The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-05 00:00:00

ANOTHER ALLOCUTION,

Mexico and Italy.

The Journal de Ronze-of the 29th ult. brings the
ext of the allocution delivered by the Pope in the
secret consistory held on the 27th.
The Pope, touching upon Mexican affairs, said—
" Although we have been greatly afflicted, against
our belief and expectation, by the sad things which
have happened lately in the Mexican Empire, de-
spite the demonstrations of filial respect several
times shown towards us by our beloved son in Jesus
Christ, the Emperor of Mexico, we nevertheless do
not deem it our duty now to speak at large there-
upon, for we were consoled by the hope that the
Emperor, seriously remembering that the Catholic
religion and its salutary doctrines contribute power-
fully to the temporal prosperity and tranquillity of
peoples, will wish to abandon the path on which he
has unhappily entered, and satisfy our very just
desires and demands by acceding to the prayers and
requests of that Catholic nation, by rebuilding
the Church from its ruins, protecting its vener-
able rights, its liberty, its sacred bishops, its minis-
ters, and its institutions, and by especially main-
taining an intimate concord with the bishops, as
the teachers of religion and justice, and as is so
well becoming a Catholic prince."
The Pope then goes on to say :
" These venerable brethren, united by unshaken
affection and respect to us and to this Church of
Peter, mother and mistress of all Churches, not
frightened by any danger or trial, and putting all
human considerations aside, utterly unconcerned as
to unjust decrees promulgated by civil authority
against the Church, glory highly in intrepidly de-
fending and sustaining, either by word of mouth or
by writings, the truth and catholic unity, our rights
and powers, the authority, the supreme liberty of
the Church and of this apostolic see. In letters re-
cently written either to us or to the faithful com-
mitted to their care, they openly and publicly glory
in rejecting and condemning the things which are
condemned by us, and are not weary in opposing
themselves with sacerdotal strength to the criminal
designs and efforts of men who are our enemies, in-
culcating healthy doctrine upon the faithful, and
guiding them in the paths of safety.
" These just praises are due, first of all, to the
venerable bishops of Italy ; for though exposed to
the gravest injuries and persecution, and harassed
in every manner, always fulfilling their ministry,
they have never ceased to raise with special
.unanimity the episcopal voice, to strongly protest
against all the condemnable and most unjust laws
promulgated by the sub-Alpine Government towards
the Church, its sacred institutions, its ministers, its
rights, and against the almost innumerable, and in
every respect sacrilegious, acts of audacity com-
mitted by the same Government. The same
bishops of Italy, with truly marvellous energy and
constancy, valiantly combating for Jesus Christ and
his church, in their solicitude for the safety of their
flock, fear not to suffer even exile, prison, and all
other tribulations, following in this the illustrious
footsteps of the apostles, who went joyously away
from the presence of the consul because they had
been made worthy to suffer outrages for the name
of Jesus.

" Thus, while sympathising with all our heart in
the grave sorrows of those venerable brethren, and
while considering their sufferings as our sufferings,
and mixing our tears with theirs, we render very
humble thanks to the beloved Father of Mercies and
God of all consolation, because we see the Catholic
bishops, in virtue of a special help of grace, who
are so affectionate to us and this Holy See, showing
themselves strong for the spirit of the faith, and
fighting with manliness for the defences of the Holy
Church.

" In the meantime you, venerable brethren, in
such calamitous times, in times of such great peril
for souls, continue according to your excellent piety
incessantly to offer with us fervent prayers to God,
that by His Almighty Power He may aid and con-
sole this Apostolic See exposed to so many outrages,
the Church torn by so many wounds, and Chris-
tianity and the civil commonwealth afflicted by so
many calamities—in order that, mercifully shedding
upon all the treasures of His divine grace and of
His mercy. He may cause all peoples, all nations,
to acknowledge, love, and venerate Him and Ho
whom He has sent, His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ ;
and that, observing all His precepts with diligence,
they may enter upon the road that leadeth to life."

THE OXFORD ElGHT—still the Favourites at 5 to
4—have just now been " hit off " in the very nick
of time by the magical lens of M. Naudin, who is
really, in a manner, beginning to assume to himself the
position of Photographer-in-chief to the Notabilities !
There they are, at any rate, that gallant young cluster of
The Oxford Eight—with a Ninth, too, it should be said, in
the person of the stripling coxswain !—forming a capital
group of portraits, well grouped, vividly "realised," at
once in their lissome forms and in their youthful features.
It is a carte that to all their college mates will be a
charming souvenir of the year—and (especially if they
should prove victorious) the like also to hundreds of others
besides.

TIIE ALIIA3IBRA.—it will be remembered that
some months ago Mr. Strange was convicted on the prose-
cution of Mr. Wigan, of the Olympic Theatre, for allowing
stage plays to be performed at the Alhambra. Mr. Strange
gave notice of appeal to the quarter sessions, and the same
has been duly lodged, and is expected to be heard about
the 21st inst. Eminent counsel have been retained. The
real question at issue is whether the ballet now being per-
formed at the Alhambra is a stags play within the mean-
ing of the Act of Parliament.

THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE.--The Mansion-
house committee of the above fund met yesterday at the
Mansion-house, and it was decided that instead of meeting
every fortnight, as they had done throughout the winter
months, the meetings should, until the committee cease to
act, take place once every month, the next meeting to take
place on the 3d May.

THE WIFE MURDER AT BATH.—RESPITE OF
FISHER.—The Secretary of State for the Home Department
has recommended a respite from the capital sentence in the
case of the unhappy man Fisher, who was convicted at
Taunton, a few days ago, of the wilful murder of his wife
at Bath. The ultimate meed of punishment has not yet
been decided on.

case of the proposed confederation of the
British North American provinces. Local jealousies
have stepped in, and because the maritime provinces
are afraid that they will occupy a less important
position than the larger colonies they object to the
whole scheme. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
refuse to sanction the constitution prepared by the
Delegates, and the Nova Scotian Government will,
it is said, propose a federation of the maritime pro-
vinces only. But this will by no means reach the
end proposed, as, however advantageous it may be
to have a united government of the coast colonies,
it will be far more so to have a central seat of autho-
rity. The great argument in favour of a grand
confederation is the strength which it would
give to every province by combining the force
of the whole, if necessary, for the protection
of any one. The central authority, on per-
ceiving indications of danger at any one parti-
cular point, could at once dispose of the whole
force of the Confederation either to protect it or to
divert attack. But the loss of the Canadas would
render the maritime federation comparatively
worthless. Without them it would have little force
and could profit them very little. ' The behaviour
of these provinces is the more unreasonable, because
it is fair to suppose that they selected their most
eminent and capable men to represent their interests
at the preliminary conference of the Delegates, so
that it is by no means likely those gentlemen would
have agreed to terms that were really prejudicial
to their respective provinces. We should hope
that a little calm consideration will enable
the colonists to see their mistake, and
induce them to reconsider their decision. It
was almost impossible that a scheme of such mag-
nitude could be carried out without any delays or
vexatious hindrances ; and probably even now
the first rumour of war or of invasion would
unite the colonists in common action. We
would rather, however, that our fellow-subjects
would be wise betimes, and not wait till the faggot
is bioken up to learn how much stronger each stick
was when united.