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turned, with a long succession of splendid objects and beautiful arrangement; in short, the whole of this most majestic fabric opened itself at once to the sight, and filled the eye and the imagination with magnitude, proportion, riches, and grandeur."

An entire chapter is devoted to a minute and elaborate description of the Basilica Vaticana, and to this succeeds an account of the pontifical service, the papal benediction, and the ceremonies in the holy week. We are much mistaken if, in England, the knowledge of these august rites will not be equally new to the Catholic and the Protestant. Before we extract a part of the description of these ceremonials, it may not be irrelevant to observe, that the traveller who enters a Roman church, and gazes on this "pomp and circumstance" of public worship, should conceive himself carried back to ancient times, and expect to hear the language and behold the stately manners of the Romans of the four first centuries. They loved parade and ceremony, and they introduced it into all the branches of public administration, whether civil, military, or religious. This taste was infused into Christianity as soon as it became the religion of the Empire, and with Christianity it has been transmitted to the moderns. Bishop Warburton has observed, that "it would be difficult to attend at a high mass performed by a good choir, in a great church, without sentiments of awe, if not of devotion." The following is Mr. Eustace's description of this rite, as performed by the Pope at the high altar of St. Peter's.

"The pontiff proceeds in great pomp through the chancel, and ascends the pontifical throne, while the choir chaunt the Introitus, or psalm of entrance, the Kyrie Eleison, and Gloria in Excelsis, when he lays aside the tiara, and after saluting the congregation in the usual form, the Lord be with you, reads the collect in an elevated tone of voice, with a degree of inflection just sufficient to distinguish it from an ordinary lecture. The Epistle is then read, first in Latin, then in Greek; and after it some select verses from the psalms, intermingled with Allelujahs, are sung, to ele vate the mind and prepare it for the Gospel. The pontiff then rises, gives his benediction to the two deacons that kneel at his feet with the book of the Gospels, and, resigning his tiara, stands while the gospel is sung in Latin and in Greek; after which he commences the Nicene creed, which is continued in music by the choir. When the creed and the psalm that follows it are over, he descends from his throne, and ap proaching the altar, he receives and offers up the usual oblations of bread and wine, fumes the altar with frankincense from a golden censer, and then washes his hands; a ceremony implying purity of mind and body. He then turns to the people, and in an humble and affectionate address begs their prayers, and shortly after commences that sublime form of adoration and praise called the Preface, because it is an introduction to the most solemn part of the Liturgy, and chaunts in a tone supposed to be borrowed from the ancient tragic declamation, and very noble and impressive. The last words, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of armies,

&c. are uttered in a posture of profound adoration, and sung by the choir in notes of deep and solemn intonation. All music then ceases, all sounds are hushed, and an awful silence reigns around; while in a low voice the pontiff recites that most ancient and venerable invocation which precedes, accompanies, and follows the consecration, and concludes with great propriety in the Lord's Prayer, chaunted with: a few emphatical inflections. Shortly after the conclusion of this prayer, the pontiff salutes the people in the ancient form, May the peace of the Lord be always with you!' and returns to his throne, while the choir sing thrice the devout address to the Saviour, taken from the Gospel, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.' When seated, the two deacons bring the holy sacrament, which he first reveres humbly on his knees, and then receives in a sitting posture: the anthem after communion is sung, a collect follows, and the deacon dismisses the assembly."

Before taking our leave of Rome we must acquaint the reader, on the authority of Mr. Eustace, that this unrivalled temple, the masterpiece of modern skill, was, during the late French invasion, made an object of avaricious speculation, and doomed to eventual and certain ruin. A company of Jews were ordered to make an estimate of the value of the metal on the outside and the inside of the building; but Providence graciously interposed. Before the abominable act of sacrilege could be committed, the French army, alarmed by the approach of the Allies, retired with precipitation; and St. Peter's still stands!

We hasten on with the author to the end of his journey. He is at Naples.

"Few scenes surpass in beauty that which burst upon me when I awoke next morning. In front, and under my windows, the Bay of Naples spread its azure surface smooth as glass, while a thousand boats glided in different directions over its shining bosom; on the right the town extended along the semicircular shore, and Poslipo rose close behind it, with churches and villas, vineyards and pines, scattered in confusion along its sides and on its ridge, till, sloping as it advanced, the bold hill terminated in a craggy promontory. On the left, at the end of a walk that forms the quay and skirts the sea, the Castel del Vovo, standing on an insulated rock, caught the eye for a moment; while beyond it, over a vast expanse of water, a rugged line of mountains stretched forward, and softening its features as it projected, presented towns, villages, and convents, lodged amidst its forests and precipices, and at length terminated in the Cape of Minerva, now of Surrentum. Opposite, and full in front, rose the Island of Caprea, with its white cliffs and ridgy summit, placed as a barrier to check the tempest and protect the interior of the bay from its fury. This scene, illuminated by a sun that never shines so bright on the less favoured regions beyond the Alps, is justly considered as the most splendid and beautiful exhibition which nature, perhaps, presents to the human eye; and cannot but excite in the spectator, when beheld for the first time, emotions of delight and admiration that border on enthusiasm."

We would willingly accompany the author in his excursions

to the tomb of Virgil, to the grotto of Posilipo, the Lago d'Agnano, and the voluptuous scenery of Puteoli, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Pæstum; but, from want of leisure, we are forced to refer the anxious reader to the volumes themselves. On his return from Naples, Mr. Eustace revisited Rome; and this second view of the mistress of the world fills him with a veneration greater than that which he had before felt. He leaves Italy by the way of Florence, Leghorn, and Genoa. The picture which he draws of the neighbourhood of Florence is one of the happiest and best executed in the work. The Arno, Fæsolæ, Vallombrosa, and all that succession of enchanting scenery, which is supposed to have suggested to Milton his notions of Paradise, are painted with all that fervour and realizing accuracy of which Mr. Eustace is a master.

The tour is followed by a dissertation on Italy in general, and on the character of the Italians. We have to regret that many of our books of geography and travels are filled with declamations against Italian idleness, cruelty, and profligacy; and that these topics are instilled into the minds of youth, to the serious prejudice of their maturer judgments. Mr. Eustace enters with warmth into a defence of the Italian character and morals, and endeavours, not unsuccessfully, to counteract the effects of those gross misrepresentations. The work closes with an Appendix, which abounds with interesting particulars respecting the nature of the papal government, the domestic habits and public duties of the sovereign pontiff, and the functions and privileges of the body of cardinals. The following account is given us of the present Pope.

"Pius VII. is of a noble family, Chiaramonte by name, and became early in life a Benedictine monk of the abbey of St. Georgio, at Venice. His learning, virtue, and mildness raised him above the level of his brethren, and attracted the attention of the late Pope, by whom he was raised to the purple His career in this splendid line seems to have been marked rather by the mild and conciliating virtues than by the display of extraordinary abilities; we accordingly find him esteemed and beloved by all parties, and respected even by the French generals, and by Bonaparte in particular. On the death of Pius VI, the cardinals assembled in conclave at Venice, and unanimously proclaimed Cardinal Chiaramonte Pope. We may easily conceive the joy of the people on this happy occasion. The scene was unusually splendid; but it owed its splendour, not to the opulence of the sovereign, but to the zeal of the subject. The guard that lined the streets and escorted the pontiff consisted of a numerous body of young patricians; and the triumphal arches and decorations were supplied by the Roman people; and the equipage of the pontiff himself was the voluntary homage of the generous Colonna, a prince truly worthy of the name of Roman. In fact, the Pope was personally as poor as the Apostle whom he succeeds, and like him, brought to his flock no

thing but the piety of the pastor and the affection of the father. The Pope is of a middle stature; his eyes are dark, and his hair is black and curly; his countenance is mild and benevolent, expressing rather the tranquil virtues of his first profession, than the sentiments congenial to his latter elevation. However, it is whispered by those who are more intimately acquainted with his character, that he can, on proper occasions, display great firmness and decision."

We may be allowed to add, that since the above was written, a long train of personal grievances, and a protracted captivity by the orders of Napoleon, have called forth the latter qualities into exertion; and that the conduct of the pontiff has amply justified the expectations of his friends, and exhibited at once the determined man and the sincere Christian.

Mr. Eustace informs us

"That this Tour was undertaken in company with Philip Roche, Esq. a young gentleman, whose virtues, it was hoped, would have extended their influence through a long and prosperous life. But these hopes were vain, and the author is destined to pay this unavailing tribute to the memory of his friend and companion."

We are sorry to have to discharge a similar duty to Mr. Eustace himself, who died a short time since of a fever at Naples. He was about to return with the fruits of a second Tour, which the public will, in due time, enjoy, as well as the contents of several valuable manuscripts.

Of the production which we have just noticed with such satisfaction, we cannot but observe that, considering the subject as unconnected with the political feelings and occurrences of the day-and ushered into the world by a man till then unknown, except to a narrow circle of friends, no work ever experienced a more rapid diffusion, or procured for its author a more sudden and unexpected reputation. It exhibits an extensive acquaintance with classical and polite literature, and evinces a well cultivated and refined taste. But there is a spirit that breathes through the works of Mr. Eustace, which stamps a high value on them a spirit of sound morality and Christian benevolence. His Letter to the Bishop of Lincoln is a satisfactory proof that, even in controversial writings, gentleness and candour may constantly prevail; that argument may be exempt from pedantry, and freedom of discussion untinctured with acrimony. Mr. Eustace was a native of Ireland, and a Catholic from conviction. Those who were so happy as to enjoy his confidence could not but perceive, that his religion was equally that of the heart and

of the head.

"Sincere and undisguised in the belief and profession of the Roman Catholic religion, the author (Mr. Eustace) affects not to conceal, because

he is not ashamed of, its influence. Yes! he must acknowledge that the affecting lessons, the holy examples, and the majestic rites of the Catholic church, made an early impression on his mind; and neither time nor experience, neither reading nor conversation, nor much travelling, have weakened that impression, or diminished his veneration. Yet, with this affectionate attachment to the ancient faith, he presumes not to arraign those who support other systems. Persuaded that their claims to mercy, as well as his own, depend upon sincerity and charity, he leaves them and himself to the common Father of all, who, we may humbly hope, will treat our errors and our defects with more indulgence than mortals usually shew to each other. In truth, reconciliation and union are the objects of his warmest wishes, of his most fervent prayers: they occupy his thoughts, they employ his pen; and if a stone should happen to mark the spot where his remains are to repose, that stone shall speak of peace and reconciliation."

ART. VIII.-Souvenirs d'Italie, d'Angleterre, et d'Amérique, suivis de Morceaux divers de Morale et de Literature, par LE VICOMTE DE CHATEAUBRIAND. 2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1815.

In a former number we had occasion to speak with approbation of M. Chateaubriand's Essay on Ancient and Modern Revolutions, and in our last we dwelt with no common satisfaction on his Moral Tale of the Two Martyrs. All the writings of this author evince a warm and vivid imagination, and are not less remarkable for their picturesque colouring, than for a train of energetic ideas, ingenious comparisons, and original turns of expression, which confer on them a peculiar charm. No writer of the present day has more completely attained the art of connecting literature with morals: this happy talent is displayed in every page of the Beauties of Christianity, and eminently prevails in the volumes before us. They contain a variety of interesting observations made during his tour through Italy, and his temporary residence in England and America; together with several detached Essays that appeared in the Mercure de France, before the unhappy period when the spirit of this re*spectable journal was perverted, and its influence employed to promote the despotic views of the French ruler.

It is always curious, and not unfrequently instructive, to hear a foreigner's observations on England and English manners. Let us listen to a remark or two of M. Chateaubriand's.

"Le principal défaut de la nation Anglaise, c'est l'orgueil, et c'est le défaut de tous les hommes. Il domine à Paris, comme à Londres, mais modifié par le caractère Français, et transformé en amour-propre.... Les passions, en général, sont plus dures et plus soudames chez l'An

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