The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-26

OleA I1IlChAbs w GDI
easing = discoKer tns mythologioal links tia
connect the Druidic rites and the festival OF
Beltein In Scotland and Ireland with che wor-
ship Of the Phryg'an Baal, the Scandinavian
Disa with Isis in Egypt, the relics of Peruvian
antiquity, near Lake Titicaca, with royal
sepulchres at Thebes, the costumes of Mexi-
can priestess with those carved on eastern
sphinxes or worn by Jewish high priest, and
the Aztec hieroglyphics with the biblical
records of the deluge. All attest that religious
element in human nature 10 which Christianity
marvellously adapts itself by pressing into her
service whatever is best in the world-genius,
skill, devotion, love. AT her bidding science
and art become the handmaidens OF the Lord,
ancius domini, and the children of men are
led 70 worship in His holy temple. '9t . s.
NAPOLEON, ITALY AND THE PoPE.-We yes
terday published telegram which anncunccs
that the London Times considers the affairs
Of the Holy See, in spite Of tranquil sp-
pearanoes, in really critical condition. The
view taken by the Times does mot surprise ~.
It is IN perfect harmony with all that we h6ve
seen ON the subject. There is peril--veal
peril. The peril, however, Is not the result u
anything inherent in the situation itssk Il
springs from different source. It arisss
from the simple circumstance that the Holy
Father alone Of all the world. IL We except a
few bigoted and foolish advisers, refuses to
see that so far as his Office is concerned the
separation Of the spiritual from the temporal
is now inevitable. To remain spiritual, he
must cease to bea temporal prince. Why his
Holiness should SO obstinately cling to that
which cannot cling to him we confess we find
it difficult to explain. His obstinacy would
be the less surprising if the dignity and use
fulness Of his position were to be affected by
the change. But we have no such fears. It
cannot be that he relies on the strength and
patriotism Of the Papal guard, which il COM
posed of cowardly and unprincipled rene
gades from all the ends Of the earth, and of
which John H. Surratt may be regarded as
specimen. Surely he does not expect that
from the Empress Eugene, who, with the
Prince Imperial, is soon TO visit Rome, he will
receive some comforting intelligence Of the
Emperors private intentions, which could not
safely be intrusted to another messenger.
Napoleon, he must know, has played his last
at Rome Further aid from him is not to be
expected. Delay in this case is specially dan
gerous. If the Pope does not come to deci.
sion, and that speedily, the matter will be de-
cided for him. Victor Emanuel win be an in
terested onlookeS, but he will be nothing more.
Violence from without there will be none.
But the Roman people will declare for union
with the Italian kingdom, and the Papal guard
will be impstoat TO dsseas tAsdr purpose. Pity
1t will be If violence h sessrtsd to Or No
force fron within can check the inevitable
tendency Of events. Let the Holy Father at
once accept the situation, and all dinculties
are settled. Rome and the States Of the
Church will become part Of the Italian king
dom. Victor Emanuel will content himself in
Florence, one Of the fsirest capitals in the
world. Rome, with all its ecclesiastical curl
osities, will be ungrudgingly left to tho Pope
and his sacred college Of cardinals. II he re-
mains logged and obstinate to the last, how
humiIiating the last may be We shall not ven-
ture to predict. 14