The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-04 00:00:00

CATHOLIC TESTIMONY TO THE MADIAI.

The following declaration has been sent from Flo-
rence by Mr. M. D. Hill :
" The undersigned Sister Rosa Felice Mosul, a professed
nun in the Convent of the Visitation di Santa Maria di
Masan in Val di Nievole, called the Stlesiane, and who
until the end of the year 1817, the time at which she en-
tered the monastery, bore the name of Annunsiate, daugh-
ter of Mariano Massei of the Bathe of Lucca, and was for
some time ale) called Assunre, declare., as the strict truth,
that she knew, before she entered the convent, Rua Pulini
ard Francesco Medial, now husband and wife, and living in
Florence, having lived with the former u fellow-servant in
different foreign families for the space of about two
yeses—that is to say, from 1844 to 1846 (salvo
more). She declares that she has always con-
sidered them, judging by their actions, honest,
true, and charitable in the highest degree; that, as to
religion, it certainly was evident to her, even at that time,
that Rosa Pulini belonged to au heterodox communion ;
but the manner both of Rosa and of Medial was always
marked with the greatest and most scrupulous respect fur
the religious opinions of others; that she never knew or
suspected that they went about diffusing opinions or books
contrary is the Roman catholic apostolic faith, or insulting
by sign, word, or deed its ministers or objects of worship ;
and much leas that they attempted by these or any other
means to make proselytes to their own religious communion.
That certainly they never did or attempted to do this with
her ; that, on the contrary, as to Itosa Pulini, now Rosa
Medial'', she can bear testimony to some facts which plainly
demonstrate the tolerance and respect which she professed
for the holy catholic religion, and they are as follows :
"1. First, on an occasion when some members of a pro-
testant family, in whose service she, Annunziata Massei,
now Sister Rosa Felice, had been at Tone Luserna, refused
to provide meagre food for her on fast days, Rosa Pulini
not only expressed disapprobation, but represented to the
head of the family that he ought not, in justice and hu•
manity, to do violence to the religious opinions of the said
Annunciata, and impose upon her the painful necessity of
either transgressing the precepts of her faith, or of provid-
ing at her own expense the meagre food enjoined by the ca-
tholic church.

" 2. In the second place, when Massei, who bad been
for some time in that family in the capacity of nursemaid,
received warning at Torre Luseroa, for no other reason (at
least, sawu supposed), than for her strict observance of the
precepts of her religion, especially in attending the catholic
church, Rosa Madiai defended her before her employers,
maintaining the liberty of conscience and the principle of
religious toleration. To these remonstrancea her employers
partly yielded, retaining Memel in their service, although
no longer as nursemaid, but in an inferior situation, as ge-
neral servant. Rosa Medial, who did not consider that
Mused ought to be either sent away or reduced to a lower
position, expostulated again, but without effect.
3. In the third place, when Annunsiata, now Sister
Rosa Felice, was in the service with another protestant
family, who lodged in the house of the Madiai, and by
which family she was provided only with meat food, she
begged the Mailisi to let her dine at their table, and %hue
enable her to obey the precept to fast, which the Madiai
willingly consented to, had her to dine with them on fast
days, and provided meagre food for her during the whole
time that she, Annunciate, lived in that family.
"In conclusion, she, Sister Rosa Felice Muse!, declares
that, after the intimate acquaintance she bas had with the
Medial, she can distinctly and conscientiously. testify that
she considers them to be incapable of failing in that due
reepect which every well-educated person, although be-
longing to a different faith, ought to show towards the
catholic religion and form of worship.
" This is the spontaneous and conscientious declaration
of the said Sister Rosa Felice, given in the presence of her
reverend Mother Superior In the aforesaid convent, and
which she sends, written and duly signed by the same
Mother Superior, to be used for all honourable purposes,
not excluding the producing it on the trial.
" I, Sister Rosa Felice Maud, declare the above to be
perfectly true.
" I, Sister Anna Maria Bartoli, Superior of the Monas-
tery of the Viaitatlon of Santa Maria di Massa in Val di
Nievole, certify that the Sister Rosa Felice Maud has
freely and spontaneously given and signed this testimony
in my presence.
" The undersigned Pietro Forti, Bishop of Facia, certi-
fies that the above is a free and spontaneous declaration,
and that the two signatures, Mufti and Bartoli, are
genuine in their respective rank as nuns professed in
the Monastery di Massa in Val di Nievole, called the
Salesians. " And in faith,

" Paton, Bishop of Panic"

Tait ALLEGBD MURDER AT BRIXTON. The
police officers, in searching the house of the its Mr.
Jones, believed to have been murdered by his hoe.
keeper, Elisabeth Vickers, found the will of the deeessed,
from which it appears that the property amounts to 3,0001.,
and that, after bequeathing two hundred a piece to two of
his nephews, .1001. to • third, and 3001. to Mr.
David Key, his medical adviser, he left the residue, with
his furniture, to his housekeeper, Elisabeth Vickers—at
present in custody ; so that, after paying the funeral and
other expenses, eke would be entitled to over 2,0001.
The reports of the inquest having disclosed that Caro-
line Vickers was • legatee, Let Monday's post brought
• letter addressed to her (now in the hands of
the police), of which the following is a copy :
" Coventry, January 29.—Madam,—I have taken the
Liberty of writing these few lines hoping that It will not
give any offence. I have applied to you Aae lam In want
of • good domesticated Wife, and no doubt has you have
loot your Muter No doubt but what you should Like a
good home and a good partner and If you think any thing
about It Please to let me know by the return of Post and
Please to let me know Particular I mentioned that hie to'
ask you your age To Se If they will correspond with mine
foe My Age Ais 40 Though I have seen you once or twigs
And you Perhaps dont know Me But it you answer this
immediately you will Soon Je me If you are not engaged
with any one. I Remain your. Respectfully, C. H
Coventry " My address his this Mr. H— cutler
Street Coventry Warwickshire."
WELLINGTON'S FUNERAL CAL—It is understood
that Viscount Combermere, as Constable of the Tower,
has received her Majesty's commands to prepare forthwith
a suitable place for the reception of the funeral car open
which the remains of the late lamented Duke of Welling-
ton were conveyed to their last resting-place. It is intended
that the car shall be exhibited to the public without unne-
'scary restriction.