In Rome we have been rather quiet for the last few weeks. The great mass of the people is for the Pope, but the young Italians are bold and organized, and though few in number, they can keep everything in confusion. I dare say there are not more than fourteen or fifteen hundred such gentlemen in Rome, and still they have been able to keep everything in disorder, and to put the Pope at defiance for the last six months. I believe there is no great danger of a revolution. The people might be roused to action, if anything violent were attempted against the Pope. Several times matters appeared quite ripe for a change of government; but after a few days' noise, things settled down again. However, the Pope has not that freedom or independence of action which would be necessary for him, in order to manage the affairs of the universal Church. This would be a thing to be insisted on in any address, that the Pope must be kept independent not only of sovereigns or foreign States, but also he must not be swayed in his spiritual capacity by his own unruly subjects.

Some of the young Italians are now endeavoring to propagate Protestantism in Italy. They were displeas ed with the Pope for not declaring war on the Austrians. They wish now to revenge themselves by promoting heresy. The Pope mentioned this fact last Sunday in an address, which he delivered at the church of S. Pantalio, when publishing the decree for the beatification of the Jesuit Father Claver. The young Italians, or Italian liberals, are showing a very bad spirit. Their efforts to promote Protestantism will have no effect.

I will now mention a circumstance which is to be entre nous. The Pope told a prelate the other day that when Lord Minto was here, he spoke to His Holiness about pensioning the Irish clergy, and begged of him to interfere to induce the clergy to accept the favors of government. The Pope said he could not think of doing so; but if the matter be left to me, I will make a proposal which ought to appear reasonable to Government, and I will pledge myself to induce the Irish to accept it. Minto said he would be very happy to hear the project. The Pope replied that the Irish Catholic Church was formerly very rich. Restore half the property of which they were stripped, the Catholics will absolve you from the restitution of the remainder, and let things be thus settled. Lord Minto said in return, that the Queen would consent to lose the last jewel of her crown, rather than entertain such a proposal. After this conversation Lord Minto never spoke any more about pensioning the clergy. If the project should be proposed by Government, perhaps some similar proposal would have the effect of turning the thoughts of our rulers to some other matter, and make them forget so dangerous a scheme as that of pensioning the clergy.

I fear you must be all in a sad way in Ireland. What will the poor people do if the potatoes fail? I hope God and the Blessed Virgin will protect them. There is some talk that His Holiness will define or declare the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December next. A great number of Bishops from every part of the world have petitioned him to do so. I wish the Irish Bishops would join the petition. It

might be the means of gaining protection for poor Ireland. We want a powerful intercessor.

Drs. Machale and O'Higgins have written a long answer to Dr. Ennis. They have crushed the poor man. He will get little thanks for his mission. There is no doubt but that the former decree of the Propaganda will be confirmed. The Pope himself has a similar contest here in his own states. The young Italians want to shake off all independence from the clergy in matters of education. The Pope has determined to support the rights of the clergy. He must do the same in Ireland. Dr. Kirby desires to be remembered to you. He is at Tivoli, with the Irish. I am at the ancient Tusculum with the students of the Propaganda. I expect to get back to the Irish College very soon, as the affairs of Rome will probably allow the Jesuits to return. At all events, I could not remain in the Propaganda. I have not strength enough for a very laborious office.

I hope your nerves are getting on well. It is a glorious thing to see religion triumphing in the strongholds of heresy, notwithstanding all the difficulties of the times. The nuns, when once properly established, will be a great blessing to Derry. I beg you will have the kindness to acknowledge the receipt of His Holiness' letter. I have the honor to be, with profoundest respect, your devoted, obedient servant,

PAUL CULLEN.

IRISH COLLEGE, ROME, September 14, 1848.

My Dear Lord,-Your Lordship's kind letter of the 26th

of August reached me here in due time. I was delighted in reading every portion of it, but more particularly that which had reference to your communication to the Holy Father. Such documents are calculated to do great service to the cause of truth, and yours has given much satisfaction to His Holiness. We have at length left our final expose in print with the Pope and the Cardinals. The case will be discussed on the 25th of this month in a full congregation, and the opinion of their Eminences will be laid before the Pope on the following Sunday. "Pendente lente," it would be rash to speak with absolute certainty; still I venture to say, the decision will be fully to our wishes. You can scarcely conceive the unjustifiable means resorted to by our blind and unprincipled opponents. Everything that systematic lying, or British intrigue, as well as the base conduct of false brethren could effect, was called unscrupulously into requisition; but the justice of the cause and the prayers of the faithful, have, so far, baffled our enemies and left us high in the ascendant. All will depend on the Pope's Placet of the 25th. May it be inspired by the Holy Ghost!

Your next meeting will be of transcendent importance, and I ardently hope that your Lordship and the other worthy Prelates of the Province will be in Dublin several days before the general assembling of the Prelates. This will be absolutely necessary in order to make due preparations to meet the common enemy. Probably you will be assailed by menaces, flattery, or delusive promises, and all must be opposed with discernment, courage and perseverance. It would be well, if not necessary, to express deep sympathy with the calummated, persecuted and half-starved Irish people, as also with His Holiness in his great difficul

ties. As to the claims of the truth-telling, high-minded, and paternal Whigs on the approval, direct or indirect, of the Irish clergy, the extent of such claims will be found in their government of Ireland for the last three years. Bold speaking should be the order of the day, and "no surrender" our watchword. The more firmly you express your opinions, the more will you be approved of here. In every sentiment which I thus venture to express to your Lordship, I am most cordially joined by the Archbishop of Tuam. Minto is hourly expected in Rome! The Archbishop sends his most sincere regards.

My dear Lord, ever faithfully and affectionately yours, W. O'HIGGINS.

Most Rev. Dr. Maginn.

ROME, November 24, 1848.

My Lord, I received your Lordship's letter some time ago, and sent the letter for the Pope to him without delay.

I now write a few lines to let you know how things stand here. On the 15th instant the Roman chamber of deputies was to meet. Count Rossi, the Pope's principal minister, went to assist at the meeting. He had scarcely left his carriage, when he was surrounded by a number of volunteers who had returned from Lombardy, and an assassin gave him a blow with a dagger in the neck and killed him on the spot. Rossi's crime was, that during his ministry of two months he had restored order in Rome and in the provinces, and was endeavoring to put government on a firm footing. The death of Rossi was considered a triumph by the radical faction. They went shouting like