet we would anticipate that moment,
without reflecting that every thing is regu-
lated by Infinite Wifdom, and that we
have nothing to do on our part, but t^fub-
niit and to adore. The unbeliever chan-
ges nothing of the defigns of God, when
he dares to rife up agarhft him. He even
enters into his plan, that comprehenfive
plan, where the evil concurs with the good
for the harmony of this world, and for the
happinefs of the next.

Religion and nature are equally derived
from God \ and both the one and the other
though in different manners, have their
myfteries and their incomprehenfibilitres^
and by the fame reafon that the exiftence

of

* I ffattl! know God, as I am kaown by htm.

CLEMENT KHV. a*f

«SF nature i* not denied, though its opera-
tions are often concealed. Religion cannot,
nor oqgbt not to be rejected, on account of
its obfcurities.

There *s nothir*g here which hath not a
dark fide ; becaufeour foul weighed down
hy * body which opprefles and darkens it,
is not capable of feeiotg every thing. It is
in ,a kind of infancy here below, and fliould
iave light ^in^roponaon to the weaknefe of
its .fight, till death tdtfeog^ges it from the
^preffive Joad iwhich weighs <it down. It
4s like a tender bird which pants and cries
^in its neft, till it can fpring up into the ai^
-and take its natural flight.

The progrefs of Religion is admirably
in the eyes of a true Ehiiofopher. It is at
ifirft feen like a twilight iifluing from the
tjofom df Chaos 4 (then like Aurora it an-
nounces the day; which at laft appears,
but furrounded with clouds, and 'cannot
-niafnifefl: itfetf in meridian brightnefs, -until
the Heavens ftiall be opened.

Haththen the unprincipled unbeliever any
thing in particular which tells him, that
what we believe >is chimerical? At what
time, and in what place has this fecrct light
come to lkine upomhim;? Js it in that mo-
ment when his ipaflions ingulph and govern
him? 'Or is it in the midSt ofjpublic fhew*
and pleafuras, where he commonly paffes
Jiislife?

Vol. JUL H Is

446 LETTERS OF GANGANELL1,

It is aftonifhing, my Lord, how men
give up all the authority of tradition, and
dude all the ftrength of the greateft tefti-
monies, to refer blindly to two or three peo-
ple who give them leffons of infidelity. They
will not allow of infpiration, yet they look
on thofe people as oracles; from whence it
may be eafily concluded, that nothing but
their paflions can attach them to infidelity.
They abhor a Religion which reftrains
*.. them when they would follow the torrent
* of their vices, and fwim in the midft of
the waves of a world agitated with foaming
^billows.

Christianity is a fuperb pidlure traced out
by the hand of God, and which he pre-
fented to man while it was yet but fketch-
ed, till the moment Jefiis Chrift came to
fijiifh it, waiting the time when he fhould
;give it the luftre and colouring it is to bear
throughout eternity.

Then Religion will be the only objedt to
engage our attention, becaufe it will be then
in the eflence of God himfelf, making, as
St. Auguftine expieflfeth it, a whole with
hinty

This progrefe is conformable to that
of the time which conftitutes this life, and
which does not exift but by fucceffion. God
? has thus varied the forms of Religion, be-
caufe we are in a variable world ; but he
will fix it unalterably in Heaven, becaufe
there no change will be known. Thefe are

the

*s£

CLEMENT XIV. 147

the combinations and proportions which
difplay the wifdom of the Supreme Being.
Religion being for man, it was his pleafure
that it (hould follow the progrefe made by
man, according to the different modes of
his exiftence.

They who are intent upon this world,
fee nothing of all this; but you would
judge of thefe things as I do, if you were
^(engaged from all the pleafures and all
the n che s which make you a materialift,
\n fpi tc ofj^ our felf . Chriftianity is (pint
and life";' ana tfiey ftray widely from it,
who are occupied only about what is cor- /+*"
poreal. Souls become enlightened at death, /
only becaufe they are no longer weighed \"
down by bodies which befiege and darken
them. True philofophy, in difengaging
man from whatever is carnal, does what
death will finally efFedt; but it is not the
modern philofophy, which acknowledges
no exiftence but that of matter, and looks
upon metaphyfics as a fcience purely chi-
merical, although much more certain than
phyfics, which has only its exiftence in the
fenfes.

I do not enter into the proofs of Religion,
becaufe they have been fo often and fo well
explained already in immortal works, that
I could only repeat them. Jefus Chrift is
the beginning and the end of all things,
the key of all myfteries of grace and na-
ture i fo that it is by no means furprifing
H % than

148 LETTERS OFGANGANELLI,
that we fhould ftray after a thou&adob*
furd fy items, when we do not deer by that
fublime Compafs. I cannot give you a ret-
fon for any thing in phyfics or in morale
as Cardinal Bern bo wrote to a Philofopber
of his time, if you do not admit of Jefufe
Chrift. Even the creation of this wand is
inexplicable, incomprelienfible, and impof-
fible, if it was not effeSed by the Incarnate
Word ; for God can have no other intenti-
on in what he does, but what is infinite.
This is the reafon why St. John called our
Saviour Alpha and Omega ; and that the A-
poftle told us that the ages were made by
V him : Per quern fecit etfiecula.

Study, then, as much as a creature k
capable, this Man-God, and you will find
-all the treafures of fcience and wifdom in
liim; you will obferve that he is the
firft link of that chain which bindeth all
things vifible and invifible ; and you will
acknowledge him to be that divine breath
which inipires juftice and holinefs .into all
hearts.

The unbeliever .can never give a fatis-
fei&ory -anfwer, when you afk him, Who is
this Jefus Chrift, this Man at the fame
time fo fimple and fo divine? fo fublime
and fo humble ? fo pure in the whole
courfe of his life ? fo great in the mo-
ment of his paifion ? fo magnanimous at
.'his death? But to anfwer this queition

CLEMENT XIV. 149

without evafioiv. If he is only a man, he
is an Impoftor ; for he hath faid he was
God ; and from that time, what becomes
of hisfUhtime virtues ? what becomes of his
Gofpet, in which he forbids- the ufe of the
teaft equivocation? and. how. account for
his difcipies victories in att parts of the world ?
And if he is a God, what ought we to think
of his religion, and thofe who dare to cons-
tat it?

Ah ! my Lord^ behold what is better to -
know, and better to examine, than all the
profane fciences which you ftudy. Sciences
will be at a$ end : . Lingua teffabunt, fcientia,
iefbuetur*; and there will be nothing but.
the knowledge of Jefus Chrift, which will
ride triumphant upon the abyfs, when time
and' the elements (hall be fwallowed up.

Cbnfider but yourfelf, and that view will:
necefTarily lead. you to truth.- Thefmalleft
motion of your finger declares the adtion of
God upon your body ; this adtion announ-
ces a Providence ; this Providence informs
you that you are deaf to your Creator; and
this information leads you from truth to
truth, till you come to thofe which are re-
vealed.

If you are neither the creator of yourfelf,
nor your own ultimate end, you ought ne-
ceflarily to fearch for Him in whom thefe
two qualities fubfift. And what can that
be, if it is not God?

H 3 Religion

♦ Languages (hall ceafc, and Scicacc be deftroyed.

, S o LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

Religion will be always fare to gain her
caufe in the eyes of all thofe who have
principles. It is fufficient to remount. to
its fource, to analyfe and inveftigate the
ends of its inftitution, to come at the truth:
but the wicked dishonour and disfigure it»
and fubftitute a fkeleton in its place. I am
not furprifed, then, that they who are not
inftru&ed, and who put their truft in the
falfe philofophy of the age, fhould look upon
it as a bug-bear.

My Lord, I expedt from the re&itude
of your foul, and the extenfive powers of
your mind, a more folid judgment than
what you have hitherto held with regard
to Chriftianity. Shake off all thefe fy Items,
and all the opinions with which you have
been unfortunately biaffed; enter like a
new man into the way which tradition will
open to you, and you will judge very dif-
ferently i appeal from your prejudices to
yourfelf ; for as yet it has not been your-
ielf ; that has pronounced any opinion upon
this fubjeft. As for my part, I fay what
my heart and foul didtate to me, when I
afliire you of all the afFeftion with which I
fhall remaia, during life,

Your fervant. &c.

The Card. Ganganelm*

Rome, 29th November, 1768.

LETTER

CLEMENT XIV. i*i

LETT ER CXX^

TO COUNT •••:•

THE reflexions which you 1 have made
upon the prefent. ftite of the dif-
ferent courts of Europe are very judicious,,
It is plain that you know them perfedly v
and though you are not of their cabinets*
you arc very- well, acquainted with what is
palling thete-

It is well to be on a level with the age,v
to know it perfectly, and. to obferve tha
fprings which move the great perfonages-
who figure on the flrage of life.

The perfon you fpeak of is a man of
wool, without confidence or fteadinefs, and
upon whom,, confequendy, there can be no-
dependence. There is another perfon you*
know,, zealous as he ought to be for the
Auguft Houfe of Bourbon ; but though he:
leaves his Palace with a firm refolution to
Ipeak ftrongly to the Holy Father about u
die affair of Parma, he is fcarcely got in- /''
to his prefence, when awe renders hinr
fpeechlefs. As to the little Prelate wha
ihould aft and conflitute himfelf Mediator,
he is an indecifive perfon, who is always
putting off every thing till the morrow, and
who has no other anfwer but Vederomo,W&
(hall fee.

H 4 We

15* LETTERS OF GANGAKELLI,

We might eafily (peak about ft to the
General or ***;. but it is not fefe to confider
in him at prefent; efpecially when even,
the fecret enjoined by the Holy Office is,
not kept. A« to his Afftftant* he is merely
a well-meaning man..

Many of the great men here arc witfit
seaibn attached to' France and Spain; but
they dare not explain therafefarcs, they arc
fi>teazedandbefet by numbers, who maker
Heaven fpeak as they pleafe.

A devotion faintly enlightened, which
is unhappily but too common, is conftantly
whifpermg, that alt Should be facrificed to*
defend the interefts of God * as if God
required that his Firft Minifter upon Earth
Ihould embrcrit. himfelf with att the Catho-
lic Powers, to fupportftajH? feignoriiar rights;,
and, at all adventures, to preferve a Corpse
which can be of no further utility, when
the tide of prejudice runs againft it

Let us:fappofe, for a moment, that there
& nothing agatnfl: them, but prejudice j, »«■*
verthclefc,. it is certain, that they can be no
longer ufefiiK when oppofed by powerful'
Princes; but it \e iropoffible to make people
hear reafon upon this fuhjett, who have:
adopted a certain manner of thinking.

AH this forms a labyrinth, from whence

we can fee no exit; and the beft way we

can take, is to be ftlent, and wait &od's

good time*"* When he pleafes, he can en-

u 4, ~\ lighten

CLEMENT XIV. 1*3

ighten their minds, and make them know
sis intentions.

The evil is, that the longer they are kept
En fufpence, the more they are inflamed,
I am perfuaded, Monf the Count, notwith-
ftanding all the talents which I know you
poffeflfed of, that you do not fee an eafy
means of extricating us out ofthisconfti-i
fion. We have to do with people who
loudly exclaim* againft all proportions of
accommodation \, and it is impoffible to fay
any thing: to^ them, becaufe they, faney
themfelvf^ to be infpired.

Nev^rthqkft,. I cannot help being great?
fy offended, at fome difcourfe that certain
Rerfon* hpWagainft Clement XIII. efpeci-
tflyasit js- not permitted to fpeak againft
the High Erieft, and that we read in the
EptfUe of $t. Jude, that St, Michael durft ^
not utter Q\irfes even againft: the Devil ; but
that hft w$a content te> fay, The Lord re^-
buke thee : frltm tjl aufus judicium inferre
Mqfpkem&t J*d dixit: Jmperet tibi Domjnus.

From.heac$ i conclude, that the genev
r^Iity of meji, be their manner of thinking
v4u*t it willi tend Religion to their pre-
judice** Some are great friends to the
lUligi&tts Society which is the fubjett of the
prefent disputes* while others are equal-
ly it* snCT&iss*. and the confequence i*
that things aw not feen as they ought to
he, and that truth Qan no longer bo heard
awidll tire slanwura gf paffion* For my
H 5 ^att v

ij4 LETTERS OF GANGANELLT,
part, who always keep in the middle be-
tween the two extremes of parties, and
deteft cabals and prejudices, I think that
the Pope can do nothing better, than un-
der the guidance of God to examine all the
papers both for and againft them, as like-
wife all the inconveniencies which refiilt
either on the one fide or the other, and
then he can and ought to pronounce •, for
he is Judge ; and I never pretended that he
was the Ample Minifter of the will of Prin-
ces. None but he who eftabliihed a Reli-
gious Order can deftroy it; but he has
fuch a right, as it would be madnefs to dis-
pute with him.

What comforts me amidft all thefe evils*
is, that though the bark of St. Peter muft
always be agitated, the Lord likewife will
fupport it, even in the midft of the great-
eft tempefts. You are furely more per-
fuaded of thefe things than any man ; you,
Sir, who have always made eternal truths
the object of your meditations, and have
fcen whatever has any relation to Religion
with the eyes of the Faith Thefe eyes*
far different from thofe of Philofophy, raife
us above this world, and give us to range
in the divine immenfity. There can be
nothing therefore fo abfurdasto fey, with
the modern Philofophers, that the views of
Chriftians are extremely limited. Can a
foul be contracted in its ideas, when it ex-
tends its thoughts even to eternity, and

C L E M E N T XIV 155

riling above the Univerfe, approaches to
God himfelf, a pure and immaterial Spirit!

In drawing a parallel between. Religion
and Philofophy, it will be immediately per-
ceived, that the former gives a boundlefe
extent to all the faculties of the Soul ; and
diat the latter contracts them within a very
narrow circle.. This world is the ne plus ultra
of the Philofophers of the prefent times;
but with, the Chriftian, 'tis only an atom.
The one makes, it his happinefs and His
end; the. other: looks upon it merely as a
(hadow which pafleth away, and regardeth
it only with a glance of his eye. This adores
it, becaufe it. is his all and his God ; that
looks upon it as a vapour, which will very,
foon be difpelled.

Do not reckon upon the Prelate * * *; he
is too bufy.

If any change happens here, I (hall be
ready to acquaint you with it. But there
muft be a terrible concuffion for That to
take place. I have the honour to be, Monf.
the Count, &c. •«•. -

My Compliments to M. the Abbe. .

LETTER.

ij6 LETTERS OF GANGAMELL^.

LETTER CXXE

TO A PRELATE.

YOU have very fenfibly obliged me by
the fervices you have done the Re —
vcrend Father Atme de Lambale. He is^
a Gtpuchin whom I Angularly l©ve for
His good qualities. He has the virtues of
his profelfion ; that is to fey, he is humble*
gentle, zealous, and gives great application-
to prqferve the rules of his Order in theirr
fall force.

I expeft your return with impatience^,
efpecially as the fubjeft of our converfatioa
will be feme people's readinefs to talk, and*
backwardness to execute.

Every day brings us fome very extraordi-
nary news, which the next day contradicts,
it. " When the fpirits are in a ferment, and
affairs of confequence are in agitation, every
one fets up for a politician and news-mon-
ger; more efpecially in Rome, where we^
have fo many idle fpeculators.

Some have fears, others have hopes, this,
life being only a fucceffion of difquiets and,
defires. It was given out yefterday, that
the King of Naples had marched fome of his,
troops into our, neighbourhood.

St-.

CtEMENT xnr. ij^

St. Ignatius, who was inflamed with zeafc
fcr the glory of God, did not forefee the
ftrife which his children would one day ck>
cation. It is laid, neverthetefs* that he beg-
ged of God they might always be fufferers-
[f that be the cafe* he has certainly been
leard; for it muft be allowed, that fcqc
feme time they have undergone a number o£
calamities. I have been really exceedingly
ifFefted by their misfortunes ; — they are my
brethren, by the double title of Men and
Monks i and if thefe things are done in tht
freen tree, what will b$ done in the dry?
Quidinaridojkt?

You will no longer find your Director
bere.. We have buried him. This fame
Death, who generally come? without being;
called,, gives us no refpite. He goes his,
rounds day andnigfit, and yet we live in.
as much feeurity as if we thought he would
never come near us.

I flatter rayfelf that you will bring me the
Bttle pfture which I requefted of you. De-
pend upon my eftcem and friendfhip: it ia
all that I can give you, but I give it amply^
feeing, &x.

&om*# %$i April, 176*.

LETTER

i 5 * LETTERS OP GANGANELLfc.

LETTER CXXII.

TO THE MARQUIS OF CARACCIOLF.

Sir,

I Return you a thoufand thanks for the
book you was fo obliging as to fend "me,
and which has for its Title Les Dernier^
y^ Adieux de la Marecbale hfes Enfansz It is,
fentimental, and makes fueh lively impref-
llons upon the heart, that I was very deep-
ly affected with it. You fhould give it to.
us in Italian ; and the rather, as I look up-
on it to be a complete treatife on education.
I am forry that you was not provided in,
time with all the interefting anecdotes of
Benedict XIV. You were too late in fetting,
about it. When there is an intention of
publifhing the hiftory of a Sovereign Pon-
tiff, memoirs fhould be collefted while he
lives; every one is then anxious to give
them-, whereas after his death he is imme-
diately forgotten, and frequently even by,
thofe who owe their fortune to him.

I advife you, Sir, to continue your, lite?
rary purfuits, which are fo beneficial to the
Public, provided you do not injure your
health by it; and to believe that I am,
more than I can exprefs.

Your affectionate Servant.
The Card. Ganganelli.
Rout, 13th September, 1768.

YErSXSL

CLE ME NT XIV. , S9

LETTER CXXIII.

TO THE AMBASSADOR OF *• •.

IF the affairs of Parma, like that of the
Jefuits, had any connexion with the
Faith, there could be no temporifmg, ac-
commodation, nor capitulation; becaufe
the anfwer from the Popes to him who
would change his Faith is, Ton muji rathe*
die.

One thing only is certain, I am afraid
that the Kings will at laft do juft what they
pleafe, and that we lhall be forced to yield
at a moment when all fubmiflion giay be
rejected.

Rome is no longer m thofe times, when
men of all ranks brought her their vows
and offerings; yet, were (he dill in the
fame fituation, could (he confcientioufly
infringe upon the rights of Kings? A Pope
ought undoubtedly to preferve all his im-
munities; yet notfo tenacioufly as to ha* *"
zard fo dangerous a fchifm — Nothing is fa
much to be guarded againft as dividing the
body of Chrift's Church, — Rome is the
center of unity, and ought not, therefore*
for articles which neither affedt Morals nor
the tenets of Religion, to provoke thofe
who live in her bofom to feparate from her.

ifo LETTERS OP GANGANELLI,

If, when the Kings began to complains
of the Jefuits> the Ge^ralhimfelf bad writ-
ten to thofe Monarehs to (often their anger,,
and to defire that the offenders might be
feverely punilhed > if the Holy Father him-
felf had followed this plan, th.e Kings might,
have been appeafed; and I truly think it
would have fueceeded, provided a refor-
mation had been offered. But they were
©bftinate, and ftill perfift with the fame
pertinacity to fupport the Society: and
this is what fldrs up fo many people againft
them.

P. Pontalti, General of the Carmalites^
was an excellent Politician* when he wrote
to the King ©f Portugal to beg that he
would prevent his Monks from trading to*
Brazil. He advifed R. P. Ricci to take-
the fame ftep, but he would not Kften ton
his counfel.

Where is the Sovereign who may not*
in his own kingdom, either protedt or ex*-
pel fuch as offend him? Idarsfey, that,
the atting Minifter did not take this affair,
rightly, and did not forefee all its confe-
quences: there an fine eyes that fee nothing- -

The example Qt Avignon, Benevento v
and Porte Corva,,(hcws us, that if there is,
not an immediate accommodation, feme
other pl^ees will be feised ; and thus infen-
fibly we fhall lofe territories to which longi
gpffeffien had given us an indubitable right.

Benedict.

' CLEMENT XTV. *6i

Bfenexfia XIV.. although timid, would
have fittisfied the Kings m this crtfis ; and
m is unfortunate that things arc feen m a
^tffcrca* light by Clement XIIL whofe
jaiety we rtfyt&j as well as that of the
Cardinal his nephew. I featured to fpeak
*te hka on that fabfefl* and he was (truck
"with what I faid ^ hot immediately, fome
people who were interefted in keeping up
the .opinions which they had fuggefted to
him, came in the way, and gave him fome
Specious reafans for perfiiling in his fehti-
mental They faid, that a religious Of dec
which had done the greatest kirices in both
worlds, and had made an cxprefe vow of
obedience to the Holy See, ought abfolute-
to to be preferved; and that it was only
from a hatred to Religion that there was an
attempt to deftray it i but they did not tell
him, that, as the common Father of all the
Faithful, he ougjit not to provoke the Prin-
ces who were the moft religious* and the
aioft obedient to the Holy See ; nor did
they tefl him what might be the refult of a
fchifm between the Holy See and Portugal^
and that the Head of" the Church ftioukl
tremble, when a feparatton is threatened
which may have the moft fatal conferences..

There is nothing in lofing fome ltttte
portion of territory, in comparifon with
the fouls which may be loft by a fchifm.
What a lefTon would England afford to
Clement VII. if he was alive at this day !

k

16a LETTERS OF GANGANELLIf
It makes one (hudder with horror. Cer-
tainly the Sovereigns who reign at prefent
will never think of a reparation ; but ean
we anfwer for thofe who are to fucceed
them? It is not always what prefents it-
felf under the idea of piety, that is the mod:
expedient meafure. — A Pope is eftabliflied
the Head of the Church, that he may root
out as well as plant. The good books
which the Jefuits have left us, will live af-
ter them. The religious orders have not
been gifted with infallibility nor indefcftibi-
lity: if they were all to be abolifhed this
day, undoubtedly the lofe would be great;
but the Church of Jefus Chrift would nei-
ther be lefs holy, lefs Apoftolical, nor lefs.
refpe&able. The religious Societies are
upon the footing of auxiliary troops; and
it is the great Pallor who is to form a judg-
ment when they are ufeful, and when they
are no longer fo.

The Humiliars, and even the Templars*
did good for a time, becaufe there has
been no Order but what has edified, efpc-
cially at the beginning of its inftitution ; yet
they have been fuppreflcd when the Kings,
and Popes found it neceflary.

Certainly I muft regret the good which
the Jefuits might have done ; but I fhould
regret much more the kingdoms that might
have feparated from us on their account.
— Thefe Fathers themfelves fhould feel the
juftnefs of my reafonings ; and. I . have the

prefump-

CLE M E NT XIV. 163

preemption to believe, that I could make
them acknowledge it, if I had a conference
with them, and they would (hake off the
prejudices which are attached to all condi-
tions of life. If my friend P. Timone had
been their General, they might probably
have ftill fubfifted. %

This is my way of thinking, though of
a religious Order myfelf ; and I would con-
fent to the diflblution of my own Society,
if I found it obnoxious to the refentment
of the Catholic Princes.

There are, happily, certain devotions
which have never dazzled me. I weigh the
events according to Religion and equity ;
and as thefe are two certain lights, I (hall
ever be determined as they dirett me.

If there were no other intereft in the
Church but that of Jefus Chrift, all the
Faithful would wait in peace for the events
marked out by Providence, without engag-
ing warmly either for Cephas pr A polios.
But we are only guided by fenfible affecti-
ons ; and becaule we have once known a
Monk who has edified by his condudt, and
who has taught nothing but what was ex-
cellent, muft we therefore conclude that
we neither can, nor ought to fupprefs the
Order of which he was a member? — Is
this to reafon, or is this to judge?

When we have neither feen the informa-
tions nor the arguments upon which we
(hould frame a judgment^ it is abfurd to

attempt

1(4 LETTERS OF GtfNGJAKELLK
attempt ta pafk fentence. Here is a great
conteft between Kings and a refigrous Or»-
dor eminent for its talents and credit:—
wheat we do not know the motives from
which tbey aft, we neither can nor ought
to pronounce an opinion. I fay once more,
that I do not aflert that the Jefuits ought ta
^ be fupprefled, but I think that the com-
plaints of the Kings fhovild be attended to;
and if there are ftroag reafons for it, that
then the Older fhould be aboliflied.

We do not as yet know piecifely the
rcafons for the deftruftion, of the Templars,
and yet there are people who would know
already the motives which have caufed the
fuppreflion of the Jefuits. I wi(h with all
my heart that they may be able to juftify
thcmfelves, and that there may be nei-
ther division nor diflblution ; for I have a
foul truly pacific, and incapable of hating
any one, and more particularly a religious.
Order.

I have the honour to be, &e«
Rows* ag Oftobcr, 17681

«Q?OPPilOOCCOOC0008000000CCtt»C^

LETTER CXXW.

T O T H E MAR Q.U t S O F • • *.

EHOLD us in the greateft crifis we
ever were in! AH Europe thunder-
ing

B

CLEMENT XIV. <*;

jog Againft us, and Un fo rt u nately wc have
nothing to oppofe to this raging tempeft.
The Pops trufts in Providence* but God
Almighty does nctt work miracles every
me he is -called upon* nor can we experfi
that he will interpofe his power, merely
that Rome may (maintain a right of fcignoiy
wer the Dutchyttf Parma.

Rome has no adminiftration but what is
purely 4pi*ittud in the Roman Catholic
kingdoms, and it is only in the Ecclefrafti-
x»l State that (be has any temporal autho-
rity; and even That is owing to the con-
ceffion vof thofe Sovereigns whom we are
Solicited to oppofe.

The Court of Rome cannot forget that
ike owes almofl: all her riches and fplendor
to f ranee; and if fhe does remember it,
how can (he avoid compliance with the
defire of Louis XV. especially as he only
aflcs thofe things which he has a right to
exa<»?

I compare the four kingdoms that prin-
cipally fupport the Holy See, to the Car-
dinal virtues ; France to Strength, Spain to
Temperance, &c.

The Holy See thus defended, fhews
herfetf formidable to her enemies, and
then may we fay ; Cadent & latere tuo nulie,
•&? decern millm h dextris tuis ; ad tc autom
fton appropinquabit *,

I own

* A thoufand (hall fall at your right, and ten thou-
fand at /our left j and ao evil (hall approach jrou.

166 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

I own to you, my dear Sir, that I grieve
at the fight of the dangers which feem to
threaten us, and I moft heartily fay, —
* May this bitter cup be put far from us!"
Not becaufe they take our cloak, and can
take our coat alfo ; but becaufe I dread a
rupture, and the multitude of evils which
may follow, although Religion can never
perifti!

If the Holy Father, whofe heart is pu-
rity itfelf, would only reprefent to himfelf
the benevolent afts of the French Monarchs
to the Holy See, he would not hefitate to
comply with the defires of Louis XV. touch-
ing the duchy of Parma; but you know
that every thing has two faces, and that the
afpe£t under which fome people prefent this
affair to our Holy Father, is abfolutely con-
trary to the views of the Sovereigns.

He will find the neceffity of retreating;
at leaft, if the prefent Pope does not, his
fucceflbr muft ; which will be the more un-
lucky, as Clement XIII. is a Pontiff wor-
thy of the firftages -of the Church for his
piety, and deferves to be blefled by all the
kingdoms who acknowledge his authority.

The Sacred College might remonftrate
to him ; but befide its being divided in fen-
timents about the affairs of Parma and the
Jefuits, the Pope will do nothing which is
not advifed by his Council.

I am

CLEMENT XIV. 167

I ant not at all furprifed that Cardinal
*** lhould fo warmly intereft himfelf for
the Society and its General ; there are rea-
fons quite natural for his attachment; but I
am furprifed at his being confulted in pre-
ference, confidering that all the world
knows his fentiments already upon the fub-
jeft. In critical circumftances, the opini-
ons of thofe who are totally difinterefted
ought only to be taken ; otherwife we be-
come without intending, or even fufpedting
it, partizans.

It is right to love only Truth, and to
know her mch as (he is ; fo many illufions
afliime her appearance, that we are often
deceived. When we would fee her without
a cloud, upon occafions which prefent them-
felves, we ftiould diveft ourfelves of all we
already know, and feek information as if
we were totally ignorant of the matter ;
taking the advice of thofe who fee and judge
without prepofTeffion.

Beiides this, we ought to have a recti-
tude of intention, by which we fhould de-
ferve to obtain fupernatural lights ; for the
Lord trieth our hearts and reins ; and if
we are not animated with a love of juftice
in our refearches, he abandons us to our
own blindnefs.

I am, in all the fulnefs of my heart, &c.

Rome, 7th January, 1769.

LETTER

?6fl LETTERS OF GANG AN£LLI,

LETTER CXXV.

TO A MONK OP HB OWN ORDER.

PROVIDENCE, in raffing mc lotfa
CardiaaHhip, ha* *iot made ttie ibr-
get from whence I rafe; itisaviewwlHcfc
is always prefent to me, and I fori it *x-
ccilent to defend my mind from vanity.
The dignity which I poflefs, and to vdaich J
was not born, has more thorns than rofes,
and in thatrefembtes aH eminent Nations.

I am ctften obliged to be «of a contrary
opinion to the perfon in the world whom i
refpett the moft, and who ftk^wife defcrvea
all my gratitude, it is the jnoft cruel ccm-
bat that my heart con foftain.

Charity, infeparaUe from truth, has not
always the moft pleating things to&y ; but
many people are deceived upon tins tfiib-
je£t, imagining that it ought to be always
gentle, and always coipplyiiig: — in that
cafe it would referable flattery. -There arc
circumftances where charity flames, light-
ens ^nd thunders. The Fathers of the
Church who wepe filled with thisfpirit, when
they ipoke with the moft anxious zeal, ipoke
with a voice of charity.

When you write to the Biftiop of * * *,
make my moft fmcere compliments to him,
and tell him, that every means has been em-
ployed

CLEMENT XIV. 169

ployed to bring about an accommodation ;
but to no purpofe. God will fooner or later
make manifeft his will, for we ought never
to lofe fight of him.

You reftoreme to life, by telling me that
our common friend is likely to recover.
His underftanding is of great ufe to thofe
who confult him. He has an excellent ta-
lent for guiding, without having the little-
nefe of the major part of Directors ; for it
muft be owned, that many men who di-
reft, have need themfelves of being diredt-
*d, as they are almoft always ruined by
women, who pay them a reverence due on-
ly to their God. — They look up to their
lpiritual Guide, as if he was the Archangel
Gabriel at leaft. It is undoubtedly right
that they (hould have an efteem for thofe
they confult, and whom they hear as the
oracles of the Law , but that efteem fhould
aot be carried to excefs.

They who have a continual enthufiafm
for their Directors, may be p^rfuaded that
fome motives of a mere human nature have
mixed themfelves up with inch an attach-
ment.

What a furprife will it be for a number
of Devotees, who, believing themfelves
fincerely devoted to God, are only the
worlhipers of their Diredlors, and who will
hear that dreadful fentence pronounced at
the moment of their death, from the Su-
preme mouth," As I have not been the ob-
I "jecfc

I7 o LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

<4 je£t of your love, depart, I know you not :"
Difcedite^ nefcio vos

This is what I have Jorig-lhuddered at,
on the article of Directors. 1 could have
wiftied that he who was formerly mine at
Rome, and who died in the odour of fanc-
tity, had made his manner of directing pub-
lic. He was a heavenly man, who raifed
us above humanity, and wifhed ta make
us abfolutely forget himfelf, and «very
thing elfe, .hut what attached us to God
alone.

We want a good book upon the fubjedt
of Direction in Italy. We have a multi-
tude, but they are only filled with common-
place. To compofe a good one, there
wants, in the firft place, the fpirit of God ;
fecondly, an extenfive knowledge of the
human heart ; for it is incredible with what
.addrefs, vanity, and.a thoufand affe&ions of
the fenfes, infinuate themfelves at a time
when we are perfuaded that our fentiments
are fublime and worthy the. attention of the
Eternal. This is the reafon of the great
difficulty in judgingof ourfelves.

I wifh you every thing that you can de-
fire, becaufe I know that you defire nothing
but what is raoft excellent ; and I am your
dearefl: and moft affe&ionate fervant,
~~ ; TheCARD. Ganganelli.

-.Qqxvzxt of the Holy Apostles,

LETTER

CLEMUNT XIV. 471

LETTER CXXVI.

TO COUNT DE»»*

WE are at laft fummoned to a Con~
fiftory, which is to determine great
things. We are to deliberate upon thofe
unfortunate bufineffes which have embroil-
ed us for a considerable time with the Ca-
tholic Powers. It is probable, that the Ho-
ly Father, finding at laft that he is not in
a fituation to refift, will acquiefce in the
xequifitions of the Houfe of Bourbon. He
wiU'at leaft lay the reafons of his diffent
before ustbr our confi deration, and every
one will give his opinion.

I wifh to God they had followed that plan
from the beginning ! But we do not often
fee the confequences of a troublefome affair
till we are engaged in it.

Iadvife you to confer with ; Rome

though renowned for politics, is not al-
ways you undei ftand me.

The Minifters continue to make the moft
bitter complaints ; and the interefted par-
ties, that nothing may be concluded, form

circumvallations, blockades, and your

own fenfe will tell you the reft.

There is every reafon for prefuming that
France, Spain, and Portugal will, &c.

I z I will

17* LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

I will tell you nothing, if filence is im-
pofed upon me, and certainly you will ap-
prove my condudt. I will not expofe my-
felf to the fame reproaches with the little
man in quettion, for having betrayed
fecrets.

Befide the probity of a Cardinal, I have
that natural redtitude which makes the ef-
fence of an honeft man, and which is a
double engagement to be difcreet: but
all of us ftiall not be fufficiently fo, for I
fufpedt the affair will be inftantly divulged;
and I (hall not be furprifed if the writers
of the Dutch Gazettes fhould be informed
of all.

I can know nothing before-hand, be-
xaufe nothing is declared. The life which
I lead here is of as dark a complexion as
my habit, and confequently I am not to
be found in thofe brilliant circles where

Peat news is the fubjedt of converfation.
only learn things by the means of our

dear Abbe . But does he know every

thing, and always fpeak truth? It is not
becaufe he means to deceive, but his ima-
gination, his vivacity, &c.

I have again feen the Flying poft .

He has fent me the letters I expedted, and
they contain nothing but wife reflections
upon what I wanted to know. Adieu with-
out ceremony, as you defired.

Rome, 31 January, 1769^

LETTER

CLEMENT XIV. 173

LETTER CXXVII..
T O T H E S A M E,

HERE is quite another affair on our
hands than the Confiftory I men-
tioned to you laft poft . The Holy Father,
on going to-bed laft night, was (cized with
a violent convulfion, uttered a great cry,
and expired. We were to have met as
this day, and to have drawn from the
alembic that which keeps all the Catholic
Courts in fufpence, and has occafioned our
being upon bad terms with them Every
one will reafon differently upon this death,
which has happened fo extraordinarly in
the prefent circumftances

I fincerely regret the late Pope, on ac-
count of his excellent qualities, and the gra-
titude which I owe him.. Religion ought to
make his encomium, and bewail the lofs.
He made himfelf truly refpeftable to all
who approached him, by his molt pkafing
manners, which were pure as his intenti-
ons, and by a moit incorruptible zeal: but
I (hall always fay, thsft it was a pity he did
not view things in their proper light.

He has left fome Nephews deferving of
the higheft commendation by their excel-
lent qualities, efpecially the Cardinal, who
is one of the beft men in the world.

I 3 The

i 7 4 LETTERS OF G ANGANELLI,

The great difficulty now is, to know
who will be chofen. I pity him before-
hand, and I do not think it is right for me-
to fay to you,, that it wHl be Such or Such-
a-one - r for it is often the perfon who ha&
been leaft thought of. One thing is cer*
tain, that I will not give my voice to any,,
but one in whom knowledge is joined with
piety. A Pope, as Vicar of Jefus Chrift,
ought to have true devotion ; and as a tem-
poral Prince, a great deal of knowledge
and fagacity. Happily* the Sacred College
has many among its Members whom we
may chufe with propriety. Pray that the
Lord may infpire us, and give us a Chief
according to his own heart, and the hearts
of the Kings..

I have lately feen M. Marefofchi: he i&
a Prelate that deferves to be efteemed for
his knowledge and candour.

The Conclave will be now more tolera-
ble than in fummer. It will make no great
change in my way of life. It is only quit-
ting one cell to go into another : and if
they have intrigues, I proteft ta you I
(hall know nothing of them, being the man
in the world who meddles the leaft ii\
party-matters.

You know my heart, and I need not fay
to you that I am, &c.

Rome, 3d Febtuary* 1 769.

LETTER

CLEMENT XIV. 175

LETTER CXXVIII.

TO A MONK, ONE pF HIS FRIENDS

1AM going to the Conclave. Pray to
God that he may blefs our intentions,
and reftore a- calm to us, after fo long a
ftorm.

I have been preiTed to take a French
Conclavift*. Befides that I very much
We his nation, he has fome excellent
qualities j however, I will depend upon
myfelf r that I may have nothing to fear
from his. indifcretion,, if I fhould accept
him, and he fhould be inclined to blab :
Secretum meum mibi -, My fecret is my own.
Tell our Prelate that I could not anfwer
his letter,, but that I expedl himfelf at the
Convent of the Holy Apoftles, the day
the Conclave breaks up. Minds are divi-
ded, but God can do what feemeth to him.
good, and it is his work that we are to be
employed in.

Endeavour to procure for me the book
I fpoke of, againft the moment I recover
my liberty. Adieu I
I am always your Friend and Servant,
Six in the Morning

I 4 LETTER

* A Cardinal's Secretary while in conclave.

i 7 6 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,

LETTER CXXIX-
TO MOl^SIGNO R»**.

FOUR months are paft, in which tirn*
I have not exifted either to myffel^
or my friends, but to all the different
Churches, of which, by the Divine Per-^"
million, I am become the Head ; and to-
all the Catholic Courts, feveral of whom,
as you know, have very important affairs
to regulate with the Court of Rome.

It was impoflible to become Pope ia
more litigious times, and Providence has
permitted the oppreflive load to fall upon
me. I hope that the Divine Grace will
fupport me, and give me the ftrength and
prudence which are indifpenfably neceffary
to govern according to the rules of juftice
and equity.

I endeavour to take the moll exatt cog-
nizance of the affairs which my Predeceflor
left me, and which cannot be finiihed bat
after a long examination.

You will do me a very great favour, if
you will bring me what you have wrote
upon the things which relate to this fub-
jeft, and to truft them to myfelf alone.

You will find me, as you have always

known me, as much a Stranger to the

grandeur with which I am furrounded, as if

> I knew

CLEMENT XIV. 177

1 knew not even the name ; and you may
*peak to me with the fame franknefs you
ufed to do formerly, becaufe the Popedom
has given me a new love for truth, and n
new convidtion of my own nothingnefs*
Rome, 24th September.

LETTER CXXX.
TO A PORTUGUESE LORD;

YO U need not doubt of my having all"
poffible defire to unite, more clofe-
ly than ever, thofe ties which have been
attempted to be broken bstween the Courts
of Rome and Portugal. I know how inti-
mate a connexion has always fubfifted be-
tween thofe two Powers, from the earlieft
times, and (hall be happy to place things
on their old footing ; but as Common Fa-
ther of the Faithful, and as Chief of all the
religious Orders, I (hall do nothing until I
have examined, weighed, and judged, ac-
cording to the laws of juftice and truth.

May God forbid that any human con-

fideration fhould influence my decifion ! -

I have already a fufficiently fevere account

to render to God, without charging my

I 5 confcience

178 LETTERS OF GANGANELL
confcience with the addition of a
crime ; and it would be an enormou
to profcribe a religious Order, upo:
mours and prejudices^ or even upoi
picions. I (hall not forget, that «*.*
«g- to Gefar the things that are CeJ
ought to render to God the things, tbt
Guts.

I have already ordered a perfon t(
mine the Archives of the Propoganda
to procure for me the correfpondence <
illuftrious brother and predeceflbr £
Qiiintus with Philip II. Beiides, I
required the heads of the accufation
fent me, fupported by fuch teftimon
cannot be rejected. I (hall fecretiy be
the Advocate of thofe whofe ruin is req
of me, that I may feek every means c
tifying them within myfelf, before 1
nounce..

The King of Portugal, as well s
Kings of France, Spain and Naple
too religious, to difapprove of my pro
ing.

If Religion requires facrifices, al
Church (hall hear me, and

I wifh it had. been the will of Provic
that I had not been referved for fuch
mitous times ; for in whatever way 1
I (hall make fome malcontents, I (ha
cafion murmurs, and render myfelf o
to. a number of people whofe eftecm
friendftiip I fincerely defire.

Icon

CLEMENT XIV. i 79

I compare myfelf to one of the Prophets
whom God raifed in the midft of Tempefts ;
or to a foldier, who by his rank is expofed
to combat, though his views may be only
to peace, but by the poft he holds, finds
himfelf obliged to aft, whether he likes it
or not.

All is in the hands of God ; may he di-
redt my pen, my tongue and my heart ! I
will fubmit to every thing, and I will do
every thing that ought to be done, without,
dreading the confequences, &c.

L F T TER CXXXI.

TO A MONK, ONE OF HIS FRIENDS.

IF you believe that I am happy, you are
deceived. After having been agitated
the whole day, I frequently wake in the
"middle of the night, and figh after my
Cloifter, my Cell, and my books. I may
likewife fay, that I look upon your fituation
with envy. What encourages • me is, that
God himfelf has placed me in the Chair of
St. Peter, to the great furprife of the whole
world; and if I am deftined to any impor-
tant work, he will fupport me.

GO^

i€o LETTERS OF GANG ANELLI,

God knows, I would give every drop o%
my blood to have All pacified, that th^
whole world might return to their duty;
that they who have given offence would le-
form, and that there might be neither divi-
fion nor fuppreffion.

I will not come to the Iaft extremities,
unlefs I am pre (Ted by powerful motives-,
fo that pofterity at leali may do me juftice,
in cafe the prefent age refufe it to me. It
is not That, however, about which I am
anxious, but the Eternity to which I am
fo near approaching, and which is a more
formidable profpett to Popes than to any
of the reft of the world.

I fhall fend you an anfwer to what you
require. You know that I do not forget
my friends, and that if I do not fee them
fo frequently as formerly it is becaufe bu- .
finefs and folicitude Hand centries over me ;
they are at my gate, in my chamber, and
in my heart.

Mention me to my old acquaintance : I
think fometimes of the aftonifhment they
muft have been in at hearing of my eleva-
tion.

But more particularly tell him with
whom I ftudied, that he did not prophefy
well, when he told our companions that I
fhould certainly finifh my days in France.
There is no appearance of that being ever

realifed,

CLEMENT .XIV. ,81

realifed,. or I (hould be deftined for fbme-
thing very extraordinary indeed.

I am always your affe&ionate

Clement.
At Castle-Ga-ndolbho.

XXXiXXXXXXX^XXXXXXXiXXX

LETTER CXXXII.

TOR.RAIME DE LAMBALLE,
GENERAL OF THE CAPUCHINS.

I A M fincerely obliged to you for the
Prayers which you put up to Heaven
for my prefervation. I have doubly need
of them, as an individual, and as Head of
the Church. I {hare all your pains and
troubles, being convinced that you fuffer
with a fpirit of penitence, and in a manner
agreeable to God.

If you remain long at Paris, as I am
afraid you muft on account of your indif-
pofition, you will have an opportunity of
feeing M. Doria, whom I love in the ful-
nefs of my heart, as a Prelate who will one
day be the joy and honour of the Church.
I fee you in the midft of a world where
there are great vices and great virtues j and
where, by a particular Providence, the zeal
for Religion fo eminent in his Moft ChriC-

tiaa

r 8i LETTERS OP GANGANELLI,

tian Majefty, and all the Royal Family*
and the great piety of the Prelate who holds
the See of Paris, bids fair to ftop the pro-
grefs of infidelity.

Bring with you fome French Monk, whofe
knowledge will do honour here to his na-
tion.

The Dominicans thought prudently when
they called to the Minerva your worthy
Countryman T. Fabrici, who will perpetu-
ate the glory of the Order by his learning.

If your iilnefs does not prevent you from
going to fee Madam Louife, I beg you will
tell her how much I admire the facrifice ftie
has made. AfTure all your Brotherhood
that I love them fincerely in the Lord, and
that I exhort them to live always in a man-
ner worthy of our Founder,

I (hall (peak to Cardinal de Bernis upon
what you defired me. You will have fre-
quent inquiries made about him in France,
For I know that he is as dear to the French
as he is to the Italians.

I wifh to fee you again in good healthy
for I am intkely yours, as before,

(Signed ) Clement XIV*

Rome 2d April, 177$,

B U L L,

Briefs,

DISCOURSES, &c.

O F

CLEMENT XIV.

[ i*5 J

CIRCULAR LETTER
O F

CLEMENT XIV.

TO ALL THE PATRIARCHS, PRI-
MATES, ARCHBISHOPS AND BI-
SHOPS, ON THE SUBJECT OF HIS
ADVANCEMENT.

CLEMENT XIV.

TO OUR VENERABLE BRETHREN, HEALTH
AND APOSTOLICAL BENEDICTION.

JD UT it is the work of the Lord, and it is
-*-* wonderful in our eyes. The infcrutablc
Decrees of God, and not human councils,
have loaded us with the awful duties of
the Apoftlefhip, when we were very far
from entertaining any fuch thoughts. This
conviction gives us full confidence, that He
who. hath called us to the painful cares of
the fupreme Miniftry, will condefcend to
calm our fears, aflift our weaknefs, and
hear our Prayers. Peter, who ought to be
our model, was encouraged by the Lord,
who reproached him for his want of faith
when he thought he was finking in the fea.
There is no doubt but that it is the will of

our

i86 CIRCULAR

our Divine Chief, who in the perfon of the
Prince of Apoftles hath traded to us the
keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and hath
commanded us to feed his ftieep, that we
put away all doubt of obtaining his aid.
We fubmit ourfelves then, without referve,
to Him,, who is our ftrength and our help,
refigning ourfelves up to his power and
truth* By his goodnefs he will complete
in us the work which he hath begun ; and
even our lowlinefs will ferve to make his
mercy fhine forth with more luftre in the
eyes of men: for if, in thefc wretched
times* he hath refolved to accompHlh fome-
thing for the good of his Church by the
miniftry of fo ufelefs a fervant as we, all
mankind will evidently fee that he is the
Author and Perfedter,and that to him alone
the glory ought to be afcribed. But die
more powerful the help is upon which we
depend, the more ought we to employ our
utmoft efforts to co-operate with it ;, and
the more exalted the honour to which we
have been advanced, the more ought we
to endeavour worthily to difcharge the du-
ties of it.

In proportion as we call our eyes over
all the countries of the Chriftian world,
we perceive you, our venerable Brethren,
{haring with us in our glorious work* and
this view fills us with confolation. It is
with the greateft joy we recognife in you,
our worthy afliftaats, faithful Pallors and

evangelical

L E T T E R, &c. 1&7

evangelical labourers. It is therefore that
we are anxious to addrefs ourfelves to you
at the beginning of our Apoftlefhip. It is
iqto your bofoms that we would (bed the
moft fecret fendments of our foul ^ and if
it appears that we ofeer you fome exhorta-
tions, and give you fome advice, do not
attribute it to any thing but diftruft of our-
felves, and think that they are the effedts
of that confidence which your virtues and
filial love towards us have infpired.

Firft we pray and befeech you, our ve-
nerable Brethren, to pray conftantly to God
to ftrengthen our weaknefs ; render us back
this return of the tendernefs we bear to-
wards you. Pray for our wants, as we
pray for yours ; fo that being mutually fuf-
tained, we may be more firm and more
vigilant. Let us prove by the union of our
hearts, that unity by which we all make
only one and the fame body ; for the whole
Church is but one building, of which the
Prince of Apoftles laid the foundation here.
Many ftones have been bound together for
its conftru&ion ; but all reft upon one alone,
and he is Jefus Chrift, in whom we are all
united as his members.

Being charged* as his Vicar, with the
administration of his power, we are raifed
by his will to the moft eminent fituation ;
but united with us as the Chief of the vi-
sible Church, you are the principal parts of

that

i88 CIRCULAR

that fame body. Nothing can happ
the one, but muft affedk the other. 1
wife, there is nothing that can intereft
but what muft become an objett oi
folicitude. It is therefore, that beii
perfect agreement, anfi animated wit
fame fpirit, which flowing from the fup
Head, and fcattered over all die men
gives them life ; we ought chiefly to Is
that the whole body of the Church be 1
and in tire, and neither contract fp
wrinkle, but flourifh by the practice
very Chriftian virtue. With the I
help we may fucceed in this, if even
according to his power, would inflame
felf with zeal in the care of the flock i
is entrufted to him, and apply carefu
guard them from fedu&ion, to pr
them folid inftruttions, and the p
means of fan&ification.

There never was a time when it was
neceflary to watch for the fafety of
Opinions are every day fcattered at
mod capable offhaking thecaufe of
gion ; and men ia crouds allow them
to be feduced by a thirft after novelty
is a moral poifon, which infinuates itfe
to all conditions, and which makes the
cruel ravages.

My Reverend Brethren, it is a ne\a
tive for our labouring with more a
than ever, to reprefs a madnefs which

L E T T E R, &c. 189

to attack the mod holy Laws, and even to
infult the Deity.

It is not by the help of human wifdom
that you will liicce^d in this pious enter-
prife, but by the fimplicity of the word
of God, more piercing than a two-edged
fword. You will eafily repel all the attacks
of the enemy, you will eafily blunt all
their arrows, by prefenting in all your dif-
courfes only Jefus Chrift, and Jefus Chrift:
crucified. He hath built his Church, that
Holy City, and provided it with his Laws
and his Precepts. He hath trufted to it
the Faith which he came to eftablifh, as a
depofit to be religioufly preferved in all its
purity. It was his will that it fliould be-
come the impregnable rampart of his Doc-
trine and Truth, and that the gates of hell
fliould never prevail againft it. Being ap-
pointed to the care and government of this
Holy City, our venerable Brethren, let us
diligently preferve the precious inheritance
of the Faith of our Holy Founder and Divine
Mailer, which our Fathers have tranfmitted
to us in all its purity, that we may tranfmit
it equally pure to our defendants. If our
adtions and counfels are conformable to the
rule marked out for us in the Holy Scrip-
tures, if we walk in the paths of our Fa-
thers which cannot lead us aftray, we may
aflurc ourfelves mat we ihall be abletofhun
every falfe ftep which is capable of weak-
ening the Faith of the Christian people, or -

l9 o CIRCULAR

in any point injure the unity of the Church-
Let us only draw from the Scriptures, and
from tradition, what it imports us to know
and to obferve ; thefe are the facred fources
of Divine Wifdom -, and there we (hall find
whatever we ought to believe and pradtife*
whatever concerns worfhip, difcipline, or
manner of living, is included in that double
depofit. We (hall there fee the depth of
our fublime Myfteries, the duties of Piety,
the rules of Juffice and Humanity. There
we (hall be inftrufted in what we owe to
God, to the Church, to our country, and
to our neighbour ; and we muft acknow-
ledge that there is no law better than true
Religion, to eftablifh the rights of nations
and lociety . The Doftrines of Jefus Chrift
have never been attacked without troubling
the repofe of the people, without diftuf bing
the obedience due to Sovereigns, and with-
out fcattering troubles and confufion all
around.

There is fuch an intimate union between
the rights of his Divine Majefty, and the
rights of the Kings of this world, that when
the laws of Chriftianity are obferved, So-
vereigns are obeyed without regret, their
power is refpe&ed, and their perfons ho-
noured.

We therefore exhort you, our venerable
Brethren, to include, to the utmoft of
your power, obedience and fubmiffion to
Sovereigns in the people that are intruftcd

to

L E T T E R, &c 191

to you ; for among the Commandments of
God, this is extremely neceflary for pre-
ferring peace and good order. Kings have
been elevated to the eminent ranks they
poflefs, only to watch over the fafety of
the public, and .to confine men within the
bounds of wifdom and equity. They are
the Minifters of God for the obferyance of
juftice, and they only carry the fword to
execute the vengeance of God, by punifh-
ing thofe that ftray from their duty. They
are likewife the dear Children and the Pro-
testor of the Church, and it is their duty
to defend her rights, and fupport her in-
terefts. Take care then, that you inftrudt
even the children, as foon as they are ca-
pable of it, to preferve an inviolable fidelity
towards their Sovereigns, to fubmit to their
authority, to obferve their laws, not only
from the fear of punifhment, but as a duty
of confcience.

When by your zeal and application you
(hall have thus difpofed the minds of fub-
je&s to obey their Kings, to refpedt and
love them in the fallnefs of their hearts,
you will then have laboured effedtually for
the tranquillity of the people, and the good
of the Church ; for the one is infeparable
from the other. But that you may infallibly
acquit yourfelves with fuccefs in that duty,
you fhould join to the Prayers which you
daily make for the people, particular Pray-
ers for the Kings, fo as to obtain from

God

i 9 2 CIRCULAR

God their prefervation and profperity, and
the grace which is neceflary to govern with
wifdom and with equity.

Thus, in labouring for the happinels of
all mankind, you will worthily difcharge
the duties of your facred Miniftry ; for it
is juft and right that the Pontiffs, who have
been eftablifhed for the good of man, in
what concerns the worfliip of God, fhould
prefent to God the vows of all the faithful,
inceflantly praying the Lord to fupport and
eftablifh him who watcheth for the public
tranquillity, and the prefervation of all the
people.

It would be fuperfluous to remind you
of all the other obligations which the pafto-
ral dignity impofes on you. You are al-
ready fully inftrufted in all the duties which
the Chriftian Religion requires, living hap-
pily in the praftice of all the virtues : for
you (hould never fail to have Jefus Chrift
our Chief, the Prince of all Pafrors, before
your eyes, and ftill endeavour to render
yourfelves as near a copy as poflible of that
perfeft model of Charity, Holinefs, and
Humility. Our labours, our thoughts, can-
not have a more glorious or more excel-
lent objett than Him, who being the bright-
nei's of his Father's glory, and the exprefs
image of his perlbn, has been pleafed to
raiie us to the quality of Children of God,
b\ adop ion, and to make us co-heirs with
himielf. It is the way to preferve the

union

L *£ T T *B R, &t. 19}

union and alliance of men with Jefiis Chrift,
end to imitate lhat Divine Model of pati-
ence, gentlenefs, and humility. Wherefore
it is (aid : Afcend upon a bigb mountain^ ye
who preach the Go/pel to Sion.

If you have an ardent defire to conform
to thefe duties, it is not poffible but this
holy ardour muft by fympathy communi-
cate itfelf from your heart to the breafts
of all nations, and -they become deeply in-
flamed with it •, for the example of the
Paftor has a virtue and aftonilhing power in
moving the fouls of the Faithful intrufted
•to his charge. When they perceive that
all his thoughts and all his actions are re-
gulated by the model of all perfection *
when they fee him avoid every thing which
can relifh of aufterity, fiercenefs, and haugh-
tinefs ; and employ himfelf only in works
which infpire charity, gentlenefs, and hu-
mility ; then will they find themfelves ani-
mated to follow fueh an admirable and edi»
fying example.

When they are convinced that a Paftof
neglects himfelf to be ufeful to others; that
•hi* principal delight is to relieve the indi-
gent; that he comforts the affli&ed, in-
ftrufts the ignorant, aififts with his good
offices and his counfels all thofe who (land
in need of them ; and that, in fine, every
thing befpeaks a perfedt difpofition in him
to facrifice his life for the lalvation of his
people; then every one, ftruck with his

Vol. II. K virtues,

194 CIRCULAR

virtues, and affe&ed by his example, will
enter into himfelf, and corredt his faults.
But if a Paftor, attached folely to his own.
intereft, prefers the things of this workl
to thofe or Heaven, how can he engage
his flock to love God only, and to rende *"
fervices to each other? If he fighs aftt*
riches, pleafures, and honours, how car^
he infpire the contempt of them ? If he i ^
haughty, and blown up with pride, ho\^
will he perfuade them to be gende ancr:
humble ?

Since then you are charged, our vene —
rable Brethren, to form the people accord — ■
ing to the maxims of Jefus Chrift, you^
firft duty is to live in the holinefs, gentle — ■
nefs, and innocence of manners, of whicter
he hath fet us an example. You may de —
pend upon it, you cannot make a proper^
ufe of your authority, but by endeavouring^
rather to give proofs of your modefty and0
charity, than by difplaying the badges o£3
your dignity. Be allured, that ifyouac — ■
quit yourfelves fcrupuloufly of the duties
impofed upon you, you will be crowned -
with glory and happinefs; and that, on--
the contrary, ,\f you negleft them, you
will be covered with fliame, and prepare
for yourfelves the greateft of all miferies.
Do not defire other riches than to fecure
thofe fouls to God, which he hath purchafed
with his blood : — feek no other glory than
that of confecrating yourfelves intirely to

the

LETTER, &c. 195

the Lord, to labour inceflantly in extend*
ing his worftiip, to fet off the beauty of
his Houfe^ to extirpate vice, and cultivate
virtue. Such (hould be the fole objeft of
your thoughts, your defires, your a&ionS,
'and your ambition. And do not think,
our venerable Brethren, that after having
palTed a long time in thefe painful labours-,
there will remain nothing more to exercife
your virtue. Such is the nature of our Mi-
niftry, fuch is the condition of a Bifliop,
that he ought never to fee an end to his
folicitude and cares; he can never give
himfelfup jto reft; for they whofe charity
ihould know no bounds, ought to admit
xio bounds to their a&ivity. The expedta-
tion of an eternal reward, is furely capable
of rendering all our labour light.,

. Ah! what can appear difficult to thofc
who do not lofe fight of the ineffable hap-
pinefs which the Lord will fhare with all
Jthofe who faithfully watch and increafe his
flock, when he comes to a(k "an account of
their adminiftration ! Befide this hope, fo
fweet and precious, you will find inex-

(>r edible joy and confolation in the very
abours of an Epifcopal life. When God
Almighty feconds our efforts, we fee the
people ftridtly united by the ties of reci-
procal charity, and diltinguifhing them-
felves by their innocence, candour, and
piety: we fee a multitude of excellent
fruits, which our watchings, fatigue, and
K 2 cares.

196 LETTER' *

cares, liave produced in the fields of the
Church.

May we, our moft dear and renerahle
Brethren, by our unanimous and voluntary
agreement, seal, and application, revive
in the time of our Apoftlelhip that flouirifh-
ing ftate of Religion* and reftore all the
beauty it pofiefied in the firft ages J May
we be able to congratulate, and rejoice
with, you in the Lord ! May the God of
naercy deign to fupport us by the help of
his grace, and fill our hearts with whatever
ie agreeable to hini !

In teftimony of our charity, We give
you, with all poffible affe&ion, and all the
Faithful of your Churches, the Apoftolical
Benediction.

At Rome, St. Mary Maj^r, the ntk of December,
M the Yesti 1769, and the Firft of oar Pontificate,

XXiXXXXXXXXiX>OCXXXXXiXX
LETTER.

To His Most CHRISTIAN MAJESTY,
L O U I S XV,

UPON IR RELIGION.

WE know nothing more proper to kin-
dle your zeal, than the motive
which engages us to write to you. We do

not

TO LOUIS XV. 197

not purpofe to fpeak at prefent of our per-
Ibnal intcrefts, but thofe of Religion itfelf.
tf we are afliired of your royal protection
for ourfelves, we have much more rcafon
to believe that you will not reject our fe-
licitations, which have no other view than
Ae good of the Church.

It is the common caufe of God and'
Ghriftianity, which we at prefent fpeak of
to you, our mod dear Son in Jefus Chrift.
We fee with the deepeft forrow, the worfhip
sftablifhed by the Supreme Legiflator, for
1 long time attacked by wicked men, who
io not ceafe to diredt againft it the facri-
egious arrows of their perverfe fpirits. It
nay be faid, that there is a general con-
piracy, by the moft audacious efforts, ,
Jtterly to overthrow whatever is moft ve-
aerable or facred. They do not blulh to
produce every day a croud of writings, an
sternal monument of their folly, in order
to deftroy even the firft principles of good
morals, to break the bonds of all Society,
and to feduce fimple fouls, by the fatal ta-
lent which they pofTefs of fuccefsfully fowing
thefe perverfe doctrines.

The aftoniftiing rapidity of their progrefs
perfuades us, that there can be nothing
more important, or more urgent, than to
raife a dyke to oppofe this torrent.

It is not fufficient to take all the poifon-

ed works which iflue from that horrid

School, out of die hands of Readers * the

K 3 zeal

ig8 LETTER

zeal ofour venerable Brethren the Bifhops:
muft come to our affiftance ; that by uniting:
our firength, we may, with one common
accord, combat the different enemies of
our Religion, and be avenged of the infults:
daily offered to it.

We fee with inexpreffible joy upon this,
occafion, tha* the Prelates of Your Ma-
jefty's great and flourifhing Empire, at
prefent affembled in Paris for the affairs
of the Clergy, enter perfcftly into our
views, and that their paftoral folicitude en-
gages diem to employ every means of flop-
ping the ravages of infidelity. We have a
perfedt confidence that in labouring, as they
will do, in the caufe of God, they will re-
ceive abundantly the fpirit of wifdom and
ftrength. It is no fmall confolation to us,
to fee them apply with fo much zeal to the
difcharge of fuch important duties.

But if they have need of the prote&ioix
of the Moft High, they have likewife a
right to expedt from you, our moft dear
Son, the necefTary helps to affift and
crown their labours. We therefore pray
you, as much as in us lies, to favour them
in whatever they do for the caufe of Religi-
on, andtofupport them with vigour. Then
will they give effectual proofs of the zeal
which animates them, not only for the
falvation of the Faithful, but for the tem-
poral advantage of their Country, and alfo
for your facred Perfon ; for Religion being

the

TO LOUIS XV. 195

the firmeft fupport of Thrones, it is eafy
to retain people who obey God, in obedi-
ence to Kings.

Hence it is eafy to be feeri, that our caretf
and folicitude do not tend lefs to confirm
your royal authority y than to maintain' the
interefls of God. Human focieties are
much more indebted for their prefervation
and fecurity to the exercife of the true wor-
(hip, and the {lability of the revealed doc-
trine, than to the force of arms, or the a-
bundance of riches*

The true way of drawing down the moft
precious , effects of the Divine mercy upon
your facred Perfon, and upon the Princes
and Princefles of your Blood, is publicly to
maintain the Faith and Piety in their pu-
rity. In dokig this you will eminently
poflefs the art of reigning, the art by which
your anceftors have always (hewn them*
felves Moft Chriftian Kings ; and you will
fupport your own glory and theirs, by ad*
ding the moft ftriking proofs of your Reli-
gion to their example.

This fubjett would no doubt require to
be treated more fully ; but the high opi-
nion we have of your truly royal piety,
makes us look upon a long Difcourfe on this
fubjett as fuperflu6us.

In the firm perfuafion that Your Majefty
will grant what we a(k with equal zeal and
juftice, we pray the Almighty, by whom
you reign, that he will long prefertfe you

*oo LETTER

and your Auguft Family ; and we give
you, with all poffible tendernefc, our Apof-
tolical Benediftion. May it be a happy
prefage of the favour and happinefs which
we wiftiyou!
Rome, 21ft March, 1770..

To MADAME LOUISE op FRANCE,,
CLEMENT XIV.

to our most dear daughter in jesu&
Christ, all Health!

IT feemeth to us that the moft painful
labours of the Apoftleflup with which
we have been clothed, have no longer any
thing but what is light and pleafing, fince
we have learnt your holy and generous re-
solution. You could undertake nothing
more grand nor more fuhlimc, than to ex-
change the pomp of a Royal Court for
the humiliation of a Religious Houfe.
Whether we confider the pious condefcen-
fion of our moft dear San in Jefus Chrift,
Louie, your Auguft Father, and Moft
Chriftian King, who has permitted you to
make fuch a facrifice ; or look upon the
precious advantage which muft thence re-
fuk for the good off the Church ; we cannot
contain our joy and admiration.

May

TO MADAME LOUISE, aot
May thanks be rendered to God, the
Author of all good, that he has given us,
in your perfon, fuch a (biking example to all
Princes, and all Nations, and has deigned
to confecrate our Pontificate by fo glorious
an event. It is a fubjeft of congratulation
for us, as well as for you. Ah ! how can we
be otherwife than delighted with the view of
the abundant riches which the Lord hath
heaped upon you ; and with that all divine
ftrength which made you, after the moft
mature reflexions, embrace a kind of life
which may be called a fketch of Heaven !
None but God himfelf could infpire you
with fuch a generous defign. You have
learnt, by the favour, of his light, that
all the grandeurs of this world are only
vapours; all its pleafures, mere illufions*
all its promifes, arrant falfehoods* and laft-
ly, that the foul can only find peace in the '
pieafing exercife of the love of God ; and »
that you cannot reign, but by ferving him
alone.

Now it is, that, in the port where you ■'-
are at prefent, (heltered from rocks and
lhipwreck, you are about to enjoy the moft
delicious tranquillity ; to tafte, more than
ever, the holy and divine pleafures which
are the inheritance of the friend* of God.
When we can triumph over the world, we
pofiefs the greateft riches, in the midft of
indigence. We find true liberty in re-
nouncing Qurfblves * grandeur and glory in
K 5 the

feo* L E T T E R

the depreffions of the profoundeft humi-
lity. Nothing is comparable to the happi-
nefs of concentrating all our thoughts, and
all our defires, in the bofom of God ; to live
with Him alone, to be inflamed with the
love of Him, and to have no other hope but
that of poflefling Him for ever.

May your courage increafe, our moft dear
Daughter, in proportion as the grace of God
has been plentifully poured upon you ! Per-
fevere, with all your ftrength, in the noble
defign which you have formed, of proceed-
ing in the way of Salvation. Employ yourfelf
conftantly with Him, whom you have pro-
pofed to love and ferve all the days of your
life: think that the recompence which is
the object of your defires, is infinite ; and
the fruit which you expeft, incorruptible :
By that means you will change your toils
into delights, and you will tafte beforehand
the fweets of a heaven to come.

The more we reflett upon the generous
ftep which you have taken, the more we
rejoice in the hope, that the brilliant ex-
ample will produce in many other people
the defire of imitating it. You will not
fail to call to mind that the King, . your
indulgent Father, having facrificed the plea-
fure he had in your fociety that . he might
not oppofe your call, you ought to employ
every means of teltifying your gratitude
towards him. The only way to acquit
yourfelf is, to pray continually to God, ta

make

TO MADAME LOUISE, aoj

make him happy in this life, and in that
which is to come.

Your zeal for the Church, which is well
known to us, together with your refpe&ful
attachment to the Holy See, are new mo-
tives of joy and confolation ; for we are
perfuaded that you will apply conftantly to
God for our particular wants, as well as
thofe of Religion We offer you in ac-
knowledgment of all tkefe good offices,
every advantage which you can expedt
from our paternal tenderneis. Nothing
can equal the extreme defire which we
have to fecond your pious intentions, and
to promote the fervour with which you
walk in the paths of virtue. And although
we are perfedtly convinced of your zeal
and perieverance, we will willingly give to
your prefent or future Confeflbr the power
of foftening, your Rule, and even* to dif-
penfe with it in every cafe where your
weaknefs cannot keep pace with your
courage. Befides that, we grant you, in
virtue of our Apoftolical authority, a full
and intire indulgence every .time you ap-
proach the Holy Table ; and to teftify our
afFettion ftill more* we grant the fame fa-
vour to our Holy Daughters in Jefus Chrifly,
your worthy Companions, and make then*
participators with you in our Apoftolical Be-
nediction.

Given at Rome, 9th May, 1770, the firft Year of
our Pontificate-

LETTER;

204 LETTER

LETTER

To His Most CHRISTIAN MAJESTY;
L O U I S XV.

ON THE SUBJECT OF MADAME LOUISA
TAKING THE HABIT.'

Our most dear Son in Jesus Christ^
all Health!

IT is proper that at the fame time we
write to our moft dear Daughter in
Jefus Chrift, the Princefe Louife Maria,.
to congratulate her on the greatncfs of her
(acrifice,. we pour forth our joy into the
paternal bofom of your Majefty. You
have given us the greateft delight; and
the more fo, as you have had the princi-*
pal (hare in fo remarkable and fo fplendid
an adlion. But what fills our Soul with
infinite fatisfa&ion, is, that after having ap-
plauded the generous proceedings of your
Auguft Daughter, you have fhewn extra-
ordinary courage, in feparating yourfelf
from her, notwithftanding the ineftimable
qualities which, rendered her fo dear to you ^
and that as foon as you believed you heard
the voice of Religion, you ftifled the call
of Nature, and have only feen a future.
Spoufe for Jefus Chrift, in her who was

your

TO LOUIS XV. ao S

your beloved Daughter. Thus you your-
felf have opened the way to Heaven to a
pious Princefe wh© defired with ardour to
enter it ; and you have contributed, by your
generous approbation, to fecure her from
the dangers which furround human life, and
the tumultuous waves which diftradt it.

I fee her in the . holy retreat which (he
hath chofen, teaching the whole world
that there is nothing more frail, nor more
vain, than all the delights and all the gran-
deur of this life ; that they are to be looked
upon only as rocks, which often become
the lamentable caufe of a multitude of e-
vife, by oppofing the acquifition of eternal
happinefs.

The (hare which you have had in fo pious
an adtion, ought to give you the greateft
confidence in the prayers of your illuftrious
Daughter ; (he will never ceafe to pray to
God for your Auguft Perfon, your Royal
Family and your whole Kingdom, and,
what (hould ftill more intereftyourMajcfty,.
for the falvation of your foul. It is a pow-
erful interceffion which you have obtained
in the fight of the Almighty ; and it much
concerns you to derive every poffible ad-
vantage from an event which Providence
has permitted for your good.

We wifh, in the fulnefs of our heart,
that you would receive the teftimonies of
our affedtion, as the tender overflowings of
the heart of a Father who dearly loves

you

2 o6 A SECOND LETTER
you, and who is no lefs zealous for your"
glory and happinefs than his own. To
convince you of it, we give you, our molt
dear Son in Jefus Chrift, in the mod affec-
tionate manner poffible, our Apoftolical
Benedi&ion, as an undoubted proof oF

die fingular love that, &c.

*

Given at Romi, 9th May, 1770, and the Firft or
our Pontificate.

A SECOND LETTER

To His Most CHRISTIAN MAJESTY,
LOUIS XV.

on ''the same subject.

AFTER having congratulated Your
Majefty, by our Letter of the 9th
of May laft, on the heroic courage with
which the Princefs Louifa, your Auguft
Daughter, is about to embrace a* religi-
ous life ; after having teftified the fulnefe
of our joy on the fame fubjeft to her; we
cannot refift exprefling our fatisfattion
again this day, and what our tranfports are
at the approach of fuch a facrifice. -Her
zeal is fo ardent, that (he can fuffer no

longer

I T O L O U I S XV. 207

I longer delay, and (he is inflamed with the
f defire of feeing herfelf clothed in the Holy
Habit of the Carmelites, by the hands of
our Venerable Brother, Bsrnardin, Arch-
bifhop of Damafcus, our Nuncio in Ordi-
nary to Your Majefty.

From the firft news we received of her
generous defign, we recognifed the fpirit
of God a&ing in a mod wonderful manner
on the foul of this Auguft Princets ; and we
found ourfelves affctted with the ftrong-
cft defire to go in perfon to perform the
ceremony of the Vefture, which our Nun-
cio is to perform, and thereby augment
the luftre and folemnity of fo great a day.
But the diftance making it impoflible, we
fliall accomplifh our defrrcs in part, by
charging our Nuncio, our Brother above-
named, with this auguft duty. We will
feem to aflift in fome fort ourfelves, and
lead our moft dear daughter in Jefus Chrift
to the nuptials of her Divine Spoufe. We
pray you to approve of the Letters which
we have addreffed on that fubjedt to the
Nuncio who reprefents us ; and we perfuade
ourfelves that you will acquiefce the more
willingly, as thefe difpofitions have no other
motive than our zeal and affedtion for your
Majefty.

As a certain pledge of thefe fenti-
ments, and as a happy prefage of the di-
vine bleffing, receive our Apoftolical Bene-

didtion. We give it with all the tendernefs
... . * of

ao 8 A SECOND LETTER
of a Father to you,- and to all your Auguft
Children, efpecially the pious rrincefe wno
is the memorable iubjedt of our gladnefe.
Given at Rome, the 1 8th of July, 1770 tbe fe-
confl Year of oar Pontificate.

SECOND LETTER
TO MADAM LOUISE, OF FRANCE.

Our most dear Daughter in Jesus
Christ, all Health! ^

AT laft the mod glorious and the mod
fortunate day of your life approaches;
a day on which, by the moft (acred and
intimate ties, you are to become the Spoufe
of Jefus Chrift himfelf; and devote to him
all your defires, all your thoughts, and all
your aftions.

We were tranfported with joy, and we
applauded your magnanimity* from that
moment, when, treading the vanities of the
world under your feet, you renounced the
delights of the moft brilliant Court, to
confine yourfelf to the obfeurity of the
Cloifter, and there to make trial of the
moft humble and moft mortifying life:

but

TO MADAME LOUISE, 209
but your public profeffion, by which you
are about to make Heaven and earth wk-
Qefles of your generous facrifice, completes
our joy. Never forget that the Lord, by
fcalkng you from the bofom of grandeur to
Rve under the (hadow of the Crofs, mark*
£d you with the Seal of Predeftination. The
bigher the rank you held in the world, the
*t*ore is his goodnefe remarkable, and the
more ought your foul to be penetrated with
We and gratitude.

All the feftivals of this age have nothing
to compare with that great day, when, led
by the infpiratiort of Grace, you (hall give
yourfelf up intirely to God, and folemnly
take him for your inheritance.

Would to Heaven, our deareft Daugh-
ter, that it were poffible for us to aflift in
perfon at this auguft ceremony, to be not
only a witnefs, hut likewife the Minifter
of fuch an heroic facrifice"! Nevertfielefs*
although that happinefs is denied us*
we will not fail to enjoy it as much as pof-
fible, by having ourfelves reprefented by
our venerable Brother, the Archbiftiop of
Damafcus, our Nuncio in ordinary. It
was already by his hands that we clothed
you in the facred habit, and it will be by
Km that we (hall receive your facred vows ;
and that nothing may be wanting for the
folemnity of fo great a day, we charge
him to impart to you all ihe treafures of
the Church,

We

*io A SECOND LETTER

We do not doubt of your (hewing every
fenfe of our paternal tendernefs, by ad-
vancing more and more in the courfe you
have entered, and by the conftant pra&ice
of all the virtues, more efpecially that of
humility. It is from thence you will learn
that you cannot be vain of any thing>
but that you hold all from God ; that you
ought conftantly to diftruft your own
ftrength, and not rely on your own merit,
but on his Almighty Grace only ; believing,
at the fame time, that you are capable of
every thing in Him who ftrengthens you;
and never ceafing to have recourfe to his
infinite mercy.

Thefe fentiments, deeply engraved on
your foul, will diffufe a Chriftian modefty
over your whole perfon ; and in the (hadow
of that humility, Divine Love will take root
in your heart, and will produce fruit both
ufeful and abundant.

It is not by way of advice that we fpeak
to you in this manner, as if we thought
you had need of it, but to render the way
of life to which God hath called you, more
precious.

You will certainly make it a capital duty
to teftify, upon all occafions, the lively gra-
titude which you owe to your Auguft Fa-
ther, who has loved you fo tenderly, and
done every thing for you : you will never
ceafe to pray to God to preferve him, to
profper his kingdom and his auguft Fa-

TO MADAME LOUISE, *ii
mily, and, above all, to grant him eternal
happinefs.

As for us, if we may be permitted to
claim the rights which our affection intitles
Us to, we conjure you to draw down upon
our perfon, as your Father in Jefus Chrift,
the favourable attention of the Lord, and
to pray continually for the Church in-
trufted to our care. And now that you
are more intimately attached to her, you
ought to intereft yourfelf more than ever
in what concerns either her advantage or
glory. On your part, you may be per-
fuaded that we will continually beg of
God to blefs your pious refolutions, and
that you may increafe more and more in
his holy love.

Receive, as a pledge of our paternal af-
feftion, our Apoftolical Benedidtion ; we
give it you with all our heart, and like-
wife to all the Order of Carmelites, with
whom you are about to be aflbciated for
ever.

Given at Rome, at St. Mary-Major, under the
Fisherman's Ring, the 14th of Auguft, 1771%
and che third Year of our Pontificate.

LETTER

2ia LETTER

LETTER

TO MONSJGNOR GIRAULT, ARCHBISHOp
OF DAMASCUS, NUNCIO TO HIS MOST

CHRIST IAN MAJESTY.

To OUR VENERABLE BROTHER, HEALTH

and Apostolical Benediction!

HAVING learned that the Princcfc
Louife-Marie of France, our riioft
dear Daughter in Jefus Chrift, retired to
the Monaftery of the Bare-footed Carme-
lites of St. Denis, defires with the moft
lively ardour to embrace their holy inftitu-
tion, in order to fatisfy her devotion, (he .
ought to receive the habit at your hands, as
being Superior of the Order.

When I think of that Princefs, born in
the midft of the delights and grandeur of
the moft brilliant Court in the world, de-
voting herfelf to the moft auftere and re-
tired life, I cannot help admiring, and at
the fame time acknowledging the iraprcf-
fion of the Holy Ghoft, fo as to fay, 'It is
a miracle of the Moft High/ We are fo
deeply penetrated on this occafion, that
to accord with the inexpreflible fentiments
of the zeal with which we are animated,
and the joy which tranfports us, we charge
you to perform this ceremony in our name.

Thus

TO T H E N U N C I O. 213
Thus then, ; to give to thist holy and
cdebratcd Office all the iuftre which it
merits, and all the folemnity of which it is
fofeeptible, we fpccially depute you, our
venerable Brother, and delegate you to aft
for us in our place.

This interefts us the more deeply, as
we (hall believe we are there prefent, to
fee with our own eyes with what holy
tranfports our moll dear Daughter in Jefus
Chrift will unite herfelf, with all her heart,
to her heavenly Hufband.

Betides this, as we are defirous to aug-
ment the general fatisfaclion of the Order,
and to render it more complete, by giving
to all thofe who compofe ir, the fpiritual
treafures of the Church ; by the effeft of
otrr good-will, we grant plenary indulgence
to all the Bare-footed Carmelites of the
kingdom of France, who, on the day of
the Princefs taking the habit, (hall partake
of the Sacraments of Penitence and the
fiucharift, and implore the mercy of the
Almighty for the exaltation of the Holy
Catholic Church, for our molt dear fon in
Jefus Chtift Louis Moft Chrifban King
of France, for his Children, for the Royal
Family, and particularly for the Princefs
who is at prefcnt the fubjedl of our joy,
and who is to begin her Noviciate in the
moft auftere andfacred flate* that new
grace may be heaped upon her from day
to day ; that (he may become more the or-
nament

4

*14 LETTER

nament of her Order by the regula
her life* than by the fplendor of her
— And you, our venerable Broth
defire you diligently to inform all
it may concern, of the falutary favoi
which we are willing to gratify then
for a proof of our Pontifical good-w
give you, &c.

Rome, i 8 July, 1770. the fecond Year
of our Pontificate.

LETTER
TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJI

Our most dear Son in Jesus Cti
all Health!

EVERY time we think of y
luftrious Daughter, Louife-M
France, who in Jefus Chrift is lil
ours, we blefs God that he hath fo ir
her. — We have conftantly before ou
the great example which (he fets
world ; an example which will do t
to this age, and will be the admiral
pofterity. The nearer the moment

fa

T O L O UI S XV. 215

fccrifice approaches, the more we redouble
our prayers, and the more we defire to de-
clare to you the fentiments which attach
us to your perfon, by rendering the tribute
°f praife which is due to you for the part
you have taken in this great event, of which
the Church is to be the witnefs.

Undoubtedly you could not do better than
fecure to yourfelf a fupport in the prayers
*tid vows of her who is totally devoted to
your perfon, and is intirely agreeable to
God. In this your wifdom is as eminent
^8 your Religion ; and it is that which per-
Aiades us, at the fame time, that the Di-
vine goodnefs will make you reap the great-
^ft advantage from fo favourable an event.
\#e congratulate you with all our heart,
^.nd applaud ourfelves, becaufe the union
X^ith our moll dear Daughter in Jefus Chrift
"Vrill become more ftrong than ever. m Our
fipreateft defire would be to tie thefe knots
trill more clofe, by prefiding at the cere-
Xnony which we fee approaching, and re-
ceiving in perfon the moft folemn vows
Xvhich the molt tender piety can pronounce.
We are the more penetrated with thus
thought, as it would be a moft happy occa-
fion of converfing with you, of embracing
you, and (hewing you in our eyes, and on
our countenance, the fentiments with which
you infpire us. Then our paternal tender-
nefs and our paftoral charity (hining forth,
would aflure you in the ftrongeft manner

of

*i6 LETTER

of our intire affettion. But alas ! we arc
fo unfortunately fituated, as to have that
fatisfa&ion only in idea.

As to any other advantages, we have
endeavoured to procure them, notwith-
ftanding our abfence; having chofen our
venerable Brother the Archbifhop of Da-
mafcus to fapply our place, and given him
the moft fpecialand extenfive powers for
that purpofe, as we before did, when we
gave him commiflion to reprefent us at the
ceremony of taking the Habit.

Being informed that your Majefty then
approved of the manner in which we had
difpofed thefe things for the ceremony
giving the Habit to our Auguft Princefs, we
flatter ourfelves that you will equally approve
at prefent of the fame difpofitions,

We earneftly pray you, then, to join in
our views with your ufual goodnefs* and
afford us the confolation to fee our place
fupplied, by him that reprefents us.

Receive, as the beft proofe which we can
give of our attachment, our Apoftolical
Benediction, which, #s a pledge of all the
benedi&ions dt Heaven, (hall extend to
your auguft race, and over your whole king-
dom, if our prayers are heard

Given at Romb, at St. Marie- Major's, under the
Fishbrman's Ring, the 14 th of Auguft,. 177*.
the third Year of our Pontificate.

LETTER

v

TO THE f>UKE OF PARMA. 117

LETTER
TO THt DUKE OF PARMA;

[T would be very difficult tb expttfs all
the fatisfa&ion which your Letter gave
5, in which we find fentifflents of ttoi
itfft tender affe&ion. We ire die tnott
appy at prefent to receive fuch marks df
?ur friendfhip, as we have always befctt
ioft Angularly attached to you, and have
sver cfeafed to jnteteft ourfelves in whit
iter could concern you.
We congratulate ourfelves, at the fame
me, on your having received with ail pot-
Me goodwill the teffcimonies of out
iendmip, (on account of the iltoftrious
Bspring that will one day be the heir of
our virtues) and the proof of our acknow-
•dgements for the zeal with Which yoti la-*
oured for our reconciktion with his Moft
hriftian Majefty. By it you have com-
[eated the proofs of your piety toward*
le Holy See, and have taken a ftepequal-
r glorious and meritorious. The mediati-
n which you have employed with our dear
bns in Jefus Chrift, the moft: virtuous
jngs your Grandfather, Uncle, and Cott*
n, to engage them to erafe from theft*
linds every trace of old mifunderftandings.
nd to reftore to us the domains of Avig-

L ' tlQIlt

ai8 LETER TO TH E DUKE OF PARMA
non, Benevento, and Porto Corvo, can-
not fail to be moll effe&ual. You do us
juftice in being convinced of our extreme
love for peace and concord, particularly
with the auguftHpufe of Bourbon, which
has always deferved (b well from us, From
the Chair of .St. Peter, and the whole
Church in : general. — We never doubted
that the religion and wifdom of thefe So-
vereigns would infpire them with the fame
pacific Sentiments which we cherifti in our
own T>rea(L We conceive .the ftrongeft
hopes from your mediation, "becaufe of
your royal virtues, and the love which your
auguft relations muft xeafonably have For
you- They will join with more zeal to
fecond your gooa intentions, when they
fee peace and harmony xeftored from the
fame fource from whence the' mifunder-
ftanding and difagreement had proceeded.
In return, we will feize every oportunity of"
proving to ^ou, in the molt diftinguiftied
manner, our gratitude and afFedlion.

We give you, with all the tendernefs of
a paternal affedtion, our Apoitolical Bene-
diction, as likewife to your virtuous Spoufe,
and to your dear new-born Son ; and we
pray the Almighty God that you may in-
creafe in virtue from day to day, and ac-
quire that glory which he hath referved
for die Eledt

SECOND

SECOND LETTER 219

SECOND LETTER

TO THE DUKE OF PARMA;

AS foon as we were informed of the
pains you had taken to reconcile us
lyith the Kings our moll de^r Sons in Jefus
thrift,' anil reftore to ,the; fttaly Sed its
ancient pofleffions, we refolved to render
you our moft fincere thanks. Now that
your wifdom has compleated this great
work, we muft publicly proclaim our joy
and gratitude. We affure you that we
will never forget this generous proceed-
ing, which h^s procured us fiich fignal ad-
vantages-, and that the paternal tendernfcfs
which, we have for you, is equal to you*
great virtues. We therefore pray, in the ful-
nefs of our heart, for whatever can contri-
bute to your glory and happinefs. The Mar-
quis de.Lano, to whom we are tenderly at-
tached, on account of his merit and fervices
to us, has doubtlefs declared to you what
our fentiments are with regard to you. It
is to cement diem more and more* that we
continually pray to God td fecond, by
the abundance of his heavenly gifts, the
Apoftolicai Benediction with which we Sa-
lute you as the moft certain pledge of ofcr
afFe&ion, &a

L z BRIEF.

jizo BRIEF TO THE

B R I E. F.

To *otl &ear 'Son PETER FRANCIS
BOUDIER, at pr£«£nit SUPERIOR-
<^NERALqf BENEDICTINES, op the
CONGREGATION of St. MAUR, and
GRAN0-PKIOR of the ROYAL AB-
BEY of $x, PENIS,

CLEM E N T XIV. ■'.'.-.

To our dear Son, Health and Apos-
tolical Benediction!

YOUR Letter, dieted by refpefi^
attachment, and moft tender love,
evidently proves the joy which you and
your Congregation felt upon our eleva-
tion to the Sovereign Pontificate. Your
fentiments for the Apoftolical Chair were
already known to us, and the new testimo-
nies which you give us of them, were not
wanted to psrfaade us of your attachment
to the Holy See.

We have likewife been very fenfible of
the demonftratfons of zeal, to which you
and your Congregation have added a new
value, in begging the Father of Mercies
to fupport and fortify our weaknefs, by

his

SUPERIOR GENERAL 221

his powerful help, in the adminiftration of
fuch an important employment.

As to the judgment which you have
formed of Us, We fee nothing but your
indulgence, your filial love, and the ardent
zeal tvkh which you are animated for Us.
On Our part, We exceedingly defire to
have (bme opportunity of teftifying all the
good-will we bear towards you, and thofe
who are fubmttted to your care. In the
mean time, as a pfedge of our paternal
tendernefs^ We give to you, Our dear
Son, and to your Brethren, with the fullcft
effufion of Out heart, Oitf Apoftojical Be*
nedi&ion.

Grren dt Rqmx> tt SkM*rt*M*jo*, under thft
Fismrman's Rh*q, the 1 itfe Auguft, 1769, aod*
tfaa firfl. of oor Poitificafc.

BENEDICT STAK,

BRIEF.

a*a BRIEF TO THE PRIOR, kc.

BRIEF

Toovr dear Son BODDAERT, PRIOR-
GENERALof the Order op GUIL^
LELMITES.

CLEMENT XIV.

To our dear Son, health and Apos-
tolical Benediction 1
TH E joy which you tcftify at Our ad-
vancement to the Sovereign Ponti-
ficate, agrees with the attachment which
your Order has a long time had fcjr jus.
We do not doubt of your adding to thbfe
exterior proofs of your zeal, the afliftance
of your prayers to God that he will deign
to help our weaknefs; and therefore we
at prefent beg the continuance of them,
as the effeft of your charity for us. As to
our fentiments with regard to you, the in-
ftances which we have formerly given of
our good-will towards you, fufficiently (hew
what you may expeft. Be aflured that our
new dignity, far from leflening that good-
will, has rather increafed it ■, efpecially af-
ter the teftimony you hare given us, that
having carefully vifited the Monafteries of
your Order, you have found them obedi-
ent to the Rules of their Inftitution. This
aflurance on your part has given us the
greateft pleafure •, — it redoubles the ten-

dernefs

SPEECH IN THE 8tc. zzf

dernefi which we have for you r and to
give you a pledge of it, we grant to you*
our dear Son, and to all the Order intrud-
ed to your care, wkh all the effufion of
our heart, Our Apoftolical Benediction.
Given at Rome, at St. Mary-Major, under the
. Fiflrcrman's Ring, the 9th of Julyv 1 769. and the
Fiift of one Pontificate*

BENEDICT STAY.

XX0OOOC<>O<XD<XiXXXXX>OOC

S P E E C H

Spoken by CLEMENT XIV inth« se-
cret Consistory held the 21ft
September, 1.770*,

On the Subject or T»r RscoNCiLrATioir or
Portugal with the Court of Rome.

IT feems, Our venerable Brethren,, that
Providence hath chofca this day, the
twenty fourth of the month, for me to
notify to you the great event on account
of which we are affemWed in this place;
the aniverfary of my arrival in Rome, of
my advancement to the Purple, however
unworthy of the honour ; and laftly, the
day on which I am to announce tp you a
L 4 full

*24 SPEECH IN THE

full and entire reconciliation with the Court

of Portugal.

We have juft received the moft fincere
and the moft eminent proofs of the fubmif-
fion and zeal of his Moft Faithful Majef-
ty : — they have even furpaffed our expecta-
tion. Not only the fame old cuftoms and
attachment which had ever before fubfifted
between us and that Crown are now again
renewed, but likewife confirmed in fuch
a manner that they have acquired new
ftrength.

When we foretold what has juft now
happened, we founded our hopes upon the
faith and piety of our moft dear Son m
Jefus Chrift, who at all times gave the
moft unquestionable proofs of his «ea! for
the true religion. The day we .were in-
formed of his reconciliation* increafed the
. glory and advantage of the Holy See, by
• ffljipg n$ with CQnfoUtioa and joy* Thoro
is, therefore, nothing which we ought not
to undertake to tefttfy our acknowledge-
ments to his Moft Faithful Majefty* and
po wi(h which we ought not to form fo*
his prefervatipn, and that of Marie-Anne*
V&taire, his auguft. and dear Sooufe, wha
rivalled him in her great ze&J to bring about
this acwmrnudwoix- Th- Count d'Oyera*
Secretary of State., , is equally deferring of
our gratitude and praife ; and we fliould
j>pt forget the Governor of Almada, Minif-
ter Plenipotentiary with Usv and whom

we

SECRET CONSfSTORY. aaj
we have often heard, with the greateft joy*
declare to u? the pious and laudable fentv-
ments of hits Moft Faithful Majefty. As
there is no method more proper tQaxxpiU
ourfelvea of our gratitude to, a Prince fo
deferring of praile, than to pray God to
profper him ; let us beg of him continually
to grant us that great favour* &c.

SPEECH

o P

CUEMENT XIV. in the secret Con-
sistory, held the 6th June^ 1774. *

Upon the Death of LOUIS XV,

Venerable. Brethren,

IF any; thing could Confole us in the
midlx of our: gainful labours, it is ta
know that Louis, the Moff Chriffian King,,
had the belt intentions and the greateft
attachment to religion, as likewife to our
perfon; but alas 1 that confolation be-
conies at this day the fiibjett of tjie deepeft
fojrraw. Our life has been a ftate of af-
fliction ever firice we heard of his death*,
an event truly fatal, and the confequence
L5 <4

%i6 SPEECH IN THE
of a moft cruel diforder. Wc are the
more deeply affe&ed, as we have loft
him in that moment, when he had juft
given us the moft <tinfpicuous proofs of
nisjuftice, magnanimity, and tender affec-
tion towards us and the Holy Apoftolical
See. And what affii&s us yet marc, is,
that we cannot now acquit ourfelves to-
wards him, but by our tears and our re-
gret.

Neverthelefs, let us adore the decrees of
Divine Providence ; and in fubmitting to
the will of the Almighty, upon whom the
fate of Kings abfolutely depends, let us
acknowledge that all is directed by his wif-
dom, and for his glory.

Nothing but this refignation to the Di-
vine will, can leflen bur forrow. We no
fooner learned the danger with which the
King's life was threatened, than we ad-
drefled our moft fervent prayers to Hea-
ven, to obtain his recovery. AU France
united their (implications with ours, and all
the Royal Family, fhedding torrents of
tears, acquitted themfelves o£ the faitte
duty ; particularly our moft dear Daughter
in Jefus Chrift, Marie-Louife of France*
who from her holy retreat raifed her pious
hands towards Heaven* and gave vent to
the deepeft forrow.

If our vows have not been heard, we
have at leaft a ilively hope that our prayers

may

SECRET CONSISTORy.&c. aa 7

may. be ufeful for the repofe of his foul, and
procure him eternal glory.

Our hope is founded upon the love which
he always profefled for the Catholic Reli*-
gion ; his attachment to the Holy See\ his
good intentions towards us, of which he
gave us proofs to the laft moment ; and
laftly, upon the fincere repentance which
he teftified in prefence of his whole Court,
begging pardon of God, and his kingdom^
for the errors of his life*, and.defiring to*
live only to repair them*

The fame prayers whicfr we have put up
in fecret for the repofe of his foul, We (hall
put up alfa ki puhlic:. yet That (hall not.
hinder us. from; remembering, him: before^
God> to the laft hour of our. life.

We (hould declare to you, our venerable
Brethren, upon this occafion,, that Louis-
A,uguftus,. oiu\ mod dear. Son in Jefus
Chrift, Grandfon of the late-King^fiicceedS:
to the Eftateaand Kingdoms of. his. Grand-
father, inheriting, at the fame time;, all the.
heroic virtues of the Augyft Houfe.of,JJotuv-
bon.

We already know his zeal' and attach-
ment to Religion, as well as his filial love,
towards us. His pathetic letters filled:
with affeftion,. joined to the fame of his
excellent qualities,, which are every where
publiftied, are the mod convincing, proofe
how well we have founded our expedi-
tions. We have nothing more at heart

than

*iS SPEECH IN THE, Ac.

than to anfwer, as much as we poffiWy

can, fuch laudable fentirnents.

We ought at the fame time to inform
you, that our venerable Brother, Francis-
Joachim, Cardinal of Bernis, formerly Am**
haflador from the late King to our Perfon*
hath been confirmed by his credentials
which he hath prefented to us. In (hew-
ing you our perfett fatisfa&ion upon that
iubjett, we obferve yours to (bine forth ;.
knowing that you are perfuaded, as well
as we are, that he is a moft faithful inter-
preter both of .the King's intentions and
ours, in order to preferve a happy harmony.

Let us by our moft ardent prayers con*
jure the Almighty, from whom Kmgs hold
their crowns and kingdoms^ to (hed his
moft abundant bleffings upon our moft dear
ion in Jefus Chrift,. Louis Auguftus of
France, that in the courfe of his reign he
may enjoy all profperity, and live in ftich-
a manner as to be ufeful to the caufe oF
Religion, and advantageous to the iHuiiri—
ous French nation.

BULt

t **9 i

BULL

FOR THE
UNIVERSAL JUBILEE,

IN THE YEAR MJDCQLXXV.

CLEMENT, Bifhop, Servant of the
Servants of God, to all the faithful in
Jefus Chriflv to whom thefe Letters (hall
come, health and Apoftolical Benedi&ion.
Jefus Chrift our Lord, the Author of our
Solvation, not fatisficd with procuring to
man, by his death and paflion, a delive-
ranee from the old flayery of fin, a re-
turn to life and liberty, an exaltation to
the fublime title of being Co-heirs to his
glory, and Children of God; has added to
all thefe favours one infinitely precious^
and deftined for thofe, who, having been
drawn afide by human frailty, and their
own perverfenefs, have unfortunately for-
feited the right they had to the Divine in-
heritance. By the power which he gave to
the Prince of Apoftles to remit fins, when
he iittrufted him with the keys of the king-
dom of Heaven* he has procured to finners
a means of expiating their fins-, of recover
ing their firft innocence, and receiving the
fruits of Redemption. As it is the only

230 BULL FJDR THE

means they poflefs, who have deviated from
the law ofthe Lord, to re-enter into friend-
fliip with God, and to arrive at eternal fal-
vation, the fucceflbrs of St. Peter, the heirs
of his power, have never had anything
more at heart than to fummon all finners to
the divine fpurce of mercy, to offer and
promife pardon to true penitents, and to
invite even thofe who are held in heavy
chains of fin to the hopes of a remiflion.

Although, in the exercife of a duty of
this importance, fo neceflary for maa's fal-
vation, it has never interrupted the cares
of their Apoftolical Miniftry; they have
neverthelefs judged proper to chufe and fix,
in the courie of ages, certain remarkable
periods for engaging finners to foften the
Divine wrath, to embrace penitence as the
only plank which f emains after (hipwreck - t
and that by the hope of a more ample bar-
veft of graces and pardons, and by the
public and general liberty to (hare the trea-
sures of indulgence of which they are the
depofitories. — And that no generation might
be deprived ofthe precious advantages at-
tached to thefe times of relaxation, they
have fixed the return of every twenty-fifth
year as the year of Jubilee, the holy year,
the year of grace and remifiion,. which they
have ordered to be opened in the City
which is looked upon as the center and feat
of Religion.

We

J U B I L E.E, M,DCC,LXXV. 13 1
We then, in conformity with fo falutary
a cuftom, and one of thefe privileged years
being at hand, are anxious to announce it
to all of you, our dear Children, who are
united in the profeffion of the fame faith
with us, and the holy Roman Catholic
Church; and we exhort you to labour for
the good of your foals, and to profit by
fuch means of fandtification as can be the
•moft effedtual. We offer you a (hare of
all the riches of the Divine mercy and cle-
mency which have been intrufted to us;
and chiefly of thofe which have their origin
in the blood of Jefus Chrift. We will then
open to you all the gates of the rich re-
fervoir of fa tisf actions derived from the
merits of the Holy Mother of God, the holy
Apoftles, the blood of Martyrs, and the
good works of all the Saints, fo great and
iincere is our defire to facilitate to you the
recovery of peace and reconciliation.

Now as nothing contributes more than
the multitude of helps which may be ex-
pected from the communion of the Saints;
unite&to their auguft fociety, we with them
compofmg the body of the Church, which
is one indivifible, and that of Jefus Chrift
himfelf* whofe blood purifies us, enlivens
Us, and puts us in a condition to be ufeful
to one another ; to give more luftre to the
imraenfity of his love and mercy, to ren-
der more fenfible the ftrength and infi-
nite efficacy of his Paffion, and his. merits;

ij2 BULL FOR THE

the Redeemer of mankind hath been pleafed
to difperfe the eflfc&s of it over all the
Members of his myftick body* that tfaey
may more eafily affift one another, by the
communication of their reciprocal help and
advantages. His intention waa in this
affociation fo wifely contrived, of which
his moft precious blood is the beginning,
and the union of hearts the whole ftrength,
to induce the tendernefs of die Eternal Fa«
ther to grant his mercy to us, by prefent-
ing to Him the invaluable price of the blood
of his Son, the merits of Saints* and the
power of their fuffrages, as the moft effec-
tual motives to determine him.

We invite you then to drink of this over-
flowing ftream of indulgence, to enrich
yourfelves in the inexhaustible treafures of
the Church ; and, according to the cuftom
and inftitution of our aflceftors, the confent
of our venerable Brethren the Cardinals,
&c.

O all of you, then* who are the Children
of the Church, do not let flip the prefent
occafion, this favourable time^ thefe falu-
tary days, without employing them to ap-
peafe the juftice of God, and obtain your
pardon ! Do not bring, as an excufe for
your delay, the fatigues of the voyage, the
troubles of the journey. — When .we pro-
pofe to load you with the gifts of heavenly
Grace, to introduce you into the Taber-
nacles of the Lord, is it proper for you

to

JUBILEE, M,DCC I LXXV. a 3 j
tQ let yourfelves be difinayed by inconve -
niencies, or obftacles, which never deter
thole whofe curiQfity or the third of gain
daily lead to the mod diftant regions?
Even thofe toils which might difinay you,
being undertaken from fo noble a motive,
will aflift you infinitely in reaping the moft
abundant fruits from your penitence. For
this rcafon, the Church has always looked
upon the old cuftpm of Pilgrimages as
Angularly ufeful ; being perfuaded, that
the dilagreeable inconvefliencies which ne-
ceflarily attended them, are fo many com-
penfations for paft fins, and convincing
jx-ooft of fincere repentance. If the ac-
tivity of your zeal, the ardour of your love
for God, fliould kindle to fuch a degree
M to make you forget your fatigues, or
evea to leflen them, be not alarmed j
for that My joy will accelerate your
reconciliation, and make a principal part of
the fatisfadtion for thofe fins that you were
charged with, font much will be forgiven
bim who bath much kvtd.

Hafteu then to the City of Sion ; come
and fill yourfelves with the abundance
which reigns in the houfe of the Lord,
Every thing here will lead you to repen-
tance; even the afpedt of this City, the
ordinary habitation of Faith and Piety, the
iepulchre of Apoftles* the tomb of Martyrs.
When you fee this land which was fprinkled
with their blood, when the numberlefs

234 BULL FOR THE

vcftiges of their fanttity prefent thcmfelves
to you: on every fid-, it will be impoffiMe
For you to refill that fe /ere repentance which
will prefs upon ycu, for having withdrawn
from the rules and laws which they fol-
lowed, a:id which you promifed to follow.
You will find in the dignity of the Divine
worfhip, ir- the majefty of the Temples, a
powerful voice winch will remind you that
you are the Temple of the Living God*
that he will animate you to adorn it, and
with the greater zeal, for your having for-
merly had an inclination to profane it, and
to grieve the Holy Spirit. What muft fup-
port your refolution, will be the groans
and tears of a great number of Chriftians,
whom you will fee lamenting their errors^
and foliciting their pardon with God. Very
foon the fentiments of farrow and piety,
which you will witnefs, (hall pafs into your
hearts with a qujcknefs which muft furprife
you.

But to this holy forrow, this religious
mourning, the mod tender confolations
will not fail to fucceed, when you fee a
multitude of people and nations running
in crouds to pra&ife works of juftice and
repentance. Can you then ever hope for a
more agreeable, a more ravifhing fpeftaclc
than that of giving the whole world a fen-
fible image of the glorious triumph of the
Crofs, and of Religion ? At leaft, on our
part, we fhail be- "happy on occafion of the

almoft

JUBILEE, M,DCC,LXXV. 235
aLnoft univerfal re-union of the Children
at ' the Church ; perfuaded that we (hall
%d for ourfelves, in the mutual efforts
.of jjour charity and piety, an ample fu-
perabundance of help and refources: for
we ^ave the fulleft confidence, that when

'. jo\i ihall have fupplicated with us the Di-
vine Diftributor of Grace for the preferva-
\\ \y of the Faith, for the return of thofe
people who have feparated from us, for the
tranquility of the Church, and the happi-
ness of the Chriftian Princes, you will be-
fore your God remember your common
Father, who heartily loves you ; and pror
Ctire, by your vows and intreaties, the

"ftrength neceflary for our weaknefs, ta
liipport the immenfe load which has been
impofed upon us.

Aad you, our venerable Brethren, Pa-
triarchs, Primates, Arehbiftiops and Bi-
Ihops, join in our folicitude ; charge your-
feives with our duties and your own ; de-
clare tp the people who are intrufted to
ypu^ thefe times, of penitence and propitia-
tion ;'i employ all your cares, and all your
authority, as much as is poffible on this
fkvoarable occafion for obtaining pardon,
which our paternal love has brought forth
for the whole Chriftian world, according
to the ancient practice of the Church, to
produce good fruits for the falvation of

louls. May they hear you explain fuch
works of humility and Chriftian charity as

*3& BULL FOR THE

they ought to pra&ife, that they may be
better dfipofed to receive the fruits of the
Heavenly Grace which is offered to their
wants! May they learn, both by your pre-
cepts and example, that they ought tx> have
recourfe to fallings prayer, and aims-jgiv-
ing.

If there be any among you, our vene-
rable Brethren, who will take upon you,
ajs an increafe of your. Paftoral labours,
that of being yourfelves the conductors of
a part of your flock towards the City,
which is the Citadel of Religion, and from
whence the fources of indulgence {pring,
you may be aflitred that we will receive
you with all the fenfibility of the xw&
tender father. Independent of the luftre
which they will procure to our fderaaky*
they will be enabled, after, focfr noble fa-
tigues, after fitch meritorious labours, to
reap the moft ample haiveft of the gifts of
Divine mercy ; and at their return with the
reft of their flock, they will have the con-
folation of distributing to them this precious
(lore.

We do not doubt that our moft dear
Sons, the Emperor, the Kings, and all the
Chriftian Princes, will aflift us with their
authority in the vows which we make for
the falvation of fouls* fa that they may
have the happy fuccefs which we expeft.
We exhort them, with all our foul, to con-
cur

JUBILEE, M,DCC,LXXV. 237
ir with us in fuch a manner as may cor-
ivipond with their love of Religion, and
the £eal of our venerable Brethren the Bi-
fhops; to favour their undertaking, and to
procure fafety and convenience on the
rr-adft to all Pilgrims* They cannot but
kow, that fuch cares muft contribute
greatly to the tranquility of their reign;
and mat God will be the mere propitious
and favourable to them* the more they
flie** themfelvcs attentive to increafe his
glory for the good of the People.

But in the end, that thefe Prefents may
come, &c.

Given tt Rome* at St* Mary-Major^, ftc. in
the Year of our Loan, 1774. the lathof Maj,
and the $th Year of our Pontificate.

THIS Bull, with which I finifh this
collection, may be looked upon as the
TeftamentofQiementXIV. Death, which
from that time was ready to fei2e him,
gave him an inward warning that his end
was approaching, that he might fpeak to
the Faithful for the laft time, and that God
required the facrifice of his life.

Every one fhared in the misfortune;
and all Communions, however differing in

their

ft 3 8 BULL PORTHE JUBILEE.
their perfuafions, united in praying to the
Lord for the prefervation of a Pontiff who
was fo agreeable to all the crowned heads,
and beloved by the whole world. Some
recolledted the goodnefs with which he had
received them ; others, his love of wifdom
and peace; while he himfelf, regardlefs of
the fevere ills which he endured, employed
his interrupted refpiration in fighing to
Heaven for the obtaining the kingdom of
truth and concord upon Earth, and to leave
after him fome veffiges of his love for
peace and juftice.

I was defirous to procure fome of the
Letters he wrote during the fix laft months
of his life, which was a time of trial ind
pain, but could not poffibly obtain them.
However, we have enough to (hew us,
that this great Pontiff adhered eflentially
to the fundamentals of Religion, without
being attached to any opinion, and without
having the leaft fpirit of Party. What is
certain, is, that nothing but Prqjudiije can
with-hold his praife ;— Pofterity muft value
him according to his merit, and fincerely"
lament their not having known him. .Nei-
ther paflion, cabals nor prejudice, will be
capable of obfcuring his glory — and Truth
alone will prefent his pi&ure..

FINJS.

1

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