The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-14 00:00:00

ITALY.

The Roman correspondent of the Augsburg Ga-
zette writes on New Year's Day :—" The secret press
is endeavouring to regain at the close the ground
which it has lost in the course of the year. The
measures of the police are utterly insufficient to re-
strain its activity. It has just now published an
Italian version, with notes, of M. Mimmars speech,
delivered at London, in the Music-hall. More than
2,000 copies of this address are in circulation here."

ROME, JAN. 4.
The refusal of the King of Prussia to allow catho-
lic priests educated in Jesuitical establishments to
officiate in the churches of his dominions has excited
profound resentment amongst the members of that
powerful confraternity in different parts of Europe,
and especially in their head-quarters at Rome. The
followers of Loyola are not, however, to be attacked
with impunity. The aggressive measures of Prus-
sia have been met by the synod of Jesuits here with
stern composure, and reprisalsupon anextensive scale
have already been determined upon by them. Through
their influence the papal government has been
aroused to fresh efforts, with a view to propagating
Romanism throughout the still recusant states
of Europe, and especially the protestant
provinces of Germany, where the whole power
of the propaganda will be wielded for the extermina-
tion of heresy. The reconversion of Prussia has now
become almost as favourite a project with the court
of Rome as the restoration to Romanism of the
" flourishing kingdom of England." The official
journal of last night contains an invitation from the
Cardinal Vicar to a solemn octave in the church of
Saint Andrea della Valle, during the Epiphany,'
" for the increase, defence, and propagation of piety
and the catholic faith." Muses, according to various
rites, are to be celebrated, and sermons delivered in
various languages. Amongst the nitramontane
preachers figure Monsignor Talbot, Dr. Cornthwaite,
and ex-Archdeacon Manning, whose name appears
on the list as " Don Enrico Manning, of the Ecclesi-
astical Academy." The invitation winds up with
the following renewed appeal in behalf of the catholic
church in London.

The alms which will be collected during the sacred octave
at the Italian morning sermons, the nocturnal function,
and all the sermons in foreign languages, as well as the
offerings deposited by the religious generosity of the faith-
ful in the bones placed in various parts of the vast temple
wherein the sacred octave is to be celebrated, are destiaed
to aid in the great outlay of building a church in London,
capital city of the British empire, for the use not only of
catholic' of that nation, but also distinctly for Italians, who
reside there in great number, and are without churches, so
that, by reason of the great number of the catholic', amount-
ing to about 200,000, and the fewness and limited dimen-
sions of the chapels, many catholic., and especially our
Italians, cannot enjoy those precious treasures of our holy
religion which we partake of in the holy temple. It is hoped
that all catholic' will emulate in concurring generously to
a work so holy and so suitable to Rome, which ought to
set an example to all the cities and dioceses of Italy, since
all are invited to partake in the great merit which will ac-
crue to every one contributing generously according to his
means. Sacred vases and utensils are also received in
donation. Gifts and alms are received in Rome by the
Rm. and Rev. Cardinal Prefect of the Beefed Congregation
of Propaganda Fide, and likewise by the Princess and
Prince Doris.
Money has been collected in England for the
erection of a protestant church in Rome, but per-
mission to build has never been obtained from the
Pope, reciprocity of religious liberty being directly
opposed to the principles of Romaniem, although the
erection of catholic churches in London are advocated
with such pomp and publicity.
Amongst other triumphs of the church here, we
must not forget the re-occupation of monasteries and
nunneries by their cowled and veiled inmates, to the
exclusion of French military usurpers. The mild
obstinacy of the nuns of St. Sylvester hes at last
reinstated them in the vast building, which they un-
willingly evacuated to make room for Claribaldi's
brigade, during the republic, and which has been the
head-quarters of the French engineers since the
taking of Rome. Tho Pope went to visit
them on Friday, St. Sylvester's day, and
congratulated them on having regained at
least a footing in their old quarters, for the French
still retain possession of a portion of the nunnery.
In fact, the three nunneries of Saint Sylvester, the
Virgins, and Saints Dominick and Sixtus, are jointly
occupied by veiled nuns, "sober, steadfast, and de-
mure," and French soldiers, who, it is to be hoped,
will become "devout and pure" also by the vicinity
of so much sanctity.
Such are the spiritual topics which at present pre-
vail in the Eternal City. IVith regard to temporal
questions, the result of the Financial Council's deli-
berations is what everybody is looking anxiously for,
but it is feared that the disagreement between the
members of the council and the Cardinal President
indicates an intention, on the part of the govern-
ment, not to adhere to the advantageous suggestions
of the council. Still it is asserted that the Pope him-
self has strongly expressed his determination to do
away With the paper currency, and as his will is

law In this country, we must hope he is sin-
The Minister of Finance recently published an
accodnt •of the merchandise brought into and
taken out of the oestom-houses of the Papal States
' during the year 1861. This is the first instance of
any kind of tables being put forth indicative of the
commercial movements of the c3untry. and its trad-
ing relations with other countries. The principal
interest of this document consists in the comparative
quantity and quality of goods imported or exported
through the Mediterranean and Adriatic ports of
Civita Vecchia and Ancona.
The composition of our new ministry hes proved
by no means displeasing to the ecclesiastical circles
here. The priests rejoice in the apointment of Lord
Aberdeen, mindful of his opposition to the Ecclesias-
tical Titles Bill, and a similar vote on the parts of
Sir James Graham, Sir William Molesworth, and
Mr. Gladstone, redeem them from any other dis-
plunging qualities which they might possess in the
eyes of the Court of Rome.
The Cardinal President of Rome and Comarca,
Altieri, did not give his customary entertainment on
New-Year's Day. An omission attributed to the
bankruptcy of his brother Prince Altieri, in cense-
qnence of the failure of the Frascati Railway
uompan
Exchange
on London, 486. Roman Five per
Cents., 97.