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Moewel
LETTERS
OF POPE
CLEMENT XIV. ke
(GANGANELLI.)
TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED,
ANECDOTES OF HIS LIFE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH EDITION PUB-
LISHED AT PARIS BY LOTTIN, JUN.
VOL. II.
A
LONDON:
Printed for T. BECKET, Corner of the Adelphi, Strand.
M DCC LXXVII,
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Libr.
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LETTER S, &c.
LETTER LXXXII.
TO PRINCE SANSEVER O.
T
HE petrefactions I have fent
you
are not worth your thanks. I know
the full value, as well as the ad-
vantage, of entering into a correfpondence
with a Philofopher who is occupied in ftu-
dying the hiftory of Nature, and who does
not admire her fports and phenomena, but
with a knowledge of the cauſe.
The birds you are importing from the
New World for the Emperor, are ex-
tremely curious; but, notwithstanding
every precaution, I doubt of their getting
to our climate alive. People have fre.
quently tried to bring over different kinds
of humming-birds, but always have had
VOL. II.
B
the
2 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
the mortification of feeing them die at
fome diſtance from our coafts,
Providence, in giving us the Peacock,
has provided us moft richly, without our
going in fearch of winged beauties elfe-
where. In reality, America has nothing
more beautiful than our own birds; but
we commonly prefer what is foreign, be-
cauſe it comes from a diftance.
You will be enchanted, my Lord, with
the undertaking of Monf. Buffon, the
French Academician, and with the volumes
which have appeared. I know them only
by the extracts that have been given from
them, and they appear admirable. I am
forry that the Author of a Natural Hiſtory
ſhould declare for a fyftem: it muſt be a
means of having many things which he ad-
vances doubted, and oblige him to com-
bat all thoſe who are not of his opinion.
Befides, wherever he wanders from the book
of Genefis on the creation of the world, he
has no fupport but paradoxes, or, at beſt,
hypotheſes.
Mofes, as an infpired Author, is the
only one who could inftruct us in the for-
mation
CLEMENT XIV.
mation and unfolding of the world. He
is not an Epicurus, who has recourfe to
atoms; a Lucretius, who believes matter.
to be eternal; a Spinofa, who admits a
material God; a Defcartes, who prates
about the laws of motion; but a legiſlator,
who announces to all men without hefita-
tion, without fear of being miſtaken, how
the world was created. Nothing can be -
more fimple or more fublime than his open-
ing: In the beginning God created the Heaven
and the Earth. He could not ſpeak more
affuredly, if he had been a ſpectator; and
by these words, mythology, fyftems, and
abfurdities fhrink to nought, and are mere
chimeras in the eyes of reafon.
Whoever does not perceive the truth in
the relation of Mofes, was not formed for
the knowledge of it. Some people are
conftantly attached to hypothefes, without
even the leaſt probability, and yet are un-
willing to believe what gives the higheſt
idea of the power and wifdom of God.
An eternal world offers a thoufand great-
er difficulties, than an eternal intelligence;
and a co-eternal world is an abfurdity which
B 2
cannot
1
4 LETTERS OF GANG ANELLI,
cannot exiſt, becauſe nothing can be fo
ancient as God himſelf. Not to mention
that he is neceffary, and that the world
is not neceffary; from what right fhall
matter, a thing quite contingent, abfo-
lutely inert, pretend to the fame prero-
gatives with an all powerful and immate-
rial fpirit? Thefe are extravagances which
could only be produced by a diſtracted ima-
gination, and prove the aftoniſhing weak-
nefs of man when he will only hearken to
himself.
The hiftory of Nature is a book ſhut for
all generations, if we do not perceive the
exiſtence of God, and his being a creator
and preferver; for nothing can be more
evident than his action. The Sun, all mag-
nificent as he is, although adored by diffe-
rent nations, has neither intelligence nor
difcernment; and if his courfe is fo regular
as never to be even for a moment interrupt-
ed, it is through the impulfe received
from a fupreme agent, whoſe orders he exe-
cutes with the greateſt punctuality.
Wherever we caft our eyes over the vaſt
extent of the univerſe, we ſee the immenfi-
ty
CLEMENT XIV.
5
{
ty of a Being, before whom this world is
as nothing. It would be very extraordinary,
fince the ſmalleſt work cannot exift with-
out a maker, that this world could have the
privilege of owing its exiftence and its
beauty to itſelf alone. Reafon digs fright-
ful precipices for itſelf, when it hearkens
only to the paffions and fenfes and reafon
without faith is to be pitied. All the Aca-
demies of the univerfe may fancy fyftems,
on the creation of the world; but after all
their reſearches, all their conjectures, all
their combinations, their multitudes of
volumes, they will tell me much leſs than
Mofes has told me in a fingle page; and will
tell me things, too, that have not any pro-
bability. Such is the difference between
the man who ſpeaks only from himſelf,
and the man who is infpired.
The Eternal ſmiles from on high at all
thefe mad fyſtems, which fancifully arrange
the world; fometimes giving chance for its
parent, and fometimes fuppofing it to be
eternal.
Some people love to perfuade themfelves
that matter governs itſelf, and that there is
B 3
no
LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
;
no other deity; becauſe they well know
that matter is ftupid and inactive, and
therefore need not dread its effects; while
the juſtice of a God, who fees every thing,
and weighs every thing, is dreadful to the
finner.
Nothing can be more beautiful than the
hiftory of Nature, when it is united to that
of Religion. Nature is nothing without
God; it produces every thing, vivifies every
thing by his help. Without being any part
of what compofes the univerfe, he is the
movement, the fap, and the life of it.
Let his activity ceafe, there will be no
more movement in the elements, no more
vegetation in plants, no more fpring in fe-
cond cauſes, no more revolutions of the
ftars. Eternal darkneſs must take place of
light, and the univerfe become its own
grave.
The fame thing would happen to this
world, were God Almighty to withdraw
his hand, which happens to our bodies when
all motion ceafes. They fall into duft,
they are exhaled in fmoke, and it is not
even known that they ever had exifted.
If
CLEMENT XIV.
7
If I had fufficient knowledge to under-
take a hiftory of Nature, I would begin
my work by diſplaying the immenſe per-
fections of its Author; then treat of man
as his maſter-piece; and fucceffively from
ſubſtance to ſubſtance, from kind to kind, I
would defcend to the fmalleft ant, and fhew
in the ſmalleſt infect, as well as in the most
perfect angel, the fame wifdom fhining forth,
and the fame almighty hand employed.
A picture of this nature muft have en-
gaged the lovers of Truth;-and Religion
herſelf, who would have traced out the
defign, would have rendered it infinitely
precious.
Let us never ſpeak of the creatures, ex-
cept to bring us nearer to our Creator: they
are the reverberation of his never-failing
light, and thefe are ideas which either raiſe
or debaſe us; for man is never more dimi-
nutive nor more grand, than when he confi
ders himſelf in his relation to God. He then
perceives an Infinite Being whofe image he
is, and before whom he is but as an atom:
two apparent contradictions, which muft
be reconciled, to give us a juft idea of our-
BA
Lelves,
H
8 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
felves, that we may not run into the excef
fes of the proud angels, nor into thoſe of
unbelievers, who level themſelves with the
beaſts that perish.
Your Letter, my Lord, led me to theſe
reflections; and I confefs to you at the fame
time, that I have no greater fatisfaction
than when I find an opportunity of ſpeak-
ing of the Deity. He is the element of
our hearts, and it is only in his love that
the foul bloffoms.
Happily, I was fenfible of this great truth
in my earlieſt years, and in confequence
I chofe the Cloifter, as a retreat where,
feparated from the creatures, I could
commune more eafily with the Creator.
The commerce of the world is fo tur-
bulent, that while we are in it we fcarcely
know the recollection neceffary to unite us
with God.
I thought of writing a Letter, and I
have wrote a Sermon; except that, inſtead
of finiſhing with Amen, I conclude with the
reſpect which is due to you, and with
which I have the honour to be, &c.
ROME, 13 December, 17541
LETTER
CLEMENT XIV.
9
LETTER LXXXIII.
TO COUNT ALGAROT T I.
T is a long time, my dear Count, fince
I
I have had the pleaſure of converfing
with you, or rather, fince I was at your
fchool. A little difciple of Scotus cannot
do better than profit by the leffons of a
Philofopher, who has brought to light the
Newtoniſm of the Ladies.
A philofophy on the fubject of attraction
ought more particularly to be yours, be-
cauſe you have fuch an attracting, amiable
character, that you draw all minds after
you; but for my part, I would rather,
with fuch advantages, be lefs a Newtonian,
and more a Chriftian.
We were not created to be either the
difciples of Aristotle or Newton. Our
fouls have a much nobler deſtiny; and the
more yours is fublime, the more you ought
to remount to its fource,
You may fay as often as you pleaſe, that
it is the buſineſs of a Monk to preach;
-
and I will repeat to you continually, that
it is the bufinefs of a Philofopher to em-
ploy himself in thinking from whence he
B 5
came,
10 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
came, and whither he goes. We have all a
caufe, and final purpofe for our exiſtence,
and it must be God alone who is both the one
and the other.
We
Your philofophy, notwithſtanding your
reaſonings, refts only upon chimeras, if you
ſeparate it from religion. Chriftianity is the
ſubſtance of the truths which man ought
to ſeek after: but he loves to nurfe him-
felf in error, as the reptiles love to fatiate
themſelves on the mud in the ditch.
feek at a diſtance what we inay find in our-
felves, would we only look within, as did
the great St. Auguftine
St. Auguftine; who having taken
to fee if he could
find his God, returned to his own heart,
and declared that he exifted more there
than any where elfe-Et redii ad me.
a view of every being,
ᎪᏂ !
I hope you will preach to me one day, and
that each of us fhall have his turn.
I wish to God!-However, whether you
moralife or banter, I will always hear you
with that pleaſure which one must have in
hearing thofe they cordially love, and to
whom they are from inclination as well as
duty, the moſt Kumble, &c.
ROME, 7 December, 1754
LETTER
CLEMENT XIV.
i
LETTER LXXXIV.
BEF
TO THE ABBE PAPL
EHOLD, my dear Abbe, the learned
Cardinal Quirini is juft gone to unite
his knowledge to God, and to take full
draughts from that torrent of light, which
we cannot perceive here below, but through
clouds. He died as he lived, with his
pen in his hand, finishing a line, and ready
to go to Church, where his heart always
was. Mine ſhall erect a monument to him
within myſelf, as lafting as my life. He
had a regard for me-but, alas ! for whom
had he not? His cathedral, his dioceſe, all
Italy, even Berlin, has experienced his libe-
ralities. The King of Pruffia honoured him
with fingular efteem, and all the Learned of
Europe admired his zeal and his talents.
He had a conciliating turn of mind ;—
all the Proteftants loved him, though he
often told them ſevere truths. It is to be re-
gretted that he did not leave fome confider-
able work, inſtead of writing only detached
pieces. He would have encreaſed the Be-
nedictine
B 6
12 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
nedictine Library, already fo voluminous;
and being one of the moft diftinguiſhed
members of the Order of St. Benedict, he
would have enriched the Church with his
productions.
If Poets are fufceptible of friendships,
Monf. Voltaire will regret him. They cor-
refponded amicably;-genius fought after
genius. For me, who can only admire great
men, and regret the lofs of them, I fhall
fhed tears upon the tomb of our illuſtrious
Cardinal. Quando inveniemus parem?
I have the honour to be, &c.
CONVENT OF THE HOLY APOSTLES,
13 January, 1755.
i
LETTER LXXXV.
TO A PAINTER.
HILE there is expreffion in your
W pictures, my dear Sir, you may
applaud yourſelf for your work. That is
the effence of the art, and renders a num-
ber of faults excufable, which would not
be forgiven in an ordinary Painter.
I have
CLEMENT XIV.
18
I have ſpoken of your talents to his Emi-
nence Cardinal Porto-Carrero, and accord-
ing to your defire, he will recommend you
in Spain; but nothing will make you bet-
ter known than your own genius ;-one
muſt be born a Painter, as well as a Poet.
Carrache, notwithſtanding the ſpirit of his
pencil, would have produced no work
worthy of attention, if he had not poffeffed
that rapture which infpires with enthuſiaſm
and ardour.
•
We fee in his pictures a foul which
fpeaks, which animates and infpirits:
we think we can become Carrache himſelf,
from the ſtrength of admiration, and be
filled with the juftneſs of his images.
How the spirit of that great man, whom
you have choſen for a model, breathes in
you! You will revive him again upon the
canvas! If you were only his fhadow, you
would deferve to be eſteemed: the fhadow
of a great man has fome reality.
Nature ought always to be the model
for every man who paints; and to exe-
cute it well, no efforts are neceffary. Paint-
ers, like Poets, become monstrous, when
they
14 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
*
they ftrain their genius in compofing.
When talents are in a proper diſpoſition for
executing a work, a man feels himself hur
ried on by an irrefiftible propenfity to feize
the pen or the pencil, and give himſelf up
to his inclination, without which he has
neither expreffion nor taſte.
Rome is undoubtedly the true fchool to
form a Painter; but whatever trouble he
takes, he will never rife above mediocrity,
unless he has genius.
It is time for me to have done, fince a
Counſellor of the Holy Office is not a
Painter, and we have every thing to loſe,
when we ſpeak of what we know only im-
perfectly.
I am, Sir, &c.
LETTER LXXXVI.
TO MONSIGNOR AYMALDI
OU have reaſon to be furpriſed, my
You
Lord, at the happy alliance which is
henceforth to unite the houfes of Bourbon
and Auftria. There are prodigies in poli-
tics
CLEMENT XIV.
75
tics as well as in nature; and Benedict XIV.
on learning this furpriſing news, had reaſon
for exclaiming, O admirabile commercium!
M. de Bernis has immortalifed himſelf
by this political phenomenon, having had
jufter views than Cardinal Richlieu.
By this means we ſhall have no more wars
in Europe, except when they grow tired of
having peace; and the King of Pruffia,
though always thirsting after glory, will not
feek to make conquefts. But I fee Poland
at his mercy; and becauſe a hero equally
valiant and fortunate loves to aggrandize
himſelf, he will one day take part of it, if
that part be only the town of Dantzick. Po-
land itſelf may perhaps lend a helping hand
to fuch a revolution, by not watching fuffici
ently at home, and Iplitting into a thouſand
different factions. The patriotic ſpirit is no
longer fufficient among the Polanders, to
animate them to defend their country at the
expence of their lives. They are too often
from home, to retain their national ſpirit.
It is only in England that the ſpirit of pa-
triotiſm is never extinguiſhed, becauſe it is
founded on principle.
Europe
16 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Europe has always had fome warlike
Monarch, jealous of extending his territo-
ries, or gathering laurels: fometimes a
Guftavus, fometimes a Sobieski, fometimes
a Louis the Great, fometimes a Frederic.
Arms more than talents have aggrandifed
empires, becauſe mankind have known that
there is nothing of fuch energy as the law
of the ſtrongeſt, the ultima ratio regum.
'Happily, we feel none of thefe calami-
ties here: all is in peace, and every one re
liſhes its fruits deliciously; as I eminently
tafte the pleaſure of affuring you, of all my
eſteem, and all my attachment.
LETTER
LXXXVII.
TO THE ABBE NICOLINI.
SIR,
Was extremely forry that I was not
I W
at the Convent of the Holy Apoſtles,
when you came to favour me with a vifit
before your departure. Alas! I was upon
the banks of the Tiber, which the ancient
Romans magnified as they did their tri-
umphs;
CLEMENT XIV.
17
umphs; for as to its length or breadth, it
is but an ordinary river.
This is a walk which I have a particular
liking to, from the ideas it infpires me with
on the grandeur and declenfion of the Ro-
mans. I call to mind the times when theſe
fierce defpots held the world in chains, and
when Rome had as many Gods, as they had
vices and paffions.
I then ſhrink back into my cell, where I
employ myſelf about Chriftian Rome, and
where, though the loweft in the houſe of
God, I labour for its utility: but it is a
work which is preſcribed, and therefore te-
dious; for in ftudying, a man common-
ly loves what he performs freely.
I dare not ſpeak to you of the death of
our common friend; - That would be to
tear open a too tender wound. I came too
late to hear his laft words. He is regretted
like one of thoſe fingular men of whom his
age was not worthy, and who poffeffed
all the candour of the primitive times.
It is faid that he has left fome pieces of
poetry worthy of the greatest mafters. He
never mentioned them, which is the more
extra-
18 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
:
extraordinary, as Poets are feldom more
difcreet with regard to their writings, than
to their merit in other reſpects.
For fome time we have had a fwarm of
young Frenchmen here, and you may be-
lieve that I have feen them with much plea-
fure. My apartment was not large enough
to hold them; they all did me the fa-
vour to come and fee me, becauſe they had
been told that there was a Monk in the
Convent of the Holy Apoftles who had a
particular love for France, and every one
that came from thence. They all ſpoke to-
gether, and it was an earthquake that gavę
me much pleaſure.
They do not like Italy too much, becauſe
it is not yet quite frenchified; but I com-
forted them, by affuring them that in time
they would complete the metamorphofis,
and that I was already more than half a
Frenchman:
I have the honour to be, &c.
ROME, 24 July, 1756.
LETTER
I
CLEMENT XIV.
19
LETTER LXXXVIII.
TO MR. STUART, A SCOTCH GENTLEMAN.
F you are not affected by the fluctuation
of the waves which ſurround you, I will
reproach you keenly for your inconftancy;
for inattention to an old friend, who has been
conftantly attached to you, is not to be for-
given. Your conduct reminds me of what
I have often thought, that the principal na
tions of Europe refembled the elements.
The Italian, according to this fimilitude,
repreſents the fire, which, always in action,
flames and fparkles; the German, the
earth, which, notwithſtanding its denſity,
produces good pulfe and excellent fruits;
the French, the air, whofe fubtlety leaves.
not a trace behind; the English, the fickle
wave, which changes every inftant.
A ſkilful Minifter, with addrefs, chains
theſe elements as he finds neceffary, or
makes them wreſtle one against the other,
according to the interefts of his mafter. It
is what we have feen more than once when
Europe
20 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI.
Europe was in combuftion, and was agitat-
ed by reciprocal violences.
Human policy embroils or reconciles ac-
cording to intereft, having nothing more at
heart than to govern or aggrandife. Chri-
ftian policy, on the contrary, does not
know the criminal art of fowing divifions;
but its greatest fuccefs is in preventing
them. I cannot value policy which is not
founded on equity, for that is Machiave-
lifm put into action: but I have the moſt
advantageous idea of a policy which is fome-
times quiet, fometimes active; is governed
by prudence; meditates, calculates, fore-
fees, and after having recalled the paſt re-
flects upon the prefent, glances into futuri-
ty, and having all times in view, becomes
active, or remains inactive,
It is abfolutely neceffary that a good Po-
litician fhould know hiftory perfectly, and
the age in which he lives; he fhould know
the degree of ftrength and ſpirit poffeffed by
thoſe Characters, who appear on the ſtage of
the world; to intimidate them if they are
weak, to oppoſe them if they have courage,
and to miſlead them if they are raſh.
A know-
•
*
CLEMENT XIV.
21
A knowledge of men rather than of
books, is the ſcience of a good Politician,
and it is of confequence in his affairs to know
thofe perfectly whom he is to employ.
Some are only proper for fpeaking, while
others have courage which fits them for ac-
tion; and all depends upon not miſtaking.
their characters. Many politicians fail from
having mifplaced their confidence. There
is no recovering a fecret when it has once
eſcaped, and it is better to commit a fault by
being too referved, than by an imprudent
confidence: What we do not speak, cannot
be wrote.
The fear of being betrayed renders him
pufillanimous, who has too lightly laid open
his heart. There are circumftances where
the Politician ſhould appear to fay every
thing, though he fays nothing; and be able
to miſlead with addrefs, without betraying
the truth; for it is never lawful to change
it.
It is not weakness to yield when we can-
not do otherwife; it is then wifdom. All
depends on knowing the proper moment,
and the characters of thofe you have to deal
with;
22 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
with; to foreſee certainly the effect which
reſiſtance could have in fuch circumſtances.
Vanity often proves very hurtful to a
Politician. When impelled by reſentment,
we would triumph over our enemy, and are
eafily entangled in difficulties, from not
foreſeeing the confequences.
He who would lead men, ought to fub-
due his paffions, and oppoſe a cool head to
thoſe who have the greateſt warmth; it is
that which makes us commonly fay, that
the world is the inheritance of the phlegmatic.
The way to diſconcert the moſt impetuous
adverſary, is by great moderation.
We fhould have much lefs quarrelling
and fewer wars, were we only to calcu-
late what quarrelling and fighting muft coft.
It is not fufficient to have men and money
at our difpofal; we muſt know how to
employ them, and reflect that fortune is not
always in the hands of the ftrongest. For a
long time we have had nothing but a tem-
porifing policy at Rome, becauſe we are
weak, and the courfe of events is the hap-
pieſt reſource to extricate thofe who cannot
refift. But as this is now a fecret of which no
4
one
CLEMENT XIV.
23
one is ignorant, and as our flowness in deter-
mining is generally known, it is not amifs,
but even proper, for a Pope now and then
to be determined; not in things that may
be difputed, but in things that are juft;
without which the Sovereign Pontiffs would
be of certain being oppreffed every time
they are threatened.
Unfortunately, war is neceffary for fome
nations to become opulent; there are others,
again, to whom it proves certain ruin: from
all which I conclude, that a Minifter who
knows how to profit ably of circumſtances
is truly a treaſure; and when a Sovereign
has the happineſs to find fuch a man, he
ſhould preſerve him, notwithſtanding ca-
bals.
I have been ſtammering upon a fubject
which you underſtand much better than I
do; but one word leads on to another, and
infenfibly we ſpeak of what we do not
know.
Thus it happens in letter writing.-We
do not foreſee all that we fhall fay. The foul,
when it comes to recoil upon itſelf, is af-
toniſhed, and with reafon, at its fertility.
It
24 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
}
į
It is a ſtriking picture of the production of
a world from nothing; for our thoughts,
which did not exift a little before, fuddenly
ſtart into being, and make us fenfible that
the Creation is really not impoffible, as
fome modern Philofophers pretend. I leave
you with yourſelf; you are much better
than with me.
Adieu.
ROME, 22 Auguſt, 1756.
LETTER LXXXIX.
TO THE REV. FATHER ***
APPOINTED
CONFSESOR TO THE DUKE OF ***
WH
-
HAT a charge! What a bur-
den! my dearest friend. Is it
for your deſtruction, or for your falvation,
that Providence has appointed you to this
formidable employment? That idea ought
to make you tremble.
You aſk me what you ſhould do to dif
charge it properly?-Be an Angel.
All things prove fhelves and fnares for the
Confeffor of a Sovereign, if he has not pa-
tience to wait God's good time, gentleness
to
CLEMENT XIV.
25
to compaſſionate imperfections, and ſteadi-
neſs to reſtrain paffions. You ought to be
filled, more than any one, with the gifts of
the Holy Ghoſt, ſo as to diffuſe ſometimes
hopes, fometimes fears, and always inftruc-
tion. You ſhould have a zeal capable of
ſtanding the fevereft teft, and a ſpirit of
juſtice to balance the interefts of the peo-
ple, and the Sovereign of whom you have
the guidance. You ſhould firft endeavour
to know, whether the Prince whom you
direct is inftructed in the duties of reli-
gion, and his obligations towards his fub-
jects; for, alas! it is too common for Prin-
ces to come out of the hands of thoſe
who had the forming of them, without any
knowledge but what is fuperficial. Next
you should oblige your penitent to inftruct
himself, and to draw inftruction from their
true fources, not loading the memory with
many lectures, but ſtudying by principles
what Religion and Politics require from a
governor.
There are excellent works upon this fub-
ject, and you ought not to be ignorant of
them. I know one that was compofed for
Victor-
VOL. II.
C
25 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Victor-Amadeus, and which has no other
fault but that of being too diffufe, and ex-
acting too much.
When the Duke is folidly inftructed, for
he fhould not fleep over frivolous ceremo-
nies, recommend to him to feek truth con-
tinually, and to love it without reſerve.
Truth fhould be the Sovereign's compafs.
It will be the means of getting rid of all
informers and Courtiers, who fupport
themfelves in Courts by flattery and falfe-
hood, and who are by a thoufand degrees
the most dangerous of all fcourges; deitroy-
ing Princes both for this world and the next.
Infift, without intermiffion, on the neceſ
fity of fhewing the refpect that is due to re-
ligion, not by inſpiring a ſpirit of perſecu-
tion, but by recommending an evangeli-
cal courage, which ſpares the perfon, but
ftops the fcandal. Repeat frequently that
the life of a Sovereign, like his Crown, is
very inſecure, if he fuffers jefting about
the worſhip due to God, and does not put
a ftop to irreligion.
Endeavour by your firmness, by your re-
preſentations, by your prayers, and even by
your tears, to make the Prince whom you
guide,
CLEMENT XIV.
27
guide, diftinguish himſelf by the goodnefs
of his morals, and to cauſe them flouriſh in
his kingdom, as they conftitute the tran-
quillity of citizens, and the happineſs of
families, which is the feed of population.
Repreſent to him frequently, that his fub-
jects are his children, and that he fhould
be a parent to them day and night, to help
and comfort them; that he fhould not im-
pofe taxes upon them, but in proportion
to their wealth and induſtry, fo as neither.
to expose them to indigence nor deſpair;
and that a ready adminiftration of justice
is his indifpenfible duty.
If you do not engage him to fee every
thing with his own eyes, you will do your
duty only by halves. The people are not
made happy but by entering into particu-
lars, and there is no means of knowing
them, without defcending to make the en-
quiry.
Though the Great defpife the people,
and do not reflect, that in a State the People
comprehends every individual except the
Sovereign, yet to you, let that people be ever
prefent, as a facred portion with which the
Prince
C 2
28
LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Prince ſhould be conftantly engaged; - a
portion which makes the fupport of the
throne, and which fhould be watched like
the apple of the eye.
Make him fenfible, that the life of a So-
vereign is a life of trouble, and that recrea-
tions are only permitted to him, as to
the rest of mankind, for relaxation; and
teach him to know, that he ought to ftop
his chriftian ftudies, and even his prayers,
if he is wanted for the fupport of the ſtate.
Speak to him of the dreadful account
which he muft render to God of his admi-
niſtration, and not of the judgment which
hiftory pronounces againſt bad Princes af-
ter their deaths. That is not a proper
motive to actuate a religious Prince; for
hiſtory is only the voice of men, which pe-
rifheth with them: but the living God,
the puniſher of crimes, is the object which
fhould regulate the conduct of a Sovereign.
It is of little confequence to moſt people,
whether they are well or ill ſpoken of after
their death; but the fight of an eternal
and inflexible Judge makes the moft awe-
ful impreffion upon the human mind.
You
CLEMENT XIV.
29
You will not prefcribe thofe vague pe-
•nances which confift in fimple prayers, but
apply a remedy fit to heal the wounds
which will be expofed to you; and parti-
cularly endeavour to diſcover what is his
prevailing fault; without which you may
confefs for a whole age without knowing
your penitent. If you would ſtop the
courfe of an evil, you must go to the foun-
tain-head.
Take great care not to ftep beyond the
bounds of your miniſtry, and not meddle,
I do not fay with any intrigue, but with
any buſineſs, of the Court. It is moft un-
worthy to fee a Monk, who ought not to ap-
pear but as a reprefentative of Jefus Chirst,
diſhonour that auguft function by fordid in-
tereft or deteftable ambition.
All your defires, all your views, ſhould
have the fafety of the Prince who places
his confidence in you for their fole object.
Aftonish him by an incorruptible virtue,
always equally fupported. If a Confeffor
does not make himself refpectable, and
eſpecially in a Court, where they only ſeek.
pretences for not being Chriftians, he au-
G. 3.
thoriſes
30 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
thorifes vices, and expofes himſelf to be de-
fpifed.
Inculcate into the mind of the Prince,
that he muſt be anfwerable to God for all
the employments he beſtows, and all the
evil which is done in confequence of his
making an improper choice. Repreſent to
him particularly, the danger of nominating
ignorant or vicious people to ecclefiaftical
dignities, and nourishing their effeminacy
and covetouſneſs by giving them a plurality
of benefices. Perfuade him to feek out
merit, and to recompenſe thoſe who write
for the good of the public, and for Reli
gion. Teach him to fupport his dignity,
not by pride, but by a magnificence pro-
portioned to the extent of his dominions,
his forces, and his revenues; and to de-
fcend, at the fame time, from his rank, to
humaniſe himſelf with his people, and to
fearch after true happineſs.
Place his duty frequently before his eyes,
not with ſeverity nor with importunity, but
with that charity, which, being the effufion
of the Holy Spirit, never ſpeaks but with
prudence, feizes the proper feafon, and pro-
fits by it. When a Prince is convinced of
the
CLEMENT XIV.
3Ť
the knowledge and piety of his Confeffor,
he hears him with good-nature, if his heart
be not corrupted.
If your illuftrious pupil accuſes himſelf
of effential faults in adminiſtration, ſpeak
to him in general terms, and you will
come infenfibly to the point of making him
confefs what you ought to know.
fhould often infift upon his hearing all his
people, and doing them immediate juftice.
You
If you do not find yourfelf inclined to fol-
low this plan, retire; for theſe are precepts
which you cannot tranfgrefs, without ren-
dering yourſelf guilty both in the fight of
God and Man.
The function of an ordinary Confeffor
does not attract the public attention, but
all eyes are fixed on the conduct of the man
who is Confeffor to a Sovereign. You can-
not be too exact in the tribunal of penitence,
in not allowing any one to approach to the
facraments whofe fcandalous life niuft ren-
der him unworthy in the eyes of the pub-
lic. There are not two Goſpels, one for
the Sovereign, and another for the people:
both the one and the other will be equally
CA
judged.
32 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
judged by that unalterable law, becauſe
the law of the Lord remaineth eternally.
Princes are not the images of God by
their power and authority only, which they
hold of him alone; they are fo likewife by
the virtues which they should poffefs, to
be proper repreſentatives of him. A peo-
ple fhould be able to fay of their Sovereign,
"He governs like a Deity, with wifdom,
clemency, and equity:" for Sovereigns
are accountable to their fubjects for their
conduct; not to diſcloſe the ſecrets of the
Cabinet, but in doing nothing which can
miſlead them.
Of all things, take care not to falfify the
truth, either from weakneſs or any world-
ly motive. There is no capitulating with
the law of God; it has the fame force
at all times, and the fpirit of the Church
is always the fame. The zeal of the great
Ambrofius with regard to the Emperor
Theodofius, is extolled by the Church as
highly at preſent as it was formerly; for
ſhe neither varies in her morals nor opinions.
I pray to God, with all my heart, that
he may ſupport you, and enlighten you in
fo
CLEMENT XIV.
33
ſő hazardous an employment, where you
ought not to be an ordinary man, but a
heavenly guide. You will then live as a
hermit, in the midft of the great world; as
a truly religious man, in a dwelling where
there is commonly but little religion; as a
Saint, in a place which would deſtroy the
men of God, if the Lord was not every、
where with his elect.
I embrace you, and am, &c.
ROME, 26 April, 1755. -
LETTER XC.
TO THE PRELATE CERATI
MY LORD,
A
T laft the Chapter of Dominicans, at
which our Holy Father folemnly
prefided, is over, and the Rev. Father
Boxadors, equally diftinguiſhed by his birth.
and merit, hath been elected Superior Ge-
neral. He will govern with much wiſdom
and honeſty, as an enlightened man who
is acquainted with mankind, and knows
that they are not to be governed imperiously.
Benedict
C 5
:
34 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Benedict XIV. who opened the Seffion
with a diſcourſe the moſt eloquent and flat-
tering for the Order of St. Dominick,
which has always been remarkable for the
underſtanding and virtue of its mem-
bers, defired to have the Rev. Father
Richini for General, a truly modeft and
learned Monk; but notwithſtanding his
prefence, and all his wishes, he could not
fucceed.
The Pope took it very well, and in go-
ing away, fmiling, ſaid, "that the Holy
"Therefa having aſked Our Saviour, where-
"fore a Carmelite, whom he had declar-
ed to her fhould be chofen General, was
"not elected, he anſwered her, I was for
him, but the Monks were against him. It is
"not aftonishing then, added our Holy
Father, that the will of his Vicar hath
not had its effect."
All the world knows that we too often
refift the Holy Spirit, and that mankind
daily defeat the intentions of the Deity by
their wicked ways.
Father
CLEMENT XIV.
35
Father Bremond is little regretted, al-
though he was extremely affable and vir-
tuous. His Order reproached him with
having a blind condefcenfion for a brother
who governed him, and whom I always
diftrufted, becauſe he appeared to me to
be a flatterer. It is feldom that men of
that character are not falfe. Your fweeten-
ed language is rarely the language of fin-
cerity..
I pitied poor P. Bremond, without dar-
ing to blame him.
What man in employ-
ment but has been deceived?
There are many people unjuft with re-
gard to the Great, and efpecially when they
are not great themſelves. The circum-
ſtance of the Great being befet with cares
and embarraffments is not attended to,
which fhould in part excufe' them, when
they cannot fee all with their own eyes.
Happy he who only fees greatneſs at a dif
tance, like a mountain which he has no
inclination to climb!
I have the honour to be, &c.
-
ROME, 29 July, 1756.
C 60
LETTERS
36 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
I
LETTER XCI.
TO AN ENGLISH LORD.
Cannot conceive, my Lord, inſtruct-
ed as you are in the imperfections of
human nature, the variety of opinions,
the fantaſticalnefs of tafte, and the force of
cuſtoms, why you ſhould be aftoniſhed at
the form of our Government. I do not pre-
tend to juſtify it, as it neither favours com-
merce, agriculture, nor population; that
is to fay, what is precifely the effence of
public felicity: but do you think there
are no inconveniences in other countries?
We are under an infenfible Government,
it is true, which excites neither emulation
nor industry; but I fee you Engliſhmen
under the yoke of a populace who drag you
as they pleaſe, and who, by their impetuo-
fity, which cannot be reft rained, become your
Sovereigns: and I fee other people, fuch as
the Polanders, under an anarchy, and the
Ruffians under defpotifm; without men-
tioning the Turks, who dare not ſpeak for
fear of the Sultan, who can do whatever he
pleafes.
It
འ
37
CLEMENT XIV.
It is generally imagined, though I do
not know why, that the Ecclefiaftic Go-
vernment is a fceptre of iron; yet whoever
has read its hiftory, cannot be ignorant
that the Chriſtian Religion has aboliſh-
ed flavery: that in thofe countries where
it ſtill unhappily prevails, as in Poland
and Hungary, the peafants, who are under
the government of biſhops, are not bondſ-
men; and that, in fine, nothing is more gen-
tle than the dominion of the Popes. Be-
fides their never having war, being neceffa-
rily Princes of Peace, they trouble nobody
either for taxes, or their ways of thinking.
There are certain Inquifitions which have
cauſed the Prieſts to be branded with the
name of Perfecutors. But, befides that the
monarchs who authorized them, were equally
guilty with the inftigators, Rome was never
feen to give in to the barbarous pleaſure of
burning its citizens for want of the faith,
or becauſe ſome improper difcourfe had
eſcaped them. Jefus Chrift, expiring up-
on the Crofs, far from exterminating thoſe
who blafphemed him, follicited their pardon
with his Father: Paler, ignofce illis.
What
39 LETTERS OF GANGANELL1,
What is certain is, that although fome
minifters of God have fometimes declared'
for blood and carnage, they have only done
it by an enormous abuſe of religion, which,
having charity for its effence, preaches up
meekness and peace.
Yet, wherefoever I look round the world,'
I fee that, in the midſt of our indigence and
apathy, we are ſtill the people who live
moft happily. This is owing, it is true,
to the goodness of the foil and climate,
which furniſhes us abundantly with the ne--
ceffaries of life.
T
If our Government had more activity,
there would certainly be more vigour and
circulation in the Ecclefiaftical State: but
who hath told us that the Government
would not then become defpotic? The
luke-warmnefs of the Popes, commonly too
old to undertake or execute, makes at once-
both our misfortune and our happineſs.
They leave the country to produce what
it pleafes, without attending either to its
culture or improvement; but they cruſh no-
body under the weight of taxes, and evéry
i
one.
CLEMENT XIV.
39
one is fure of remaining in peace at home,
without the leaft moleftation.
Rich countries are taxed in propor-
tion to their riches; and I do not know, in
fact, whether it is better to inhabit a coun-
try flourishing by its induftry, and having
exorbitant burdens to pay, which leaves.
only the means of fubfifting; or to live in
a place without this circulation, but in a
happy eaſe. It appears to me that every
individual, feparately, loves rather to gain
little with nothing to pay, than to gain
much, and pay almoft the whole. I pre-
fer having only twenty-five fequins to my-
felf, to the happineſs of poffeffing a hundred
out of which I must pay ninety.
We are frequently misled by fpecious
advantages in what we fay upon Govern-
ment. The whole world requires undoubt-
edly that we ſhould labour and be active,
lending our hands to one another from
the moſt diſtant parts of the globe, and
by keeping up correfpondences fupport a
juft equilibrium, or at leaft a happy har
mony: yet that does not hinder but there
may be a little corner in the world which
may
40 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
may be happy, without taking a part in all
theſe enterpriſes and revolutions; and we
are in that little intrenchment where the fer-
pents of Difcord do not hifs, and where Ty-
ranny doth not exercife her cruelties.
The human mind is always in motion,
becauſe man is perpetually agitated: he
never loves to fee countries reft in torpid
indolence. Thus conquerors who ravage
kingdoms, who plunder, who kill, and
ufurp, pleaſe him much more than thoſe
beings who remain fixed in one place, lead-
ing an uniform life, and who do not, by
their revolutions, prefent him with any in-
terefting ſpectacle on the theatre of the world.
Nevertheless, the life celebrated by Phi-
lofophers and Poets is not a life of tumult; .
they baniſh avarice and ambition from the
mind of man to render him happy; and in
this they agree with the true Chriftians,
who preach up difintereſtedneſs and hu-
mility.
I affure you, I have often eftimated every
kind of Government, and I fhould be puz-
zled to decide which is the beft.
of them are without their inconveniences;
None
and!
CLEMENT XIV.
41
and at this we ſhould be the lefs furpriſed,
fince the univerſe itſelf, though governed by
Infinite Wiſdom, is fubject to the ſtrangeft
revolutions. Sometimes we are crushed by
thunder, fometimes afflicted by calamities,
and almoſt always vexed either by ſhocks
of the elements, or by the plague of infects;
in the heavenly country only all will be
perfect, and there we fhall find neither
evils nor dangers.
A little lefs enthuſiaſm for your country,
Sir, would make you allow that there are
abuſes in it as in other countries. But how
expect an Englishman not to be an enthu-
fiaft in favour of his country? You will
tell me, that the liberty and property of
your citizens are fingularly refpected with
you; and I will anfwer, that thefe two
prerogatives, which effentially conftitute
happineſs, and which ought never to
be invaded, remain equally inviolate in
the dominions of the Pope. There every
one is allowed to enjoy his property in
peace, to go and come as he pleafeth, with-
out being molefted. The rigours of au-
thority are unknown in the Ecclefiaftical
States,
42 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
States, and you may fay, that the fupe.
riors have more the manner of entreating
than commanding. Do not imagine, from
theſe obſervations, that I am an apologiſt
for a government fo defective as ours: I
know its defects as well as you; but think
that there is not an adminiſtration in the
univerfe of which we may not fpeak both
good and ill. May the republican love re-
publics, and the fubjects of monarchs love
monarchies, and then all will be in its pro-
per place. As for me, I am in mine, when
I affure you of the reſpect, &c.
ROME, 27 September, 1756.
I
LETTER XCII.
TO A PHYSICIAN.
Am grieved, my dear Friend, that your
domeftic affairs are ftill in fo bad a fitua.
tion, and that your wife, by her exceffive
expences, labours continually to make them
worſe. There is nothing but patience and
mildnefs which can affect her. Gain her con-
fidence, and you will afterwards gain what.
you pleaſe. You ſhould never moleft a wife,
whate
CLEMENT XIV.
43
1
whatever ſhe may have done amiſs; but fall
upon fome means capable of opening her
eyes. Speak reaſon to her; feem to enter
into her views fo as not to have the appear-
ance of contradicting her; and infenfibly,
by candid reprefentations, by good treat-
ment, by fenfible reafonings, by the effu-
fions of the heart, fhe may be brought to
reliſh the morals you preach to her; but you
must not affume either a pedantic manner,
or the tone of a moraliſer.
Above all things, do not complain of
your wife before your children, but ftill lefs
before your fervants. They will acquire
the habit of no longer refpecting her; per-
haps they may defpife her.
Women deferve attention, and the more
fo, as it is almost always the temper of
huſbands, or domeſtic vexations, which
make them peevish. Their tender forms
require attention, as well as their fituation,
which does not permit them to divert their
cares fo eaſily as we can do, whofe lives are
divided between buſineſs and ſtudy. While
the husband goes abroad on bufinefs or
pleafure, the wife remains confined at
home,
44 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
home, neceffarily employed in minute at-
tentions, which are confequently teizing.
Women who love reading have a reſource,
but they cannot be always reading: befides,
almoſt every woman who reads much is vain.
I adviſe you to recommend to her credi-
tors, to come frequently to perſecute her,
when he is in their debt. She will foon
grow tired of their vifits, and then you
ſhould take occafion to fhew her, that there:
cannot be a greater misfortune than to be
in debt when we cannot pay. You will:
engage her attention by mentioning the ne-
ceffity of faving fomething for her children.
She loves them tenderly, and that motive
will be the beſt leffon which can be given her.
I formerly knew an old officer at Pefaro,
who had ſuffered much by the paffionate
freaks of his wife. When fhe fell into a rage,
he remained immoveable, and did not ſpeak
one word; and this filence very foon cooled
her paffion. The paffionate are to be dif
armed by mildneſs.
How pleafed am I, my dear Doctor, that
I am married to my cell! It is a quiet com-
panion, who does not speak one word, who
does
CLEMENT XIV.
45
does not put my patience to the trial, and
whom I find always the fame at whatever
hour I return; always tranquil and ready
to receive me. The vexations of the Monks
are nothing, when compared with thoſe of
people who live in the world; but it is ne-
ceffary that every one fhould fuffer patient-
ly, and reflect that this life is not eternal.
St. Jerome faid, that he adviſed marriage
to thofe only who were fearful in the night,
that they might have a companion to keep
up their courage; but as he was never fear-
ful, he never inclined to marry.
I am glad that your eldeft fon has fuch an
uncommon fagacity. You must work upon
the temper of the youngeſt, fince he is more
reſerved, that he may fhew himſelf. The ta-
lent of a father is to multiply himſelf, and
to appear to his children under different
forms: to one, as a mafter; to another, as a
friend.
The confidence which the first people of
the town place in you does them honour.
They muſt have known, from frequent cures,
that the reproaches againſt phyficians are
not
46 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
not always well founded. The fashion is to
be merry at their expence; but for my part,
I am convinced that there is more under-
ftanding among them than in almoſt all the
other profeffions; and that their fcience is
not fo conjectural as is commonly thought:
but man, ingenious in deluding himſelf,
fays, that it is never death, but always
the phyſician that kills. Befides, what
learned man never deceives himself? We
fhould not fee fo many fophifms and
paradoxes in books, were it not that writers
are fallible, though they know a great
deal.
"What I fay to you, my dear Doctor, is
the more generous on my part, becauſe I en-
joy the moſt perfect health, and have no
need of any phyfician. I take my choco-
late every morning, lead a frugal life, ufe
a great deal of fnuff, and walk frequently;
and with fuch a regimen, one may live an
age; but I am not defirous of a long life.
Love me always as your best friend,
the friend of your family, and as one who
moft fincerely wishes to fee you happy.
My
CLEMENT XIV.
47
My compliments to your dear wife,
whom I wiſh to fee as reafonable in her ex-
pences as you are:-that time will come.
The happineſs of this life confifts in always
hoping.
ROME, 30 September, 1756.
LETTER XCIII.
You
TO THE SAME.
will fee, my Friend, by the in-
cloſed memorial of your colleagues,
who tear each other in pieces, that ſtudy
does not exempt us from the weakneffes in-
cident to human nature.
Nevertheleſs, the learned ought to ſet an
example of moderation, and leave quar-
rels and jealoufies to the vulgar, as their
proper element. Every age has produced
literary combats very humiliating to fenfe
and reaſon. The merit of one is not the
fame in another, and I cannot ſee why envy
fhould be fo exafperated as to decry thofe
who have reputation. I would rather never
have read in my life, than conceive the
leaft
48 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
leaſt hatred againſt a writer. If he writes
well, I admire him; if badly, I excuſe him,
becauſe I imagine he did his beſt.
The greater the number of mean fouls
who rank themfelves in the lift of writers,
the more they deteſt and tear one another
in pieces. Men of genius, like the gene-
rous maftiff, defpife the infults of little
curs. The truly great never reply to cri-
tics;-fatire is beft anfwered by filent con-
tempt.
Men of fuperficial knowledge are much
more expofed to thefe 'fquabbles than the
truly learned, becauſe their application is
quite different. The learned are too much
abſorbed in ſtudy to hearken to the whif
pers of jealoufy; while the others, like
light troops, are ſcattered about upon the
watch.
The French have a great deal of thefe
hateful diſputes in their writings, from
their having many more fuperficial than pro-
found authors. Their agreeable vivacity
leads them to trivial ftudies, rather than to
the ſtudy of the Sciences: from a dread
that
CLEMENT XIV.
49
that their gaiety must be laid under re-
ftraint, and their liberty be loft in intenſe
application. The learned man writes for
pofterity, and the fuperficial for the pre-
fent age; he is in a hurry to gain reputa-
tion for the immediate gratification of ſelf-
love, preferring the applauſe of a day to a
more lafting glory.
I am delighted to hear that your wife
is become fenfible to your remonſtrances :
fhe will poffibly at laſt become a mifer.
But take care of that, for fhe will perhaps
make you die of hunger; and a Phyſician
preſcribes only ftrict regimen to his pa-
tients.
I have ſcarce time to read the work you
mention; but as you fpeak fo highly of its
latinity, I will endeavour to glance it over.
There are fome books which I run over
in the twinkling of an eye, others which
I dive into fo as to lofe nothing; but it de-
pends upon the fubjects, and the manner
of treating them.
I love a work whofe chapters, like fo
many avenues, lead agreeably to fome
VOL. II.
D
intereft-
50 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
interefting profpect. When I fee the
road crooked, and the ground rugged, I
reject it at the beginning; and I do not go
farther, unless the importance of the fub-
ject makes me forget the manner in which
it is delivered.
I leave you to vifit an English Lord, who
thinks, as he ſpeaks, with energy. He
cannot conceive how Rome can canonize
men who have lived holy lives; as if we
did not judge of men by their lives, and
as if God had not promifed the kingdom
of heaven to thoſe who faithfully accom-
pliſh the law.
I believe, however, that that excellent
work of the Holy Father, On the Canoni-
zation of Saints, will open his eyes; he
efteems the Pontiff greatly, and has an
high opinion of his writings. Adieu.
Convent of the HOLY APOSTLES,
5 November, 1756.
LET-
CLEMENT XIV.
51
I
LETTER XCIV.
TO THE ABBE LA M I.
WISH, my dear Abbé, for the honour
of your country and of Italy, that
the Hiftory of Tufcany, which is going to
be publiſhed, may correfpond with its title.
What excellent matter to handle, if the
writer, equally judicious and delicate,
fhews the Arts fpringing from this country,
where they had been buried during fo many
ages; and if he paints in proper colours
the Medicis, to whom we owe this in-
eſtimable advantage!
Hiſtory brings together all ages and all
mankind into one point of view, preſenting
a charming landſcape to the mental eye.
It gives colour to the thoughts, foul to the
actions, and life to the dead; and brings
them again upon the ftage of the world,
as if they were ftill living; but with this
difference, that it is not to flatter, but
to judge them.
D 2
Formerly
LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
-2
Formerly history was but badly written,
and even at this day our Italian authors
are not much improved. They only com-
pile events and dates, without characterizing
the genius either of nations or heroes.
The generality of men look upon hiſtory
with a curfory glance, as they would
at a piece of Flanders tapeſtry. They
are content to ſee characters ſhining by
the vivacity of the colouring, without
thinking of the head which drew the
defign, or the hand which executed it. And
thus they think they fee every thing, while
they fee nothing.
It is impoffible to profit by hiſtory, if
we are attentive only to princes, battles,
and exploits, paffing in review before us;
but I do not know more inftructive reading,
if we confider the progrefs of events,
and obferve how they were conducted;
when we analyſe the talents and deſigns
of thoſe people who fet all in motion,
and tranfport ourſelves to the ages and
countries in which fuch memorable actions
happened.
Hiſtory
!
CLEMENT XIV.
53
·
Hiſtory affords an inexhauſtible fund for
reflections. Every action fhould be weigh-
ed, not with a minute examination which
doubts of every thing, but with a critical
eye which will not be deceived. It is fel-
dom that young people profit by the read-
ing of history, becauſe it is given to them
as a kind of exerciſe calculated folely for
the memory; instead of being told, that it
is the foul, and not the eyes, which ought
to be employed in fuch a ſtudy.
•
Then they will obferve fome men highly
praiſed, who were the diſgrace of human
nature; others who were perfecuted, yet
were the glory of their country, and the age
in which they lived. Then they will know
the fprings of emulation, and the dange:s
of ambition; they will fee felf-intereft the
primum mobile in cities, courts, and families.
Hiſtorians rarely make reflexions, that
they may leave their readers at leifure to
analyſe and judge of the people of whom
they ſpeak.
In all the hiftories of the world, we find
people who ſcarcely appear on the ſcene, yet
behind the curtain fet all in motion. They
efcape not the attentive reader, who gives
them
D 3
54 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
them the honour of what flattery has
too often afcribed to the man in office.
Almoſt all princes and almoft every minif
ter have ſome fecret agent that moves
them, who is only to be difcovered by
analizing themſelves.
We may likewife fay that fome of the
greatest events which have aſtoniſhed the
world, have frequently taken rife from
perfons obfcure both in rank and
extraction. Many women who appear-
ed only as the wives of princes or
ambaffadors, and who are not even men-
tioned in hiftory, have frequently been the
cauſe of ſome of the nobleft exploits.
Their counfels have prevailed and been
followed; and the hufbands have had all
the honour of enterprizes which was due
to the fagacity of their wives.
Tufcany furniſhes much excellent matter,
which an able hiftorian might difplay in a
moft lively and ftriking manner. That
period where we fee princes of fuch con-
tracted power as the family of Medici, re-
viving the arts, and ſpreading them all over
Europe, will not be the leaft intereſting.
When
CLEMENT XIV.
55
When I reflect upon this æra, it
feems like a new world rifing out of
chaos, a new fun coming to give light to
the different nations. O that this work,
my dear Abbé, had fallen into your hands!
you would have given it all the fpirit it is
capable of. Adieu. Somebody is coming
to befiege me, and I won't be blocked
up; they are vifits of politeness, which
fhould be reſpected.
Rome, 8th November, 1756.
I
LETTER XCV.
TO COUNT ***
Cannot fufficiently exprefs my joy, my
dear Count, when I think you are
going on ſteadily in the paths of virtue, and
that you are fufficiently mafter of yourſelf
to keep your fenfes, paffions, and heart in
order.
Yes, we will make that little excurfion
we projected. Your company is become
my delight, fince you have become a new
man.
D 4
I will
56 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
I will willingly prefent you to the Holy
Father, when you come to Rome; and
I proteſt to you he will be happy to ſee
you, eſpecially when he knows that you
apply yourſelf to proper ſtudies. You will find
him as lively as if he was only five-and-
twenty.
Gaiety is the balm of life; and what in-
duces me to believe that your piety will be
preferved, is, your being always of a chear-
ful temper. They become infenfibly tired
of virtue, who become tired of themſelves.
Every thing then becomes a burden, and
the whole concludes with finking into a
diſmal mifanthropy, or the greateſt diffipa-
tion. I approve much of your bodily exer-
cifes; they enliven the ſpirits, and make
us fit for every thing: I take as much
exerciſe as the difmal profeffion of a monk
allows.
When you come to fee me, I will tell
you all that the implacable Marchionefs
alledges in her own vindication for not
feeing you. I always thought that her
particular devotion would not allow her to
do fo good an action: fhe would fupport
her conduct by vanity. You cannot
imagine
CLEMENT XIV.
57
imagine how difficult it is for fome devotees
to acknowledge themſelves in the wrong.
As for you, ſtop where you are. You
have written to her; you have ſpoken to her;
and certainly that is enough; eſpecially as
St. Paul tells us, that we fhould be at
peace with all the world, if poffible-fi fieri
poteft. He knew that there are fome
unfociable people in the world, with whom
it is impoffible to live cordially.
I embrace you with all my heart, &c.
LETTER XCVI.
TO R. P. LUCIARDI, A BARNABITE.
MOST REV. FATHER,
YOUR decifion is quite conformable
YOUR decifion
to the Councils, and I ſhould have
been much aftonifhed if it had been other-
wife, confidering the long time that I have
been acquainted with your extenfive know-
ledge and your judicious opinions.
yor
Befides the excellent books which
always have in your Library, you conftantly
D 5
have
58 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
have the reverend P. Gerdil, whofe learning
and modeſty deferve the greateſt praiſe.
Take care of your health, for the fake of
religion and our own interefts.
The city of Turin where you live, cer-
tainly knows the value of poffeffing you,
for it is a place where merit is eſteemed
and cheriſhed.
I make a fcruple of detaining you longer
from your ftudies and exercifes of piety,
and therefore conclude without ceremony
by affuring you most cordially, that
I am, &c.
Rome, 3d December, 1755.
I
LETTER XCVII.
TO A DIRECTOR OF NUN S.
Do not congratulate you upon your
employment, but I will endeavour that
you fhall acquit yourfelf with all poffible
prudence and charity.
Take my advice, and go very ſeldom
into the parlour: it is a place of idle con-
verfation, fenfelefs tales, and little flanders,
and
CLEMENT XIV.
59
and your frequenting it cannot fail to excite
jealoufies; for if you fee one oftener than
another, they will come fecretly to hear you
from afpirit of curiofity, which muft produce
cabals and parties, and the leaft word you
ſpeak will have a thouſand commentaries.
Secondly, you cannot remove the idle
fcruples you will often hear of, except by
defpifing them, and never hearing them
more than twice.
Thirdly, accuftom the Nuns never to
ſpeak of any thing which does not regard
themſelves, while at confeffion, becauſe they
will otherwife make the confeffion of their
neighbours; and in confefling one only,
you will learn infenfibly the faults of the
whole community.
Fourthly, endeavour conftantly to main-
tain peace in all their hearts, repeating in-
ceffantly that Jefus Chrift is to be found
only in the bofom of peace.
Frequently reflect, that if there is luft in
the eyes of all men, as St. John tells us,
there is a luft in the tongues and ears of
many Nuns. Have you ſkill to cure them?
proper to preſcribe abſolute
If it is not
D 6
filence,
60 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
filence, it is at leaft neceffary to prohibit
malicious diſcourſe, where they amuſe
themſelves at the expence of their neigh
bours.
Reſpect the tenderneſs of the fex, which
requires condefcenfion in governing them;
and fhew fome indulgence to the poor re-
clufe labouring in fpirit, fo as not to add
to the yoke, already fufficiently heavy
from the burden of an eternal folitude.
Our Holy Father has known their wants, -
by allowing them to vifit each other once
a year. Whatever is done from a prin-
ciple of charity deferves to be praifed.
There are occafions where you will have
ufe for all your firmnefs, and without
which you will not be Director, but di-
rected. Some Devotées have the addrefs
to lead him who hath the care of their con-
fciences: they appear to do it quite piouſly,
without feeming to intend it.
If you neglect theſe hints, you will re-
pent; but you will do better if you ap-
pear only at Confeffion, or in the Pulpit,
and at the Altar. You will be much more
refpected. There are few Directors who do
not
CLEMENT XIV.
61
not lofe a great deal by making themſelves
too much known. It is great wifdom never
to appear among them unfeaſonably. Afk
me nothing farther upon this article, for
I have told you all that I know. Adieu.
CONVENT of the HOLY APOSTLES,
19 December, 1756.
LETTER XCVIII.
TO THE COUNT GEN ORI.
M
Y books, my monaftic exerciſes,
my employment, all join to oppoſe
the pleaſure I fhould otherwiſe have in
vifiting you. Befides, what would you
do with a Monk whofe time is continually
interrupted with reading and prayer, which
would break in upon our walks and our
converfations?
I am fo accuſtomed to my hours of foli-
tude and application, that I believe I could
not exist without them.
All the happiness of a Monk confifts in
being alone, in praying and in ſtudying. I
have no other, and I prefer it to all the
pleaſures
62 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
pleaſures of the world. The converfation of
the learned or fome of my friends is infi-
nitely precious to me, provided they do not
break in upon my time. I never propofed to
be the flave of the minute in the hours which
I can difpofe of, becauſe I hate every thing
which is trifling; but I love order, and I
fee nothing which can preferve the har-
mony of the foul and the fenfes, but a love
of order.
Where there is no order, there can be-
no peace. Tranquillity is the daughter of
Regularity, and it is by regularity that man-
can fhut himſelf up within the fphere of
his dury. All the inanimate creation
preach up regularity; the ſtars perform their
courſe periodically, and the plants revive
at the moment which is marked out to
them. We can tell the inftant the day
fhould appear, and it doth not fail; we
know the moment of the night, and then
darkness covers the earth..
The true Philofopher never perverts the
order of time, unleſs obliged by occupa
tions or cuſtoms which require it.
To
CLEMENT XIV.
63
To return, Sir, to natural hiftory, which
you mentioned to me: it is certain we
have ſtudied it leſs than antiquity, although
the former is much more uſeful than the lat-
ter. Nevertheless, Italy at every ſtep prefents
wherewithal to exerciſe and ſatisfy the cu-
riofity of Naturalifts. Phenomena may
be ſeen in Italy, that are not to be feen elle-
where; and people who are faid to be lefs
ſuperſtitious than the Italians, would in-
ſtantly take them to be miracles.
A French Abbé, who has been here for
fome time, and whom I got acquainted'
with through Cardinal Paffionei, was in the
greatest aftoniſhment at feeing the wonders
which nature every where prefented to him.
I shall always remember a walk which I
had with him near the Villa Mattei, and
which lafted five hours, though no great
diſtance, becauſe he ftopped every inſtant.
He has knowledge, and fuch a taſte for na-
tural hiſtory, that he glues himſelf to an
infect or a flint, fo that he cannot tear him-
felf from them. I was afraid he would
petrify himſelf with looking fo much upon
ftones; and I muſt ſay I fhould have been
a great
64 LETTERS OF GANG ANELLI,
a great lofer, for his converfation is ex-
ceedingly engaging and chearful. This is
the Abbé who has written againſt the ſyſtems
of Monf. Buffon. How much longer would
he not have remained, if he had had the
happineſs of being with you?
I have the honour to be with the moſt
lively gratitude, and moft refpectful at-
tachment,
Your moſt humble, &c.
O
LETTER XCIX.
TO COUNSELLOR C**
Such compliments! If you knew
how I love them, you would not
make them.
What has been faid with regard to the
perfon in question, is only founded on
envy and malice. Is there a man in office,
or a man who hath wrote, that has not
enemies? Libels and fatires make an im-
preffion only upon weak and badly organifed
heads; and you will obferve, that it is al-
ways the moſt vicious and fpotted characters
which
CLEMENT XIV.
65
Ji
which moſt readily believe calumny, and
who ſeem to have the greateſt reluctance
to ſee thoſe whom they have offended.
Prejudice, however, is fo common, that,
according to the obfervation of the Holy
Father, a thoufand recommendations are
wanted to determine a man in office in fa-
vour of any perfon; but there needs one
word only to make him change, or to pro-
voke him. This is the ſtrongeſt proof of
the depravity of the human heart.
We ſhould be obliged to fee nobody,
were we to ſhut our doors againſt all who
have been ill ſpoken of. We ought to be
very careful to avoid judging rafhly. It
is fhameful to pafs fentence againſt our
brother, when we have not ſufficient proofs
to accufe him.
Prejudice ruins a number of the Great,
and eſpecially Devotées, who think they
ought piouſly to give credit to all the evil
which is ſpoken of their neighbour. They
pretend to be ignorant that God hath ex-
preſsly commanded us not to judge, leſt
we be judged; and that it is lefs criminal
in his eyes, to commit faults which
they
66 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
they repent of, than to accufe their
brethren rafhly.
The first rule of chriftian charity is to
believe no ill, if we have not feen it; and
to be filent, if we have ſeen it.
Befides, if he whom they would prevent
you from feeing, feeks the fociety of good
people, it is a proof that he is not fuch a
libertine as they pretend, or that he is in-
clined to reform. Perhaps his falvation
depends upon the good example you will
fet him therefore I would not have you
reject him.
Charity does not judge like the world;
becauſe the world almoft never fails to
judge amifs.
CONVENT of the HOLY APOSTLES,
I am, &c.
LETTER
CLEMENT XIV.
-t
LETTER C.
TO THE ABBE L
SIR,
SIN
*
INCE you confult me upon the dif-
courfe which I lately heard, I muft
tell you with my uſual freedom, that I
found fome excellent things in it, but did
not like that affectation which enervated
it. It looks like a work that had been
made and painted at a Lady's toilette. For
the future, let your heart ſpeak when you
mount the Pulpit, and you will ſpeak well,
Fancy ſhould be employed only to make a
border for the painting, but you have
made it the foundation of your difcourfe.
A good Orator fhould keep a medium-
between the Italian and French, that is to
fay, between a Giant and a Dwarf.
Do not let yourſelf be ſpoiled by the
manners of the age, or you will never be
able to get rid of that affected eloquence
which tortures both words and thoughts.
It is of importance to a young man of
abilities to receive fuch advice, and above
all
68 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
all to follow it; and I depend upon your
modeſty for taking it in good part. I am
with all poffible defire of feeing you a
perfect Orator,
ROME, 10th of the Month.
Sir, your's, &c.
I
LETTER CI.
TO PRINCE SAN SEVERO.
Am always in admiration at your new
difcoveries. By what you have created,
you have produced a fecond world from
the firſt. This will diftract our Antiqua-
ries, who perfuade themſelves that there is
nothing excellent or engaging which is
not very old.
It is undoubtedly very proper that we
fhould value Antiquity; but I think we
fhould not make ourfelves fuch flaves to it,
as to exalt beyond meaſure a thing which
is deſpicable in itſelf, only becauſe it was
dug out of Adrian's garden.
The Ancients had things for common
ufe as well as we; and if they are to be
valued
CLEMENT XIV.
69
valued merely becauſe of their antiquity,
the earth in this quality deferves our firſt
homage, for furely its antiquity is not to
be queſtioned.
I neither love enthuſiaſm nor infenfi-
bility: thofe only who keep the middle
between theſe two extremes, can either fee
or judge rightly. The cold indifference of
the inſenſible, takes away all taſte and cu-
riofity; and we ought to be poffeffed of
either the one or the other, to examine and
intitle us to pronounce.
Fancy, when not regulated, is much
more dangerous than indifference. It
dazzles the eye, and clouds the under-
ftanding. Even Philofophy, of whom this
fportive Deity fhould have no hold, daily
feels the too fatal impreffion. Sophiftry, para-
doxes, captious reafonings, compoſe the train
of our modern Philofophers, and have no
other origin than Fancy. She takes wing
as whim happens to lead, without having
the leaft refpect either for truth or expe-
rience.
Your
70 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Your Excellency certainly knows this
kind of writing, as you have frequent op
portunities of reading the productions of
the times. England, which on account of
its phlegm we fhould imagine had lefs
fancy than other nations, has often pub-
liſhed the most extravagant ideas. Its
Philofophers have been ftill more diftracted
than ours, becauſe they must have made
greater efforts to furmount their natural
character of referve and taciturnity. Their
imagination is like the coal which flames,
and whoſe vapour diſturbs the brain.
It is faid, with reaſon, that the imagi
nation is the mother of dreams, and even
produces more than the night; but thefe
are the more dangerous, as in giving up to
them, we do not think we dream, while
the morning is fure to undeceive us as to
the illufions of the night.
I am always afraid of your chymical experi-
ments hurting your health, for fometimes
very terrible accidents happen from them.
But when new experiments in Phyfics are to
be made, a man runs into them without any
dread
CLEMENT XIV.
i k
dread of the confequences, like an Officer
hurried on by his valour, who throws him-
felf at all hazards into the midft of the fire.
I have the honour to be,
With reſpect and attachment, &c.
ROME, 13th January, 1757.
LETTER CII.
TOA PRELAT E.
MY LORD,
UN
NITE yourſelf with me, that we
may revenge the memory of Sextus
Quintus. I was moved to a degree of warmth
yeſterday in fupporting him againſt fome
who called him a cruel Pope, a Pontiff un-
worthy of reigning. It is aftonishing how
this character which has been bestowed
upon him is fupported, and what footing
it has obtained in the world.
Is it reaſonable to judge fo great a man,
without once reflecting on the times in
which he lived, when Italy fwarmed with
robbers; when Rome was lefs fecure than
a foreſt,
72 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
a foreſt, and modeft women were infulted
in her ſtreets at mid-day?
The ſeverity of Sextus Quintus, who is
improperly called Cruel, would in fuch
circumſtances be at leaſt as pleafing in the
fight of God, as the piety of Pius V.
We have ſeen that thouſands of men
have been affaffinated under the reign of
fome Popes, without the murderers being
brought to puniſhment: then was the
time when it might have been faid with
propriety, that the Popes were cruel: but
when Sextus Quintus put to death nearly
fifty robbers to fave the lives of his fub-
jects, to re-eſtabliſh morals in the midſt of
the cities, and fecurity in the heart of the
country, at a time when there was neither
law, nor order, nor reſtraint; this was an act
of juſtice and zeal, uſeful to the public,
and therefore agreeable to God.
I confess to you, that I mourn when I
fee great men's characters become the fable
of ignorant and prejudiced writers. Even
pofterity, which is faid to be an impartial
judge, has more than once been mifled
by the reflections of an artful Hiftorian,
4
who
CLEMENT XIV.
73
who feats himself upon the bench without
authority, and pronounces according to
his prejudices.
It is in vain to cry out calumny ;-the
impreffion has been made, the book has
been read, and the multitude judge only
from the first account. Thus Gregorio Leti
has rendered the character of Sextus Quin-
tus hateful all over the world, inſtead of
repreſenting him as a fovereign who was
obliged to intimidate his people, and re-
ftrain them by the moſt ſtriking examples
of feverity.
Nothing is fo dreadful for a coun-
try as too mild a government. Crimes
make a thouſand times more victims than
well-timed punishments. The Old Tefta-
ment is full of examples of juftice and terror,
and they were commanded by God himſelf,
who furely cannot be accuſed of cruelty.
I will certainly wait upon you the firſt
moment in my power; you may depend
upon it, as upon the affection with which
I fhall be all my life, &c.
Convent of the HOLY APOSTLES,
8 April 1757.
VOL. II.
E
LETTER
74 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
LETTER CII.
TO A YOUNG MONK.
MY DEAR FRiend,
HE advice you afk about your man-
THE
ner of ſtudying, ought to be fuited
to your difpofition and talents. If viva-
city is your prevailing temper, it may be
moderated by reading works of little ima-
gination; but, on the contrary, if you find
your thoughts languid, you ſhould en-
liven yourſelf by reading books written
with fpirit.
Do not burthen your memory with dates
and facts, before you have arranged your
ideas, and acquired a juftnefs in reaſoning.
You ſhould accuftom yourſelf to think me-
thodically, and to difpel as much as poffible
the chimeras that may ſtart up in your
brain.
He who thinks only vaguely, is fit for
nothing, becauſe nothing can be found
capable of fixing him.
The foundation of your ftudies ought
to be the knowledge of God and yourſelf.
In
CLEMENT XIV.
75
In philofophizing upon your nature, you will
acknowledge an Exiſtence, to whom you owe
your creation; and by reflecting on the
ftrayings of the imagination, and the wan
derings of the heart, you will be fenfible of
the neceffity of a revelation, which hath re-
vived the law of nature in a more lively and
effectual manner.
Then will you give yourſelf up without
referve to that fcience which from reaſon
and authority introduces us into the fanc-
tuary of religion; and there you will at-
tain a knowledge of that heavenly doctrine
declared in the Scriptures, and interpreted
by the Councils and Fathers of the Church.
Reading them will render true eloquence
familiar to you, and you ſhould take them
early for models, fo as to fucceed after-
wards in your manner of writing or
preaching.
You will take the opportunity, when
there are intervals in your exerciſes, to caſt
your eye on the fineft fragments of the
Orators and Poets, as St. Jerome did;
that is to fay, not as a man who made
them his ftudy, but as one who extracted
from
E 2
76 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
from them whatever was beft to improve
his ftyle, and to make them uſeful in the
caufe of religion.
The Hiftorians will next lead you by
the hand from age to age, and fhew you
the events and revolutions which have
never ceaſed to employ and agitate the world:
this will give you a conftant opportunity
of acknowledging and adoring a Provi-
dence which directs all according to its
defigns.
You will fee in almoſt every page of
history, how Empires and Emperors have
been inftruments of juftice or mercy in the
hands of God; how he exalted, and how
he depreffed them; how he created, and
how he deſtroyed them, being himſelf al-
ways unchangeably the fame.
You fhould read over again in the
morning, what you read at night, ſo as to
fix it in your memory; and in order to
prevent your becoming a pedant, after read-
ing a work of lively imagination, never
fail to take up fome more folid and phleg-
matic compofition.
..
That
•
CLEMENT XIV.
77
This will compofe your thoughts, which
the productions of an elevated mind are
apt to ferment, and will reftrain the genius,
which might otherwiſe be too eaſily hurried
out of its proper ſphere.
Endeavour to procure the converfation
of learned men as much as you poflibly
can. Happily Providence has fupplied
you; for in almoſt all our Houſes, there
are Monks who have ftudied to advan-
tage.
Do not neglect the fociety of old men:
their memories are furniſhed with many
facts which they witneffed, and which make
them repofitories well worth examining.
They reſemble old books, which contain
excellent matter, though badly bound,
dufty, and worm-eaten.
Be not too fond of any work, author, or
fentiment, for fear of becoming a party-
man; but when you prefer one writer to
another, let it be becauſe you find him
more folid and truly excellent.
You ought to guard with great caution
againſt prepoffeffion and prejudice; but
unfor-
E 3
78 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
unfortunately, the more we ftudy, the more
we are liable to be infected by them.
We become intereſted in an Author
who has written well, and infenfibly we
praiſe and admire all his opinions, though
they are perhaps very often fantaftical.
Guard against this misfortune, and be al-
ways more the friend of Truth than of
Plato or Scotus.
Reſpect the fentiments of your Order,
that you may not disturb the eſtabliſhed
opinions; but I do not mean that you
fhould be a flave to thofe opinions. You
ought not to be immoveable in any opi-
nion but what relates to the Faith, and has
been rendered facred by the concurrence.
of the whole Church. I have feen Pro-
feffors who would rather fuffer death, than
abandon the opinions they imbibed in the
Schools: my conduct with regard to them
has been, always to pity and avoid them.
Do not apply to the fcholaftic erudition
farther than is neceffary to know the jar-
gon of the Schools, and to confute the
Sophifts;
CLEMENT XIV.
79
Sophifts; for, fo far from being the effence
of Theology, it is only the bark.
Avoid difputes, fince nothing is cleared
up by wranglings: but when opportuni-
ties offer, fupport truth and combat error
with the arms which Jefus Chrift and the
Apoftles have put into your hands, and
which confift in mildness, perfuafion and
charity. The mind is not to be taken by
force, but to be gained by infinuation.
Do not fatigue the faculties of your mind,
by giving up to immoderate ſtudy. Suffi-
cient for the day is the labour thereof;
and unleſs in a cafe of neceffity, it is
needleſs to anticipate the ftudies of the next
day, by prolonging your application in the
night.
The man who regulates his time, and
uniformly devotes only a few hours to
ſtudy, advances much more than he who
heaps up moment upon moment, and does
not know when to ftop. They who are of
this character, commonly end by becoming
only the title-pages of books, or a library
turned upside down.
E 4
Love
80
LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Love order, but without being atten-
tive to minute trifles; fo that you may leave
off till another time, when you no longer
find yourſelf inclined to fludy. The fcho-
lar fhould not labour like an ox who is
yoked to the plough, nor like a mercenary
who is paid by the day.
It is a bad cuftom to ftruggle continually
againſt reſt and fleep; that which is done
againſt the grain, is never well done; and
too earneſt an application to any thing in-
jures the health.
There are days and hours when we have
no difpofition for application; and then it
is a folly to attempt it, unlefs in a cafe of
neceffity.
There is fcarcely any book which does
not favour of painful compofition in fome
part of it, becauſe the Author has often
wrote when he ſhould have reſted.
•
The great art in ftudying is to know
when it is proper to begin, and when to
leave off; without which the head becomes
heated, the fpirits are either abforbed or
exalted, ſo that we produce nothing but
what
CLEMENT XIV.
81
what is either languid or flighty. Learn
to make a proper choice of books, that you
may know only what is excellent, and to
make a good ufe of it. Life is too fhort to
wafte in fuperfluous ftudies; and if we do
not make hafte to learn, we fhall find our-
felves old without knowing any thing.
Above all things, pray to God to en-
lighten your mind; for there is no know-
ledge without his affiftance, and we are in
utter darkness, if we do not follow the
light which he hath revealed to us.
Dread becoming learned folely to gain
a reputation; for befides that knowledge
puffeth up, and charity edifieth, a Com-
munity becomes difgufted with thofe who
make a parade of their learning.
Let events have their courfe, and let
your merit procure your advancement. If
employments do not come to feek you, be
content with the loweft, and take my word
for it, that is the beſt.
I never was more fatisfied after the
Chapters were over, than to find myfelf
without any other dignity than the honour
of exifting: I then applauded myſelf for
E 5
having
82 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
having refuſed all that they would have
given me, and that I had only myfelf to
govern.
The advantage of loving ftudy, and con-
verfing with the dead, is a thouſand times
greater than the frivolous glory of com-
manding the living. The moſt agree-
able command is that of keeping our fenfes
and paffions in order, and of procuring to
the foul the fovereignty which is due to it.
The man who is in the habit of applica-
tion is a ſtranger to the spleen; he believes
himſelf to be ftill young, when he is be-
come old; the bustle of the cloifter, like
the embarraffinents of the world, is always
far from him.
I adviſe you then, my dear friend, not
only for the good of religion, not only for
the credit of our Order, but ftill more for
your own fake, to acquire a habit of applica-
tion. With a book, a pen, and your
thoughts, you will find yourfelf happy,
wherever you are:-Man has a certain
afylum in his mind as well as in his heart,
when he knows how to retire within him-
felf.
I am
CLEMENT XIV.
83
I am fenfible of the fingular confidence
you place in me; and the more fo, as you
ſhould have applied to the Fathers Colom-
bini, Marzoni and Martinelli in preference
to me. They are men whofe extenſive
knowledge and abilities enable them to
give you excellent advice. Adieu. Be-
lieve me to be your good friend and
fervant.
ROME, 7 June, 1757.
LETTER
CIV.
TO R, P***, A MONK OF the CONGREGA-
TION OF SOMASQUES.
MY MOST REVEREND FATHER,
HE lofs which the Church has fuf-
THE
tained in the perſon of Benedict XIV.
is the more affecting to me, as I always
found him an excellent Protector. I
returned to Rome in the year 1740,
which was the firft of his Pontificate, and
from that time he never ceafed to honour
me with his kindnefs. If you will make
E 6
his.
84 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
his funeral oration, you have an excellent
fubject. You certainly will not forget that
he ftudied among you in the Clementine
College, and that there he was initiated
into that fublime and extenſive knowledge,
which made him one of the great Doctors
of the Church, and will one day rank him
with the Fathers Bernard and Bonaventure.
Take care, in this funeral oration, that
your ftyle rife with the fubject, and that
the magnanimity which characteriſed your
Hero be expreffed with dignity.
Endeavour to be the Hiftorian as well as
the Orator, but fo as to admit of nothing dry
or languid in your recital; for the attention
of the Public ſhould be conftantly kept up
by ſome great ſtrokes worthy of the majeſty
of the Pulpit, and the fublimity of Lam-
bertini,
You will in vain call all the figures of
rhetoric to your affiſtance, if they do not
prefent themſelves of their own accord.
Eloquence is only fuccefsful when it flows
freely from its fource, and rifes from the
great-
CLEMENT XIV.
85
greatneſs of the fubject: forced panegyric
is not panegyric, but amplification.
From the ashes of Benedict XIV. let
virtue fpring forth, and feize upon the minds
of your auditors, that they may be trans-
formed into him, and their fouls be filled
with nothing but the idea of him.
Let there be no trifling detail, no
affected phrafes, no bombaft expreffions.
Mingle the fublime as much as poffible
with the temperate, fo as to form agree-
able fhadings, which will adorn your dif
courſe. Be attentive to chufe a text which
will happily announce the whole plan of
your oration, and perfectly characteriſe your
Hero. The divifion is the touchstone of
the panegyrift, and his difcourfe cannot
be excellent, if that divifion be not hap-
pily chofen.
Scatter moral reflections with diſcretion,
that they may appear to come naturally;
that it may be faid, they could not be
more happily introduced; that there was
their proper place.
Shun
86 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Shun all common-place;-and in fuch
a manner, that all may fee Lambertini
without perceiving the orator. Praiſe with
delicacy and with moderation, and let your
praiſes foar to heaven, and remount towards
God.
If you do not affect the foul by happy
furpriſes and grand images, your work will
only be a work of good fenfe, and you will
have made a fimple epitaph, inftead of
erecting a mausoleum.
Speak chiefly to the heart, filling it with
thoſe dreadful truths which detach us from
the thoughts of this life, and make your
auditors defcend into the tomb of the Holy
Father.
Paſs flightly over the infant days of your
Hero, for all men are nearly the fame till
their reafon begins to fhine forth. Let
your periods be neither too long nor too
fhort; there can be no ftrength in a dif
jointed difcourfe.
Let your
bombaft, and your firft fentence announce
fomething truly great. I compare the
exordium be pompous without
opening
CLEMENT XIV.
87
opening of a funeral oration to the portico
of a temple; and I fuppofe the edifice to
be beautiful, if I find That majeftic.
In the most forcible language fhew
Death overturning thrones, breaking fcep-
ters, blaſting crowns, and treading the tiara
under his feet: place the genius of Bene-
dict upon the ruins, as having nothing to
dread from the deftroying hand of Time,
and defying Death to tarniſh his glory, or
blot out his name.
Particularife his virtues, and analyſe his
writings; and every where fhew the fub-
limity of his foul, which would have
aſtoniſhed Pagan Rome, as it has edified
Chriſtian Rome, and has attracted the ad-
miration of the univerſe.
In a word, thunder and lighten, but
manage your clouds fo that the light may
flaſh with greater fplendour, and form the
moft ftriking contrafts.
My imagination kindles into flame when
I think of fo great a Pope as Benedict ;-
that Pontiff regretted even by the Prote-
ftants, and whom Michael Angelo alone
could paint.
If
88 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
If I have enlarged upon this article, it is
becauſe I know that you can eafily
catch the fpirit of what I recommend
to you. A funeral oration is only excel-
lent, as it happens to be pictureſque, and
ftrength and truth muſt guide the pencil.
The generality of elogies deſcend
into the tomb with thoſe they praife, be-
cauſe it is only the eloquence of a day,
and the production of fancy, whofe luftre
is but counterfeit.
It would diftract me to fee Lambertini
celebrated by an orator who is only ele-
gant: every one fhould be ferved accord,
ing to his tafte, and Lambertini's was
always unerring, always good.
Engage in it, my dearest friend;-I will
moft gladly fee what you throw out upon
paper, being convinced that it will have
fire to confume whatever is unworthy of
fuch an elogy. I judge from the pro-
ductions you have already fhewn me, and
in which I have obferved the greatest beau-
ties. It is time that Italy fhould forget its
concetti, and affume the mafculine and
fublime tone of true eloquence.
I endea-
CLEMENT XIV.
89
I endeavour by my advice to form fome
young orators, who take the trouble to
confult me; and I ftrive as much as pof-
fible to difguft them at thofe incongruities.
in our diſcourſes, which fo frequently place
the burleſque by the fide of the fublime.
Strangers ftartle, and with reafon, at fo
monftrous an alliance. The French efpe-
cially are unacquainted with this unnatural
medley: their difcourfes are often fuper-
ficial, having much leſs ſubſtance than fur-
face; but at leaſt they commonly preferve
an equality of ftyle. Nothing can be fo fhock-
ing as to mount above the clouds, to come
afterwards tumbling aukwardly down.
My compliments to our little Father,
who would have done wonders, if it had
not been for his deplorable ſtate of health.
ROME, 10th May, 1758.
LETTER
90 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
LETTER CV.
TO THE ABBE LAMI.
O doubt, my dear Abbé, your papers
No
are about to announce the death of
our Holy Father. He was a learned man,
who has a claim upon all the periodical
publications, and to whom all their writers
owe the higheſt encomiums.
He preſerved his chearfulneſs to the laſt ;
-a few days before his death, when ſpeak-
ing of a Theatin* whofe claim to be placed
in the rank of the Saints was under
examination, he ſaid, Great Servant of God,
heal me—as you do by me, I will do by you;
if you obtain the recovery of my health, I will
canonize you.
The analyſis of his works will require
ſuch an abridger as you: it would be right
to give extracts, that they may pafs into
hands who have not time to read much,
or who cannot purchaſe them in the great.
*One of the Order of Theatines.
His
CLEMENT XIV.
91
Particularly, his book on the Canonifation
of Saints fhould be univerfally known.
Beſides that he ſpeaks as a phyfician, a na-
tural philofopher, a civilian, a canoniſt and
theologian, he there treats on a fubject not
commonly known.
The Public imagine, that it is fufficient
to fend money to Rome to obtain canonifa-
tion; while it is notorious that the Pope
gets no part of it, and that every poffible
means is taken to guard againſt deception
on a fubject of fuch importance.
This is fo true, that Benedict XIV.
whoſe death we bewail, being protector of
the Faith, begged of two well-informed
Engliſhmen, who were diverting themſelves.
upon the fubject of canonifations, to en-
deavour to ſhake off all prejudice, and to
read with the greatest attention the verbal
proceſs which concerned the cauſe of a
Servant of God who was put on the lift of
candidates for canoniſation.
They confented; and after having read for
feveral days with the moſt criticising fpirit
the proofs and teftimonies which aſcertain-
ed
92 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
ed fanctity, and all the means which had
been employed to come at the truth, they
told my Lord Lambertini, that if the ſame
precautions, the fame examinations, and
the fame feverity were ufed with regard to
all thoſe that were canonifed, there was no
doubt but the matter was pushed even to
demonftration, even to evidence:
My Lord Lambertini replied: Well, Gen-
tlemen, notwithſtanding what you think, the
Congregation reject thefe proofs as infufficient;
and the cause of the bleed perfon in question
remains undetermined.
Nothing can exprefs their aftcnifhment;
and they left Rome perfectly convinced,
that we do not canonife rafhly, and that
there is no means eafy or difficult left un-
employed to come at the truth. The
beatification of a Saint is a caufe often
argued for a whole age; and he who is vul-
garly called 'Avocat du Diable (the
Devil's Counſellor) never fails to collect
all the teftimonies which can be found
to the diſadvantage of the Servant of
God, and to urge the ftrongeſt proofs
and
CLEMENT XIV.
93
*
and moft powerful objections to inva-
lidate his fanctity, and leffen the merit of his
actions.
There are a multitude of people reputed
Saints who will never be canonifed, be-
cauſe there are not fufficient proofs in their
favour. It is not fufficient that their vir-
tue has been unftained, or even fhining; it
muſt have been heroical, and perfever-
ed in till death-in gradu heroico (in the
highest degree).
Befides this, the teſtimony of miracles
is required; though unbelievers fay, that
every thing which is called a miracle is the
produce of a troubled mind, or the fruit of
fuperftition; as if God Almighty could be
chained down by his own laws, without
having the power to fufpend the execution
of them; in which cafe he would be lefs
powerful than the most petty monarch.
But what truths will they not deny, when
they are blinded by the corruption of the
heart and mind?
God Almighty frequently makes manifeſt
the fanctity of his fervants by healing dif
eaſes;
94 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
eaſes; and if thoſe miracles which are
wrought after their death laft only for a
time, and do not continue for ever, it is
becauſe the Deity difplays himſelf but fel-
dom, and only to fhew that his power is
always the fame, and that he can glorify
his Saints when it feemeth good unto him.
Our Conclave is in labour; and accord-
ing to cuſtom, we cannot know till the laſt
moment who is to be the new Pontiff.
Conjectures, wagers, and pafquinades fill
the whole town at prefent ;-this is an old
cuſtom, which will not foon be left off.
As for my part, during the confuſion I
am in Rome as if I was not in Rome, wifh-
ing only (if it were poffible) that Lamber-
tini were replaced, and only quitting my
cell for buſineſs or relaxation. It is there
that I enjoy my books and myſelf, and
regale on the reflections of my dear Abbé
Lami, to whom I am an unchangeable,
and moſt humble, &c.
ROME, 9th May, 1758.
LETTER
CLEMENT XIV.
95
LETTER
CVI.
WE
TO THE SAM E.
E have at last got Cardinal Rez-
zonico, Biſhop of Padua, for the
Head of the Church; who has taken the
name of Clement, and will edify the Ro-
mans by his piety. It was much againſt
his inclination, and after fhedding many
tears, that he could be prevailed on to ac-
cept it. What a charge for him who would
fulfil the duties! He must dedicate him-
felf to God, to all the world, and to himſelf;
he muſt be folely employed in theſe great
obligations, and have only Heaven in view,
amidſt the things of this world. His dig-
nity is the more formidable, as he fucceeds
Benedict XIV. and that it will be difficult
to appear to advantage after him.
Clement XIII. continues Cardinal Ar-
chinto Secretary of State. There could
be no better method of being well with
crowned Heads, and of making his Pontifi-
cate
95 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
cate illuftrious. He who reigns, muſt
either chooſe an excellent Miniſter, or do
all himſelf. Benedict XIII. was the moſt
unhappy of men, from having placed
his confidence in Cardinal Cofcia; and Be-
nedict XIV. the moſt happy, by having
Cardinal Valenti for his Minifter.
It is effential for a Sovereign, but more
particularly the Pope, to be furrounded with
good people. The underſtanding of the
moſt clear-fighted Prince is abuſed, when
he allows himſelf to be dazzled. Then
copper is gold in his eyes; and be the con-
fequence what it will, he fupports thoſe
men he has once patroniſed.
Difcernment is another quality not lefs
neceffary to Princes. There is no attempt-
ing to impoſe upon a Monarch who is
known to be penetrating; while he who
ſuffers himſelf to be led, will moſt certainly
be deceived. There are Sovereigns who
have done much more hurt by inactivity and
weakness, than by wickednefs. Men grow
weary of doing crying acts of injustice;
but are never tired of infenfibility and
blindneſs.
The
CLEMENT XIV.
97
The more a Prince is weak, the more
he is inclined to be defpotic; becauſe
authority never deftroying itfelf, is laid
hold of by the Minifters, and they become
tyrannical.
Another quality which I look upon as
effential to good government, is to put
every one in his right place. The moral
world is governed like a game at Chefs,
where every thing goes on in order, ac-
cording to its rank: if we place one
pawn in the room of another, there is
nothing but confuſion.
A Sovereign is not only the image of
God by the eminence of his rank, but he
ought to be more fo by his underſtanding.
David, although he was but a fhepherd,
had a fuperior underſtanding which di
rected him, and which he difplayed the
moment he began to reign.
A Prince who is only good, is no more
than what every man ought to be; a Prince
who is only fevere, has not that love for
his fubjects which he ought to have.
VOL. II.
F
Alas!
98 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Alas! how excellently we atoms ſpeak
of the duties of royalty! And yet if we
were clothed the dignity, we fhould
not know how to behave ourſelves. There
is a great difference between fpeak-
ing and reigning. Nothing refifts us when
our imagination takes wing, or when we
allow our pen to run; but when we fee
ourſelves oppreffed with buſineſs, ſurround-
ed with dangers, befet with falſe friends,
loaded with debts, and the moſt important
duties, we loſe our courage, and dare not
undertake any thing; and by a lazineſs na-
tural to all men, we trust the cares of
go-
verning to a fubaltern, and are only em-
ployed in pleaſures and commanding.
One thing is certain, the art of govern-
ing is attended with the greatest difficul-
ties. If a monarch wears an hereditary
crown, he knows the grandeur without
knowing the management of his kingdom,
and is eaſily deceived. If, on the contrary,
he comes to an elective crown, he takes on
him a fovereignty to which he has not
ferved an apprenticeſhip, and appears
equally
CLEMENT XIV.
99
equally embarraffed in the midſt of his
honours, and in the center of his buſineſs.
He who is placed upon a throne in the
decline of life, is fit only to be a reprefenta-
tive. He dares not undertake any thing;
he is afraid of every thing, and he is luke-
warm in every thing, eſpecially if he is ig-
norant who is to be his fucceffor. This is
the fituation of the Popes, if they are too
old, and then they cannot attend to the
affairs of church and ſtate.
But the world will never be without
abuſes; if they are not in one place, they
are in another, becaufe imperfections are
the natural inheritance of humanity. There
is none but the holy City, faid the great Au-
guſtine, where all will be in order, in peace,
and in charity; for there fhall be the kingdom
of God.
I fhall go and congratulate the new Pon-
tiff, not as a Monk who wants to fet him-
felf forward, but in quality of Counſellor
of the Holy Office. He does not know me,
and I ſhall not put myſelf to the trouble of
making myſelf known. I love to remain
F 2
covered
100
LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
*
covered with the duft of my Cloifter, and
I do not think myſelf in the leaſt dif-
honoured.
Adieu. Preferve to us always the good
taſte of the Medici, and your memory will
be long preſerved, although you care very
little about it.
ROME, July 5, 1758.
I am, &c.
LETTER CVII.
TO A PRE LATE.
MY LORD,
TH
HE most eminent dignity to which
I have been raiſed by the Sovereign
Pontiff, has humbled me as much as it
would have elated others. I thought I
was to have quitted Rome, by the manner
with which they announced this very ex-
traordinary event to me, and I have not
yet recovered the ſurpriſe.
It is a reward conferred in my perfon on
the Order of St. Francis, of which I have
1
2
the
CLEMENT XIV.
ΤΟΙ
the honour to be a member, and I affume
nothing of it to myfelf. My name is only
lent on the occafion; for the more I re-
flect, the more I fee, that I had neither
on the fide of birth, nor on the fide of
merit, directly nor indirectly, any claim to
the Cardinalſhip.
If any thing can confole me in the midft
of the trouble with which I am agitated,
it is to fee myſelf affociated with thofe il-
luftrious perfonages who compoſe the Sa-
cred College, and whofe fhoes I am not
worthy to untie. I imagine to myſelf,
that in participating in the credit of their
virtues, I fhall acquire them; and in con-
verfing with them, I fhall imitate them :
we imperceptibly model ourſelves by thoſe
with whom we converſe. I have declared
to my dear brethren, that I fhall never be
Cardinal to them, but they will always
find me their brother Laurence Ganganelli;
more eſpecially as I owe to them what
I am, and as the habit of St. Francis
has procured me the honour of the Purple.
You know me fufficiently to be con-
vinced that I am not dazzled by it. The
foul
F 3
102
LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
foul takes no colour, and it is by the foul
alone that we can have any value in the
fight of God. The Lord, in making us
after his own image and in his likeneſs,
has given us more than all the dignities
this world can poffibly confer. It is from
that view alone I can ever look upon
myſelf as great. The Purple, all-dazzling
as it is, was not made for my eyes, hap-
pily accuſtomed to look only towards
eternity. That view wonderfully diminish-
eth worldly grandeur; neither Eminency
nor Highness can be confidered as any thing
in the computation of an immortal life,
where nothing appears great but God alone.
I look upon dignities only as fo many
more ſyllables in an Epitaph, and from
whence no vanity can be extracted, fince
he who is interred is beneath even the
infcriptions which are read upon his tomb.
Will my aſhes have any more feeling by
being qualified with the title of Eminency?
Or fhall I fare better in eternity, when fome
feeble voice upon earth fhall fay Cardinal
Ganganelli,
CLEMENT XIV.
103
}
Ganganelli, or fome perishable pen fhall
write it ?
New dignities are always a new burden,
and more eſpecially the Cardinalate, which
impofes a multitude of obligations. There
are as many duties to difcharge, as there
are occafions which require our speaking,
without having any refpect to aught in
this world.
I ſhall arrange matters fo as to be as
little affected as poffible with this ſtrange
metamorphofis. I fhall, as ufual, remain
at the Convent of the Holy Apoftles with
my dear brotherhood, whom I have al-
ways tenderly loved, and whofe fociety is
infinitely dear to me.
If I quit my dear Cell, where I was hap-
pier than all the Kings upon earth, it is be-
cauſe I muſt have more room to receive thofe
who come to do me the favour of vifiting
me: but I ſhall often fay to it, May my
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if ever
I forget you! I fhall frequently go and re-
vifit it, and recollect how many, very
many days paffed like a dream.
F 4
Thus
104 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Thus I fhall make no change in my way
of life, and the dear brother Francis fhall
be to me in place of a whole houſehold;
he is ſtrong, he is vigilant, he is zealous,
and he will fupply all wants. My perſon
is of no greater extent, nor has grown an
atom fince my appointment to the Car-
dinalate, and therefore I do not fee that
more hands are neceffary to ferve me.
I walked fo well on foot! but what com-
forts me is, that I fhall ftill continue to
walk on foot. I fhall allow myſelf to be
dragged in a carriage only when ceremonial
requires it, and I fhall become Brother
Ganganelli again as often as I poffibly can.
We do not care to quit a way of life we
have been accustomed to, eſpecially after
having lived fifty-four years in it with-
out any trouble, and in perfect freedom.
I flatter myself that you will come and
fee, not the Cardinal, but Brother Ganga-
nelli. The firft will never be at home to
you; but the fecond fhall always be found
to repeat to you, that whatever ſtation I
am in, I fhall always be your friend and
fervant.
ROME, I October, 1759.
LET.
CLEMENT XIV.
105
LETTER CVIII.
TO A CONVENTUAL MONK.
I
MY OLD FRIEND AND BROTHER,
Have not yet received the packet you ſent
me; but I can be patient, though I
am naturally very impatient. Our life is no-
thing but a fucceffion of contradictions and
croffings, which we muſt be able to bear,
if we would neither disturb our reft, nor
hurt our health.
P. Georgi, always an honour to the Au--
guſtines, always beloved by thoſe who
know him, has not feen the perfon you.
ſpoke of to me; fhe paffed this place too
quickly for him to obtain that fatisfaction.
She faw M. Tiffot, Procureur General of
the Congregation of the Priests of the
Miffion, whom I infinitely efteem, becauſe
he has great perfonal merit, and becauſe
he is a member of a body who preach to
the poor with the greateſt fuccefs; and
laftly, becauſe he is a Frenchman.
E 5
I must
106 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
·
I must tell you, that I have had a very
fingular combat with myſelf fince my pro-
motion. Cardinal Ganganelli reproaches.
Brother Ganganelli for his too great plain-
neſs; and notwithſtanding all the reſpect
which is due to the Purple, the Brother
has carried it againſt the Cardinal. I love
to live as I always have lived---poor, re-
tired, and much more with my Brethren.
than with the Great. It is a matter of
tafte, for I am very far from afcribing this
mode of thinking to virtue.
One thing is certain: I never can put on that
cold diſtant manner, as you would call it, with
which perfons in office commonly receive
people of low extraction who have buf-
nefs with them. It is enough for me, if
they accoft me, or ſpeak to me, to become
the equal of my vifitor. Is it poffible that
one man ſhould affect haughtiness towards
another man, and that a Chriftian fhould
ſtudy his expreffions, his geftures, his
proceedings, his letters, from the dread of
appearing too modeft with his brethren?
Is it poffible that any one can refufe an
anfwer
2
CLEMENT XIV.
107
anfwer to a man becauſe he has no titles
to produce? If the loweſt of wretches
does me the favour to write to me, I an-
ſwer him inſtantly; and I ſhould think my-
felf most guilty both in the fight of God
and man, if I were to omit that duty.
There is no foul defpicable in the eyes of
religion and humanity. There is nothing
fo pitiful in my eyes, as a great man go-
verned by pride.
I enlarge upon this article to let you
know, that the perfon for whom you are
intereſted may come whenever he pleaſes,
and I ſhall be entirely his. He will be as
well received by Cardinal Corfini, whoſe
politeness correfponds with his noble ex-
traction. If there is a fault in being too
affable, it is the fault of the Cardinals.
It is rare that you find any haughtiness
among them; — happily there is not a
ftranger but does us the juftice to de-
clare it..
You will very much oblige me, by tell
ing Signor Antonio, when you fee him,
F 6
that
108 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
that Cardinal Dataire will not forget his
buſineſs.
Take care of your little fhare of health,
by watching lefs, walking oftener, and
drinking less coffee. It is the drink of the
ftudious; but it inflames the blood, and
then head-achs, fore throats, and pains in
the breaſt, are felt with more violence.
Nevertheless, I am no enemy to coffee;
nor think of it like M. Thierry, Phyſician
to the Pretender, who lives here, and is
of opinion that this liquor is truly a
poiſon.
Your grand nephew came to fee me on
Thursday: his fpirits are as lively as his
eyes. He tore one of my books in playing
with it; it is to be hoped, that he will
learn to have more reſpect for them. He
told me with great franknefs, that he would
be a Cardinal. I love very much to fee
the fouls of children begin to unfold them-
felves: it is a bloffom which begins to
open, and gives the most pleafing hopes. He
wanted to fay his Breviary with me. Alas!
his innocence would have been more agree-
able
CLEMENT XIV.
109
able in the fight of God than all my prayers.
I fent him home by my Chamberlain, but
abfolutely could not fend him away till I
had given him a chaplet:-he told me he
would come again to-morrow to have
another. Such things are very agreeable in
a child only five years old. I wiſh to God
he may one day refemble his father! Adieu.
I embrace you in all the fullness of my
heart.
ROME, 8th of the Year, 1760.
LETTER CIX.
TO A PROTESTANT MINISTER.
I
Am much obliged to you, my dear
Sir, for the intereft you take in my
health. I thank Heaven it is very good,
and it would appear to me ftill better, if
I could employ it in fomething more agree-
able to you. The pleaſure of obliging
fhould be of all Communions.
I wifh with all my foul that I could con-
vince you, that I have all mankind in my
heart, that they are all dear to me, and
that
I TO LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
that I refpect merit wherever it is to bet
found. If your nephew comes to Rome,
as you have taught me to expect, he will
find me moft zealous to teftify to him the
affectionate regard I have for you.
My dear Sir, the Church of Rome is fo
perfectly convinced of the merit of the
greatest part of the Minifters of the Pro-
teſtant Communions, that he would con-
gratulate herſelf for ever, if fhe could fee
them return to her bofom. There would
be no occafion to rip up old quarrels of
times paſt, to renew thofe ftorms and
tempefts, when each party, tranfported by
paffion, forfook the paths of chriſtian.
moderation: but the queſtion would be,
how ſhall we be reunited in the fame be--
lief, founded upon fcripture and tradi-
tion, fuch as is handed down to us by the
Apoftles, the Councils, and the Fathers?
No body laments more than I do, the in-
juries that were done you in the laft
the fpirit of perſecution is hateful in my
age:
A
eyes.
What
CLEMENT XIV.
Iff
What a multitude of people would not
a happy re-union gain! If this could be
effected, I would be content to die; for I
would facrifice a thoufand lives to be once
witneſs of ſo happy an event. That mo-
ment will come, my dear Sir, becauſe a
time muſt neceffarily come, when there
will be but one and the fame faith. Even
the Jews will enter into the bofom of the
Church; and it is in that firm perfuafion,
founded upon the holy Scriptures, that
they are allowed the full exercife of their
religion in the heart of Rome.
God knows, my whole foul is with you,
and there is nothing in the world. I would
not undertake to prove to you, and to all
of you, how dear you are to me. We have
the fame God for a Father, we believe in
the fame Mediator, we acknowledge the
fame doctrines of the Trinity, the Incar-
nation and the Redemption, and we would
both the one and the other of us defire to
go to heaven. It is an eſtabliſhed doctrine,
that there are not two ways to heaven:
that there ſhould be a center of unity upon
earth, as well as a Chief to reprefent Jefus
Chriſt. The Church would be truly de-
formed,
F12 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
formed, unworthy of our homage and
fidelity, if it were only a body without a
head.
-1
The work of the Meffiah is not like the
work of men. What he hath eſtabliſhed,
ought to last forever. He has not ceafed
one inſtant to ſupport his Church, and you
are too enlightened, my dear Sir, to look
upon the Albigenfes as pillars of the truth
to which you ought to cleave. Do me
the favour to tell all your brethren, all
your flock, and all your friends, that Car-
dinal Ganganelli has nothing fo much at
heart as their happineſs, both in this world
and the next, and that he wishes to know
them all, that he may affure them of it..
I can add nothing, &c.
ROME, 30th of the Year 1769.
LETTER
CLEMENT XIV.
113
LETTER CX.
I
TO COUNT *
**
Muſt acquaint you, my dear friend, in
the folitude where you have been for
fome weeks, that that Brother Ganganelli
who always tenderly loved you, is become
Cardinal, and that he himſelf does not
know how, nor wherefore.
There are events in the courſe of human
life which we cannot account for; they
are brought about by circumftances, and
ordained by Providence, which is the
origin of all.
However it be, whether in purple or
not in purple, I fhall not be lefs yours
than I ever was, but always happy to fee
and oblige you.
Sometimes I feel my pulfe, to know if
I am really myſelf, being truly aſtoniſhed.
that the lot which has elevated me to one
of the higheſt dignities, did not rather fall
upon fome other of my brethren, among
whom
114 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
whom there are a number whom it would
have perfectly fuited.
All the world fays, in fpeaking of the
new Cardinal Ganganelli, It is incredible
that he ſhould arrive at fuch a rank, with-
out cabal or without intrigue; neverthe-
lefs, it is very true.
O my books! O my cell! I know what
I have left, but I know not what I ſhall
find. Alas! many troubleſome people will
come and make me lofe my time; many
felfifh fouls will pay me diffembled ho-
mage!
For you, my dear Friend, perfevere in
virtue being truly virtuous is being ſupe-
rior to all dignities: perfeverance is on-
ly promiſed to thoſe who diftruſt them-
felves, and avoid temptations; whoever is
prefumptuous ought to expect a relapſe.
When I think how the public papers
will deign to employ themfelves about
me, and fend my name beyond the Alps,
to acquaint different nations when I had
the head-ach, or when I was blooded, I
ſhall
CLEMENT XIV.
115
fhall ſmile with contempt. Dignities are
fnares which have been made fplendid, that
people might be catched by them. Few
people know the troubles which attend
grandeur; we are no longer our own maſters,
and let us act how we will, we are fure of
having enemies.
I think like St. Gregory of Nazianzen,
who, when the people ranged themfelves
on each ſide to ſee him pafs, thought they
imagined him to be fome uncommon ani-
mal. I own, I cannot accuſtom myſelf to
this uſage; and if this be what is called
grandeur, I will moft willingly bid it adieu.
I look upon all mankind as my brethren,
and am delighted when the poor or
wretched approach and ſpeak to me.
People will fay that my manners are
plebeian; but I do not dread that reproach,
for I am only afraid of pride. It is fo in-
finuating, that it will do all it can to pene-
trate and lay hold of me; but I fhall con-
template the nothingneſs that is in me and
around me, and this fhall defend me
againſt vanity or ſelf-ſufficiency.
Do
116 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Do not think of making compliments
when you come to fee me; they are a
fort of merchandife I do not love, eſpecially
from a friend. But here are fome viſitors,
that is to fay, every thing which thwarts
me, and has rendered me infupportable
to myſelf, for. feveral days. Grandeur
has its clouds, its lightnings, and its
whirlwinds, like the tempefts; I wish for
the moment of calm ferenity. I am with
out reſerve, and beyond all expreffion, as
before, your affectionate friend and fer-
vant, &c.
ROME, 3d October, 1759.
LETTER CXI.
TO CARDINAL CAVALCHINI.
MOST EMINENt,
YOUR
YOUR recommendations are com-
mands to me; and I fhall not
fleep in peace, 'till I have done what you
defire. Your Eminency cannot furnish
me with too many opportunities of teſtify-
}
ing
CLEMENT XIV.
117
ing the extent of my esteem and attach-
ment. In becoming your Brother*, I be-
come ſtill more than ever your fervant.
It would be proper that we had a parti-
cular conference upon what regards the
affairs of the Church, as you are infinitely
zealous for the good of Religion, which is
the only object that ought to engage my
attention. We are not Cardinals to impofe
upon the world by haughtiness, but to
be the pillars of the Holy See. Our
rank, our habits, our functions, all remind
us, that, even to the effufion of our blood,
we ought to employ all our power for the
affiftance of religion, according to the will
of God and the exigencies of the Church.
When I fee Cardinal de Tournon flying
to the extremities of the world, to cauſe
the truth to be preached there in its purity;
I find myſelf inflamed with the noble ex-
ample, and am difpofed to undertake every
thing in the ſame cauſe.
The Sacred College had always men
eminent for their knowledge and zeal, and
we ſhould uſe every effort to renew the
* By his rank of Cardinal.
example.
118 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
example. Human policy ought not to re-
gulate our proceedings, but the ſpirit of
God; that ſpirit without which all our
actions are barren, but with which we may
do all kind of good.
I know your piety, I know your under-
ſtanding; and I am convinced, that in
proper time and place, you can and will
ſpeak your mind without any dread.
Some people are endeavouring to make
the Holy Father enter into engagements
which he may repent of; for, fince the
death of Cardinal Archinto, there are no
longer the fame kind of men about him;
and the confequences may be unhappy.
The Holy See is not refpected as it
was formerly, and prudence requires that
we ſhould pay proper attention to times
and circumſtances. Jefus Chrift, in re-
commending to his Apoftles to be fimple as
doves, adds, and wife as ferpents. An in-
confiderate ſtep on the part of Rome, in
fuch critical times as thefe, may have very
bad effects. Benedict XIV. himſelf, though
he was very capable of conciliating people's
minds,
CLEMENT XIV.
119
minds, would have been embarraſſed upon
this occafion; but he would have been very
cautious of infringing the rights of Princes.
What we have to treat about is delicate.
There is no occafion to run counter to the
Holy Father or his Council; neverthe-
lefs we muſt take meaſures to prevent his
being miſled by thofe about him. As his
intentions are pure, he does not ſuſpect
that he can be impofed on. He ought at
leaſt to balance the advantages and the dif
advantages of what they attempt to make
him undertake. We always fucceed badly,
if we do not calculate before-hand.
The Council affect to give no explana-
tions but to certain Cardinals, and to leave
the reſt uninformed. The King of Por-
tugal will never defift from his manner of
thinking, and I can fee that the other Ca-
tholic powers will fupport and confirm him
in his opinions.
Monarchs no longer live detached from
one another, as they did formerly; they
are all friends, and act with fuch regard to
each other's interefts, that if you have
the misfortune to offend any one of them,
you
120 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
1
you will offend the whole; and instead of
having one enemy, you will have all Eu-
rope to contend with.
Shall the Holy Father, by an indiſcreet
zeal, ftruggle againſt all the powers?
Shall he fulminate againſt the eldeſt Son of
the Church, and againſt his Moft Faithful
Majefty? He ſhould confider that theſe are
not Pagan Emperors, whom he would op-
pofe, but Catholic Princes like himſelf.
England ſhould have corrected for ever
all indiſcreet zeal in the Popes. What
would Clement VII. fay, were he to re-
turn upon earth? Would he applaud
his work, if he was to fee that kingdom,
which was formerly the nurſery of Saints,
become the affemblage of all Sectaries, and
every kind of error? We fhould learn to
facrifice a part, for the prefervation of the
whole.
The Holy See can never be more bril-
liant, never more fecure, never more in
peace, than when it has the Catholic So-
vereigns for its defenders and fupport.
It is a harmony abfolutely neceffary for
the
CLEMENT XIV.
121
the glory and good of religion. The faith-
ful would be expofed to every wind
of doctrine, if unfortunately the Princes
wanted that deference for the Court of Rome
which they ought to have; and the Sove-
reign Pontiff would ſee his flock infenfibly
decay, and chufe bad pafture inſtead of
what he offers them.
The good ſhepherd fhould not only call
back the ſheep that have gone aftray, but
labour to the utmost to prevent any more
from wandering. Infidelity, whofe fatal
blaft is ſpread over all, does not wish for
any thing more than to fee Rome at va-
riance with the Kings: but Religion ab-
hors theſe divifions. We fhould not
give room for the enemies of the Church
to repeat what they have too often faid,
that the Court of Rome is intractable, and
has a domineering fpirit, which is dan-
gerous to the other States.
The truth is, that every Sovereign is
maſter at home, and that no foreign power
has a right to command him. We thought
differently in times of trouble and horror,
VOL. II.
which
G
122 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
which it would be dangerous to revive.
Charity, peace, and moderation, are the
proper arms of Chriftians, and eſpecially
thofe of Rome, which ought to fet an ex-
ample of patience and humility to all the
other powers of the earth.
We should recollect, that when Peter
cut off the ear of Malchus, who was an
enemy to Chrift, he was reproved by our
Saviour, and commanded him to put
up his fword in the ſcabbard.
How much more unjuftifiable must it
then appear, if fuch a ſword was to be
employed againſt thoſe who have always
defended, and made it their glory to be
the ſupporters of the Holy See !
There is nothing more dangerous than
an indifcreet zeal, which breaks the bruifed
reed, which extinguifheth the yet fmoking
lamp, and which would bring down fire
from Heaven.
I know that a Pope is obliged to pre-
ſerve the immunities of the Holy See; but
there is no neceffity for getting embroiled
with all the Catholic Princes, on account
of ſome feignorial rights.-This would be
to
CLEMENT XIV.
133
to ftir up the fire of infidelity, and to give
pretences for inveighing more than ever
againſt the Church of Rome.
They fee badly who fee things but in
part; the whole fhould be examined at
once, and the confequence of the preſent
proceedings weighed, to judge of the fu-
ture. One fpark, faid St. James, will kindle
a whole forest.
Narrow minds imagine, that we wish
the deſtruction of certain Monks, becauſe
we will not ſupport them in oppoſition to
the Kings, with whom they are at variance.
But befides that more tempefts would ſtill
follow by refifting thofe Powers, we ought
not to give a preference to thefe Monks,
which would embroil the Court of Rome
with all the Catholic Princes.
I could not poffibly fleep, if I was to
with harm to any one. I fincerely love all
the religious Orders; I wiſh from my foul,
that the whole could be preſerved; but 1
reflect upon what is moft proper, when it
is become neceffary to decide. I do not
even propoſe that the Holy Father ſhould
diffolve any of them, but that he ſhould at
leaft
G 2
124 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
leaft write to theſe Crowned Heads, and
let them know that he will examine the
complaints againſt that Order, and then im-
mediately begin to make the inquiry.
Suppofe Rome expofed to all theſe po-
tent enemies-how can fhe fupport herſelf
in the midst of tempefts? We are not
yet in Heaven; and if God preſerves his
Church to the end of ages, it is by in-
ſpiring thoſe who govern it with a pru-
dence fuited to times and places, as well
as with a love of peace.
It is not to be expected that God will
work a miracle to defend an indifcreet
zeal. He leaves fecond cauſes to act;
and when an improper choice is made,
things cannot poffibly go well.
None but the vifionary will refuſe to
bend to the exigency of things, when the
difpute is neither about faith nor morals.
In important affairs we ought always to
confider how they will terminate, if we
would avoid the greateſt calamities.
•
As I know your zeal, my Lord, as well
as your underſtanding, I prefume that
you will fall upon fome method capable of
faving,
CLEMENT XIV.
125
faving, not the Holy See, which cannot
periſh, but the Court of Rome, which is
expofed to the greateſt dangers.
Theſe are my reflections: I perfuade
myſelf that you will find them juft. I
dare affure you I have weighed them be-
fore the Tribunal of God, who trieth the
reins and hearts of men, and who knows
that I have neither antipathy nor animofity
in my heart againſt any man.
I have the honour to be, with all the
fentiments due to your great underſtanding
and uncommon virtues,
Your most humble, &c.
CONVENT of the HOLY APOSTLES.
16th of the Month.
G 3
LETTER
126 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
LETTER CXII.
TO CARDINAL S**
I
MOST EMINENT,
Had not time to fpeak to you, yeſter-
day, with freedom, upon the great bu
finefs which at prefent agitates Europe,
and from which Rome will receive a fatal
blow, if ſhe does not act with that mode-
ration which Sovereigns require. The
Popes are Pilots who are always fteering
upon tempestuous feas, and confequently
are obliged to go fometimes with full fails,
and fometimes to furl them, according to
circumftances.
Now certainly is the time to employ
that wisdom of the Serpent recommended
by Chrift to his Apoftles. At a time
when Infidelity has broken looſe againſt
every religious Order, it is certainly la-
mentable to fee the Minifters of the Gofpel
forfaken, who were deftined for Colleges,
Semi-
CLEMENT XIV.
127
:
Seminaries, and Miffions, and who had
diftinguiſhed themfelves fo much by their
writings upon the truths of our religion;
but it remains to be confidered, whether
in the fight of God it may be better to en-
gage in a ftrife against the Powers of the
earth, or to relinquish the fupport of any
particular Order of the Church.
For my part, I think, on a view of the
ftorm which feems to threaten us on all
fides, and may be perceived already hang-
ing over our heads, that it would be more
prudent to take the neceffary fteps of our-
felves, and to facrifice any one of our
deareft connections, rather than to incur
the wrath of Kings, which cannot be too
much dreaded.
Let our Holy Father and his Secretary
of State regard the Jefuits as much as they
will; -I fubſcribe with all my heart to
their attachment towards them, having
never had the leaft animofity, nor the leaft
antipathy againſt any one of the religious
Orders: but I fhall always fay, notwith-
ſtanding the veneration which I have for
Saint
G 4
128 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Saint Ignatius, and my efteem for thoſe
of his Order, that it is extremely dan-
gerous, and even rafh, to ſupport the Jefuits,
as things are circumftanced at preſent.
It would undoubtedly be right, that
Rome fhould folicit in their favour, in
quality of Mother and Protectreſs of all
the religious Orders of the Church, and
employ every means to preferve the So-
ciety; provided always that they fubmit to
a reform, according to the Decree of
Benedict XIV. and to the defire of all
thoſe who fincerely wish well to religion:
but my advice is, that when all theſe
means have been tried, the affair fhould
be left in the hands of God and of the
Kings.
Rome muſt always ftand in need of the
protection and affiftance of the Catholic
Powers. They are fortreffes which fhelter
her from incurfions and hoftilities in fuch
a manner, that ſhe never has more glory,
nor more authority, than when ſhe feems
to yield to theſe Sovereigns. Then it is
that they fupport her with luftre, and
make it their duty to publifh every where,
and
CLEMENT XIV.
129
and to prove by acts of deference and fub-
miſſion, that they are the tractable ſons of
the common Father of the faithful, and
that they reſpect him as the firſt man in
the world, in the eyes of the faith.
The more I call to mind thofe unfortu-
nate times when the Popes wandering with-
out help, without aſylum, had Emperors
and Kings for their enemies, the more I
feel the neceffity of being at peace with all
the Monarchs of the earth. The Church
knows but two Orders indifpenfably ne-
ceffary, and founded by Chriſt himſelf, to
perpetuate his doctrine, and to propagate
Chriſtianity, I mean the Bishops and
Priefts.
The first ages of the Chriftian world,
which we call the beft ages of the Church,
had neither Monks nor Friars; which evi-
dently proves to us, that if Religion had
no need of any but of her ordinary Mini-.
fters to preſerve her, the Regulars, her
auxiliary troops, however uſeful they may
be, are not abfolutely neceffary.
G 5
130 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
If the Jefuits have the true fpirit of
their profeffion, as I prefume they have,
they will be the firft to ſay, "We will ra-
"ther facrifice ourſelves, than excite trou-
bles and tempefts."
As a religious Society ought not to de-
pend upon perishable riches, nor temporal
honours, but upon a determined love to-
wards Jefus Chrift and his fpoufe, it ought
to retire with the fame alacrity it was
called, if his Vicar, the Minifter and In-
terpreter of his will upon earth, ſhould no
longer demand its fervices. The religi-
ous Orders are not reſpectable, indeed ought
not to be kept up, but fo long as they pre-
ferve the true fpirit of the Church; and
as that is always the fame, independant of
all the regular inftitutions, every Order
ought to confole itself if it happens
to be fuppreffed.---But frequently vanity
perfuades us that we are neceffary, even
at thoſe times when authority judges
otherwife.
If there was lefs enthuſiaſm, and more
found principles, every one would agree
in theſe truths; and fo far from rafhly
fupport-
CLEMENT XIV.
131
fupporting a corps which Kings complain
of, they would induce that fame corps to
retire of itſelf, without murmur or noiſe;
but unfortunately they form an illufion
to themſelves, and imagine that a fingle
inftitution cannot be touched, without at-
tacking the very effence of religion it-
felf.
If in giving up a religious Order, a dog-
ma was to be altered, a point in morals to
be corrupted; it were then, without doubt,
better to perish. But the Church will
teach the fame truths after the Jefuits are
fuppreffed, which fhe taught before they
were eſtabliſhed;-the Church will ſtill fub-
fift; and Chrift will rather raife children
to Abraham, even from the ftones, to
fuftain his work, than leave his myftical
body without fuccour or fupport.
The Head of the Church is like the
mafter of a magnificent Garden, who lops
thoſe branches at his difcretion, which, by
extending too far, may happen to obſtruct
the view.
Do you, my Lord, who have both zeal
and knowledge, confer upon thefe fubjects
G 6
with
132 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
with the Holy Father. It will be much
more proper for you than for me, who con-
fider myſelf in every refpect as the leaſt
important member of the Sacred College.
Shew his Holiness what an abyfs he is dig-
ging for himſelf, when he obftinately refifts
thefe Potentates. The rectitude of his
heart will make him hearken to you; for
we may affirm that he has taken the refo-
lution of refifting theſe Powers only be-
cauſe he thinks it to be right. I expect
this liberal conduct from your love of the
Church, and am, Your Eminency's, &c.
CONVENT of the HOLY APOSTLES,
9th November, 1768.
LETTER CXIII.
TO A LAY BROTHER.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
Wher
"Herefore do you heſitate in addreſs-
ing yourſelf to me? Am I ano-
ther man than what I was, becauſe I have
the honour of being a Cardinal? My heart
and my arms fhall always be open to re-
ceive
CLEMENT XIV.
133
ceive my dear brethren. I owe them too
much ever to forget them; for I owe them
every thing.
The confeffion which you make of your
fault, perfuades me that you truly repent
of it. However little a man may deviate.
from the ftraight path in cloifters, he in-
fenfibly gives into excefs. You have not
finned through ignorance, and therefore
you are the more to blame; and what is
ftill worſe, your fault has blazed abroad.
Humble yourſelf before men, and fhew
your contrition before the throne of grace,
that you may obtain forgiveneſs. I fhall
write to your Superior to receive you
again with mildneſs.
My dear brother, you have imagined
that in quitting your retreat, you would
find infinite fatisfactions in the world at
large. Alas! this world is but a deceiver.
It promiſes what it never performs. View-
ed at a diſtance, it appears to be a parterre
of flowers; when nearer feen, it proves a
brake of thorns.
I pray the Lord that he
may touch you
feelingly, for very good impulfe comes
from
134 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
from him. You must refume your exer-
cifes with the moft lively fervour, and
oblige thoſe to admire your reformation,
who might otherways reproach you with
having gone aftray. You may be fully
affured, that
will always be dear to me,
and that I fincerely bewail with you the
error you have committed. I am your
affectionate, &c.
you
THE CARD. GANGANELLI.
CONVENT OF THE HOLY APOŠTLES,
18th November, 1760.
LETTER CXIV.
TO R. P. GUARDIAN OF
F
IF
you have any
* * *
attachment to me, my
Reverend Father, I pray you to re-
ceive with cordiality Brother ***, who
has fcandalouſly ftrayed from his duty;
but he returns, he weeps, and he pro-
mifes; and, what is ftill more affecting,
Jefus Chrift our model hath taught us
how we ought to forgive. I pray you to
look
CLEMENT XIV.
135
look upon him who was crucified for.
the falvation of them that crucified him;
and I cannot doubt of obtaining what
I defire.
Human nature is fo depraved, that I am
much leſs aſtoniſhed than alarmed at the
exceffes to which men daily give themſelves
up. There needs but one emotion of pride,
or a felfish regard towards ourſelves, to
make us loft to grace; and from thenceforth
we become capable of every crime.
The more the Lord has preferved us
from exceffes which require repentance,
the more compaffionate we ought to be to
thofe who furrender themfelves up to them;
for our exemption is the pure effect of his
mercy, and for which we fhould afcribe no
merit to ourſelves.
Your flock will blefs their Paftor, when
they fee with what tendernefs he again
receives the ftray ſheep.
I do not write to you to difpenſe with
the penance prefcribed by the confti-
tutions, but to lighten it as much as is
poffible, by abstaining from bitter reproaches,
more
136 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
more capable of irritating than affecting
him.
May your reproof be friendly; may your
correction be paternal; may your recep-
tion inftead of being auftere have nothing
but what is gracious, fo as not to terrify
the guilty!
Remember that it is always Charity that
ought to act;, that it is fhe who ought to
puniſh, and ſhe who fhould pardon.
I embrace you moft fincerely, as my old
brother; and I hope to learn even by him
whom I recommend to you, that he has
found in you rather a father than a mafter.
No body loves or honours you more
than
THE CARD. GANGANELLI.
CONVENT OF THE HOLY APOSTLES,
11th December, 1764.
LET-
CLEMENT XIV.
937
LETTER CXV.
TO R. P. COLLOZ, PRIOR OF GRAFFEN-
THAL, AND SUPERIOR-GENERAL OF THE
ORDER OF GUILLELMITES.
MY REVEREND FATHER,
You
OUR letter expreffes how much
fatisfaction you feel on my promo-
tion to the Cardinalfhip, and of the choice
the Holy Father has made of me, among
all the members of the Sacred College, to
truſt with the protection of your * Order.
I did not doubt but your fentiments, in
effect, were fuch; nevertheleſs it is a
matter of true fatisfaction to me, to fee the
chearfulneſs which is impreffed on your
hearts, and to find fuch certain marks of
the confidence with which you honour me.
Your Order has certainly been deprived of
a great
and powerful ſupport in lofing Car-
dinal Guadagni. May the hopes you have
conceived of me, reftore peace and tran-
quillity to your fouls! At leaſt, I ſhall
• Every religious Order has a Cardinal Protector.
employ
138 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
employ every effort, my Reverend Father,
that you and all yours may find in me
a tender friend, a vigilant protector, and
a zealous defender of your privileges.
It is with pleaſure that I frequently hear
the Procureur General of the Capuchins
praifing your Reverence, and thoſe of
your Order.
Nothing remains to be defired, my Reve
rend Father, but that you will excuſe me
for fo long delaying to anſwer you, which
was occafioned by my having been op-
preffed with a multitude of affairs, that
have ſcarce left me time to breathe, on a
change fo new, and fo little expected on
my part. I likewife beg you will put me
to the proof, and fee if I can be of any
ſervice to you. I have had fome conver-
fation with our Holy Father about you:--
I ſhall ſpeak to him on whatever concerns
your affairs, every time you chufe to
employ me. I beg to recommend myſelf
in the ſtrongeſt manner to the prayers of
your Order. I hope to answer your
Reverence's expectations in fuch a manner,
as
CLEMENT XIV.
139
as to convince all of you that you have in
me a moft truly affectionate Protector.
I am with all my heart,
My Rev. Father, &c.
ROME, CONVENT of the HOLY APOSTLES,
20 May, 1769.
LETTER CXVI.
TO THE ABBE F**
This eaſy to obferve, both in your writ
IT
ings and converfation, my dear Abbé,
that you do not read the Fathers of the
Church fo much as you ought to do. Do
you
know that they are the foul of Chriftian
eloquence, and that like thofe fertile trees
which ornament gardens while they enrich
them, they produce abundance both of
flowers and of fruits?
The Church is proud of producing their
works as fo many monuments of victories
which he has gained over her enemies,
and every enlightened Chriftian ought to
be delighted with reading them. The more
they are examined, they will be found the
more
140 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
more confpicuoufly bright ;---every Father
of the Church has a characteriſtical diftinc-
tion. The genius of Tertullian may be
compared to iron, which breaks the hard-
eft bodies, and will not bend; St. Atha-
nafius to the diamond, which can neither
be deprived of its luftre nor folidity; St.
Cyprian to fteel, which cuts
which cuts to the
quick; St. Chryfoftome to gold, whoſe
value is equal to its beauty; St. Leo to
thofe enfigns of dignity which are at once
graceful and majeftic; St. Jerome to braſs,
which neither dreads fwords nor arrows;
St. Ambrofe to filver, which is folid and
fhining; St. Gregory to a mirror, in which
every one fees himself; St. Auguftine to
himſelf, as fingular in his kind, though
univerfal.
As to St. Bernard, the laſt of the Fa-
thers in the order of Chronology, I com-
pare him to thofe flowers of the velvet
kind, which fhed an exquifite perfume.
If the French reckon Boffuet, Biſhop of
Meaux, among the Fathers, it is a pre-
mature judgment, which cannot be ſub-
mitted to, until the univerſal Church has
pronounced
CLEMENT XIV.
141
pronounced it, as ſhe has the fole right of
affigning the rank which is due to Writers.
Even St. Thomas Aquinas has not obtained
the title of a Father of the Church; and it
is not to be prefumed that the Doctors
who have fucceeded him, fhould en-
joy that prerogative: but every nation
has an enthuſiaſm for its Authors; yet it
muſt be allowed, that the Biſhop of Meaux
was a burning and fhining lamp, whofe
light can never be obfcured.
I confess to you, my dear Abbé, if I
know any thing, I owe it to the reading
the Fathers, eſpecially the works of St.
Auguftine. Nothing eſcapes his fagacity;
nothing is beyond his depth, nothing above
his fublimity; he contracts, he extends
himſelf, he walks in a path of his own, vary-
ing his ftyle and manner according to the
ſubjects which he treats of, and always with
the fame advantage, always elevating the
foul, even into the bofom of God; a fanctuary
of which he ſeems to hold the key, and
where he feems imperceptibly to introduce
thoſe whom he nouriſheth with his fublime
ideas. I particularly admire him upon the
fubject
142 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
fubject of Grace. Ah! I wish to Heaven,
that his doctrine upon that point had been
eſtabliſhed in all the Schools, and all
minds! Prefumptuous writers would not
then have endeavoured to found an impene-
trable abyſs, and the grace of Jeſus Chriſt
would have preſerved all its rights, and
man his liberty.
What afflicts me is, that the Fathers of
the Church are ſcarcely read; and they who
have occafion to confult them, truft to ex-
tracts, which are often unfaithful, and al-
ways too much abridged. A Prieft or a
Bishop made it his duty formerly to read
the Fathers of the Church, as much as to
fay his breviary; but now-a-days they
are only known by name, except it be in
the Cloifters, where, that excellent cuftom
is not quite left off: whence it comes,
that in many countries they have meagre
theologians, without life or foul; ftudents
who can only fyllogife; and inftructions
which contain nothing but words without
meaning.
Nevertheleſs, 1 ought to fay to the praiſe
of the Sacred College, without meaning to
compliment
3
CLEMENT XIV.
143
compliment it, that they have always had
members who have perfevered in the ſtudy
of the Fathers; and fome may be named
who actually prefer that kind of reading
to all other employment.---Our Schools
likewife feel that influence, where they
teach only the doctrine of St. Auguſtine
and St. Thomas; --- a certain means of
avoiding whatever breathes novelty.
Let me conjure you, then, to lay it down
as a rule, to read the Fathers every day;
it requires but a beginning; for when once
you enter upon them, you will not care to
leave them --they are always with God,
and they will place you on the fame feat
with themſelves, if you nourish yourſelf
daily with their writings.---It is reading
the Holy Scripture to read them, for they
explain it in a mafterly manner, and quote
it on all occafions.
It were to deprive me of three-fourths
of my exiſtence, if the confolation of en-
tertaining myſelf with the Holy Fathers was
taken from me ;---the more they are pre-
fent, the more I confole myſelf, the more
I rejoice, and the greater I think myſelf.
Profit
144 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Profit by my leffons, and you will love
me if you love yourſelf; for in reading
the Fathers, you will make acquifitions a
thousand times more precious than wealth
or titles. An Ecclefiaftic has nothing to
do with the world, but to inftruct and
edify it. I am with all my heart, and
with the warmest defire to ſee your talents
produce good fruit,
Your affectionate,
The CARD. GANGANELLI.
Rome, 13 December, 1768.
LETTER CXVII.
TO R. P** * HIS FRIEND.
OU have given me a fingular plea.
YOU
fure by not mentioning that I had
written to you. Without being myſterious,
I
very much love difcretion; and although
I have been eight-and-twenty years in the
Convent of the Holy Apoftles, I never ac-
quainted my brethren with what connec-
tions I have. They may guefs, if they
will,
CLEMENT XIV.
145
will, or if they can; but they know no-
thing: Secretum meum mihi; my fecret is
my own.
I lately faw the Cardinals York, Porfini,
and John Francis Albani, whofe excellent
qualities I highly eſteem; but I have
learned nothing from them of what I
wanted to know.
I fubfcribe with the greateſt pleaſure to
all the obliging things you fay of the Pre-
late Durini: he has joined the Italian fa-
gacity to the pleafing manners of the
French, and deſerves to attain the greateſt
dignities.
I have learned nothing of the late refo-
lutions of the great Perfonage you speak
of;
I fee him but very feldom, and in a
moſt reſerved manner :---he does not be-
lieve me to be his friend. Is he wrong?
Is he right? This is what he himſelf can-
not decide, notwithstanding all the fineffe
he is ſuppoſed to be mafter of; but moſt
certainly, God knows, I bear no ill-will
to him, becauſe I never have done fo to
any one.
VOL. II.
H
I will
146 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
f
I will recommend the good work which
you mention, to the Cardinals Fantuzzi and
Borromeo, who breathe nothing but cha-
rity. Do you yourſelf deliver the incloſed,
which I fend you for M ***, and let me
have his anfwer by the flying Poft, which
is both quick and fure. For fome time.
paft my correfpondences overpower me,
and yet I cannot get rid of them. From
this time do not loſe half a page in fhew-
ing me respect: I wish you to write to me
as to Brother Ganganelli. I am always the
fame individual, whatever efforts may be
made uſe of to perfuade me to the con-
trary; for, alas! if I was to attend to
etiquettes and flatterers, they would in-
toxicate me with their ridiculous incenfe.
I love to be fimply myself, and not to
be befet with all the accompanyments of
grandeur. Your great littleneffes difguft
me; and furely they who are fond of
them, muft have but a contemptible fpirit.
There is no probability that our common
friend can recover; he has a complication
of diſorders, any one of which is fufficient
to destroy the ftrongest perfon.
I am
CLEMENT XIV.
147
I am foliciting a place which I think
will fuit your nephew, provided he
can bear confinement, and hear grumbling;
for the nobleman, whofe Secretary I in-
tend him to be, has the unfortunate mad-
neſs of falling in a paffion at every trifle:
but his heart is not the lefs excellent ;--
it is a blot which ſhould be overlooked,
becauſe of his goodneſs. He is like Bene-
dict XIV. who always concluded by be-
ftowing fome favour upon thofe he had
fcolded. You fee that I am in a humour
to prate, and that I have not the air of a
man of buſineſs. When I have ſaid my
breviary, and finished my engagements, I
chat more than is perhaps liked, but then
I have need of it.
I leave you with yourſelf, that is to ſay,
in the beſt company that I know; and am,
as ufual, and for my whole life,
Your affectionate fervant,
The CARD, GANGANELLI.
Rome, 6th December, 1768.
H 2
LETTER
148 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
THE
LETTER CXVIIL
TO M. D***
HE giving of alms is not fufficient to
pleaſe God, for charity extends over
all; you ſhould not oppreſs your tenants,
nor moleft your vaffals; they who with the
greateſt ſeverity exact trifles which they
ought to defpife, have not a proper fenfe
of religion. Chriftianity does not know
that fordid intereft, which is attentive to
little things; and they have only the bark
who are always upon the watch with their
Tenants, for fear of being cheated. The
heart is become too earthly, when it is
over-anxious about worldly matters.
Ah! why torment yourfelf, Sir, fo fo-
licitously about the things that perifh?
The kingdom of Jefus Chrift fhould have
worshippers in fpirit and in truth, whofe
hearts are not contracted by a felf-intereſted
conduct, and views merely carnal.
I am mortified when I fee people of for-
tune living in dread of want, and though
very
CLEMENT XIV.
149
very rich, often much more attached to
a dirty piece of gold than a poor labourer
would be.
I dare add, Sir, that all your works of
devotion will be abfolutely uſeleſs, if you
do not detach yourſelf intirely from the
things of this world; and ceafe to be the
tyrant of your debtors, by a greediness
after riches. It is better to forego a right,
than to recover it by oppreffion. The
ſpirit of juſtice which you plead in your fa-
vour, has no connection with continual
diftruft, with apprehenfions about future
want, and with eternal wranglings.
If there are fome difputes between you
and your tenants, fettle them more to their
advantage than your own; it is conform-
able to the advice of Jefus Chrift, who
orders us, if they afk our cloak to give
our coat alſo. All your fuperfluities, and
even a part of your neceffaries, on urgent
occafions, belong to the poor; fo that you
will be guilty if you heap up. Theſe are
harfh truths, but the law was not made
by me.
The
H 3
150 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
The affair you ſpoke to me about, could
not be in better hands than Monfignor
his rectitude is equal to his un-
Brafchi's
derſtanding, and there is no fear of his
being prejudiced; nevertheless, if you
fire it, I will fpeak a few words to him.
I am, Sir,
de
With the fentiments due to you, &c.
The CARD. GANGANELLI.
ROME, 21 of the prefent Month.
LETTER CXIX.
TO MY LORD
***.
Have not been accustomed to fee fuch a
genius as your's become the dupe of
modern philofophy. Your underſtanding
ſhould ſet you above the fophiftry it en-
genders, and which levels us to the fad
condition of the brutes.
If there is a God, as nature cries aloud
thro' all her works, there muſt be a Religion.
If there is a Religion, it muſt be incom-
prehenfible, ſublime, and as antient as the
world,
CLEMENT XIV.
الحمام
151
world, as being an emanation from an in-
finite and eternal Being. If thefe are
its characters, it must be Chriftianity; and
if it is Chriſtianity, it must be acknow-
ledged to be divine, and heart and foul
fhould acquiefce in it.
Isit then credible that God Almighty fhould
difplay this Univerfe in fuch fplendor, to
feed the eyes with flocks of men and beaſts, -
that ought to be confounded together, as
having all the fame deftiny; and that this
intelligence which dwells in us, which
combines, which calculates, which extends
beyond the earth, which mounts above the
firmament, which recollects the ages paft, and
penetrates into thofe which are to come, and
has an idea of that which ought to laft for
ever, ſhould ſhine forth one moment, only
to be diffipated afterwards like a feeble
vapour?
What is that voice which inceffantly
proclaims within you, that you were born
for great things? What are thofe defires.
which continually renew themſelves, and
which make you feel that there is nothing
in this world which can occupy the wifhes
of your heart?
H 4
When
152 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
When man eftrangeth himſelf from God,
he is like a fick wretch rolling in agony;
and the light of his reafon, which he ex-
tinguiſheth, leaves him in the midſt of a
darkness which is replete with horror.
The fame truth which affures you of
your own exiſtence; I would ſay that in-
timate teftimony which you find within
yourſelf, affures you of the existence of a
God, and cannot give you a lively idea of
him, without impreffing you with an idea
of Religion. The worship which we render
to the Supreme Being, is fo linked with
him, that our heart is not fatisfied but
when it is rendering homage to him, or
conforming to the order which he hath
established.
If there is a God, he ought naturally
to be beneficent; and if he is beneficent,
you ought by the jufteft confequence to
thank him for his benefits. Neither your
existence nor your health comes from your-
felf: about ſeven-and-twenty years ago,
you was nothing, when all on a fudden
you became an organifed body, enriched
with a foul to act as mafter, to command
and guide it according to its will and
This
pleafure.
CLEMENT XIV.
153
This reflection engages you to feek for
the Author of life; and when you will ex-
amine, you will find him in yourſelf, and
in every thing which furrounds you, with-
out any one of theſe objects being able to
boaſt of their being a part of his ſubſtance;
for God is ſingle and indiviſible, and can-
not therefore be identified with the ele-
ments.
If the Religion which he hath eſtabliſhed
hath taken different forms, and has been
fince perfected by the coming of the Mef-
fiah; it is becaufe God hath treated it as
he has done our reafon, which at firſt was
only a feeble ray; but afterwards, difclofing
itſelf by degrees, at laft appears in the
brighteſt light.
Befides, is it for man to interrogate the
Deity with regard to his conduct? Is it
for a creature to regulate the ways of his
Creator, and to preſcribe a manner of
operating to him? God communicates
himſelf to us in part, but ftill referves to
himſelf the right of abfolute dominion,
becauſe there is nothing but what is truly
fubject
H 5
154 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
fubject to him. If he clearly manifefted
his deſigns to us here below, if the myfte-
ries which aftoniſh and confound us were
laid open to our view, we fhould have
that intuitive fight which he referves till
after this life, and death would then be
unneceffary. Evidence is only for Hea-
ven, cognofcam, ficut & cognitus fum*:
yet we would anticipate that moment,
without reflecting that every thing is regu
lated by Infinite Wiſdom, and that we have
nothing to do on our part, but to fubmit
and to adore. The unbeliever changes
nothing of the defigns of God, when he
dares to riſe up against him. He even
enters into his plan, that comprehenfive
plan, where the evil concurs with the good
for the harmony of this world, and for the
happineſs of the next.
Religion and nature are equally derived
from God; and both the one and the other,
though in different manners, have their
myſteries and their incomprehenfibilities;
and by the fame reafon. that the exiſtence
* I fhall know God, as I am known by him.
of
CLEMENT XIV.
155
of nature is not denied, though its opera-
tions are often concealed, Religion can-
not, nor ought not to be rejected, on ac-
count of its obfcurities.
There is nothing here which hath not
a dark fide; becauſe our foul, weighed
down by a body which oppreffes and
darkens it, is not capable of feeing every
thing. It is in a kind of infancy here be-
low, and ſhould have light in proportion.
to the weakneſs of its fight, till death dif
engages it from the oppreffive load which
weighs it down. It is like a tender bird
which pants and cries in its neft, till it can
Spring up into the air, and take its natural
flight.
The progrefs of Religion is admirable,
in the eyes of a true Philofopher. It is at
firſt ſeen like a twilight iffuing from the
bofom of Chaos; then like Aurora it an-
nounces the day; which at laſt appears,
but furrounded with clouds, and cannot
manifeft itſelf in meridian brightneſs, until
the Heavens fhall be opened.
Hath then the unprincipled unbeliever
any thing in particular which tells him, that
H 6
what-
156 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
what we believe is chimerical? At what
time, and in what place has this fecret
light come to fhine upon him? Is it in
that moment when his paffions ingulph
and govern him? Or is it in the midſt of
public fhews and pleaſures, where he com-
monly paffes his life?
It is aftonishing, my Lord, how men
give up all the authority of tradition, and
elude all the ftrength of the greateſt tefti-
monies, to refer blindly to two or three
people who give them leffons of infidelity.
They will not allow of inspiration, yet
they look on thofe people as oracles; from
whence it may be eaſily concluded, that
nothing but their paffions can attach them
to infidelity. They abhor a Religion
which reſtrains them when they would fol-
low the torrent of their vices, and ſwim in
the midst of the waves of a world agitated
with foaming billows.
Chriſtianity is a fuperb picture traced
out by the hand of God, and which he
prefented to man while it was yet but
ketched, till the moment Jefus Chrift came
to
CLEMENT XIV.
157
to finish it, waiting the time when he ſhould
give it the luftre and colouring it is to bear
throughout eternity.
Then Religion will be the only object
to engage our attention, becauſe it will be
then in the effence of God himſelf, making,
as St Auguftine expreffeth it, a whole with
bim.
This progrefs is conformable to that
of the time which conftitutes this life,
and which does not exift but by fucceffion.
God has thus varied the forms of Religion,
becauſe we are in a variable world; but he
will fix it unalterably in Heaven, becauſe
there no change will be known. Theſe are
the combinations and proportions which
diſplay the wiſdom of the Supreme Being.
Religion being for man, it was his pleaſure
that it ſhould follow the progrefs made
by man, according to the different modes
of his exiftence.
They who are intent upon this world,
fee nothing of all this; but you would
judge of theſe things as I do, if you were
difengaged from all the pleafures and all
the riches which make you a materialist,
in
158 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
in ſpite of yourſelf. Chriftianity is fpirit
and life; and they ftray widely from it,
who are occupied only about what is
corporeal. Souls become enlightened at
death, only becauſe they are no longer
weighed down by bodies which befiege and
darken them. True philoſophy, in difen-
gaging man from whatever is carnal, does
what death will finally effect; but it is not
the modern philofophy, which acknow-
ledges no exiſtence but that of matter,
and looks upon metaphyfics as a ſcience.
purely chimerical, although much more
certain than phyfics, which has only its
exiſtence in the fenfes.
I do not enter into the proofs of Reli-
gion, becauſe they have been fo often
and fo well explained already in im-
mortal works, that I could only repeat
them. Jefus Chrift is the beginning
and the end of all things, the key
of all the mysteries of grace and nature;
ſo that it is by no means furpriſing
that we ſhould tray after a thouſand
abſurd ſyſtems, when we do not ſteer
by
CLEMENT XIV.
159
by that fublime Compass. I cannot give
you a reaſon for any thing in phyfics or in
morals, as Cardinal Bembo wrote to a
Philofopher of his time, if you do not ad-
mit of Jefus Chrift. Even the creation of
this world is inexplicable, incomprehen-
fible, and impoffible, if it was not effected
by the Incarnate Word; for God can have
no other intention in what he does, but
what is infinite. This is the reaſon why
St. John called our Saviour Alpha and
Omega; and that the Apoftle told us that
the ages were made by him: Per quem fe-
cit et fæcula.
Study, then, as much as a creature is
capable, this Man-God, and you will find
all the treaſures of fcience and wifdom in
him; you will obferve that he is the
firſt link of that chain which bindeth all
things vifible and inviſible; and you will
acknowledge him to be that divine breath
which infpires juftice and holinefs into all
hearts.
The unbeliever can never give a fatis-
factory answer, when you afk him, Who is
this
160 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
this Jefus Chrift, this Man at the fame
time fo fimple and fo divine? fo fublime
and fo humble? fo pure in the whole
courfe of his life? fo great in the mo
ment of his paffion? fo magnanimous at
his death? But to anfwer this queſtion
without evafion. If he is only a man, he
is an Impoftor; for he hath faid he was
God; and from that time, what becomes
of his fublime virtues? what becomes of his
Goſpel, in which he forbids the uſe of the
leaft equivocation? and how account for
his difciples victories in all parts of the
world? And if he is a God, what ought
we to think of his religion, and thoſe who
dare to combat it?
Ah! my Lord, behold what is better to
know, and better to examine, than all the
profane fciences which you ſtudy. Sciences
will be at an end: Linguæ ceffabunt, Scien-
tia deftruetur *; and there will be nothing
but the knowledge of Jefus Chrift, which
will ride triumphant upon the abyss, when
time and the elements fhall be fwallowed up.
* Languages fhall ceafe, and Science be deftroyed.
Confider
CLEMENT XIV.
161
Confider but yourſelf, and that view will
neceffarily lead you to truth. The ſmalleſt
motion of your finger declares the action.
of God upon your body; this action
announces a Providence; this Provi-
dence informs you that you are dear to
your Creator; and this information leads
you from truth to truth, till you come to
thoſe which are revealed.
If you are neither the creator of yourself,
nor your own ultimate end, you ought ne-
ceffarily to fearch for Him in whom theſe
two qualities fubfiit. And what can that
be, if it is not God?
Religion will be always fure to gain her
cauſe in the eyes of all thofe who have
principles. It is fufficient to remount to
its fource, to analyfe and inveftigate the
ends of its inftitution, to come at the truth:
but the wicked difhonour and disfigure it,
and ſubſtitute a ſkeleton in its place. I am
not ſurpriſed, then, that they who are not
inſtructed, and who put their truſt in the
falſe philofophy of the age, fhould look
upon it as a bug-bear.
My
162 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
My Lord, I expect from the rectitude
of your foul, and the extenfive powers of
your mind, a more folid judgment than
what you have hitherto held with regard
to Chriſtianity. Shake off all theſe ſyſtems,
and all the opinions with which you have
been unfortunately biaffed; enter like a
new man into the way which tradition will
open to you, and you will judge very
differently; appeal from your prejudices.
to yourſelf; for as yet it has not been your- -
ſelf that has pronounced any opinion up-
on this fubject. As for my part, I fay
what my heart and foul dictate to me,
when I affure you of all the affection with
which I fhall remain, during life,
Your fervant, &c.
The CARD. GANGANELLI.
ROME, 29th November, 1768..
LET
CLEMENT XIV.
163
LETTER CXX.
THE
***
TO COUNT **
་
HE reflexions which you have made
upon the preſent ſtate of the dif-
ferent courts of Europe are very judicious.
It is plain that you know them perfectly;
and though you are not of their cabinets,
you are very well acquainted with what is
paffing there.
It is well to be on a level with the age,
to know it perfectly, and to obferve the
fprings which move the great perfonages
who figure on the ftage of life.
The perfon you speak of is a man of
wool, without confiftence or ſteadineſs, and
upon whom, confequently, there can be no
dependence. There is another perfon you
know, zealous as he ought to be for the
Auguſt Houſe of Bourbon; but though
he leaves his Palace with a firm refolution
to ſpeak ſtrongly to the Holy Father about
the affair of Parma, he is fcarcely got in-
to
A
164 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
to his prefence, when awe renders him
fpeechlefs. As to the little Prelate who
fhould act and conftitute himſelf Mediator,
he is an indecifive perfon, who is always
putting off every thing till the morrow,
and who has no other anfwer but Vederemo,
We fhall fee.
We might eafily fpeak about it to the
General of ***; but it is not ſafe to confide
in him at preſent; efpecially when even
the fecret enjoined by the Holy Office is
not kept. As to his Affiftant, he is merely
a well-meaning man.
Many of the great men here are with
reafon attached to France and Spain; but
they dare not explain themſelves, they are
fo teazed and befet by numbers, who make
Heaven ſpeak as they pleaſe.
A devotion faintly enlightened, which
is unhappily but too common, is conftantly
whiſpering, that all fhould be facrificed to
defend the interefts of God; as if God
required that his Firft Minifter upon Earth
fhould embroil himſelf with all the Catho-
lic Power, to fupport fome feignorial
rights;
CLEMENT XIV.
165
rights; and, at all adventures, to preſerve a
Corps, which can be of no further utility,
when the tide of prejudice runs againſt
it.
Let us fuppofe, for a moment, that there
is nothing against them but prejudice;
nevertheless, it is certain, that they can be
no longer uſeful, when oppofed by power-
ful Princes; but it is impoffible to make
people hear reafon upon this fubject, who
have adopted a certain manner of thinking.
All this forms a labyrinth, from whence
we can ſee no exit; and the beſt way we
can take, is to be filent, and wait God's
good time. When he pleafes, he can en-
lighten their minds, and make them know
his intentions.
The evil is, that the longer they are
kept in fufpence, the more they are inflam-
ed. I am perfuaded, Monf. the Count,
notwithſtanding all the talents which I
know you poffeffed of, that you do not
ſee an eaſy means of extricating us out of
this confufion. We have to do with people
who loudly exclaim against all propofitions.
of
166 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
of accommodation; and it is impoffible
to ſay any thing to them, becauſe they
fancy themſelves to be inſpired.
Nevertheleſs, I cannot help being
greatly offended at fome difcourfe that
certain perfons hold againſt Clement XIII.
eſpecially as it is not permitted to ſpeak
againſt the High Prieſt, and that we read
in the Epistle of St. Jude, that St Michael
durft not utter curfes even against the
Devil; but that he was content to fay, The
Lord rebuke thee: Non eft aufus judicium
inferre blafphemiæ, fed dixit: Imperet tibi
Dominus.
From hence I conclude, that the gene-
rality of men, be their manner of thinking
what it will, bend Religion to their pre-
judices. Some are great friends to the
Religious Society which is the fubject of
the prefent difputes, while others are equal-
ly its enemies; and the confequence is,
that things are not feen as they ought to
be, and that truth can no longer be heard
amidft the clamours of paffion. For my
part, who always keep in the middle be-
tween
CLEMENT XIV.
167
tween the two extremes of parties, and
deteft cabals and prejudices, I think that
the Pope can do nothing better, than un-
der the guidance of God to examine all
the papers both for and againſt them, as
likewife all the inconveniencies which refult
either on the one fide or the other, and
then he can and ought to pronounce; for
he is Judge, and I never pretended that he
was the fimple Minifter of the will of
Princes. None but he who eftabliſhed a
Religious Order can deftroy it; but he
has fuch a right, as it would be madneſs
to diſpute with him.
*
What comforts me amidst all theſe evils,
is, that though the bark of St. Peter muft
always be agitated, the Lord likewife will
ſupport it, even in the midſt of the great-
eft tempefts. You are furely more per-
fuaded of theſe things than any men; you,
Sir, who have always made eternal truths.
the object of your meditations, and have'
feen whatever has any relation to Religion
with the eyes of the Faith. Thefe eyes,
far different from thofe of Philofophy, raiſe
Us
168 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
k
us above this world, and give us to range
in the divine immenfity. There can be
nothing therefore fo abfurd as to ſay,
with the modern Philofophers, that the
views of Chriftians are extremely limited.
Can a foul be contracted in its ideas, when
it extends its thoughts even to eternity,
and, riſing above the Univerſe, approaches
to God himſelf, a pure and immaterial
Spirit?
In drawing a parallel between Religion
and Philofophy, it will be immediately
perceived, that the former gives a boundleſs
extent to all the faculties of the Soul; and
that the latter contracts them within a very
narrow circle. This world is the ne plus ultra
of the Philofophers of the prefent times;
but with the Chriftian, 'tis only an atom.
The one makes it his happineſs and his
end; the other looks upon it merely as a
fhadow which paffeth away, and regardeth it
only with a glance of his eye. This adores
it, becauſe it is his all and his God; that
looks upon it as a vapour, which will
very ſoon be diſpelled.
3
Do
CLEMENT XIV.
169
Do not reckon upon the Prelate ***
is too busy.
If
; he
any change happens here, I fhall be
ready to acquaint you with it. But there
muſt be a terrible concuffion for That to
take place. I have the honour to be, Monf.
the Count, &c.
My Compliments to M. the Abbé.
LETTER
CXXI.
TO A PRELAT E.
OU have very fenfibly obliged me by
You
the ſervices you have done the Re-
verend Father Aimé de Lambale. He
is a Capuchin whom I fingularly love for
his good qualities. He has the virtues of
his profeffion; that is to fay, he is humble,
gentle, zealous, and gives great applica-
tion to preſerve the rules of his Order in
their full force.
I expect your return with impatience,
eſpecially as the fubject of our converfation
VOL. II.
I
will
170 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
will be fome people's readiness to talk,
and backwardness to execute.
Every day brings us fome very extraor-
dinary news, which the next day contradicts
it. When the fpirits are in a ferment, and
affairs of confequence are in agitation,
one fets
for a politician
fets up for a
every
and news-monger; more efpecially in
Rome, where we have fo many idle fpecu-
lators.
Some have fears, others have hopes,
this life being only a fucceffion of dif
quiets and defires. It was given out yeſter-
day, that the King of Naples had marched
fome of his troops into our neighbour-
hood.
St. Ignatius, who was inflamed with zeal
for the glory of God, did not foreſee the ſtrife
which his children would one day occafion.
It is faid, nevertheleſs, that he begged of
God they might always be ſufferers.
If that be the cafe, he has certainly been
heard; for it must be allowed, that
for fome time they have undergone a num-
ber of calamities. I have been really ex-
ceedingly
CLEMENT XIV.
171
ceedingly affected by their misfortunes ;-
they are my brethren, by the double title
of Men and Monks: and if theſe things
are done in the green tree, what will be done
in the dry? Quid in arido fiet?
You will no longer find your Director
here. We have buried him. This fame
Death, who generally comes without being
called, gives us no refpite. He goes his
rounds day and night, and yet we live in
as much fecurity as if we thought he would
never come near us.
I flatter myself that you will bring me
the little picture which I requeſted of you.
Depend upon my efteem and friendſhip:
it is all that I can give you, but I give it
amply, being, &c.
ROME, 23d April, 1768.
I 2
LETTER
172 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
LETTER CXXII.
TO THE MARQUIS OF CARACCIOLL
I
SIR,
Return you a thouſand thanks for the
book you was fo obliging as to fend
me, and which has for its Title Les Derniers
Adieux de la Marechale à fes Enfans: It is
fentimental, and makes fuch lively impref-
fions upon the heart, that I was very deeply
affected with it. You ſhould give it to us
in Italian; and the rather, as I look upon it
to be a complete treatife on education.
I am forry that you was not provided in
time with all the interefting anecdotes of
Benedict XIV. You were too late in fetting
about it. When there is an intention of
publiſhing the hiftory of a Sovereign Pon-
tiff, memoirs ſhould be collected while he
lives; every one is then anxious to give
them; whereas after his death he is imme-
diately forgotten, and frequently even by
thoſe who owe their fortune to him.
I advise
CLEMENT XIV.
173
I adviſe you, Sir, to continue your
literary purſuits, which are fo beneficial to
the Public, provided you do not in-
jure your health by it; and to believe that
I am, more than I can exprefs,
Your affectionate Servant.
THE CARD. GANGANELLI.
ROME, 13th September, 1768.
LETTER CXXIII.
TO THE AMBASSADOR OF
IF
**
F the affairs of Parma, like that of the
Jefuits, had any connection with the
Faith, there could be no temporifing, ac-
commodation, nor capitulation; becauſe
the anſwer from the Popes to him who
would change his Faith is, You must
rather die.
One thing only is certain, I am afraid
that the Kings will at laſt do juft what they
pleaſe, and that we ſhall be forced to yield
at a moment when all fubmiffion may be
rejected.
I 3
Rome
174 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Rome is no longer in thofe times, when
men of all ranks brought her their vows
and offerings; yet, were fhe ftill in the
fame fituation, could fhe confcientiouſly
infringe upon the rights of Kings? A Pope
ought undoubtedly to preferve all his immu-
nities; yet not fo tenaciously as to hazard
fo dangerous a fchifm-Nothing is fo much
to be guarded against as dividing the
body of Chrift's Church.-Rome is the
-
center of unity, and ought not, therefore,
for articles which neither affect Morals nor
the tenets of Religion, to provoke thoſe who
live in her bofom to feparate from her.
If, when the Kings began to com-
plain of the Jefuits, the General himſelf
had written to thofe Monarchs to foften their
anger, and to defire that the offenders
might be feverely punished;-if the Holy
Father himſelf had followed this plan, the
Kings might have been appeaſed; and I
truly think it would have fucceeded, pro-
vided a reformation had been offered.
But they were obftinate, and ſtill perfift
with the fame pertinacity to fupport the
Society:
CLEMENT XIV.
175
Society and this is what ftirs up fo many
people againſt them.
P. Pontalti, General of the Carmelites,
was an excellent Politician, when he wrote
to the King of Portugal to beg that he
would prevent his Monks from trading to
Brazil. He adviſed R. P. Ricci to take
the fame ftep, but he would not listen to
his counfel.
Where is the Sovereign who may not, in
his own kingdom, either protect or expell
fuch as offend him? I dare fay, that the
acting Minifter did not take this affair
rightly, and did not forefee all its confe.
quences: there are fine eyes that fee nothing.
The example of Avignon, Benevento,
and Porte Corva, fhews us, that if there is
not an immediate accommodation, fome
other places will be feized; and thus infen-
fibly we ſhall lofe territories to which long
poffeffion had given us an indubitable right.
Benedict XIV. although timid, would
have fatisfied the Kings in this crifis; and
it is unfortunate that things are feen in a
different light by Clement XIII. whoſe
I 4
piety
176 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
piety we reſpect, as well as that of the
Cardinal his nephew. I ventured to ſpeak
to him on that fubject, and he was ftruck
with what I faid; but immediately, fome-
people who were intereſted in keeping up
the opinions which they had fuggefted
to him, came in the way, and gave him
fome fpecious reafons for perfifting in his
fentiments. They faid, that a religious
Order which had done the greateft fervices
in both worlds, and had made an ex-
prefs vow of obedience to the Holy See,
ought abſolutely to be preferved; and that
it was only from a hatred to Religion that
there was an attempt to deftroy it: but
they did not tell him, that, as the common
Father of all the Faithful, he ought not to
provoke the Princes who were the moſt re-
ligious, and the moſt obedient to the Holy
See; nor did they tell him what might be
the reſult of a fchifm between the Holy See
and Portugal; and that the Head of the
Church ſhould tremble, when a ſeparation
is threatened which may have the moſt fatal
confequences..
There
CLEMENT XIV.
177
There is nothing in lofing fome little
portion of territory, in compariſon with
the fouls which may be loft by a ſchiſin.
What a leffon would England afford to
Clement VII. if he was alive at this day!
It makes one fhudder with horror. Cer-
tainly the Sovereigns who reign at prefent
will never think of a feparation; but can
we anſwer for thoſe who are to fucceed
them? It is not always what preſents it-
felf under the idea of piety, that is the moſt
expedient meaſure.-A Pope is eſtabliſhed
the Head of the Church, that he may root
out as well as plant. The good books
which the Jefuits have left us, will live
after them. The religious Orders have
not been gifted with infallibility nor inde-
fectibility: if they were all to be abolished
this day, undoubtedly the lofs would be
great; but the Church of Jefus Chrift
would neither be lefs holy, lefs Apof-
tolical, nor lefs refpectable. The re-
ligious Societies are upon the footing of
auxiliary troops; and it is the great Paftor
who is to form a judgment when they are
ufeful, and when they are no longer fo.
I 5
The
178 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
The Humiliars, and even the Templars,
did good for a time, becauſe there has
been no Order but what has edified, efpe-.
cially at the beginning of its inſtitution;
yet they have been fuppreffed when the
Kings and Popes found it neceffary.
Certainly I muſt regret the good which
the Jefuits might have done; but I ſhould
regret much more the kingdoms that
might have feparated from us on their
account.-Thefe Fathers themfelves fhould
feel the juftnefs of my reafonings; and I
have the prefumption to believe, that I
could make them acknowledge it, if I had
a conference with them, and they would
thake off the prejudices which are attached
to all conditions of life. If my friend P.
Timoné had been their General, they
might probably have ftill fubfifted.
This is my way of thinking, though of
a religious Order myfelf; and I would con-
fent to the diffolution of my own Society,
if I found it obnoxious to the refent-
ment of the Catholic Princes.
There are, happily, certain devotions
which have never dazzled me. I weigh the
events
CLEMENT XIV.
179
events according to Religion and equity;
and as theſe are two certain lights, I fhall
ever be determined as they direct me.
If there were no other intereft in the
Church but that of Jefus Chriſt, all the
Faithful would wait in peace for the events
marked out by Providence, without en-
gaging warmly either for Cephas or Apol-
los. But we are only guided by fenfible
affections; and becauſe we have once known
a Monk who has edified by his conduct,
and who has taught nothing but what was
excellent, muſt we therefore conclude
that we neither can, nor ought to fupprefs
the Order of which he was a member? Is
this to reaſon, or is this to judge?
When we have neither ſeen the informa-
tions nor the arguments upon which we
ſhould frame a judgment, it is abfurd to
attempt to paſs fentence. Here is a great
contest between Kings and a religious Or-
der eminent for its talents and credit :
when we do not know the motives from
which they act, we neither can nor ought
to pronounce an opinion. I fay once
I 6
more,
180 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
more, that I do not affert that the Jefuits
ought to be fuppreffed, but I think that
the complaints of the Kings fhould be at-
tended to; and if there are ftrong reafons
for it, that then the Order fhould be
aboliſhed.
We do not as yet know preciſely the
reafons for the deftruction of the Templars,
and yet there are people who would know
already the motives which have caufed the
fuppreffion of the Jefuits. I wiſh with all my
heart that they may be able to juſtify them-
felves, and that there may be neither divi-
fion nor diffolution; for I have a foul truly
pacific, and incapable of hating any one,
and more particularly a religious Order.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Rome, 29 October, 1768.
LETTER
f.
181
CLEMENT XIV.
LETTER CXXIV.
TO THE MARQUIS OF **
B
EHOLD us in the greateſt crisis we
ever were in! All Europe thunder-
ing againſt us, and unfortunately we have
nothing to oppoſe to this raging tempeft.
The Pope trufts in Providence; but God
Almighty does not work miracles every
time he is called upon; nor can we expect
that he will interpofe his power, merely
that Rome may maintain a right of feig-
nory over the Dutchy of Parma.
}
Rome has no adminiſtration but what is
purely fpiritual in the Roman Catholic
kingdoms, and it is only in the Eccle-
fiaftical State that ſhe has any temporal
authority; and even That is owing to the
conceffion of thofe Sovereigns whom we
are folicited to oppoſe.
The Court of Rome cannot forget that
The owes almoſt all her riches and fplendor
to France; and if fhe does remember it,
how can fhe avoid compliance with the de-
fire
182 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
fire of Louis XV. efpecially as he only
afks thoſe things which he has a right to
exact ?¨¨
I compare the four kingdoms that prin-
cipally fupport the Holy See, to the Car-
dinal virtues; France to Strength, Spain
to Temperance, &c.
The Holy See thus defended, fhews
herſelf formidable to her enemies, and
then may we ſay; Cadent à latere tuo mille,
& decem millia à dextris tuis; ad te autem
non appropinquabit *.
?
I own to you, my dear Sir, that I grieve
at the fight of the dangers which feem to
threaten us, and I moft heartily fay,
"6
May this bitter cup be put far from us!"
Not becauſe they take our cloak, and can
take our coat alfo; but becauſe I dread a
rupture, and the multitude of evils which
may follow, although Religion can never
periſh!
If the Holy Father, whofe heart is pu-
rity itſelf, would only reprefent to himſelf
the benevolent acts of the French Monarchs
A thouſand ſhall fall at your right, and ten thou-
fand at your left; and no evil ſhall approach you.
to
CLEMENT XIV.
183
to the Holy See, he would not heſitate to
comply with the defires of Louis XV. touch-
ing the Dutchy of Parma; but you know that
every thing has two faces, and that the
aſpect under which fome people prefent
this affair to our Holy Father, is abfolutely
contrary to the views of the Sovereigns.
He will find the neceffity of retreating;
at leaſt, if the prefent Pope does not, his
fucceffor muft; which will be the more
unlucky, as Clement XIII. is a Pontiff wor-
thy of the first ages of the Church for his
piety, and deferves to be bleffed by all the
kingdoms who acknowledge his authority.
The Sacred College might remonftrate to
him; but befide its being divided in fen-
timents about the affairs of Parma and the
Jefuits, the Pope will do nothing which
is not adviſed by his Council.
I am not at all furprifed that Cardinal
*** ſhould ſo warmly intereft himſelf for
the Society and its General; there are rea-
fons quite natural for his attachment:
but I am furpriſed at his being con-
fulted in preference, confidering that
all the world knows his fentiments already
upon
184 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
upon the ſubject. In critical circumſtances,
the opinions of thoſe who are totally difin-
tereſted ought only to be taken; other-
wife we become without intending, or
even ſuſpecting it, partizans.
It is right to love only Truth, and to
know her fuch as fhe is; fo many illufions
affume her appearance, that we are often
deceived. When we would fee her without
a cloud, upon occafions which preſent
themſelves, we fhould diveft ourfelves of
all we already know, and feek information
as if we were totally ignorant of the matter;
taking the advice of thofe who fee and
judge without prepoffeffion.
Beſides this, we ought to have a recti-
tude of intention, by which we ſhould de-
ſerve to obtain ſupernatural lights; for the
Lord trieth our hearts and reins; and if
we are not animated with a love of juſtice
in our reſearches, he abandons us to our
own blindneſs.
I am, in all the fulneſs of my heart, &c;
ROME, 7th January, 1769.
LETTER
CLEMENT XIV.
185
LETTER CXXV.
TO A MONK OF HIS OWN ORDER.
PRO
ROVIDENCE, in raifing me to the
Cardinal hip, has not made me for-
get from whence I rofe; it is a view which
is always preſent to me, and I find it ex-
cellent to defend my mind from vanity.
The dignity which I poffefs, and to which I
was not born, has more thorns than rofes,
and in that reſembles all eminent ftations.
I am often obliged to be of a contrary
opinion to the perſon in the world whom I
respect the moſt, and who likewife deferves
all my gratitude. It is the most cruel com-
bat that my heart can ſuſtain.
Charity, infeparable from truth, has not.
always the most pleafing things to fay;
but many people are deceived upon this
fubject, imagining that it ought to be always
gentle, and always complying:-in that
cafe it would reſemble flattery. There are
circumſtances where charity flames, lightens
and thunders. The Fathers of the Church
who
186 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
who were filled with this fpirit, when they
ſpoke with the moft anxious zeal, ſpoke
with a voice of charity.
When you write to the Biſhop of
make my moſt fincere compliments to him,
and tell him, that every means has been em-
ployed to bring about an accommodation;
but to no purpoſe. God will fooner or
later make manifeft his will, for we ought
never to lofe fight of him.
You reſtore me to life, by telling me that
our common friend is likely to recover.
His underſtanding is of great uſe to thoſe
who confult him. He has an excellent
talent for guiding, without having the lit-
tleneſs of the major part of Directors; for
it muſt be owned, that many men who
direct, have need themſelves of being di-
rected, as they are almoſt always ruined
by women, who pay them a reverence due
only to their God.---They look up to their
fpiritual Guide, as if he was the Archangel
Gabriel at leaſt. It is undoubtedly right
that they ſhould have an eſteem for thoſe
they confult, and whom they hear as the
A
oracles
CLEMENT XIV.
187
oracles of the Law; but that eſteem
ſhould not be carried to excefs.
They who have a continual enthuſiaſm
for their Directors, may be perfuaded that
fome motives of a mere human nature have
mixed themſelves up with fuch an attach-
ment.
What a furpriſe will it be for a number
of Devotées, who, believing themſelves fin-
cerely devoted to God, are only the wor-
ſhipers of their Directors, and who will
hear that dreadful fentence pronounced at
the moment of their death, from the Su-
preme mouth, "As I have not been the ob.
"ject of your love, depart, I know you not:"
Difcedite, nefcio vos.
This is what I have long fhuddered at,
on the article cf Directors. I could have
wished that he who was formerly mine at
Rome, and who died in the odour of
fanctity, had made his manner of directing
public. He was a heavenly man, who
raiſed us above humanity, and wiſhed to
make us abfolutely forget himſelf, and
every
188 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
every thing elſe, but what attached us to
God alone.
We want a good book upon the ſubject
of Direction in Italy. We have a multi-
tude, but they are only filled with common-
place. To compofe a good one, there
wants, in the firſt place, the fpirit of God;
fecondly, an extenfive knowledge of the
human heart; for it is incredible with what
addreſs vanity, and a thouſand affections of
the fenfes, infinuate themſelves at a time when
we are perfuaded that our fentiments are
fublime and worthy the attention of the
Eternal. This is the reafon of the great
difficulty in judging of ourſelves.
I wiſh you every thing that you can de-
fire, becauſe I know that you defire no-
thing but what is moft excellent; and I am
your deareſt and moſt affectionate ſervant,
The CARD. GANGANELLI.
CONVENT of the HOLY APOSTLES,
LETTER
CLEMENT XIV.
189
LETTER CXXVI.
TO COUNT DE *•*.
WE
2
E are at laſt fummoned to a Con-
fiftory, which is to determine
great things. We are to deliberate upon
thoſe unfortunate bufineffes which have em-
broiled us for a confiderable time with the
Catholic Powers. It is probable, that the
Holy Father, finding at laſt that he is not
in a fituation to refift, will acquiefce in the
requifitions of the Houſe of Bourbon. He
will at leaſt lay the reaſons of his diffent
before us for our confideration, and every
one will give his opinion.
I wiſh to God they had followed that
plan from the beginning! But we do not
often ſee the confequences of a trouble-
fome affair till we are engaged in it.
I adviſe you to confer with;
Rome, though renowned for politics, is
not always
you underſtand me.
The Minifters continue to make the
moſt bitter complaints; and the intereſted
parties,
190 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
parties, that nothing may be concluded,
form circumvallations, blockades, and
your own ſenſe will tell you the
reft.
There is every reafon for prefuming that
France, Spain, and Portugal will, &c.
I will tell you nothing, if filence is im-
pofed upon me, and certainly you will ap-
prove my conduct. I will not expofe my-
felf to the fame reproaches with the little
man in queſtion, for having betrayed
fecrets.
Befide the probity of a Cardinal, I have
that natural rectitude which makes the ef
fence of an honeft man, and which is a
double engagement to be difcreet: but
all of us fhall not be fufficiently fo, for I
ſuſpect the affair will be inftantly divulged;
and I ſhall not be furpriſed if the writers
of the Dutch Gazettes fhould be informed
of all.
I can know nothing before-hand, be-
cauſe nothing is declared. The life which
I lead here is of as dark a complexion as
my habit, and confequently I am not to
be found in thoſe brilliant circles where
great
CLEMENT XIV.
19 F
great news is the fubject of converſation.
I only learn things by the means of our dear
Abbé
But does he know every
thing, and always fpeak truth? It is not
becauſe he means to deceive, but his ima-
gination, his vivacity, &c.
I have again feen the Flying Poſt
He has fent me the letters I expected, and
they contain nothing but wife reflections
upon what I wanted to know. Adieu
without ceremony, as you defired.
Rome, 31 January, 1769.
LETTER CXXVII.
НЕ
TO THE SAME.
ERE is quite another affair on our
hands than the Confiftory I men-
tioned to you laſt poſt. The Holy Father,
on going to-bed laft night, was feized with
a violent convulfion, uttered a great cry,
and expired. We were to have met as
this day, and to have drawn from the
alembic that which keeps all the Catholic
Courts
192 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Courts in fufpence, and has occafioned our
being upon bad terms with them. Every
one will reafon differently upon this death,
which has happened fo extraordinarily in
the prefent circumſtances.
I fincerely regret the late Pope, on account
of his excellent qualities, and the gratitude
which I owe him. Religion ought to
make his encomium, and bewail the lofs.
He made himſelf truly refpectable to all
who approached him, by his moſt pleaſing
manners, which were pure as his inten-
tions, and by a moft incorruptible zeal:
but I fhall always fay, that it was a pity he
did not view things in their proper light.
He has left fome Nephews deferving of
the highest commendation by their excel-
lent qualities, eſpecially the Cardinal, who
is one of the beft men in the world.
The great difficulty now is, to know who
will be chofen. I pity him before-hand,
and I do not think it is right for me to fay
to you, that it will be Such or Such-a-one;
for it is often the perfon who has been leaft
thought of. One thing is certain, that I
4
will
CLEMENT XIV.
193
will not give my voice to any, but one
in whom knowledge is joined with piety.
A Pope, as Vicar of Jefus Chrift, ought
to have true devotion; and as a temporal
Prince, a great deal of knowledge and fa-
gacity. Happily, the Sacred College has
many among its Members whom we may
chufe with propriety. Pray that the Lord
may inſpire. us, and give us a Chief ac-
cording to his own heart, and the hearts of
the Kings.
I have lately feen M. Marefofchi: he is
a Prelate that deferves to be efteemed for
his knowledge and candour.
The Conclave will be now more tolerable
than in fummer. It will make no great
change in my way of life. It is only
quitting one cell to go into another: and
if they have intrigues, I proteft to you
I fhall know nothing of them, being the
man in the world who meddles the leaft in
party-matters.
You know my heart, and I need not fay
to you that I am, &c.
ROME, 3d February, 1769.
VOL. II.
K
LET-
194 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
LETTER CXXVIII.
TO A MONK, ONE OF HIS FRIENDS.
I
AM going to the Conclave. Pray to
God that he may blefs our intentions,
and reſtore a calm to us, after fo long a
ftorm.
I have been preffed to take a French
Conclavift*. Beſides that I
Befides that I very much.
love his nation, he has fome excellent
qualities; however, I will depend upon
myſelf, that I may have nothing to fear
from his indifcretion, if I ſhould accept
him, and he ſhould be inclined to blab:
Secretum meum mihi; My fecret is my
own.
Tell our Prelate that I could not an-
fwer his letter, but that I expect himſelf at
the Convent of the Holy Apoftles, the
day the Conclave breaks up. Minds are
divided, but God can do what feemeth to
him good, and it is his work that we are
to be employed in.
* A Cardinal's Secretary while in Conclave.
2
Endeavour
CLEMENT XIV.
195
Endeavour to procure for me the book
I ſpoke of, against the moment I recover
my liberty. Adieu!
I am always your Friend and Servant.
SIX IN THE MORNING.
LETTER CXXIX.
TO
Fou
MONSIGNOR ***
OUR months are paft, in which time
I have not exiſted either to myſelf
or my friends, but to all the different
Churches, of which, by the Divine Per-
miffion, I am become the Head; and to
all the Catholic Courts, feveral of whom,
as you know, have very important affairs.
to regulate with the Court of Rome.
It was impoffible to become Pope in
more litigious times, and Providence has
permitted the oppreffive load to fall upon
me. I hope that the Divine Grace will
ſupport me, and give me the ſtrength and
prudence which are indiſpenſably neceffary
K 2
to
196 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
to govern according to the rules of juſtice
and equity.
I endeavour to take the moſt exact cogni-
zance of the affairs which my Predeceffor
left me, and which cannot be finiſhed but
after a long examination.
You will do me a very great favour, if
you will bring me what you have wrote
upon the things which relate to this fub-
ject, and to trust them to myſelf alone.
You will find me, as you have always
known me, as much a Stranger to the
grandeur with which I am ſurrounded, as if
I knew not even the name; and you may
ſpeak to me with the fame franknefs you
uſed to do formerly, becauſe the Popedom
has given me a new love for truth, and a
new conviction of my own nothingneſs.
ROME, 24th September.
LETTER
£
CLEMENT XIV.
197
LETTER CXXX.
TO A PORTUGUESE LORD.
U
You need not doubt of my having all
YOU
poffible defire to unite, more cloſe-
ly than ever, thofe ties which have been
attempted to be broken between the Courts
of Rome and Portugal. I know how inti-
mate a connection has always fubfifted be-
tween theſe two Powers, from the earlieſt
times, and fhall be happy to place things
on their old footing; but, as Common
Father of the Faithful, and as Chief of all
the religious Orders, I fhall do nothing
until I have examined, weighed, and judg-
ed, according to the laws of juſtice and
truth.
May God forbid that any human con-
fideration ſhould influence my decifion!
I have already a fufficiently fevere account
to render to God, without charging my
confcience with the addition of a new
crime; and it would be an enormous one,
to profcribe a religious Order, upon ru-
K 3
mours
198 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
mours and prejudices, or even upon
fufpicions. I fhall not forget, that in
rendering to Cæfar the things that are Cæfar's,
I ought to render to God the things that are
God's.
I have already ordered a perfon to exa-
mine the Archives of the Propoganda, and
to procure for me the correfpondence of
my illuftrious brother and predeceffor
Sextus Quintus with Philip II. Befides,
I have required the heads of the accufa-
tion to be fent me, fupported by fuch
teftimonies as cannot be rejected. I fhall
fecretly become the Advocate of thoſe whoſe
ruin is required of me, that I may feek
every means of juſtifying them within my-
felf, before I pronounce.
The King of Portugal, as well as the
Kings of France, Spain and Naples, are
too religious to difapprove of my pro-
ceeding.
If Religion requires facrifices, all the
Church fhall hear me, and-----
I wish it had been the will of Providence
that I had not been referved for fuch cala-
mitous
CLEMENT XIV.
199
-
mitous times; for in whatever way I act,
I fhall make fome malcontents, I fhall
occafion murmurs, and render my felf odious
to a number of people whofe efteem and
friendship I fincerely defire.
I compare myſelf to one of the Prophets
whom God raiſed in the midſt of tempefts;
or to a foldier, who by his rank is expoſed
to combat, though his views may be only
to peace, but by the poft he holds, finds
himſelf obliged to act, whether he likes it
or not.
All is in the hands of God; may he
direct my pen, my tongue and my heart!
I will fubmit to every thing, and I will do
every thing that ought to be done, with-
out dreading the confequences, &c.
LETTER CXXXI.
TO A MONK, ONE OF HIS FRIENDS.
[F you believe that I am happy, you are
IF
deceived. After having been agitated
the whole day, I frequently wake in the
middle of the night, and figh after my
K 4
Cloiſter,
200 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
Cloister, myCell, and my books. I may
likewife fay, that I look upon your fituation
with envy. What encourages me is, that
God himſelf has placed me in the Chair of
St. Peter, to the great ſurpriſe of the whole
world; and if I am deftined to any impor-
tant work, he will ſupport me.
God knows, I would give every drop of
my blood to have All pacified, that the
whole world might return to their duty;
that they who have given offence would
reform, and that there might be neither
divifion nor fuppreffion.
I will not come to the laft extremities,
unleſs I am preffed by powerful motives;
ſo that poſterity at leaſt may do me juſtice,
in caſe the preſent age refuſe it to me.
It is not That, however, about which I am
anxious, but the Eternity to which I am
fo near approaching, and which is a more
formidable profpect to Popes than to any
of the reſt of the world.
I ſhall ſend you an anſwer to what you
require. You know that I do not forget
my friends, and that if I do not ſee them
fo
CLEMENT XIV.
201
fo frequently as formerly, it is becauſe
bufinefs and folicitude ftand centries over
me; they are at my gate, in my chamber,
and in my heart.
Mention me to my old acquaintance:
I think fometimes of the aſtoniſhment they
muſt have been in at hearing of my elevation.
But more particularly tell him with
whom I ftudied, that he did not prophefy
well, when he told our companions that
I ſhould certainly finish my days in
France. There is no appearance of that
being ever realiſed, or I ſhould be deſtined
for fomething very extraordinary indeed.
I am always your affectionate
AT CASTLE-GANDOLPHO.
CLEMENT.
LETTER
CXIV.
TO R. P. AIME DE LAMBALL E,
GENERAL OF THE CAPUCHINS.
I A
AM fincerely obliged to you for the
Prayers which you put up to Heaven
for my preſervation. I have doubly need
K 5
of
202 LETTERS OF GANGANELLI,
of them, as an individual, and as Head of
the Church. I fhare all your pains and
troubles, being convinced that you fuffer
with a ſpirit of penitence, and in a manner
agreeable to God.
If you remain long at Paris, as I am
afraid you muſt on account of your indif
pofition, you will have an opportunity
of feeing M. Doria, whom I love in
the fulneſs of my heart, as a Prelate who
will one day be the joy and honour of the
Church. I fee you in the midst of a world
where there are great vices and great vir-
tues; and where, by a particular Provi-
dence, the zeal for Religion fo eminent in
his Moſt Chriſtian Majefty, and all the
Royal Family, and the great piety of the
Prelate who holds the See of Paris, bids
fair to ſtop the progrefs of infidelity.
Bring with you fome French Monk,
whoſe knowledge will do honour here to
his nation.
The Dominicans thought prudently
when they called to the Minerva your
worthy Countryman T. Fabrici, who will
perpetuate
CLEMENT XIV.
203
perpetuate the glory of the Order by his
learning.
If your illness does not prevent you
from going to fee Madam Louife, I beg
you will tell her how much I admire the
facrifice ſhe has made. Affure all your
Brotherhood that I love them fincerely in
the Lord, and that I exhort them to live
always in a manner worthy of our Founder.
I ſhall ſpeak to Cardinal de Bernis upon
what you defired me. You will have fre-
quent inquiries made about him in France,
for I know that he is as dear to the
French as he is to the Italians.
I wiſh to ſee you again in good health,
for I am intirely yours, as before,
(Signed)
ROME, 2d April, 1773.
CLEMENT XIV.
}
K 6
BUL
ULL,
BRIEF S,
DISCOURSES, &c.
O F
CLEMENT XIV.
[ 207 ]
CIRCULAR LETTER
O F
CLEMENT XIV.
TO ALL THE PATRIARCHS, PRI-
MATES, ARCHBISHOPS AND BI-
SHOPS, ON THE SUBJECT OF HIS
ADVANCEMENT.
CLEMENT XIV.
TO OUR VENERABLE BRETHREN, HEALTH
AND APOSTOLICAL BENEDICTION.
BUT it is the work of the Lord, and it is
wonderful in our eyes. The infcrutable
Decrees of God, and not human councils,
have loaded us with the awful duties of
the Apoſtleſhip, when we were very far
from entertaining any fuch thoughts. This
conviction gives us full confidence, that He
who hath called us to the painful cares of
the fupreme Miniſtry, will condeſcend to
calm our fears, affift our weakneſs, and
hear our Prayers. Peter, who ought to be
our
708
CIRCULAR
our model, was encouraged by the Lord,
who reproached him for his want of faith
when he thought he was finking in the fea.
There is no doubt but that it is the will of
our Divine Chief, who in the perſon of the
Prince of Apoftles hath trufted to us the
keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and hath
commanded us to feed his fheep, that we
put away all doubt of obtaining his aid.
We fubmit ourſelves then, without reſerve,
to Him, who is our ftrength and our help,
refigning ourſelves up to his power and
truth. By his good nefs he will complete
in us the work which he hath begun; and
even our lowlinefs will ferve to make his
mercy fhine forth with more luftre in the
eyes of men for if, in theſe wretched
times, he hath refolved to accompliſh fome-
thing for the good of his Church by the
miniftry of fo uſeleſs a fervant as we, all
mankind will evidently fee that he is the
Author and Perfecter, and that to him alone
the glory ought to be afcribed. But the
more powerful the help is upon which we
depend, the more ought we to employ our
utmoſt efforts to co-operate with it; and
the
LETTER, &c.
209
:
the more exalted the honour to which we
have been advanced, the more ought we
to endeavour worthily to diſcharge the du
ties of it.
In proportion as we caft our eyes over
all the countries of the Chriftian world,
we perceive you, our venerable Brethren,
fharing with us in our glorious work;
and this view fills us with confolation. It
is with the greateſt joy we recogniſe in you,
our worthy affiftants, faithful Paſtors and
evangelical labourers. It is therefore that
we are anxious to addreſs ourſelves to you
at the beginning of our Apoſtleſhip. It is
into your bofoms that we would fhed the
moft fecret fentiments of our foul; and if
it appears that we offer you fome exhorta-
tions, and give you fome advice, do not
attribute it to any thing but diftruſt of
ourfelves, and think that they are the
effects of that confidence which your
virtues and filial love towards us have
inſpired.
Firſt, we pray and befeech you, our ve-
nerable Brethren, to pray conſtantly to God
to ſtrengthen our weakneſs; render us back
this
210
CIRCULAR
this return of the tenderneſs we bear to-
wards you. Pray for our wants, as we
pray for yours; fo that being mutually fuf
tained, we may be more firm and more
vigilant. Let us prove by the union of
our hearts, that unity by which we all make
only one and the fame body; for the whole
Church is but one building, of which the
Prince of Apoſtles laid the foundation here.
Many ſtones have been bound together for
its conftruction; but all rest upon one
alone, and he is Jefus Chrift, in whom we
are all united as his members.
Being charged, as his Vicar, with the
adminiſtration of his power, we are raiſed
by his will to the most eminent fituation;
but united with us as the Chief of the
vifible Church, you are the principal parts
of that fame body. Nothing can happen
to the one, but must affect the other. Like-
wife, there is nothing that can intereft you,
but what muſt become an object of our
folicitude. It is therefore, that being in
perfect agreement, and animated with the
fame fpirit, which flowing from the fupreme
Head,
LETTER,
211
&c.
Head, and ſcattered over all the members,
gives them life; we ought chiefly to la-
bour that the whole body of the Church
be found and intire, and neither contract
fpot or wrinkle, but flouriſh by the prac-
tice of every Chriſtian virtue. With the
Divine help we may fucceed in this, if
every one, according to his power, would
inflame himſelf with zeal in the care of
the flock which is entrusted to him, and
apply carefully to guard them from fe-
duction, to procure them folid inftruc-
tions, and the proper means of fanctifi
cation,
There never was a time when it was
more neceffary to watch for the fafety of
fouls. Opinions are every day fcattered
abroad, moſt capable of fhaking the cauſe
of Religion; and men in crouds allow them-
ſelves to be feduced by a thirſt after no-
velty. It is a mortal poifon, which in-
finuates itſelf into all conditions, and which
makes the moft cruel ravages.
My Reverend Brethren, it is a new mo-
tive for our labouring with more ardour
than ever, to reprefs a madneſs which dares
to
212
CIRCULAR
to attack the moft holy Laws, and even to
infult the Deity.
It is not by the help of human wisdom
that you will fucceed in this pious enter-
prife, but by the fimplicity of the word
of God, more piercing than a two-edged
fword. You will eafily repel all the attacks
of the enemy, you will eafily blunt all
their arrows, by prefenting in all your dif
courſes only Jefus Chrift, and Jefus Chrift
crucified. He hath built his Church, that
Holy City, and provided it with his Laws
and his Precepts. He hath trufted to it
the Faith which he came to eſtabliſh, as a
depoſit to be religiouſly preferved in all its
purity. It was his will that it fhould be-
come the impregnable rampart of his Doc-
trine and Truth, and that the gates of hell
ſhould never prevail againſt it. Being ap-
pointed to the care and government of this
Holy City, our venerable Brethren, let us
diligently preferve the precious inheritance
of the Faith of our Holy Founder and Divine
Mafter, which our Fathers have tranfmitted
to us in all its purity, that we may tranſmit
it equally pure to our defcendants. If our
actions
LETTER,
243
&c.
actions and counfels are conformable to
the rule marked out for us in the Holy Scrip-
tures, if we walk in the paths of our Fa-
thers which cannot lead us aftray, we may
affure ourſelves that we fhall be able to
fhun every falſe ftep which is capable of
weakening the Faith of the Chriftian people,
or in any point injure the unity of the Church.
Let us only draw from the Scriptures, and
from tradition, what it imports us to know
and to obferve; theſe are the facred ſources
of Divine Wiſdom; and there we ſhall find
whatever we ought to believe and practiſe;
whatever concerns worship, difcipline, or
manner of living, is included in that double
depofit. We ſhall there fee the depth of
our fublime Myſteries, the duties of Piety,
the rules of Juſtice and Humanity. There
we ſhall be inftructed in what we owe to
God, to the Church, to our country, and
to our neighbour; and we muſt acknow-
ledge that there is no law better than true
Religion, to eſtabliſh the rights of nations
and fociety, The Doctrines of Jefus Chrift
have never been attacked without troubling
the repoſe of the people, without diſturb-
ing
CIRCULAR
214
ing the obedience due to Sovereigns, and
without fcattering troubles and confufion
all around.
There is fuch an intimate union between
the rights of his Divine Majefty, and the
rights of the Kings of this world, that when
the laws of Chriftianity are obferved, So-
vereigns are obeyed without regret, their
power is reſpected, and their perfons ho-
noured.
We therefore exhort you, our venerable
Brethren, to inculcate, to the utmoſt of
your power, obedience and fubmiſſion to
Sovereigns in the people that are intrufted
to you; for among the Commandments of
God, this is extremely neceffary for pre-
ferving peace and good order. Kings have
been elevated to the eminent ranks they
poffefs, only to watch over the fafety of
the public, and to confine men within the
bounds of wisdom and equity. They are
the Minifters of God for the obfervance of
juftice, and they only carry the ſword to
execute the vengeance of God, by puniſh-
ing thoſe that ſtray from their duty. They
1
are
LETTER,
215
&c.
are likewiſe the dear Children and the Pro-
tectors of the Church, and it is their duty
to defend her rights, and fupport her in-
terefts. Take care then, that you inſtruct
even the children, as foon as they are ca-
pable of it, to preferve an inviolable fidelity
towards their Sovereigns, to fubmit to their
authority, to obſerve their laws, not only
from the fear of puniſhment, but as a duty
of conſcience.
When by your zeal and application you
fhall have thus difpofed the minds of ſub-
jects to obey their Kings, to reſpect and
love them in the fullness of their hearts,
you will then have laboured effectually for
the tranquillity of the people, and the good
of the Church; for the one is infeparable
from the other. But that you may infallibly
acquit yourſelves with fuccefs in that duty,
you ſhould join to the Prayers which you
daily make for the people, particular
Prayers for the Kings, fo as to obtain from
God their prefervation and profperity, and
the grace which is neceffary to govern with
wiſdom and with equity.
Thus
216 CIRCULAR
Thus, in labouring for the happineſs of
all mankind, you will worthily diſcharge
the duties of your facred Miniſtry; for it
is juft and right that the Pontiffs, who have
been eſtabliſhed for the good of man, in
what concerns the worſhip of God, fhould
preſent to God the vows of all the faithful,
inceffantly praying the Lord to fupport and
eſtabliſh him who watcheth for the public
tranquillity, and the prefervation of all the
people.
It would be fuperfluous to remind you
of all the other obligations which the pafto-
ral dignity impoſes on you. You are al-
ready fully inftructed in all the duties which
the Chriftian Religion requires, living hap-
pily in the practice of all the virtues: for
you ſhould never fail to have Jefus Chrift
our Chief, the Prince of all Paſtors, before
your eyes, and ftill endeavour to render
yourſelves as near a copy as poſſible of that
perfect model of Charity, Holinefs, and Hu-
mility. Our labours, our thoughts, can-
not have a more glorious or more excel-
lent object than Him, who being the bright-
nefs
LETTER,
217
&c.
neſs of his Father's glory, and the expreſs
image of his perfon, has been pleafed to
raife us to the quality of Children of God,
by adoption, and to make us co-heirs with
himſelf. It is the way to preſerve the
union and alliance of men with Jefus Chrift,
and to imitate that Divine Model of pa-
tience, gentlenefs, and humility. Where-
fore it is faid: Aſcend upon a high mountain,
ye who preach the Gospel to Sion.
If you have an ardent defire to conform
to theſe duties, it is not poffible but this
holy ardour muſt by fympathy communi-
cate itſelf from your heart to the breaſts
of all nations, and they become deeply in-
flamed with it; for the example of the
Paftor has a virtue and aftonishing power
in moving the fouls of the Faithful intruſted
to his charge. When they perceive that
all his thoughts and all his actions are re-
gulated by the model of all perfection;
when they ſee him avoid every thing which
can reliſh of aufterity, fierceness, and haugh-
tinefs; and employ himſelf only in works
which inſpire charity, gentleness, and
VOL. II.
L
humility;
218
CIRCULAR
humility; then will they find themſelves
animated to follow fuch an admirable and
edifying example.
When they are convinced that a Paſtor
neglects himself to be uſeful to others; that
his principal delight is to relieve the indi-
gent; that he comforts the afflicted, in-
ftructs the ignorant, affifts with his good
offices and his counfels all thofe who ftand
in need of them; and that, in fine, every
thing befpeaks a perfect difpofition in him
to facrifice his life for the falvation of his
people; then every one, ftruck with his
virtues, and affected by his example, will
enter into himſelf, and correct his faults.
But if a Paftor, attached folely to his own
intereft, prefers the things of this world
to thoſe of Heaven, how can he engage
his flock to love God only, and to render
fervices to each other? If he fighs after
riches, pleaſures, and honours, how can
he inſpire the contempt of them? If he is
haughty, and blown up with pride, how
will le perfuade them to be gentle and
humble?
Since
LETTER,
219
&c.
Since then you are charged, our vene-
rable Brethren, to form the people accord-
ing to the maxims of Jefus Chrift, your
firſt duty is to live in the holiness, gentle-
nefs, and innocence of manners, of which
he hath fet us an example. You may de-
pend upon it, you cannot make a proper
ufe of your authority, but by endeavouring
rather to give proofs of your modeſty and
charity, than by difplaying the badges of
your dignity. Be affured, that if you ac-
quit yourſelves fcrupulouſly of the duties
impofed upon you, you will be crowned
with glory and happiness; and that, on
the contrary, if you neglect them, you
will be covered with fhame, and prepare
for yourſelves the greatest of all miferies.
Do not defire other riches than to fecure
thofe fouls to God, which he hath purchaſed
with his blood:-feek no other glory than
that of confecrating yourſelves intirely to
the Lord, to labour inceffantly in extend-
ing his worship, to fet off the beauty of
his Houfe, to extirpate vice, and cultivate
virtue. Such fhould be the fole object of
L 2
your
220
CIRCULAR
your thoughts, your defires, your actions,
and your ambition. And do not think,
our venerable Brethren, that after having
paffed a long time in thefe painful la-
bours, there will remain nothing more to
exerciſe your virtue. Such is the nature of
our Miniſtry, fuch is the condition of a
Biſhop, that he ought never to ſee an end
to his folicitude and cares; he can never
give himſelf up to reft; for they whofe
charity ſhould know no bounds, ought to
admit no bounds to their activity. The
expectation of an eternal reward, is furely
capable of rendering all our labour light.
Ah! what can appear difficult to thoſe
who do not lofe fight of the ineffable hap-
pineſs which the Lord will ſhare with all
thoſe who faithfully watch and increaſe his
flock, when he comes to aſk an account of
their adminiſtration! Befide this hope,
fo ſweet and precious, you will find inex-
preffible joy and confolation in the very la-
bours of an Epifcopal life. When God
Almighty feconds our efforts, we fee the
people ftrictly united by the ties of reci-
procal
LETTER,
22 I
&c.
procal charity, and diſtinguiſhing them-
felves by their innocence, candour, and
piety we ſee a multitude of excellent
fruits, which our watchings, fatigue, and
cares, have produced in the fields of the
Church.
May we, our moſt dear and venerable
Brethren, by our unanimous and voluntary
agreement, zeal, and application, revive
in the time of our Apoftleſhip that flouriſh-
ing ftate of Religion, and reftore all the
beauty it poffeffed in the firft ages! May
we be able to congratulate, and rejoice
with, you in the Lord! May the God of
mercy deign to fupport us by the help of
his grace, and fill our hearts with whatever
is agreeable to him!
In teftimony of our charity, We give
you, with all poffible affection, and all the
Faithful of your Churches, the Apoftolical
Benediction..
At ROME, St. MARY MAJOR, the 12th of December,
in the Year 1769, and the Firſt of our Pontificate..
L 3
LETTER
222
LETTER
LETTER.
TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY,
LOUIS XV.
UPON IR RELIGIO N.
WE
E know nothing more proper to
kindle your zeal, than the motive
which engages us to write to you. We do
not purpoſe to ſpeak at preſent of our
perfonal intereſts, but thofe of Religion
itſelf. If we are affured of your royal pro-
tection for ourſelves, we have much more
reaſon to believe that you will not reject
our folicitations, which have no other view
than the good of the Church.
It is the common cauſe of God and
Christianity, which we at preſent ſpeak of
to you, our moſt dear Son in Jefus Chrift.
We fee with the deepeſt forrow, the worſhip
eſtabliſhed by the Supreme Legiſlator, for
a long time attacked by wicked men, who
do not ceaſe to direct against it the facri-
legious arrows of their perverſe fpirits. It
may be faid, that there is a general con-
ſpiracy, by the moſt audacious efforts,
utterly to overthrow whatever is moſt
venerable
TO LOUIS XV. &c.
223
venerable or facred. They do not bluſh
to produce every day a croud of writings,
an eternal monument of their folly, in order
to deſtroy even the firit principles of good
morals, to break the bonds of all Society,
and to feduce fimple fouls, by the fatal
talent which they poffefs of fuccessfully fow-
ing theſe perverfe doctrines.
The aftonishing rapidity of their progrefs
perfuades us, that there can be nothing
more important, or more urgent, than to
raiſe a dyke to oppofe this torrent.
It is not fufficient to take all the poiſon-
ed works which iffue from that horrid
School, out of the hands of Readers; the
zeal of our venerable Brethren the Bishops
muſt come to our affiftance; that by unit-
ing our ſtrength, we may, with one common
accord, combat the different enemies of
our Religion, and be avenged of the infults.
daily offered to it.
We fee with inexpreffible joy upon this
occafion, that the Prelates of Your Ma-
jeſty's great and flourishing Empire, at
preſent affembled in Paris for the affairs
of the Clergy, enter perfectly into our
views,
L 4
224
LETT ER
views, and that their paſtoral folicitude en-
gages them to employ every means of
ftopping the ravages of infidelity. We have a
perfect confidence that in labouring, as they
will do, in the caufe of God, they will re-
ceive abundantly the fpirit of wifdom and
ftrength. It is no fmall confolation to us,
to fee them apply with fo much zeal to
the diſcharge of fuch important duties.
But if they have need of the protection
of the Moft High, they have likewife a
right to expect from you, our moſt dear
Son, the neceffary helps to affiſt and
crown their labours. We therefore pray
you, as much as in us lies, to favour them
in whatever they do for the caufe of Religion,
and to ſupport them with vigour. Then
will they give effectual proofs of the zeal
which animates them, not only for the
falvation of the Faithful, but for the
temporal advantage of their Country, and
alfo for your facred Perfon; for Religion
being the firmeft fupport of Thrones, it is
eaſy to retain people who obey God, in
obedience to Kings.
From
TO LOUIS XV. &c.
225
Hence it is eaſy to be feen, that
our cares and ſolicitude do not tend leſs
to confirm your royal authority, than to
maintain the interefts of God. Human
focieties are much more indebted for their
preſervation and fecurity to the exercife
of the true worſhip, and the ſtability of the
revealed doctrine, than to the force of arms,:
or the abundance of riches.
The true way of drawing down the
moſt precious effects of the Divine mercy
upon your facred Perfon, and upon the
Princes and Princeffes of your blood, is
publicly to maintain the Faith and Piety
in their purity. In doing this you will
eminently poffefs the art of reigning, the
art by which your anceſtors have always.
fhewn themſelves Moft Chriftian Kings;
and you will fupport your own glory and
theirs, by adding the moft ftriking proofs
of your Religion to their example.
This ſubject would no doubt require to
be treated more fully; but the high opi-
nion we have of your truly royal piety,
makes us look upon a long Difcourfe on this
fubject as fuperfluous.
L 5
In:
1
226
LETTER
In the firm perfuafion that Your Majefty
will grant what we aſk with equal zeal and
juſtice, we pray the Almighty, by whom
you reign, that he will long preſerve you
and your Auguft Family; and we give
you, with all poffible tenderneſs, our Apofto-
lical Benediction. May it be a happy
prefage of the favour and happineſs which
we wish you!
ROME, 21st March, 1770.
TO MADAME LOUISE OF FRANCE,
CLEMENT
XIV.
TO OUR MOST DEAR DAUGHTER IN JESUS
CHRIST, ALL HEALTH!
T feemeth to us that the most painful
labours of the Apoſtleſhip with which
we have been clothed, have no longer any
thing but what is light and pleafing, fince
we have learnt your holy and generous
refolution. You could undertake nothing
more grand nor more fublime, than to ex-
change the pomp of a Royal Court for
the humiliation of a Religious Houſe.
Whether
TO MADAME LOUISE, &c. 227
Whether we confider the pious condefcen-
fion of our moſt dear Son in Jefus Chrift,
Louis, your Auguft Father, and Moſt
Chriſtian King, who has permitted you to
make fuch a facrifice; or look upon the
precious advantage which muft thence re-
fult for the good of the Church; we cannot
contain our joy and admiration.
May thanks be rendered to God, the
Author of all good, that he has given us,
in your perſon, ſuch a ſtriking example to all
Princes, and all Nations, and has deigned to
confecrate our Pontificate by fo glorious.
an event. It is a fubject of congratulation
for us, as well as for you. Ah! how can we
be otherwife than delighted with the view of
the abundant riches which the Lord hath
heaped upon you; and with that all-divine
ftrength which made you, after the moſt
mature reflexions, embrace a kind of life
which may be called a ſketch of Heaven!
None but God himſelf could inſpire you
with fuch a generous defign. You have
learnt, by the favour of his light, that
all the grandeurs of this world are only
vapours; all its pleafures, mere illufions;
L. 6
all
228
LETTER
all its promiſes, arrant falsehoods; and laſtly,
that the foul can only find peace in the
pleafing exerciſe of the love of God; and
that you cannot reign, but by ferving him
alone.
Now it is, that, in the port where you
are at prefent, fheltered from rocks and
fhipwreck, you are about to enjoy the moft
delicious tranquillity; to tafte, more than
ever, the holy and divine pleaſures which
are the inheritance of the friends of God.
When we can triumph over the world, we
poffefs the greateſt riches, in the midſt of
indigence. We find true liberty in re-
nouncing ourſelves; grandeur and glory in
the depreffions of the profoundeſt humi-
lity. Nothing is comparable to the happi-
nefs of concentrating all our thoughts,
and all our defires, in the boſom of God;
to live with Him alone, to be inflamed with
the love of Him, and to have no other hope
but that of poffeffing Him forever.
May your courage increaſe, our moſt
dear Daughter, in proportion as the grace
of God has been plentifully poured upon
you! Perſevere, with all your ſtrength,
in
TO MADAME LOUISE, &c. 229
in the noble defign which you have formed,
of proceeding in the way of Salvation.
Employ yourſelf conftantly with Him, whom
you have propofed to love and ferve all the
days of your life: think that the recom-
pence which is the object of your defires,
is infinite; and the fruit which you expect,
incorruptible: By that means you will
change your toils into delights, and you
will tafte beforehand the fweets of a hea-
ven to come.
The more we reflect upon the generous
ſtep which you have taken, the more we
rejoice in the hope, that the brilliant
example will produce in many other people
the defire of imitating it. You will not
fail to call to mind that the King, your
indulgent Father, having facrificed the
pleaſure he had in your fociety that he
might not oppofe your call, you ought to
employ every means of teſtifying your
gratitude towards him. The only way to
acquit yourſelf is, to pray continually to
God, to make him happy in this life, and
in that which is to come.
Your
230
LETTER
Your zeal for the Church, which is well
known to us, together with your reſpectful
attachment to the Holy See, are new mo-
tives of joy and confolation; for we are
perfuaded that you will apply conſtantly
to God for our particular wants, as well as
thoſe of Religion. We offer you in ac-
knowledgement of all thefe good offices,
every advantage which you can expect
from our paternal tenderneſs. Nothing
can equal the extreme defire which we
have to fecond your pious intentions, and
to promote the fervour with which you
walk in the paths of virtue. And although
we are perfectly convinced of your zeal
and perſeverance, we will willingly give to
your prefent or future Confeffor the power
of foftening your Rule, and even to dif
penſe with it in every cafe where your
weakneſs cannot keep pace with your
courage. Befides that, we grant you, in
virtue of our Apoftolical authority, a full
and intire indulgence every time you ap-
proach the Holy Table; and to testify
our affection ftill more, we grant the fame
favour to our Holy Daughters in Jefus
Chriſt,
TO LOUIS XV. &c.
231
Chrift, your worthy Companions, and make
them participators with you in our Apof
tolical Benediction.
Given at ROME, 9th May, 1770, the firſt Year of our
Pontificate.
LETTER
TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY,
LO-UIS XV.
ON THE SUBJECT OF MADAME LOUISE
TAKING THE HABIT.
OUR MOST DEAR SON IN JESUS CHRIST,
ALL HEALTH!
T is proper that at the fame time we
IT
write to our most dear Daughter in
Jeſus Chriſt, the Princefs Louiſa Maria,
to congratulate her on the greatneſs of her
facrifice, we pour forth our joy into the
paternal bofom of your Majefty. You
have given us the greateſt delight; and
the more fo, as you have had the prin-
cipal ſhare in fo remarkable and ſo ſplendid
an action. But what fills our Soul with
infinite fatisfaction, is, that after having
applauded the generous proceeding of your
Auguft
232
LETTER
Auguft Daughter, you have fhewn extra-
ordinary courage, in feparating yourſelf
from her, notwithstanding the ineſtimable
qualities which rendered her fo dear to
you; and that as foon as you believed you
heard the voice of Religion, you ftifled the
call of Nature, and have only feen a fu
ture Spouſe for Jefus Chrift, in her who was
your beloved Daughter. Thus you your-
felf have opened the way to Heaven to
a pious Princeſs who defired with ardour to
enter it; and you have contributed, by your
generous approbation, to fecure her from
the dangers which furround human life, and
the tumultuous waves which diftract it.
I fee her in the holy retreat which ſhe
hath choſen, teaching the whole world
that there is nothing more frail, nor more
vain, than all the delights and all the
grandeur of this life; that they are.
to be looked upon only as rocks, which
often become the lamentable caufe of a
multitude of evils, by oppoting the acqui-.
fition of eternal happineſs,
The
TO LOUIS XV. &c.
233
The ſhare which you have had in fo pious
an action, ought to give you the greateſt
confidence in the prayers of your
your illuftrious
Daughter: fhe will never ceafe to pray to
God for your Auguſt Perſon, your Royal
Family and your whole Kingdom, and,
what ſhould ſtill more intereft your Majefty,
for the falvation of your foul. It is a
powerful interceffion which you have ob-
tained in the fight of the Almighty; and
it much concerns you to derive every
poffible advantage from an event which
Providence has permitted for your good.
We wish, in the fulneſs of our heart,
that you would receive the teftimonies of
our affection, as the tender overflowings of
the heart of a Father who dearly loves
you, and who is no lefs zealous for your
glory and happineſs than his own. To
convince you of it, we give you, our moſt
dear Son in Jefus Chrift, in the moſt affec-
tionate manner poffible, our Apoftolical
Benediction, as an undoubted proof of
the fingular love that, &c.
Given at ROME, 9th May, 1770, and the Firſt of our
Pontificate.
A SECOND
234 A SECOND LETTER
A SECOND LETTER
TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY,
LOUIS XV.
ON THE SAME SUBJECT.
A
FTER having congratulated Your
Majeſty, by our Letter of the 9th
of May laſt, on the heroic courage with
which the Princefs Louifa, your Auguft
Daughter, is about to embrace a reli-
gious life; after having teftified the fulneſs
of our joy on the fame fubject to her; we
cannot refift expreffing our fatisfaction
again this day, and what our tranſports are
at the approach of fuch a facrifice. Her
zeal is fo ardent, that he can fuffer no
longer delay, and fhe is inflamed with the
defire of feeing herfelf clothed in the Holy
Habit of the Carmelites, by the hands of
our Venerable Brother, Bernardin, Arch-
biſhop of Damafcus, our Nuncio in Ordi-
nary to Your Majefty.
From
TO LOUIS XV. &c.
235
From the first news we received of her
generous defign, we recogniſed the ſpirit
of God acting in a moft wonderful manner
on the foul of this Auguft Princefs; and
we found ourſelves affected with the ftrong-
eft defire to go in perfon to perform the
ceremony of the Vesture, which our Nun-
cio is to perform, and thereby augment
the luftre and folemnity of fo great a day.
But the diſtance making it impoffible, we
fhall accompliſh our defires in part, by
charging our Nuncio, our Brother above-
named, with this auguft duty. We will
ſeem to affiſt in ſome fort ourſelves, and
lead our moſt dear daughter in Jefus
Chriſt to the nuptials of her Divine Spouſe.
We pray you to approve of the Letters
which we have addreffed on that fubject to
the Nuncio who reprefents us; and we per-
fuade ourſelves that you will acquiefce
the more willingly, as theſe difpofitions have
no other motive than our zeal and affection
for your Majesty.
As a certain
certain pledge of thefe fen-
timents, and as a happy prefage of the
divine
236 A SECOND LETTER
divine bleffing, receive our Apoftolical Bene-
diction. We give it with all the tenderness
of a Father to you, and to all your Auguſt
Children, eſpecially the pious Princeſs who
is the memorable fubject of our gladnefs.
Given at ROME, the 18th of July, 1770, the fecond
Year of our Pontificate.
SECOND LETTER
TO MADAM LOUFSE, OF FRANCE.
OUR MOST DEAR DAUGHTER IN JESUS
CHRIST, ALL HEALTH!
A
T laft the moſt glorious and the moſt
fortunate day of your life approaches;
a day on which, by the most facred and
intimate ties, you are to become the Spouſe.
of Jefus Chrift himſelf; and devote to him.
all your defires, all your thoughts, and all.
your actions.
We were tranfported with joy, and we
applauded your magnanimity, from that mo
ment, when, treading the vanities of the
world under your feet, you renounced the
delights of the moft brilliant Court, to
confine
TO MADAME LOUISE, &c. 237
confine yourſelf to the obfcurity of the
Cloifter, and there to make trial of the
moſt humble and moft mortifying life:
but your public profeffion, by which you
are about to make Heaven and earth
witneffes of your generous facrifice, com-
pletes our joy. Never forget that the
Lord, by calling you from the boſom
of grandeur to live under the ſhadow of
the Croſs, marked you with the Seal of
Predeftination. The higher the rank you
held in the world, the more is his good-
nefs remarkable, and the more ought your
foul to be penetrated with love and gra-
titude.
All the feſtivals of this age have nothing.
to compare with that great day, when, led
by the inſpiration of Grace, you ſhall
give yourſelf up intirely to God, and fo-
lemnly take him for your inheritance.
Would to Heaven, our deareſt Daugh-
ter, that it were poffible for us to affift in
perfon at this auguft ceremony, to be not
only a witneſs, but likewife the Minifter
of fuch an heroic facrifice! Nevertheless,
although
1
238 A SECOND LETTER
although that happiness is denied us,
we will not fail to enjoy it as much as pof-
fible, by having ourfelves repreſented by
our venerable Brother, the Archbishop of
Damafcus, our Nuncio in ordinary. It
was already by his hands that we clothed
you in the facred habit, and it will be by
him that we ſhall receive your facred vows;
and that nothing may be wanting for the
folemnity of fo great a day, we charge
him to impart to you all the treaſures of
the Church.
We do not doubt of your fhewing every
fenſe of our paternal tenderness, by ad-
vancing more and more in the courſe you
have entered, and by the conftant practice
of all the virtues, more eſpecially that
of humility. It is from thence you will
learn that you cannot be vain of any thing,
but that you hold all from God; that you
ought conftantly to diftruft your own
ftrength, and not rely on your own merit,
but on his Almighty Grace only; believing,
at the fame time, that you are capable of
every thing in Him who ftrengthens you,
3
and
TO MADAME LOUISE, &c. 239
and never ceafing to have recourſe to his
infinite mercy.
Theſe fentiments, deeply engraved on
your foul, will diffufe a Chriftian modeſty
over your whole perſon; and in the ſhadow
of that humility, Divine Love will take root
in your heart, and will produce fruit both
ufeful and abundant.
It is not by way of advice that we ſpeak
to you in this manner, as if we thought
you had need of it, but to render the way
of life to which God hath called you, more
precious.
You will certainly make it a capital duty
to teſtify, upon all occafions, the lively gra-
titude which you owe to your Auguſt Fa-
ther, who has loved you ſo tenderly, and
done every thing for you: you will never
ceafe to pray to God to preferve him, to
profper his kingdom and his auguft Fa-
mily, and, above all, to grant him eternal
happineſs.
As for us, if we may be permitted to
claim the rights which our affection intitles
us to, we conjure you to draw down upon
our
240 A SECOND LETTER, &c.
our perfon, as your Father in Jefus Chrif,
the favourable attention of the Lord, and
to pray continually for the Church in-
truſted to our care. And now that you
are more intimately attached to her, you
ought to intereft yourſelf more than ever
in what concerns either her advantage or
glory. On your part, you may be per-
fuaded that we will continually beg of
God to bless your pious refolutions, and that
you may increaſe more and more in his holy
love.
Receive, as a pledge of our paternal af-
fection, our Apoftolical Benediction; we
give it you with all our heart, and like-
wife to all the Order of Carmelites, with
whom you are about to be affociated for
ever.
Given at ROME, at St. MARY-MAJOR, under the
FISHERMAN'S-RING, the 14th of Auguſt, 1771,
and the third Year of our Pontificate.
#
LETTER
LETTER TO THE NUNCIO. 241
LETTER
TO MONSIGNOR GIRAULT, ARCHBISHOP OF
DAMASCUS, NUNCIO TO HIS MOST CHRIS-
TIAN MAJESTY.
"
TO OUR VENERABLE BROTHER, HEALTH
AND APOSTOLICAL BENEDICTION!
HAY
AVING learned that the Princeſs
Louife-Marie of France, our moſt
dear Daughter in Jefus Chrift, retired to
the Monaſtery of the Bare-footed Carme-
lites of St. Denis, defires with the moſt
lively ardour to embrace their holy inſtitu-
tion, in order to fatisfy her devotion,- fhe
ought to receive the habit at your hands,
being Superior of the Order.
When I think of that Princeſs, born in
the midft of the delights and grandeur of
the moſt brilliant Court in the world, de-
voting herſelf to the moſt auftere and re-
tired life, I cannot help admiring, and at
the fame time acknowledging the impref
fion of the Holy Ghoft, fo as to fay, 'It is a
miracle of the Moft High.' We are fo
VOL. 11.
M
deeply
242
LETTER
deeply penetrated on this occafion, that
to accord with the inexpreffible fentiments
of the zeal with which we are animated,
and the joy which tranfports us, we charge
you to perform this ceremony in our name.
Thus then, to give to this holy and
celebrated Office all the luftre which it
merits, and all the folemnity of which it is
fufceptible, we fpecially depute you, our
venerable Brother, and delegate you to act
for us in our place.
This interefts us the more deeply, as
we ſhall believe we are there prefent, to
fee with our own eyes with what holy
tranſports our moſt dear Daughter in Jefus
Chriſt will unite herſelf, with all her heart,
to her heavenly Hufband.
Befides this, as we are defirous to aug-
ment the general fatisfaction of the Order,
and to render it more complete, by giving
to all thoſe who compofe it the fpiritual
treaſures of the Church; by the effect of
our good-will, we grant plenary indulgence
to all the Bare-footed Carmelites of the
kingdom of France, who, on the day of
the
TO THE NUNC I O.
243
the Princeſs taking the habit, fhall partake
of the Sacraments of Penitence and the
Eucharift, and implore the mercy of the
Almighty for the exaltation of the Holy
Catholic Church, for our moſt dear fon in
Jefus Chrift Louis Moft Chriftian King
of France, for his Children, for the Royal
Family, and particularly for the Princess
who is at preſent the ſubject of our joy,
and who is to begin her Noviciate in the
moſt auſtere and facred ftate; that new
grace may be heaped upon her from day
to day; that he may become more the or-
nament of her Order by the regularity of
her life, than by the fplendor of her
name. And you, our venerable Brother,
we defire you diligently to inform all whom
it may concern, of the falutary favour with
which we are willing to gratify them: and
for a proof of our Pontifical good will, we
give you, &c.
ROME, 18 July, 1770, the fecond Year
of our Pontificate.
M 2
LETTER
244
LETTER
LETTER
TO HIS MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY.
OUR MOST DEAR SON IN JESUS CHRIST,
E
ALL HEALTH!
VERY time we think of your il-
luftrious Daughter, Louife-Marie of
France, who in Jefus Chrift is likewife
ours, we bleſs God that he hath ſo inſpired
her. We have conftantly before our eyes
the great example which fhe fets to the
world; an example which will do honour
to this age, and will be the admiration of
pofterity. The nearer the moment of the
facrifice approaches, the more we redouble
our prayers, and the more we deſire to de-
clare to you the fentiments which attach
us to your perfon, by rendering the tribute
of praiſe which is due to you for the part
you have taken in this great event, of
which the Church is to be the witneſs.
Undoubtedly you could not do better than
fecure to yourſelf a fupport in the prayers
and vows of her who is totally devoted to
your
TO LOUIS XV.
-245
your perfon, and is intirely agreeable to
God. In this your wifdom is as eminent
as your Religion; and it is that which per-
fuades us, at the fame time, that the Di-
vine goodneſs will make you reap the
greatest advantage from fo favourable an
event. We congratulate you with all our
heart, and applaud ourfelves, because the
union with our most dear Daughter in Jefus
Chriſt will become more strong than ever.
Our greateſt defire would be to tie theſe
knots ftill more clofe, by prefiding at the
ceremony which we fee approaching, and
receiving in perfon the moft folemn vows
which the moſt tender piety can pronounce.
We are the more penetrated with this
thought, as it would be a moft happy occa
fion of converfing with you, of embracing
you, and fhewing you in our eyes, and on
our countenance, the fentiments with which
you infpire us. Then our paternal tender-
nefs and our paftoral charity fhining forth,
would affure you in the ſtrongeſt manner
of our intire affection. But alas! we are
M 3
fo
246
LETTER
fo unfortunately fituated, as to have that
fatisfaction only in idea.
As to any other advantages, we have
endeavoured to procure them, notwith-
ftanding our abfence; having chofen our
venerable Brother the Archbishop of Da-
maſcus to ſupply our place, and given
him the moft fpecial and extenfive powers
for that purpoſe, as we before did, when we
gave him commiffion to reprefent us at the
ceremony of taking the Habit.
Being informed that your Majefty then
approved of the manner in which we had
difpofed theſe things for the ceremony of
giving the Habit to our Auguft Princefs,
we flatter ourfelves that you will equally
approve at preſent of the fame difpofitions.
We earnestly pray you, then, to join in
our views with your ufual goodness, and
afford us the confolation to ſee our place
fupplied by him that reprefents us.
Receive, as the best proof which we can
give of our attachment, our Apoftolical
Benediction, which, as a pledge of all the
benedictions of Heaven, fhall extend to
your
TO THE DUKE OF PARMA.
247
4
your auguſt race, and over your whole
kingdom, if our prayers are heard.
Given at ROME, at St. MARIE-MAJOR'S, under the
FISHERMAN'S-RING, the 14th of Auguft, 1771,
the third Year of our Pontificate.
I
LETTER
TO THE DUKE OF PARMA.
T would be very difficult to exprefs all
the fatisfaction which your Letter gave
es, in which we find fentiments of the
moft tender affection. We are the more
happy at preſent to receive fuch marks of
your friendſhip, as we have always been
moft fingularly attached to you, and have
never ceafed to intereft ourſelves in what-
ever could concern you.
We congratulate ourſelves, at the fame
time, on your having received with all pof-
fible good-will the teftimonies of our
friendship, (on account of the illuftrious
offspring that will one day be the heir of
your virtues) and the proof of our acknow-
ledgements for the zeal with which you la-
M 4
boured
246
LETTER
boured for our reconciliation with his Moft
Chriſtian Majefty. By it you have com-
pleated the proofs of your piety towards
the Holy See, and have taken a ſtep equally
glorious and meritorious. The mediation
which you have employed with our dear
Sons in Jefus Chrift, the moſt virtuous
Kings your Grandfather, Uncle, and
Coufin, to engage them to erafe from their
minds every trace of old mifunderſtandings,
and to reſtore to us the domains of Avig-
non, Benevento, and- Porto Corvo, can-
not fail to be most effectual. You do us
juſtice in being convinced of our extreme
love for peace and concord, particularly
with the auguft Houfe of Bourbon, which
has always deferved fo well from us, from
the Chair of St. Peter, and the whole
Church in general. We never doubted
that the Religion and wifdom of theſe So-
vereigns would infpire them with the ſame
pacific fentiments which we cheriſh in our
own breaſt. We conceive the ftrongeſt
hopes from your mediation, becauſe of
your royal virtues, and the love which your
auguft relations must reaſonably have for
you.
TO THE DUKE OF PAR MA.
247
you. They will join with more zeal to
fecond your good intentions, when they
fee peace and harmony restored from the
fame ſource from whence the mifunder-
ſtanding and diſagreement had proceeded.
In return, we will feize every opportunity
of proving to you, in the moſt diftinguiſhed
manner, our gratitude and affection.
We give you, with all the tenderneſs of
a paternal affection, our Apoftolical Bene-
diction, as likewife to your virtuous Spouſe,
and to your dear new-born Son; and we
pray the Almighty God that you may in-
creaſe in virtue from day to day, and ac-
quire that glory which he hath referved
for the Elect.
SECOND
M 5
250
SECOND LETTER
1
SECOND LETTER
TO THE DUKE OF PARM A.
A
S foon as we were informed of the pains
you had taken to reconcile us with
the Kings our most dear Sons in Jefus
Chriſt, and reftore to the Holy See its
ancient poffeffions, we refolved to render
you our moft fincere thanks, Now that
your wifdom has compleated this great
work, we muſt publicly proclaim our joy
and gratitude. We affure you that we
will never forget this generous proceeding,
which has procured us fuch fignal advan-
tages; and that the paternal tenderneſs which
we have for you, is equal to your great virtues.
We therefore pray, in the fulness of our
heart, for whatever can contribute to your
glory and happineſs. The Marquis de
Lano, to whom we are tenderly attached,
on account of his merit and fervices to us,
has doubtless declared to you what our
fentiments are with regard to you. It is
tɔ cement them more and more, that we
continually
TO THE DUKE OF PARMA. 25F
continually pray to God to fecond, by
the abundance of his heavenly gifts, the
Apoftolical Benediction with which we
falute you as the moſt certain pledge of
our affection, &c.
BRI E F.
To OUR DEAR SON PETER FRANCIS
BOUDIER, AT PRESENT SUPERIOR-
GENERAL OF BENEDICTINES, OF THE
CONGREGATION OF ST. MAUR, AND
GRAND-PRIOR OF THE ROYAL AB--
BEY OF ST. DENIS,
CLEMENT XIV.
TO OUR DEAR SON, HEALTH AND APOS--
TOLICAL BENEDICTION!
You
OUR Letter, dictated by reſpect,.
attachment, and moft tender love,
evidently proves the joy which you and
your Congregation felt upon our eleva-
tion to the Sovereign Pontificate. Your
fentiments for the Apoftolical Chair were:
already known to us, and the new teftimo-
nies which you give us of them, were not
M. 6
wanted:
248
BRIEF TO THE
wanted to perfuade us of your attachment
to the Holy See.
We have likewife been very fenfible of
the demonftrations of zeal, to which you
and your Congregation have added a new
value, in begging the Father of Mercies
to ſupport and fortify our weakneſs, by
his powerful help, in the administration of
fuch an important employment.
As to the judgement which you have
formed of Us, We fee nothing but your
indulgence, your filial love, and the ardent
zeal with which you are animated for Us.
On Our part, We exceedingly defire to
have fome opportunity of teftifying all the
good-will we bear towards you, and thoſe
who are fubmitted to your care. In the
mean time, as a pledge of our paternal
tendernefs, We give to you, Our dear
Son, and to your Brethren, with the fulleft
effufion of Our heart, Our Apoftolical.
Benediction.
Given at ROME, at St. MARIE-MAJOR, under the
FISHERMAN'S RING, the 11th Auguft, 1769, and
the firſt of our Pontificate.
BENEDICT STAY.
BRIEF.
PRIOR-GENERAL, &c.
249
BRI E F
TO OUR DEAR SON BODDAERT, PRIOR-
GENERAL OF THE ORDER OF GUIL-
LELMITES.
CLEMENT
XIV.
TO OUR DEAR SON, HEALTH AND APOSTO-
LICAL BENEDICTION!
THE
HE joy which you teftify at Our ad-
vancement to the Sovereign Ponti-
ficate, agrees with the attachment which
your Order has a long time had for us.
We do not doubt of your adding to
thoſe exterior proofs of your zeal, the affiſt-
ance of your prayers to God that he will
deign to help our weakness; and therefore
we at preſent beg the continuance of them,
as the effect of your charity for us. As to
our fentiments with regard to you, the
inftances which we have formerly given of
our good-will towards you, fufficiently fhew
what you may expect. Be affured that
our new dignity, far from leffening that
good-will, has rather increafed it; efpe-
cially after the teſtimony you have given
us, that having carefully vifited the Mo-
nafteries of your Order, you have found
them
254
SPEECH IN THE
them obedient to the Rules of their Inftitu-
tion. This affurance on your part has
given us the greateſt pleaſure;-it redoubles.
the tenderneſs which we have for you; and
to give you a pledge of it, we grant to you,
our dear Son, and to all the Order intruft-
ed to your care, with all the effufion of
our heart, Our Apoftolical Benediction.
Given at ROME, at St. MARY-MAJOR, under the
Fisherman's Ring, the 9th of July, 1769. and the
Firft of our Pontificate..
BENEDICT STAY..
SPE E CH
EC
SPOKEN BY CLEMENT XIV. IN THE SECRET
CONSISTORY HELD THE 21ft SEPTEMBER,,
1770;
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE RECONCILIATION.
OF PORTUGAL WITH THE COURT OF ROME..
T feems, Our venerable Brethren, that
I
Providence hath chofen this day, the-
twenty-fourth of the month, for me to
notify to you the great event on account
of which we are affembled in this place;:
the anniversary of my arrival in Rome; of
my advancement to the Purple, however.
unworthy of the honour; and lastly, the
2
day
SECRET CONSISTORY, &c. 255
2
day on which I am to announce to you a
full and entire reconciliation with the
Court of Portugal.
We have just received the moſt ſincere
and the moſt eminent proofs of the fub-
miffion and zeal of his Moft Faithful
Majefty-they have even furpaffed our
expectation. Not only the fame old cuf-
toms and attachment which had ever
before fubfifted between us and that
Crown are now again renewed, but like-
wife confirmed in fuch a manner that they
have acquired new ftrength.
When we foretold what has just now
happened, we founded our hopes upon the
faith and piety of our most dear Son in
Jefus Chrift, who at all times gave the
moſt unquestionable proofs of his zeal for
the true religion. The day we were in-
formed of his reconciliation, increaſed the
glory and advantage of the Holy See, by
filling us with confolation and joy. There
is, therefore, nothing which we ought not
to undertake to teftify our acknowledge-
ments to his Moft Faithful Majefty, and
no wiſh which we ought not to form for
his
250
SPEECH IN THE
<
his preſervation, and that of Marie-Anne-
Victoire, his auguft and dear Spouſe, who
rivalled him in her great zeal to bring about
this accommodation. The Count d'Oyeras,
Secretary of State, is equally deferving of
our gratitude and praiſe; and we ſhould
not forget the Governor of Almada, Minif
ter Plenipotentiary with Us, and whom
we have often heard, with the greateſt joy,
declare to us the pious and laudable
fentiments of his Moft Faithful Majeſty.
As there is no method more proper to ac-
quit ourſelves of our gratitude to a Prince
fo deferving of praiſe, than to pray God to
profper him; let us beg of him continually
to grant us that great favour, &c.
SPEECH
SECRET CONSISTORY.
257
SPE E CH
O F
CLEMENT XIV. IN THE SECRET CONSIS-
TORY, HELD THE 6th JUNE, 1774.
UPON THE DEATH OF LOUIS XV.
VENERABLE BRETHREN,
IF
F any thing could confole us in the
midst of our painful labours, it is
to know that Louis, the Moſt Chriſtian King,
had the beſt intentions and the greateſt
attachment to religion, as likewife to our
perfon; but alas that confolation be-
comes at this day the fubject of the deepeſt
forrow. Our life has been a ſtate of
affliction ever fince we heard of his death;
an event truly fatal, and the confequence
of a muſt cruel diforder. We are the
more deeply affected, as we have laſt
him in that moment, when he had just
given us the most confpicuous proofs of
his juſtice, magnanimity, and tender affec-
tion towards us and the Holy Apoftolical
See. And what afflicts us yet more, is,
that we cannot now acquit ourfelves to-
wards
258
SPEECH IN THE
wards him, but by our tears and our
regret.
Nevertheless, let us adore the decrees of
Divine Providence; and in fubmitting to
the will of the Almighty, upon whom the
fate of Kings abfolutely depends, let us
acknowledge that all is directed by his
wiſdom, and for his glory.
We no
Nothing but this refignation to the Di-
vine will can deffen our forrow.
fooner learned the danger with which the
King's life was threatened, than we ad
dreffed our moſt fervent prayers to Hea-
ven, to obtain his recovery. All France
united their fupplications with ours, and all
the Royal Family, fhedding torrents of
tears, acquitted themfelves of the fame
duty; particularly our moft dear Daugh-
ter in Jefus Chrift, Marie-Louiſe of France,
who from her holy retreat raiſed her
pious hands towards Heaven, and gave
vent to the deepeſt forrow.
{
If our vows have not been heard, we
have at leaſt a lively hope that our prayers
may
SECRET CONSISTORY, &c. 259
may be uſeful for the repofe of his foul,
and procure him eternal glory.
Our hope is founded upon the love which
he always profeffed for the Catholic Reli-
gion; his attachment to the Holy See; his
good intentions towards us, of which he
gave us proofs to the laft moment; and
laftly, upon the fincere repentance which
he teftified in prefence of his whole Court,
begging pardon of God, and his kingdom,
for the errors of his life, and defiring to
live only to repair them.
The fame prayers which we have put up
in fecret for the repofe of his foul, We
fhall put up alfo in public: yet That fhall
not hinder us from remembering him be-
fore God, to the laft hour of our life.
We ſhould declare to you, our venerable
Brethren, upon this occafion, that Louis-
Auguftus, our moſt dear Son in Jefus
Chriſt, Grandfon of the late King, fucceeds
to the Eſtates and Kingdoms of his Grand-
father, inheriting, at the fame time, all the
heroic virtues of the Auguft Houſe of
Bourbon.
We
260
SPEECH IN THE
We already know his zeal and attach-
ment to Religion, as well as his filial love
towards us. His pathetic letters filled
with affection, joined to the fame of his
excellent qualities, which are every where
publiſhed, are the moft convincing proofs.
how well we have founded our expecta-
tions. We have nothing more at heart
than to anſwer, as much as we poffibly
can, fuch laudable fentiments.
We ought at the fame time to inform
you, that our venerable Brother, Francis-
Joachim, Cardinal of Bernis, formerly Am-
baffador from the late King to our Perſon,
hath been confirmed by his credentials
which he hath prefented to us. In fhew-
ing you our perfect fatisfaction upon that
fubject, we obferve yours to fhine forth;
knowing that you are perfuaded, as well
as we are, that he is a moſt faithful inter-
preter both of the King's intentions and
ours, in order to preferve a happy har-
mony.
Let us by our moſt ardent prayers con.
jure the Almighty, from whom Kings
hold their crowns and kingdoms, to ſhed
his
SECRET CONSISTORY.
261
his moſt abundant bleffings upon our moſt
dear fon in Jefus Chrift, Louis-Auguftus
of France, that in the courſe of his reign
he may enjoy all profperity, and live in
fuch a manner as to be uſeful to the cauſe
of Religion, and advantageous to the il-
luftrious French nation.
BU L
FOR THE
L
UNIVERSAL JUBILEE,
IN THE YEAR M,DCC,LXXV.
C
LEMENT, Biſhop, Servant of the
Servants of God, to all the faithful in
Jefus Chrift, to whom thefe Letters fhall
come, health and Apoftolical Benediction.
Jefus Christ our Lord, the Author of
our Salvation, not fatisfied with procuring
to man, by his death and paffion, a deli-
verance from the old flavery of fin, a re-
turn to life and liberty, an exaltation to
the
262
BULL FOR THE
the fublime title of being Co-heirs to his
glory, and Children of God; has added to
all theſe favours one infinitely precious,
and deſtined for thoſe, who, having been
drawn afide by human frailty, and their
own perverſeneſs, have unfortunately for-
feited the right they had to the Divine in-
heritance. By the power which he
gave to
the Prince of Apoſtles to remit fins, when
he intrufted him with the keys of the king-
dom of Heaven, he has procured to finners
a means of expiating their fins, of recover-
ing their first innocence, and receiving
the fruits of Redemption. As it is the only
means they poffefs, who have deviated from
the law of the Lord, to re-enter into friend-
ſhip with God, and to arrive at eternal fal-
vation, the fucceffors of St. Peter, the
heirs of his power, have never had any
thing more at heart than to ſummon all
finners to the divine fource of mercy, to
offer and promife pardon to true penitents,
and to invite even thofe who are held in
heavy chains of fin to the hopes of a re-
miffion.
Although
JUBILEE, M,DCC,LXX. 263
Although, in the exerciſe of a duty of
this importance, fo neceffary for man's fal-
vation, it has never interrupted the cares
of their Apoftolical Miniftry; they have
nevertheless judged proper to chufe and
fix, in the courſe of ages, certain remarkable
periods for engaging finners to foften the
Divine wrath, to embrace penitence as the
only plank which remains after fhipwreck;
and that by the hope of a more ample har-
veft of graces and pardons, and by the
public and general liberty to ſhare the trea-
fures of indulgence of which they are the
depofitories.--And that no generation might
be deprived of the precious advantages at-
tached to theſe times of relaxation, they
have fixed the return of every twenty-fifth
year as the year of Jubilee, the holy year,
the year of grace and remiffion, which
they have ordered to be opened in the City
which is looked upon as the center and feat.
of Religion.
We then, in conformity with fo falutary
a cuſtom, and one of thefe privileged years
being at hand, are anxious to announce it
to all of you, our dear Children, who are
united
264
BULL FOR THE
united in the profeffion of the ſame faith
with us, and the holy Roman Catholic
Church; and we exhort you to labour for
the good of your fouls, and to profit by
fuch means of fanctification as can be the
moſt effectual. We offer you a fhare of
all the riches of the Divine mercy and cle-
mency which have been intruſted to us;
and chiefly of thoſe which have their origin
in the blood of Jefus Chrift. We will
then open to you all the gates of the rich
refervoir of fatisfactions derived from the
merits of the Holy Mother of God, the
holy Apoſtles, the blood of Martyrs, and
the good works of all the Saints, ſo great
and fincere is our defire to facilitate to you
the recovery of peace and reconciliation.
Now, as nothing contributes more than
the multitude of helps which may be ex-
pected from the communion of the Saints;
united to their auguft fociety, we with them
compofing the body of the Church, which
is one indivifible, and that of Jeſus Chriſt
himſelf, whoſe blood purifies us, enlivens
us, and puts us in a condition to be uſeful
to one another; to give more luftre to
the
JUBILEE, M,DCC,LXX. 265
the immenſity of his love and mercy, to
render more fenfible the ftrength and in-
finite efficacy of his Paffion, and his merits;
the Redeemer of mankind hath been pleaſed
to diſperſe the effects of it over all the
Members of his myftick body, that they
may more eaſily affift one another, by the
communication of their reciprocal help and
advantages. His intention was in this
affociation fo wifely contrived, of which
his most precious blood is the beginning,
and the union of hearts the whole ſtrength,
to induce the tenderneſs of the Eternal Fa-
ther to grant his mercy to us, by prefent-
ing to Him the invaluable price of the
blood of his Son, the merits of Saints, and
the power of their fuffrages, as the moſt
effectual motives to determine him.
We invite you then to drink of this
overflowing ſtream of indulgence, to en-
rich yourſelves in the inexhaustible trea-
fures of the Church; and, according to the
cuſtom and inftitution of our anceſtors, the
conſent of our venerable Brethren the Car-
dinals, &c.
O all of you, then, who are the Children
of the Church, do not let flip the prefent
occafion, this favourable time, theſe falu-
VOL. II.
N
tary
266
BULL FOR THE
tary days, without employing them to ap-
peafe the juftice of God, and obtain your
pardon! Do not bring, as an excufe for
your delay, the fatigues of the voyage, the
troubles of the journey.---When we pro-
pofe to load you with the gifts of heavenly
Grace, to introduce you into the Taber-
nacles of the Lord, is it proper for you
to let yourſelves be difmayed by inconve-
niences, or obftacles, which never deter
thoſe whoſe curiofity or the thirſt of gain
daily lead to the moft diftant regions?
Even thofe toils which might difmay you,
being undertaken from fo noble a motive,
will affift you infinitely in reaping the moft
abundant fruits from your penitence. For
this reaſon, the Church has always looked
upon the old cuftom of Pilgrimages
as fingularly uſeful; being perfuaded, that
the difagreeable inconveniences which ne-
ceffarily attended them, are ſo many com-
penfations for paft fins, and convincing
proofs of fincere repentance. If the ac-
tivity of your zeal, the ardour of your
love for God, fhould kindle to fuch a de-
gree as to make you forget your fatigues,
or even to leffen them, be not alarmed;
for that holy joy will accelerate your
recon-
JUBILE E, M,DCC,LXX.
267
reconciliation,
and make a principal
part of the fatisfaction for thoſe fins that
you were charged with, fince much will be
forgiven him who hath much loved.
Haften then to the City of Sion; come
and fill yourfelves with the abundance
which reigns in the houſe of the Lord:
Every thing here will lead you to repen-
tance; even the afpect of this City, the
ordinary habitation of Faith and Piety, the
fepulchre of Apoſtles, the tomb of Martyrs.
When you fee this land which was ſprinkled
with their blood, when the numberlefs
veftiges of their fanctity prefent themselves.
to you on every fide, it will be impoffible
for you to refift that fevere repentance which
will preſs upon you, for having withdrawn
from the rules and laws which they fol-
lowed, and which you pro nifed to follow.
You will find in the dignity of the Divine
worſhip, in the majefty of the Temples, a
powerful voice which will remind you that
you are the Temple of the Living God;
that he will animate you to adorn it, and
with the greater zeal, for your having for-
merly had an inclination to profane it, and
to grieve the Holy Spirit. What must
fupport your refolution, will be the groans.
N 2
and
268
BULL FOR THE
and tears of a great number of Chriftians,
whom you will fee lamenting their errors,
and foliciting their pardon with God. Very
foon the ſentiments of forrow and piety,
which you will witneſs, fhall paſs into
your hearts with a quickness which muft
furpriſe you.
But to this holy forrow, this religious
mourning, the moſt tender confolations.
will not fail to fucceed, when you fee a
multitude of people and nations running
in crouds to practiſe works of justice and
repentance. Can you then ever hope for a
more agreeable, a more ravishing spectacle,
than that of giving to the whole world a
fenfible image of the glorious triumph of
the Croſs, and of Religion? At leaſt, on
our part, we ſhall be happy on occafion of
the almost univerfal re-union of the Chil-
dren of the Church; perfuaded that we
fhall find for ourfelves, in the mutual ef
forts of your charity and piety, an ample
ſuperabundance of help and reſources: for
we have the fulleft confidence, that when
you fhall have fupplicated with us the Di-
vine Diſtributor of Grace for the preferva-
tion of the Faith, for the return of thoſe
people who have ſeparated from us, for the
tranquility
JUBILE E, M,DCC,LXX. 269
pro-
tranquility of the Church, and the happi-
neſs of the Chriftian Princes, you will be-
fore your God remember your common
Father, who heartily loves
and
you;
cure, by your vows and intreaties, the
ſtrength neceffary for our weaknefs, to
fupport the immenfe load which has been
impofed upon us.
And you, our venerable Brethren, Pa-
triarchs, Primates, Archbishops and Bi-
fhops, join in our folicitude; charge your-
felves with our duties and your own; de-
clare to the people who are intrufted to
you, theſe times of penitence and propitia-
tion; employ all your cares, and all your
authority, as much as is poffible on this
favourable occafion for obtaining pardon,
which our paternal love has brought forth
for the whole Chriſtian world, according
to the ancient practice of the Church, to
produce good fruit for the falvation of
fouls. May they hear you explain fuch
works of humility and Chriſtian charity as
they ought to practife, that they may be
better diſpoſed to receive the fruits of the
Heavenly Grace which is offered to their
wants! May they learn, both by your pre-
cepts and example, that they ought to
have
270
BULL FOR THE
have recourfe to faftings, prayer, and
alms-giving.
If there be any among you, our vene-
rable Brethren, who will take upon you,
as an increaſe of your Paftoral labours,
that of being yourfelves the conductors of
a part of your flock towards the City,
which is the Citadel of Religion, and from
whence the fources of indulgence fpring,
you may be affured that we will receive
you with all the fenfibility of the mot
tender father. Independent of the luftre
which they will procure to our folemnity,
they will be enabled, after fuch noble fa-
tigues, after fuch meritorious labours, to
reap the most ample harveft of the gifts of
Divine mercy; and at their return with the
reft of their flock, they will have the con-
folation of diftributing to them this pre-
cious ftore.
We do not doubt that our moſt dear
Sons, the Emperor, the Kings, and all the
Chriftian Princes, will affift us with their
authority in the vows which we make for
the falvation of fouls, fo that they may
have the happy fuccefs which we expect.
We exhort them, with all our foul, to con-
cur with us in fuch a manner as may
correſpond with their love of Religion,
JUBILEE, M,DCC,LXX. 271
and the zeal of our venerable Brethren the
Biſhops; to favour their undertaking, and
to procure ſafety and convenience on the
roads to all Pilgrims.
know, that fuch cares
They cannot but
muſt contribute
greatly to the tranquility of their reign;
and that God will be the more propitious
and favourable to them, the more they
fhew themſelves attentive to increaſe his
glory for the good of the People.
But in the end, that thefe Prefents may
come, &c.
Given at ROME, at St. MARIE-MAJOR, &c. in the
Year of our LORD, 1774. the 12th of May, and
the 5th Year of our Pontificate.
THIS Bull, with which I finish this
collection, may be looked upon as the
Teftament of Clement XIV. Death, which
from that time was ready to feize him,
gave him an inward warning that his end
was approaching, that he might fpeak to
the Faithful for the laft time, and that
God required the facrifice of his life.
Every one fhared in the misfortune ;
and all Communions, however differing in
their perfuafions, united in praying to the
Lord for the prefervation of a Pontiff, who
272
BULL FOR THE
was fo agreeable to all the crowned heads,
and beloved by the whole world. Some
recollected the goodneſs with which he had
received them; others, his love of wiſdom
and peace; while he himſelf, regardleſs of
the fevere ills which he endured, employed
his interrupted refpiration in fighing to
Heaven for the obtaining the kingdom of
truth and concord upon Earth, and to leave
after him fome veftiges of his love for
peace and juſtice.
I was defirous to procure fome of the
Letters he wrote during the fix laft
months of his life, which was a time of
trial and pain, but could not poffibly ob-
tain them. However, we have enough to
fhew us, that this great Pontiff adhered effen-
tially to the fundamentals of Religion, with-
out being attached to any opinion, and with-
out having the leaſt ſpirit of Party. What is
certain, is, that nothing but Prejudice can
with-hold his praiſe;- Pofterity muft value
him according to his merit, and fincerely
lament their not having known him. Nei-
ther paffion, cabals nor prejudice, will be
capable of obſcuring his glory-and Truth
alone will preſent his picture.
FINI
S.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 01347 3742
A 55443 3