The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-22 00:00:00

THE JESI7II S.

As the Mensoire si Consulter of M. le Comte ele :11 -
Wier has lately occasioned some discussion in Franc e
give the following extracts from it
INTRODUCTION .—A vast system—to speak more
plainly, a vast conspiracy has boen rats A against religion,
the King, and against society. I observed it in its origin,
I have pursued it in its progress, and I behold it at the
mmrient ready to plunge us into ruin. Th
bidsis situation of
things being known to me, my conscience me oppose
it, and the laws render it my duty to reveal it. But what
success can I hope for? Plots of this nature are in gene-
ral designed by wicked men and by wicked means ; that
which I am going to expose is planned by holy men in the
midst of holy things. It is virtue that I shall accuse of
crime ; it is piety that I shall show leading us to irreli-
gion ; it is fidelity that I shall accuse of conducting us to
revolt. As there will be brought in question a number of
Prelates and of worthy Priests, worthy confessors of the
faith in the time of she H-volution, and ready even now to
shed their blood in its defence, the world will hardly know
what name to give my enterprise. I shall be asked, if in-
stead of a conspiration against the King, against religion,
and against society, it is not rather a conspiracy in their
favour that I mean to declare? I shall ask, in reply,
if in a regular social state it be permitted for a particular
congregation of citizens to incorporate themselves, to en re-
gimente themselves, and without the authority of the State
to combine and compose among themselves certain rules,
and determine signs of distinction anti establish rallying
points fur a cause, however pious it may be.
" Or THE CONHRIOATION.—The mysterious power,
which, under the name of In Congregation, at this
moment figures upon the stage of society, appears
W me as confused in its composition as in its object,
in its object as in its origin : it is as difficult to say
precisely what it is, as to slow in tunes past bow succes-
sively it was formed, extended, and organised. I say or-
ganised, with this restriction, that at one time its corps is
entire; we then find a body and members ;—at another its
members vanish; it then appears mutilated. This body.
however, is so composed as iii a manner to be able, when
found convenient, to dissipate like a shadow ;—we then ask
ourselves if it be true that there exists a Congregation. Its
object is not less difficult to determine than its nature. It
shall be, when necesssry, simply a pious meeting ; von
then have a congregation of angels ;—at another time, when
they choose a Senate or deliberative assembly, you have
then a meeting of sages ;—tinally it shall be, when circum-
stances mq.iire, a focus of intrigue, espionage, and
secret accusaton ; you have then a pandemonium, of fana-
tics. It discovers the particular genius of a body
vigo-
rously constituted amid carefully organized. It is easyby,
this construction, to discover its connexion with a cele-
brated Nlmutic Society, which I shall speak of 'hereafter.
It is sufficient for the moment to indicate its existence, be-
muse, endowed with a robust organization, as soon as it
finds the point dappui necessary, its instinct will lead it
to extend itself as well by its roots as by its branches, by
which means it will soon invade the whole mass of society.
It has already interfered even with the placing of ser-
vants. I have seen in Paris chambermaids and lacqueys
who announce themselves as being approved by the Con-
gregation. I know a Marechal of France, who, after hav-
ing for a long while solicited the place of Sous-Prefet for
his son, could not obtain it but by the recommendation of
the Curate of his village to one of the chiefs of the Con-
gregation.
"Tama .1 CM rs.—Jesuitism derives considerable force
from the Congregstion, as well as from their instruction in
pub is seminaries. Seven are acknowledged under their
control. By means of the Congregation the whole country
is covered with secret influence; which, in case of neces-
sity. can produce an interior ferment. By means of their in-
struction a public meeting is joined to a secret one : by the
means of the children the family is gained over. By means
of the congregations they will form new habitudes, new
manners, and, as it were, a new people, in the midst of an
ancient people ; by means of their Instruction the mind is
seised at the same time, and the empire of doctrines will
be added to another empire. The lower class will thus
be collected with the more elevated—Kings, Nobles,
Academies, the learned, the Bishops, the Clergy, the Sove-
reign Pontiffs themselves, will be subjected, bon gre, mat
gee, to the necessity of placing themselves under their yoke.
The Jeeuits, who so long guarded their incognito, have at
length thrown it aside, and declare themselves. M. the
Bisbop of Hermopolis announced their existence from the
Tribune to the Chamber of Deputies. In 1817 a Monk
of the College of Acheul, an old schoolfellow of one of the
King's Ministers, presented himself one day to him :
' You do not know me f sled he, 'I am such a one. You
would ask from whence I come?—from St. Acheul.
Who I am ?—a Jesuit, and in that quality you may per-
secute me if you will; I accept your tions ; 1 am
under the orders and protection of G himself.' I have
been lately informed, by the best authority, that the Con-
gregation count already 48,000 individuals. Tell me (says
a Congregationalist) how you will resist such a power.
Well might Lord Liverpool exclaim, on the late question
of Catholic Emancipation—' It is not against the doc-
trines of transubstantiation or of purgatory that I am in
opposition, but against the influence of the priesthood in
all the relations of private life.' Under Napoleon a Curate
of St. Roth refused to admit the corpse of an actress into
the church ; a complaint was made, an order given and re-
sisted, the priest arrested and imprisoned. Under Louis
XVIII. a similar occurrence; same complaint to Govern-
ment ; same order given and rejected, and another Priest
sent to perform the duty. Under Charles X. same into-
lerance; and in reply to the complaint the Government le-
aned' it bad no authority over the Church, and the actor
Philippe was hurried to Pere la Chaise, and interred by
bee late comrades. A late ordonnance for the establish-
ment of 18 Convents of Urealines in France appeared in
the Moniteu• ; and another permitting the receiving legacies
end lands for their support—Tout ea ea bon train !

lIUNGERFORD REGATTA.
Yesterday the lth Annual Prize Wherry, and other prizes given
by the laiies and gentlemen of Ilungerford and its vicinity, wur
Mad for by 6 pair of oars in 3 heats. They were to start from tha
bums moored off Hungerford Stairs, row round Westminster
Bridge, down the North Shore, round the Thames Pollee veit-el
take, and up to the prize wherry mooted off Hungerford. The
two first boats in the Brat =decreed heats to start fur the last and
Freed heat. The following were the men named foe the contest.
Thos. Vukins, It. Maenaly, Yellow.
Eniery, I Light blue.
Chas. :11 ills, 5
James Tagan, I
Rua. Wm. Moody, }Re
John Scott, Jas. Jones,
Win. Butcher, Greet. Jas. Crawley,
Thm. Jas. Mc. Fell, White'
At a quarter to three Light Blue, Black, and Green, started for
the 6rst heat, which was gained by Green and Black, light Blue
Siring up theeontest.

- At; Ann time after four Yellow. Red, an .1 White went oir in
tine style, and after a well-contesesd race it was won by Red and

Black. Green, Red, and Yellow, started at a quarter befiqe seven
&clock fur the last atul grand heat. It was one of the most excel.
lent clines/a ever witnessed ; Red coming in first, Black could,
arid Green third. Yellow gave in. after going once round. The
winners were carried in the Prize Wherry up the stairs at Hunger-
ford, amidst the most deafening shouts of the spectators.

DISTRIrS IN THr SOUTH Or IrrlAND.—The
follow-
ing are extracts from a letter addressed by Mr. Parker,
of Passage, to the Right Hon. Robert Peel. Mr. Parker
has, we understand, at the request of Mr. Peel, opened a
communication with Mr. Gotilbunt on the subject of his
letter :

" A drought of mend extent, and of unparalleled continu-
ance, has desolated our once green livid., and has given to the
parched land that and hue, which is of periodical occurrence in
wanner latitude'.

" The wheat crop has fortunately resisted the blighting effects of
drought; but the wheat of Ireland would not feed one-third of the
'nhabiranta. The early potatoes have most lamentably failed,
ri2ing not one-tenth of the produce of hist year. The late potatoes,
which form the staff of life of the Irish poor, do not afford the
slightest prospect of relief, as the seed in general, if not burnt up
by the excessive beat, hav been inactive in the ground, for want of
moisture.

" The oat unfortunately 'adds no substitute, as this, of all cal-
reiferous plants, has suffered must. It may be considered totally
aenThrsd, except on lanes open to powerful litigation, or within
the ndiuence of the mountain shade.
" The barley may be considered about one-third of a general
"'rage, but it la entirely burnt tip on high lands, idturding no food
to either man or beast.
" The last crop I shall refer to is the flax. This staple article of
lrsh industry has participated in the almnst general ruin, and
which awfully affected the Interest of our porn. On the whole, such
s dres Ifully Ainrminconsou has not occurred within the memory of
utt Olden 1314.1 in ir"aaQ."
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