Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-09
From the Niagara Patriot.
CANADIAN AFFAIRS.

CANADIAN AFFAIRS.
We learn that the late election for
Members of Parliament for UpYer
Canada, has terminated in the almost
unanimous choice Of persons who are
the political friends of Mr.. Gonrlay. 1t
wnuid appear by this, that the popular
voice in Canada is opposed to the adj
ministratinn.
Mr.. Ferguson, who was fined and
imprisoned Tor publishing some OF Mr..
Go,rlay's writings, was recently re
leased from confinement, and has
charge of the Niagara Spectator. and
declares, in public address, that tn"
Spectator shall prove Il great terror to
little tyrGnts.
William 3. Peters. Esq. proposes to
publish a newspaper at Niagara, to be
called the Canadian Enquirer. to be
conducted Oh free and independent prin-
ciplss.
Salem. .qagnst :.
Extract of letters from an American
gentleman in Rraziis, to the Editor
OF the Register.
Bahia. April. 1919.
TIE houses are built of Irregular
store. leid up with a coarse mortar. and
piaiscicd and whitew ashed. Some Of
them are in good style of architecture.
The churches are large. numerous and
spl ans!id, there is something fascinating
IN the Catholic religion to the vulgar,
and eyes to the great.
There is one consideration upon the
mode by which the Catholic religion is
supported, and by whigh the possibility
of sects are prevented. The church is
in the hands ct priests, numerous. rich,
and possessing advantages which the
other classes OF society do not enjoy.
Not mars yins, the wealth Of ages is
continual, accommodating, and as they
do not trade, no losses can take place.
Always engaged III their own affairs,
their politics and interests are contiau
ally known to them and "a they are
very simple, there is little difference OF
opinion likely to happen in the course
OF their administration. They know,
that among mankind there is always an
intuitne religious sentiment. 'shey
have, therefore, nothing else to do than
to lind means and objects to mould it
into external forms. Accordingly,
VII, reyer a small population collects,
they are sure to bold a splendid church.
he people have not the chance Of wan
d ring in their o"D thoughts. They
are not obliged to erect costly temples
for themselves, and such must be erect
ed, when they are considered essential
to religion they are nat left to the in
Of furnishing themselves
the means Of public Worship. I he
rich priesthood promptly and wisely
bulld a place and altal for them, and
the multitude resort 10 it as naturally
as wrebS to box. Ia short. tie priests
fad ii for their interest and security to
keep the market "cil supplied with pla-
ces OF worship, and priests to ctiiciatc
in the and that happens which is We
~ natural. the multitude give them
selves ns further trouble about the mat
ter. II is an old sa, ing, that the Span
iaids begin colony with church. The
Ercnch with ball room, and the Eng
llsh with tavern.
1t appears by the rites and ccremo-
MES OF the Catholic Chursl., that
theatrical representation of eveu!s re-
corded III the Scriptures, images of the
Apostles. pictures of almost every scene
Of Che Gospel. &c. are the ueans by
which the history Of Christianity is
si> Ell to the Catholics. To one accus-
toned to read the history, and to re.
reive its explanations by oral represeu-
tations, the mode adopted by the Catho-
lies produces rather ludcIons effect.
There is no doubt that this mode may
have IFS use among vulgar and lite
rate multitude. land in the dark ages,
when few could read, and books were
before the discovery of the
art of printing! this method of instruc-
Jon, in conjunction with oratorial re.
were the best means to
accomplish the design of the progators
ii the Gospel history and still Cont
lues 10 be the best, perhaps, where the