A 58494 6
G
A VICTIM OF
THE FALK LAWS

ARTES
LIBRARY
1837
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
E PLURIBUS-UNIS.
JAJAJA
TUEBOR
SI-QUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOENAM
CIRCUMSPICE

7.

1.16.3.7.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
Barker, frederick Mills Raymond
A VICTIM
}
OF
THE FALK LAWS:
THE ADVENTURES OF A GERMAN PRIEST
IN PRISON AND IN EXILE
TOLD BY THE VICTIM.
DE
EDET
FID FORT
DUC
GENERAL LIBRA
MICHIGAN
University of
LIBRARY


LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON,
NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
1879.
(All rights reserved.)

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PART I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
PAGE
3
13
26
37
48
61
PART II.
CHAPTER I.
81
CHAPTER II.
94.
CHAPTER III.
104
CHAPTER IV.
118
•
CHAPTER V.
132
CHAPTER VI.
144
CHAPTER VII.
164
APPENDIX
173
▲ 2
PART I.
1

A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
Part I.
CHAPTER I.
NOT many years ago, I was passing
through the third and second classes at
the lycée of Treves, and translating into
my mother-tongue the adventures of
Æneas and the wanderings of Ulysses.
NOTE.-This narrative passed through nine editions
(45,000 copies) in three months, and was repeatedly
confiscated in Germany, only to re-appear in France,
1
•
..
4
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
My master endeavoured to drum the
verses into my ear by beating the measure
on his silver snuff-box, and gave himself a
world of trouble to create in my not suf-
ficiently appreciative mind a feeling for
the beauties of the Greek and Latin
tongues. All the same, when I had to
explain an unusually difficult construction,
I mentally sent my heroes to that con-
venient city whose walls apparently fell
down to make room for all the disagree-
ables of the universe. At that time I was
far indeed from divining that I also was to
have my Æneid, and earn a right to appro-
priate the fair-sounding name of Πολύτροπος;
but my adventures during the past few
years have, in reality, no inconsiderable
analogy with those of my classic heroes,
+
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
5
บา
and therefore, as I do not hope for a
Homer or a Virgil to sing them, I under-
take to do so myself.
In the war of which these personages
were the victims, the combat was carried
on with swords and spears around the
walls of Troy. I have had to fight and
suffer in a struggle for principles, the
objective of which is Rome. They were
tossed upon the seas, and made acquaint-
ance with Scylla and Charybdis, with
Circe the sorceress, and with Cyclopæan
monsters; I have had frequent relations
with gendarmes, soldiers, May-law func-
tionaries, the fortress, the prison, and other
products of civilization-having for their
object to make of me a man parfaitement
comme il faut-and have finally been
3
6
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
carried away on the unchained winds, and
borne by a Prussian Eolus into a corner of
Pomerania. My predecessors suffered
hunger and thirst, heat and cold; I have
done the same, with this difference, that I
had no chance, like them, to roast lambs
and drink the milk of goats. Even in the
varieties of my toilette I was fated to re-
semble them. They were compelled to quit
their armour for the skins of beasts, and I
to exchange my long black robe for elegant
little garments of a modern cut, which gave
me immediately an air of culture.
It is from no vain spirit of boastfulness
that I consign my adventures to paper. I
would fain forget all I have suffered, and
hope that my peregrinations are those of
the last martyr of Progress. People do
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
7
}
not jest with suffering.
Besides, I have
merely done my duty, and have thousands
of companions in misfortune, who have
suffered the same things as myself, and
more also; nor should I have even
thought of putting my Odyssey into
prose, had I not been earnestly entreated
to do so. But as my story is, as exactly
as possible, that of my brethren in the
priesthood, I shall, by simply and faith-
fully relating what has happened to my-
self, present, though but in the form of a
sketch, a tableau vivant of the Progress of
the day, with its lights and shadows-
that Progress, which is as becoming to an
age of professed toleration as a bruise from
a heavy blow would be upon a fair and
smiling face.
A
8
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
In writing these lines, my heart is pain-
fully divided between joy and sadness,
satisfaction and affliction. The firmness
and devotedness of the Catholics to their
Church and their priests fill me with glad-
ness. Of this devotedness I have had
proofs so many and so touching that the
mere remembrance of them brings tears to
my eyes. But when I think of all the
sufferings which the Church is enduring,
and which I have witnessed, even in the
smallest villages, as well as in places of
greater numerical importance, my sorrow
is profound, as it must be of all who have
seen for themselves the fatal consequences
of the struggle between the State and the
Church-the inevitable result of the aggres-
sion of the civil upon the spiritual power.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
9
{
Gentlemen are now-a-days much in the
habit of sitting round a green table, read-
ing concocted "reports" through coloured
glasses, and feeling the wiser for the pro-
ceeding.
I have wandered from village to
village, I have seen with my own eyes,
and felt with my heart, and have at the
same time rejoiced and wept. I rejoiced
to see the courageous faith and deep
religious conviction of the people, and
wept to hear the lamentations of these
famishing and unfortunate ones who asked
in vain for the food of their souls. Sad
and strange are the scenes which present
themselves to my memory, and which I
will endeavour to describe one by one, as
they passed before me, or rather as I
:
ΙΟ
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
:
passed before them. So far as my humble
personality is mingled with these grand
scenes of Progress, I beg the reader to
consider me solely as the representative of
a principle, and merely an individual per-
sonification of the sufferings I have only
shared in common with so many banished
and imprisoned priests.
For this reason, as well as for others,
I shall avoid mentioning names, except in
cases in which it shall appear indispens-
able to give them, and will endeavour to
carry on my narrative in such a manner
that particular persons and events shall
not in any way interfere with the general
view of a picture which aims at faithfully
representing the religious troubles and
political blunders of our time.
·
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
II
I reckon beforehand upon sympathy,
not for myself personally, for I do not
intend to be known, but for the cause to
which I am devoted. I have, besides, the
more right to this sympathy, because I
address myself to Catholic readers, not to
men who wear liberal colours, These
champions of Progress have neither heart
nor understanding for the sufferings of the
Church, and may leave unopened these
pages, which are not worthy their enlight-
ened gaze, nor of value to any but a brave
"Ultramontane," since it is by the heart of
a thorough "Obscurantist" that they are
inspired.
Should this narrative help to strengthen
the faith and courage of a few good
Catholics, and kindle yet more brightly
12 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
their love for Holy Church, my object will
be attained.
After this lengthy preface, I pass to
the question, promising to spare the reader
any superfluous observations, and to con-
fine myself to the relation of facts.


油菜
​CHAPTER II.
WHAT is my name, age, appearance, etc.,
it matters little to know. The reader will
find all the information necessary on this
subject in the course of the narrative.
When, for instance, he learns that, one
fine day, when on board a steamer on the
Moselle, I donned the red jacket of a
sailor, to elude the pursuit of a gendarme,
the said jacket split in all its seams as soon
as it was on my back, he will know that
#
3
14
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
I have tolerably broad shoulders, which
need not shrink from a weighty burden.
Let him imagine, for the moment, that he
sees before him a young parish priest.
in a long black cassock (as a matter of
course), a round, broad-brimmed hat, and
a pair of spectacles, which allow him to
see further than is becoming in an Obscu-
rantist, or than is pleasing to the gen-
darmes.
It was no fault of mine, if, later on, I
exchanged the uniform of a black gladia-
tor for that of a traveller in wines. I am
then-and this is the important part of the
matter-a young curé, installed as such in
the year
year of
grace 1873, after the promul-
gation of the celebrated May Laws.
In October of the same year, I arrived,
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
15
light of heart, to take possession of my
place that is to say of my cure, not of my
presbytery; for the doors of the latter had
been duly closed and locked before my
arrival, and the keys had wandered into the
pocket of the mayor. Nothing remained
for me but to effect an entrance by the
back door. This fashion of installation,
from its novelty, did not fail to draw to
the spot a goodly number of my parish-
ioners, who declared themselves ready to
introduce my furniture by the same way.
In this manner, I had soon comfortably
arranged my little affairs, and patiently
awaited the issue of the proceeding; mean-
while accommodating myself to my sin-
gular position, as owner and master of the
house, without the keys.
T
E
16
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
My happiness, alas! was not to be of
long duration. Next morning, the mayor
honoured me with a visit, and cut short
my thanks for his very early, attention, by
roughly bidding me remember that I had
forced my entrance into a closed house.
Such, however, was not the case, for I had
found the garden gate unlocked; and, far
from breaking into the house with felo-
nious intentions (particularly as it was
empty), I had brought into it several
articles of furniture. Upon my represen-
tations to this effect, he found himself
obliged to abandon his procès-verbal, and
consoled himself by ordering me imme-
diately to evacuate the place.
This was no business of mine. In the
first place, I was there by command of my
•
!
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 17
Bishop, and had a canonical right to the
cure; in the second, I liked my personal
tranquillity too well, so soon to set about
seeking a new social position. The rigid
dignitary stamped, stormed, and gesticu-
lated, threatened to have me thrown into
the street, and at last decamped without
deigning to accept the glass of wine and
the cigar which I had the amiability to
offer him.
The execution of his threat presented
certain difficulties. In vain he took the
trouble to run all over the village, and
beat the rappel. To his anger and amaze-
ment, not one of my parishioners would
stir a finger, to haul my furniture into the
open air. Even the golden bait he offered
did not produce the slightest effect upon
2
+
18 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
one of the hundreds of people who had
gathered round the presbytery. At last,
the police agents drew the hands of justice
out of their pockets, and prepared to put
me and my small possessions into the
street. A gendarme laid one hand on
my shoulder, drew out a pistol with the
other, and thus conducted me out of my
house.
1
I left the stove red-hot; and as it was
thus still more recalcitrant than myself, no
one ventured to touch it-neither the gen-
darmes nor the mayor wishing to burn
their fingers, even on behalf of the new
laws. It remained, therefore, in posses-
sion of the house, and, I suppose, remains
there still.
My good parishioners looked on with
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
19
grief in their hearts, tears in their eyes,
and fists clenched in their pockets. One
worthy man insisted on lodging me in his
house. On my asking, "Who will give
me a hand?" every one hastened to assist
in lifting my furniture into a waggon.
less than an hour I was installed in my
new abode.
"The beginning is not bad,"
In
I thought. I made myself quite at home,
and, in the press of occupation, forgot to
return the visit of the mayor.
But I was
soon to hear of him. He was charged,
"by order from above,"—or below-to
inform me, that, by default of any pre-
liminary announcement to the First Pre-
sident, on the part of the Bishop, the
Government regarded my nomination as
curé as null and void, and ordered me to
20 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
abstain from all and every ecclesiastical
function, under pain of incurring, in all
their rigour, the penalties of the new laws.
The zealous magistrate addressed an ana-
logous monition to the president of the
churchwardens and his counsellors, with
explicit orders to make known the same
to all the parishioners. I was thus, in the
most complete manner, put under the ban
of the Commune. The schoolmaster of
the place, a liberal sapling, watered by
municipal wine, and basking in the sun-
shine of civil administration, received, for
his part also, the following prefectorial
communication:
"By decree of the Royal Government
at. . . . of . . . . It is resolved, that,
+
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 21
every ecclesiastic named as having acted
in contravention of the law of the 11th of
May, 1873, is excluded from all right of
giving religious instruction in the school.
The Curé of is in this case. Should
the said curé advance any pretensions on
this matter, you are requested to com-
municate to him in due form the tenor of
the administrative decree; and in the
event that, notwithstanding your opposi
tion, he shall persist in attempting to im-
part the said instruction, you are desired
to furnish me with immediate information
of the same. This portion of instruction,
also, being confided to your charge."
Thus then, both Church and School
were closed against me.. I asked myself,
÷
:
22
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
But
what, in the eyes of Government, could be
the part left for me to play? If I had
not scrupled to act upon certain insinua-
tions made to me, and prefixed the adjec-
tive old to my title of Catholic, and so
signed myself a traitor, benefices and
emoluments, honours and prefectorial fa-
vours, were ready to rain upon me.
as I have a conscience as well as a heart,
as I am mindful of the oath I made to my
Bishop, as I prefer the sufferings of this
life to those of the next, as I do not wear
a chameleon's skin, and as I refuse to
hang up my cassock to serve as a weather-
cock, I persisted in my obstinacy; and, as
the inevitable consequence, felt the iron
grasp of the god Progress close more
tightly upon me.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
23
A short time afterwards, I received a
monition to appear before the municipal
forum, to answer for my legal transgres-
sions in the exercise of ecclesiastical func-
tions unauthorized by the civil authorities.
I had baptized children; there were god-
parents and mid-wives who could swear
to the fact. I had celebrated Holy Mass
a police agent on duty had been present
at it. I had preached; the schoolmaster
had heard me, and prepared a report of
my sermon. I had buried the dead; the
sacristan and grave-digger could not deny
it in short, I had laid to my charge, so
lengthy a catalogue of crimes, that the
paper on which the heinous list was writ-
ten, might have served for the register of
Don Juan's Leporello.
i
:
24
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
It is needless to say that I paid no
attention to this amiable invitation. I
then received a second, on the part of the
huissier, or constable, to appear before the
Tribunal of Correction at Treves. I was
condemned for contumacy, to pay a fine of
three thalers, or submit to one day's im-
prisonment. I did not pay the fine. To
the despair of my good mother, my furni-
ture was seized, and carried into the street
to be sold. Having, in the times we live
in, learnt some little tricks of trade, it
occurred to me to sell all my furniture
to my host, to hinder its being sacrificed
beneath the hammer of the town-crier.
Thus there was nothing to be seized but
myself. I had not long to wait. The
first condemnation was quickly followed
ง
+
J
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 25
by a second, imposing on me a fine of
100 thalers, or a month of prison. Being
in no hurry to find myself in the Priests'
Hotel, or the Hotel Bulles, behind the
Cathedral of Treves, and having no inten-
tion of repairing thither of my own accord,
I left the public force to take whatever
trouble it thought proper. It presented
itself one fine morning, in the spring of
1874, in the form of a well-known gen-
darme.
I
h
J


CHAPTER III.
THE news of my arrest spread in the vil-
lage, like the wind. Hundreds of persons
came, weeping and sobbing, to grasp my
hand before I was marched off. It was a
moving and heart-rending scene, which I
shall never forget, and which I cannot
describe. The sobs pierced my heart.
Overcome by these manifestations of the
affection, devotedness, and fidelity of my
dear parishioners, I could, for the most part,
'
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
27
At
only give them my hand in silence.
last I forced myself to articulate a few
words, to encourage them in their firm
attachment, come what might, to the Holy
Catholic and Roman Church, our Holy
Father the Pope, the Bishops and faithful
Priests; and ask them to pray for me. It
was with difficulty that we made our way
through the crowd. Many of my flock
accompanied me to the railway station.
Then, with tears in their eyes, they were
beginning to hurrah, and it was only at my
entreaty that they retired quietly to their
homes. A priest, witnessing a spectacle
like this--a demonstration, not got up to
order, but spontaneous, and from the heart;
-a priest who sees the tears of so many
earnest Catholics, fears nothing; and may,
#
•
F
28
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
with a lofty resignation, march to meet
the sufferings, persecutions, and darkness
of the future.
Even the gendarme was not without
emotion.
This is a painful service," he said, as
we went along. "I would rather take a
hundred murderers to prison than one
priest!"
"Is it because we do not follow will-
ingly?"
Assuredly you do! It is because I
have the look of being more guilty than
you. I would sooner break stones on the
road than go on with this trade much
longer!"
"You only do your duty. The respon-
sibility rests with your superiors."
7
i
น
M
:
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
29
"All very well: but I repeat that this
is no pleasant trade. My family suffer
from it. My wife cannot get a drop of
milk in the village. The people will give
her nothing, simply because she is my
wife."
"This is unjust. As soon as I am out
of prison, it shall be altered."
We pursued our journey without further
incident to Treves. My guardian angel
took care to deposit me safe and sound in
the old Roman city. The ancient cloister
of the Dominicans would doubtless never
have dreamed that, after the expulsion of
the sons of St. Dominic, the Bishop and
Priests of the diocese of Treves would be
sent by order of the royal government, and
in the interests of Progress, to make their
[
{
ጎ
Į
L
30
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
meditations and spiritual exercises within
its walls.
Without going so far as J. J. Rousseau,
and wishing to be shut up alone with pen,
ink, and paper (the unfortunate man after-
wards had the realization of his wish, and
found it very bitter), I nevertheless con-
soled myself by reflecting with the poet,
non minus solus quam solus; non minus
otiosus quam otiosus. A Catholic editor,
one of my companions in misfortune, said
to me, that it would not be disagreeable to
relegate for a time to the chamber of
oblivion our cares, anxieties, politics, and
other dangerous occupations, and give our-
selves
up to the dolce far niente, did not
this pleasing idleness present itself hemmed
in by high walls, and amid the clanking of
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
31
sabres and the rattling of keys. As far as
he was concerned, he may have been partly
in the right; but, for me, a priest, whose
parish was left without a pastor; for me,
whose thoughts flew to my sick and dying;
for me, whose ministry was paralyzed, no
solace could be found in thoughts like
these. In my case, the words of the
crooked and cross-eyed Horace, Beatus
ille qui procul negotiis, were not justified;
for a true priest finds in the labours of his
profession and the fulfilment of its duties
his greatest happiness and his best reward.
Thus, nothing, in the midst of my
prolonged trials, affected me so painfully
as the impossibility of daily celebrating
Holy Mass, and accomplishing the other
duties of my parochial ministry. Loss of
32
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
1
liberty, long months of imprisonment,
hunger, physical pain of many kinds,
fatigue, exile from my country, none of all
these things equalled in pain this anguish
of my heart.
It was all the more difficult to regard
myself as a criminal, from the fact that I
was certain of finding most honourable
society in prison; nor could I feel either
humiliated or contrite as I crossed the
threshold of my cell, for I did not recog-
nize in myself a traitor to my country.
A secret impulse of the heart had led me
to choose the ecclesiastical state, and the
love and enthusiasm which had filled
my whole being on the day of my ordi-
nation were still fresh and vigorous within
my soul. What! Because a liberal
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
33
majority had decreed laws which the Pope
and Bishops declared incompatible with
the constitution of the Church, was I to
become a traitor and apostate to her, and
a
perjurer of my oath ? And why?
Because I was threatened with imprison-
ment? No, a thousand times, no! No, I
would not be one of the priests of Dollin-
ger: I would not be one of the "thou-
sands" of priests who, he falsely asserts,
"think with him." I would not help to
complete his dozen of apostates, nor
would I draw back in the face of a prison
cell and thin gruel.
Have not thousands of Catholic priests
been our models in the early ages of the
Church? It is I who can say, fearlessly
and truly, that "thousands" of priests
3
34
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
'think," act, and suffer with me." An
unbelieving adversary may persecute,
insult, and calumniate us, but there is one
fact, clear as daylight, before which he
must bow. And this is, that the whole
body of the Catholic clergy stands firmly,
as one man, in the face of imprisonment,
hunger, exile, and the want of all things.
The Catholic priesthood is faithful to the
Catholic Church, and refuses to trample
under foot its convictions and its conscience.
This is the strength and unity of the
Church. The roots of this unity and
strength have not their origin in the depths
of human nature; they do not lessen and
increase with the weaknesses of man,
but are a manifestation of the divine
essence of the Church of God,
4
*
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 35
If the Church were the work of men,
and if the conviction of her divinity were
not a living power in the heart of her
priests, how easy would it have been to
bend the weak human nature of these
hundreds of the victims of Progress, by
showing them terrible sufferings on the
one hand, and attractive rewards on the
other. But this has not been the case:
and since the advantages to the Govern-
ment are nil, and the Church continues to
make her moral conquests, the State cannot
hope to find in the continuance of the
struggle the realization of its projects. On
the one hand is physical force, and on the
other, strength of conviction and conscience.
The latter will not bend to the former, and
in the end, its victory is certain. Faith is
}
38
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
not to be famished by fasting on prison
fare, nor consciences carved into com-
pliance by the sabres of gendarmes.
With thoughts like these I crossed
the threshold of the "Priests' Hotel," and
entered the inner court. For the first
time in my life I was a prisoner.


كيا كرا
was
CHAPTER IV.
YES, for the first time in my life I was a
prisoner!
The house of detention consists of
several blocks of building, all of one story
high. The windows are furnished with
solid gratings, some with planks. In
short, the interior of the place is as melan-
choly and monotonous as befits its desti-
nation. The sole decoration of the walls
is a large placard to warn the inmates
I
38
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
that "no smoking is allowed," a precau-
tionary measure not calculated to diminish
the tedium of the abode.
The principal block is in the shape of
a horse-shoe, and comprises three portions,
which enclose a space of cultivated ground.
This is the men's prison. A few hundred
feet from it, is that of the women, and,
between the two, the chapel and kitchen.
Each building is isolated from the rest,
and surrounded by high walls covered with
whitewash. The whole occupies a surface
of about fifteen morgen, including the courts
and gardens, and is surrounded by a wall
which completely separates the prison
from the adjacent houses. Patrols of
jailers make their rounds between the
inner and outer walls.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
39
This is the safety-asylum for persons
who have got into difficulties with the
various paragraphs of the Penal Code-
from the robber, who, penetrated with the
maxim that "Property is theft," has turned
thief without becoming a proprietor-to the
noble Bishop Mathias, who, in the month
of May, 1873, fell into the claws of the
Falcon (Falk). This refugium peccatorum
is so low, that even the sparrows perching
on the chimney tops cannot enjoy a wide
horizon. The first glance showed me that
a lover of fair nature like myself, would
here find no chance of indulging his taste,
and I felt it all the more painful that my
first leisure time for meditating deeply on
the May Laws, should be spent in a solitary
cell, during the sweetest month of the year.
•
40
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
The inherent melancholy of the place
is enhanced by the proximity of the
widowed cathedral. The silence of the
gloomy streets, between it and the prison,
is broken by no human footfall. Isolated
from all the sounds of life, the dwellers in
this abode are enabled to reflect on the
dangers of their country, if willing to
devote their leisure to the study of the
Correspondance Provinciale. Nevertheless
this isolation certainly fails to inspire any
enthusiasm for national-liberal civilization.
As the adversaries of Bismark and
Falk had said, before my entry into prison
life, those cells were much honoured in
being made the abode of so many estim-
able persons. It is no longer the faces
only of gallows-birds, house-breakers, and
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 4I
rascals by profession or practice, which are
to be met with there; but men who need
not blush to look their judges in the face
-men whose consciences are free from
any burden and any sting, and whose
hearts are full of courage, in the conviction
that they suffer in a noble cause, and pos-
sess the sympathy of all true and faithful
Catholics.
If it be true that it is not the place
which makes the men, but the men who
make the place, the old Dominican cloister,
in the year of grace 1874, was, again, less
a prison than a monastery, and, ennobled
by the presence of a prince of the Church,
had lost its sombre character.
Besides, the cell may imprison the
body, but not the mind, which no para-
42
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
graph of the law, however rigid, can hinder
from traversing space, and not only lifting
up its eyes to the hills from whence
cometh help, but passing over them, and
taking its rest in Rome. Perhaps some
determined Liberal, by way of proving his
right to the title, will one day propose a
law to gag the conscience, clip the wings
of thought and aspiration, and extinguish
prayer.
This cloister, recalled into existence by
the State, and designated by the popular
voice, "The Priests' Hotel," is undeniably
the most dangerous abode in the diocese
of Treves, and shelters the most hardened
partizans of the "Black International." It
might be well, if only for consistency's
sake, to post a few forty-eight pounders in
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
43
:
its vicinity, lest the State should find itself
unawares taken off its hinges.
The inspector is a man with more
heart than would at first be supposed,
from his regulation face. Though receiv-
ing me like one who is fulfilling his service,
it was nevertheless with some approach to
the terms in use among civilized people.
He briefly asked my name, place and date
of birth, and then put me into the hands
of the superintendent, who proceeded to
take an inventory of all the superfluous
articles I had about me. To him I gave up
my watch, money, a knife, pencil, and cigars.
This ballast being thrown overboard,
and my pockets empty, I was given into
the care of a red-bearded guard, who led
me through long corridors and bolted
44
!
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
doors, to take me a few steps higher and
deposit me in the wing of the preventive
prison. The enormous keys, iron doors,
and inscriptions on the cells, led me to
conclude that I was in a part of the world
allotted to individuals addicted to annexa-
tion irrespective of meum and tuum. I
soon learnt also that this delectable popu-
lation included a few cut-throats, assassins,
and other specimens of the lowest dungeon
vermin.
It was, however, with satisfaction that
I perceived that order and cleanliness
reigned throughout the place. The stair-
cases, doors, passages, and chambers are
washed over, half with oil, half with white-
wash. Still, even a cage of gold is still a
cage.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
45
The cell provisionally allotted to me
was six or seven feet long by four wide,
and just high enough to allow my head
not to strike against the ceiling unless
I went too near the window. The front
wall, in which this window, strongly
barred, was constructed, is formed by the
roof, which descends with a steep inclina-
tion. The window can be opened a hand's
breadth, not more. A table, two stools
(without backs, of course), a pan, a water-
pot, earthen pitcher, and a kind of cup-
board, formed by curtains originally green,
completed the furniture. I took in the
whole at a glance, and the next moment,
with a strange emotion, heard the key
turn in the lock, and felt that I was a
prisoner.
46
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
Through the iron bars of my narrow
window, I contrived to pass my head and
neck, and could in this fashion enjoy the
panorama unfolded before me. This con-
sisted of a corner of sky, a little peep of
the mountains, a barrack, the weather-
cock on the church of St. Paul, the prison
buildings-that is to say, a series of mono-
tonous walls, the little chapel of the
establishment, the women's prison, in
which the Lord Bishop was incarcerated,
the kitchen, above which were confined
two of my brethren in the priesthood, who
had spent three months there already, to
enable them the better to appreciate the
May Laws. On the left, was the cloister
of the Belgian nuns. The flowering trees
and green shrubs of their garden con-
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 47
trasted agreeably with the whitened walls
of the prison. I often watched the re-
ligious, in their white or black veils, as
they walked in their garden.


இ,
CHAPTER V.
THE order of the day, during the time of
my captivity, was this.
At five o'clock we
were roused by the ringing of a heavy
bell, followed by the rattling of keys, gra-
ting of doors, and the orders of the guar-
dians. The prisoners made their toilet
and said their prayers; swept and dusted
their cells, made their beds, and worked
till seven. This was the hour for break-
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
49
fast, which consisted of thin broth, served
in a dog-skillet, accompanied by a wooden
spoon. Knives and forks being objects
of luxury, are proscribed articles in the
Hotel de Bulles. At half-past eleven-
dinner; which consisted of a squash (I
can use no other word), of boiled pease or
potatoes, served in large buckets. Each
prisoner, plate in hand, attacked this in-
distinct mass as best he could. A
A prayer
was always said before and after the re-
past. Supper was at six, when we were
regaled upon a watery decoction, which
went by the name of schlicht. Daily after
dinner we performed the exercise called
the goose's march, when we had to walk
slowly round the court at a distance of five
feet from each other. If we had but little
4
50
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
+
to digest, we could at least breathe fresh
air. At seven in the evening (six on
Sundays), everybody went to bed. This
piece of furniture merited rather the name
of an easel. It consisted of trestles, on
which was laid a sack, tightly stuffed with
straw. The whole apparatus resembled
the trunk of a tree, and was so short that
the would-be sleeper was obliged to double
himself into an S, to lie upon it at all, and
without any possibility of stretching his
limbs. The bag was as hardened as the
prisoner, and gave no sign of softening.
The miniature pillow, two rags also stuffed
with straw, formed a whole which in size
and thickness resembled one of the Jew-
ish cakes of unleavened bread. With
With my
towels and handkerchiefs, however, I con-
2
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
51
trived to make a bundle which served at
least as some support.
The first night, there was no question
of sleeping. Every time that I began to
doze, I rolled on to the plaster floor, and
by five o'clock in the morning, was bruised
and battered as if I had been fighting all
night. In this condition I went among
my companions, who were already hurry-
ing about in a business-like manner.
All at once, one of them accosted me.
"What! You here, Monsieur le
Curé ? "
It was an old class-mate, who had
never been remarkable for application to
work.
((
'And what," I asked, "has brought
you here?"
52
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
"Oh! I am innocent-perfectly inno
cent. And you, also, Monsieur le Curé,
you are the same, I am sure?"
I smiled, and he continued,
(C
All whom you see here are innocent!
One day I lent my cart to a neighbour:
the simpleton must needs go straight to
the forest, steal wood, and-here I am!
Here am I just because he chose to load
my cart with stolen wood! Is it not un-
heard-of?"
"Are you here, then, for the first
time ?"
Well, no, Monsieur le Curé, not
exactly; but since you are here too, I
think no more of it."
Let me be allowed to observe, in pass-
ing, that I succeeded in bringing my poor
[
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 53
comrade to better principles. He was not
either wicked or corrupt at heart, but idle
and inconsiderate. He promised me, with
tears in his eyes, that he would amend his
ways, and I think he will keep his word
when let out of prison.
To an educated man, accustomed to
regular occupations, nothing is more fright-
ful than the cellular life. If I had been
able to study and write, I might (had I not
been a priest), have come to think, as did
J. J. Rousseau, of its charms; but I had
to renounce everything of the kind, and,
for reading, nothing was provided, but
the mighty feats of arms of the Prus-
sians: "Old Dessauer," "Old Fritz," "The
Great Prince Palatine," etc., etc. This
mental diet was not likely to restore com-
""
1
54
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
fort to a digestion sorely tried by garlic
soup; and I was half dead with ennui.
From five in the morning until seven in
the evening, I used to traverse my tiny
cell from the door to the window, and
from the window to the door: counted
every minute-every stroke of the bell
which struck from the Cathedral tower;
watched, one by one, the flies which
travelled over the walls; prayed, and, in
short, forgot one thing only, namely, to
take a resolution to correct myself.
To remain for long months under bars
and bolts, guarded at night by jailers, to
see high walls incessantly before one, to
hear only the sounds of bolts and keys and
the orders of the patrol, to meet, at every
step, faces fit for the galleys, is a situation
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
55
[
which, after a time, becomes insupportable.
How many times have I thrust my head
through my window-bars (a diversion
which was not formerly permitted), felt in
the pocket once occupied by my watch,
and searched every corner of that which
had contained the cigars! It is as well to
confess that I am a vigorous smoker, and
that the sudden deprivation of tobacco
gave me for some days a disagreeable
inflammation of the mouth. With longing
regret I thought of this noble plant, and I
think that in some cases the thought of a
privation is more painful than the priva-
tion itself.
In a fortnight, however, I had become
accustomed to mine, and it was well that
I had, for whoever is surprised in the pos-
56 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
session of a leaf of tobacco, is punished
with fifteen days of arrest; that is, he is
shut in a dark dungeon, and fed on bread
and water.
Our "liberal" gentlemen ridicule all
idea of either confessorship or martyrdom
for the imprisoned bishops and priests.
Be it so, if, to be martyred, it is necessary
to be tortured, torn to pieces, or burnt
alive. This kind of martyrdom is out of
fashion in Europe (unless, indeed, in
Russia), in our time; but, nevertheless,
when one is condemned to be alone day
after day, bolted in a small cell, with the
spectre of ennui one's sole companion;
when the stomach is clamorous for food,
and a potato would be a delicacy and a
feast; when at night the hard straw prints
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
57
J
red marks upon the aching body, when by
day a corner of the sky looks down upon
one through iron bars, when all the little
habits of life must be renounced, and one
is isolated from all relations with the outer
world; when no letter, unless submitted.
to inspection, may be written or received-
when even a newspaper article would be
hailed with welcome-in short, when one
is deprived of liberty, and compulsion is
substituted for free-will, one suffers a kind
of martyrdom, and one which is felt the
more painfully in relation to the prisoner's
place in the scale of intellectual culture.
If the bishops, priests, and Catholic editors
are not martyrs in the same way as were
those of the first centuries, they neverthe-
less suffer cruelly, and one who has himself
į
58
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
shared it, can alone appreciate their situa-
tion. As the Gazette de Moselle lately
observed, "A man condemned to fourteen
days' imprisonment for some editorial mis-
demeanour, remarked to us: 'I am not an
Ultramontane, but I admire the firmness,
courage, and strong convictions of the
imprisoned Catholic priests.'"
4
We are often told by papers which call
themselves liberal, but which know as little
of true liberality as the cells of a prison
know of sofas and oil-paintings, that our
bishops are "martyrs at a very cheap
rate." While fabricating their articles,
these paid scribblers are, I am convinced,
softly lounging in an easy-chair, with a
long pipe in their mouth, and a good glass
of wine close at hand, and that they are
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
59
moralizers after the pattern of Horace,
who, stretched upon a divan and eating
figs, wrote, "Dulce et decorum est pro
patria mori." These gentlemen would
change their ideas very quickly if they
found themselves, for a sufficient space
of time, locked up in the place of the
66
martyrs at an easy rate." Even if the
execution of the May Laws should appear
to them necessary, they might at least
have some respect for the sufferings of the
bishops, and not be so "liberal" in the
insults they lavish upon them.
I have mentioned ennui as one of the
especial torments of prison life. It is just,
however, to say that, later on, the prisoners.
were allowed to study. We were princi-
pally occupied in learning French, English,
:
:
бо A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
and Italian, also history and stenography.
It was then that I made acquaintance with
the excellent work by Silvio Pellico-
"My Prisons," a little book which no
prison cell should be without. It describes
the terrible sufferings of the prisoner-poet
from 1820 to 1830, first at Milan and
Venice, and afterwards at the. Spielberg.
He often speaks of God and religion, con-
soles and elevates the prisoner, and almost
reconciles him to his sad lot. Making
involuntary comparisons, I derived from
these pages not only courage, but even a
certain content with my position.

CHAPTER VI.
MORNING and afternoon, the ecclesiastics
were allowed an hour's walk in the
inner court one hundred feet long by
eighty wide, and surrounded by high,
whitewashed walls. Part of this court
is paved, the rest sown with parsley and
other pot-herbs. In the centre rises a
majestic monument a wooden pump-
round and round which we walked like
horses in a thrashing machine. These
62
+
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
promenades were our only recreation, and
we were then allowed to talk and laugh.
Here I made the acquaintance of the
celebrated Franz Schneider, Priest of the
Church of St. Laurence. He was not then
so celebrated as he afterwards became,
when his name and the shattered frag-
ments of his altar received hospitality in
the columns of the Times. He was twenty-
six years of age, of an inoffensive dis-
position, and by no means inclined to be
aggressive a good priest and a cheerful
and animated companion. His complexion
was at that time fresh and ruddy, but
a residence of seventeen months at the
Hotel de Bulles, with prison diet, have
made a lamentable change in his appear-
ance.
f
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
63
Another companion in misfortune was
the venerable Curé of Oberweiss, who had
been seriously out of health for twenty
years. He was a very holy priest, and his
patience and courage under incessant phy-
sical sufferings, were an example to us all.
Never did he breathe a complaint, but was
invariably cheerful and full of trust in God,
who will not forsake His own. I also
became acquainted with the Vicaires of
Prumm, Berncastle, and Wittlich. The
last-named is satire personified an inex-
haustible spring of wit, gaiety, and good-
humour. Each of his words was either
an arrow or a bomb. No matter how
much his frame might be tried by hunger,
his mind and heart were always fresh and
vigorous, as he scattered among us a
64
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
...
shower of bons mots. He put some life
into the prison, and his indomitable cour-
age cheered and reanimated others in the
moments of depression. Thus, at times,
at least, we were gay, in spite of schlicht
and our sausage-beds of straw.
Nor were we altogether without other
occasional causes of amusement.
I was one day walking with my com-
panions between the parsley beds, when
the superintendent of the preventive prison
stiffly advanced with a solemn air. Rigid
as a soldier on the boards of a theatre,
and penetrated with a sense of his own
dignity, he put himself in position before
us, letting it be seen that he felt himself
born for some higher sphere. We were
conversing on some historical subject, and
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
65
1.
t
this Fierabras let us understand that he
also knew history. We found, in fact,
that he knew that Napoleon had died at
St. Helena, and that the Seven Years'
War had lasted seven years. One of the
party said that he would dictate an his-
torical study, leaving to him the honour of
the composition. I had returned to my
cell about half-an-hour, when the rival of
Rotteck and Mommsen entered with an
important air, and presented me with a
sheet of paper.
(C
Read that, Monsieur le Curé! It is
an historical study."
Your own composition?
"Of course."
(C
What books have you made use of ?”
"A little of all."
5
66
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
I then began the perusal of
THE BATTLE OF CANNE.
"Cæsar had passed the Rubicon. On
one side stood Leonidas, with ten ele-
phants, and six batteries of four; on the
other, Caius Julius Cæsar, at the foot of
Pompey's column. The battle raged for
hours, amid clouds of smoke from the
guns. At last Leonidas, leaping on one
of the elephants in the front, threw him-
self upon the ranks of the enemy, and
telegraphed to Rome, 'I came, I saw, I
conquered.""
After fourteen days of cellular im-
prisonment, I was transferred to the large
Detention Room. This is on a lower story,
and bears the inscription, "For young
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
4
67
57
criminals." There were not, at that time,
printed placards for the offenders against
the Laws of May. Six prisoners were
lodged in this room, which was divided in
two by a green curtain hung from the ceil-
ing, and joined another chamber, in which,
from morning to night, resounded the
looms of weavers. A thin partition only
separated us from this fearful and inces-
sant noise. In the same corridor were
MM. Krumer and Schneider; also the
editor of a journal, who for six weeks had
been making the place echo with his com-
plaints.
Man is a social being, and I rejoiced
to find myself again in the society of my
companions.
66
'Solamen miseris socios habuisse malo-
68
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
rum," is as true to-day as when first sung
by the poet. We had wooden stools to
sit upon, slimy soup to eat; we shivered
with cold, or melted with heat; but were
as happy as Daniel in the den of lions.
As I have said, the hardest of our depriva-
tions was that of not being allowed to say
Holy Mass.
Mass was said in the chapel at six
o'clock on Sundays and Thursdays, by the
chaplain of the prison. The venerable
Bishop Mathias celebrated it at seven,
with closed doors. The chapel is small,
but pretty.
There is a crucifix, a statue
of the Blessed Virgin, one of St. Joseph,
and an altar (adorned with flowers), a
present from the ladies of Treves to their
imprisoned bishop. On the right is the
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
69
pulpit, on the left the organ: on the walls
and ceiling a captive artist has exercised
his talent with a fair amount of skill. A
space is separated off by wooden trellis-
work for the prisoners of the preventive
part of the building, and another in the
nave, for the women. Before six o'clock,
the benches and passages were filled by
prisoners of every age and condition, from
children scarcely out of school, to old men
with white hair and trembling knees.
Priests, inspector, treasurer, and superin-
tendent—all were present.
Behind the organ, on the left of the
altar, was the bishop's confessional. When
the aged prelate entered the chapel, all
present made a movement of respect. It
pierced my heart to see him there, with
+
70
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
'
his violet biretta and episcopal cross; a
prisoner in the midst of prisoners; but
his calm and resigned countenance showed
plainly that he suffered joyfully in a holy
cause. His private secretary was a brave
old turnkey, who always carried his bre-
viary to the chapel, and, in every way
he could, put himself at his service.
The worthy man still had much of the
soldier about him. One day, when
the bishop was waiting for a priest to
accompany him in his walk round the
court, we heard the old functionary call
out, "A man for the bishop! Forward.
March!"
During mass we alternately prayed and
sang. After the gospel there was a ser-
mon: short, but which went to the heart.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
71
The bishop was always present at vespers,
and often also at the religious instruction,
which took place on Wednesdays, from
three to four o'clock. Thus it will be seen
that the religious needs of the prisoners
were suitably provided for. I ought also
to add, that, every morning and evening,
all were summoned into the corridor for
prayers. One man recited the Angelus
and the rest answered.
I have often wondered at the contri-
vances of the prisoners. Although, on
their entering, everything was carefully
taken away from them, and their clothing
changed (they wore cotton in summer, and
woollen in winter), although paper and
other writing materials were rigorously
prohibited, I believe there was not a
4
1
72
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
prisoner who had not, at all times, the
means of writing a letter. How they
procured the materials is an enigma to
me, as it must certainly be to the sur-
veillants.
The condition of the imprisoned priests,
especially of those who returned for the
second or third time, became worse as
time went on. At first those who went
voluntarily, had permission to say Mass,
and have cooking at their own expense.
But soon these privileges disappeared, and
all were put under the common régime of
the place. We scarcely remembered the
taste of meat, soup, beer, wine, or vege-
tables, but we were contented and gay;
and at noon, when with an Ultramontane
appetite, we fished in our thin broth,
:
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 73
hoping to catch some solid morsel, we
thought of St. Peter fishing all night in
vain, until our Lord came to his assist-
ance.
When, one day, I expressed to my
confrère K-- my sorrow at seeing him
grow paler and thinner every day, he
answered smilingly: "When thousands of
men hasten with enthusiasm to fields of
battle, and suffer fatigue, privations, and
death, for an idea, or for the love of their
country, why should I not gladly sacrifice
everything for the noble cause in which we
are now struggling?'
And he was right. A Catholic,
if worthy of the name, does not abandon
his convictions for the sake of personal
comfort.
74
#
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
The turnkeys, among whom are to be
found not a few worthy and even excel-
lent men, have often said to us, “We are
ashamed to bring you this wretched and
disgusting food, but we are helpless, we
can do nothing for you." They treated
us with as much regard and respect as
was permitted or possible, some more,
some less. The least amiable were those
who, every five minutes, were calling out
"Service!"
As far I am aware, the other prisoners
were treated in the same humane manner,
and harshness was of rare occurrence.
The jailers' hearts are more benevolent
than their instructions; and it must
be remembered also, that among the
prisoners themselves, good elements are
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
75
to be found. All are not criminals.
Several had donned the uniform in con-
sequence of an unlucky blow, in a mo-
ment of forgetfulness; others, for having
hurrahed at the return of their parish
priest; and there are, loose in the world,
an endless number of scoundrels in kid
gloves, who are a hundred times more
deserving than they, to be inside the
doors of a prison.
I have given all these details of prison
life, not only because it is at the present
time a school of bon ton, and, as Windhorst
has said, makes a man comme il faut,
but especially because I think that my
readers might wish to visit in spirit these
retreats, where more than six bishops and
some hundreds of priests of the Prussian
76
i
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
Empire have suffered, or are now suffer-
ing, during long months or years, for the
Faith.
As for myself, I remained five months
and a-half to meditate on the May Laws,
the benignity of the Government, and the
"internal enemies;" and, although I
received a "good note" for my conduct.
in prison, I came out more hardened than
ever.
On my return, I was received by my
parishioners with such warm demonstra-
tions of joy and sympathy, that I had
to entreat them to abstain in future from
any public manifestation, lest the Govern-
ment should see in it an act of rebellion
against the law, and my worthy people.
should expose themselves to a collision
•
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
77
with the tribunals. As it was, they came
in thousands to meet their curé, there
was a procession of young girls in white,
as on great festivals, the village was
decorated with flags and garlands, and I
found my room almost hidden by flowers.
These proofs of affection were very pre-
cious, because I felt that they were in-
tended far less for myself personally, than
for the Church, whose priest I have the
honour and privilege to be. I neverthe-
less felt compelled to put my veto upon
them, for I saw in the background the
sinister figures of the mayor, the gen-
darmes, the spies, and night-watchers, and
all that would follow.
Here ends the first part of my narra-
tive, the story of my captivity.
The
厌
​78 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
second will be much more interesting and
romantic, for now begins the veritable
Odyssey, the story of my wanderings
as an exile.


PART II.

I
-1
1.
:

Part II.
CHAPTER I.
"Et hæc olim meminisse juvat.”
ABOUT the end of October, 1874, the royal
government began to perceive that I was
impenetrable to its lofty ideas of civiliza-
tion, and that to prolong its endeavours to
inculcate them upon my impervious mind
was labour lost. In order, therefore, that
my person might not any longer encumber
6
I
1
82
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
the tribunals and prisons, it was resolved
that I should receive sentence of banish-
ment from the district of Treves.
Before the arrival of my passport,
having time to make a little visit in the
country, to restore my somewhat shattered
health, I had the satisfaction of perceiving
that I was under the watchful eye of the
police, and that a description of my ap-
pearance had been sent to the official
gazette of the canton. This description
was so perfectly in conformity with the
truth, that from it a painter might have
sketched my portrait. As I had neither
any intention of evading penalties, nor
any desire to exile myself of my own
accord, I returned at once to my own
parish. I found, fastened to the doors of
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
83
my room, an administrative decree, in-
forming me that I must quit the dis-
trict within twenty-four hours. Much
more than this space of time had already
elapsed. I left the paper in its place,
and, as far as I am concerned, it may
remain there still, to give future genera-
tions an idea of the toleration of this
enlightened century.
Next morning, while celebrating Holy
Mass, I observed a certain agitation among
the faithful who filled the church. The
cause of it was a police agent, who had
made his way through the congregation,
and advanced to the altar itself, with other
intentions than that of assisting at the
Holy Sacrifice.
Scarcely had I quitted the altar, when
:
84
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
I felt the hand of the law laid heavily
upon my shoulder. I was arrested. The
cries and sobs which filled the church
brought tears to my eyes.
Even the
police agent could not help observing, “I
have often heard of scenes of this kind,
but I could not have believed they were so
heartrending." Men and women, aged
people and children, with tears streaming
down their faces, pressed round to grasp
my hand and bid me adieu. I did what I
could to calm my faithful flock, and then
at once followed my new guide to the
mairie.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"I do not know, Monsieur le Curé. I
had only the order to arrest you."
At the mairie I was informed that I
t
1
▼
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
85
should have to pay my own journey, and
also that of the amiable policeman, as far
as to K-
As I was still tolerably vigorous, and
as it was pretty evident that my journey
was to be no excursion of pleasure, I flatly
declined the proposal. Whereupon I was
told that I must go on foot.
We had before us a march of three
days, through a difficult country. I de-
clared that it would be impossible for me
to walk so far. They left me, therefore,
in a depôt for fire-engines, while they went
for "superior orders," and to consult the
doctor of the canton. Upon receiving a
certificate from him, attesting that my
health was not in a state to support the
fatigue, they decided upon demanding a
86
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
•
conveyance. A gentleman of the place
put one at my disposal. I was, then, to
travel in a carriage, with an honest police-
man for my companion; so, at least, I
supposed. My illusion, alas! was not of
long duration. We had scarcely reached
the high road, when a mounted gendarme
sprang at the reins, stopped the carriage,
and roughly demanded of us a written
permission from the prefect. As neither
my companion nor I had anything of the
kind to produce, the mayor having given
only verbal instructions, the functionary
ordered me to get down and walk, the
police agent turning back with the carriage
to fetch a commission from the prefect.
Then followed a scene which I shall
never forget, and which I should have
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 87
thought impossible or exaggerated if I had
not witnessed, or rather suffered, it. The
gendarme thrust his horse close upon my
heels, and whenever I endeavoured to
avoid it, suddenly turning, making it rear
on its hind legs, and threatening to ride
over me. On my request that he would
hold back his horse, and promising not to
attempt to escape, he made the consoling
remark, “Oh, this is only what we do to
everybody!"
Hundreds of persons, who were wit-
nesses of this revolting treatment, cried
"Shame!" Happily the horse had more
right feeling than his rider. He bounded
on one side, and I escaped with a slight
bruise. In an hour's time the police agent
returned with the carriage. I got in, and
•
..
X
88
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
we were allowed to pursue our way without
further molestation.
I refrain from publishing the name of
the man who thought that he deserved
well of his country by passing over the
body of a poor proscript. May he sleep
peacefully upon his laurels ! There is,
however, but one conclusion to be drawn
from this fact, and this is, if such excesses
are permitted, whose is the fault? "This
is only how we treat everybody!" We are,
then, in full mélée, and it is allowable to
trample an enemy under foot!
For the honour of my parishioners I
will add that, although sorely tempted,
they did not let themselves be carried
away, by the brutality they saw before
them, to the committal of any act of
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
89
violence. They looked on with indig-
nant hearts, but refrained from strength-
ening their remonstrances by physical
force.
At the end of my passport, the mayor
had added a few words which merit atten-
tion-
"The prisoner will always prove in-
tractable, and will evidently never be sub-
jugated by any amount of force."
Magistrates to whom I have showed
this testimonium abeundi have laughed with
me over the sagacity and prophetic gifts
of their zealous colleague, and his know-
ledge of men.
The functionary who obligingly awarded
to me this certificate of final impenitence,
reserved for himself a diploma for high
*
90
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
culture, and was wont to interlard his con-
versation with exotic words of which he
did not half comprehend the sense. Be-
fore my departure, he had admonished me
as follows:-
"The status quo in which you find
yourself is due to your recalcitratory con-
duct alone. Beware that you do not
renovate your insubordination. The law
must be executed, otherwise there could be
no question of a State penitence (penalty?)
Go; and let there be no re-apparition in
this place!"
Who could fail to be touched by a
farewell discourse so full of pathos and
pretension?
The morning was cold, and we pursued
our way in silence. I recited my breviary,
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
91
and my guardian smoked a short pipe, the
fumes of which may have served as a
disinfectant to air poisoned by my Ultra-
montane presence. The sky was com-
pletely curtained over with grey cloud,
through which there pierced no ray of sun-
shine. The weather was in perfect har-
mony with my feelings, and the scowling
physiognomy of the policeman was like
a reflection of the sombre firmament.
When I had finished my prayer, no
word was spoken, except that, from time
to time, my companion gruffly muttered
a few inarticulate sounds into his red
beard.
As I have said, I was suffering from
the effects of my hundred and seventy
days' captivity. My stomach especially,
ནཱ་
92
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
was by no means in its normal condition,
and my sojourn in the country had been too
short to allow time for improvement. The
fatigue of a long and trying journey had
brought my complaint to an acute state, ag-
gravated by the fact that I was still fasting,
for, after my arrest in the church, I had not
been allowed to take any food, not even a
cup of coffee, nor yet to put a little money
in my pocket, so great was the haste to get
rid of an enemy of the country.
Is it purposely, that the legislators who
call themselves men of Progress, allow the
victims of their laws to be treated without
mercy or pity by the subaltern agents of
the Government? That a gendarme should
ride over you is nothing surprising; it is
part of his trade, and no offence must be
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 93
taken, especially as his instructions take
into consideration no extenuating circum-
stances, and superfine kid gloves are not
supposed to form any part of his uniform.
But that a mayor, who ranks himself among
men comme il faut, should send you out on
the world fasting, and without a halfpenny,
would be somewhat surprising, were we
not living in full Kulturkampf.

CHAPTER II.
ABOUT noon we came to a village, and
I asked permission to get down and take
some refreshment. My guide accom-
panied me to an inn, where the kind-
hearted people did all in their power to
appease my tortured cravings. Not only
did they energetically refuse any kind of
payment, but the hostess insisted on fur-
nishing me with a loaf, a bottle of wine,
1
་

A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
95
and a large piece of ham, which I ac-
cepted with gratitude.
Honour to our brave Catholics!
These proofs of their love
their love to the
Church did my heart good. They show
what the people think and feel, and how
they respect their priests, even when with-
out home and country, and under guard
like criminals.
Towards evening, the cold became
piercing. I could not protect myself from
it, and was shivering in every limb. It
was with no small satisfaction, therefore,
that about nine o'clock, I found that we
had arrived at the end of our journey.
We had first to go to the mairie. There
I found an old school-mate, whose Greek
and Latin translations I had many a time
•
:
7
1
96 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
done for him. I was about to salute
him with the friendliness of an old ac-
quaintance, when his severely repelling
and magisterial air made me withdraw
my outstretched hand. I saw at once
that he intended to do me the civilities
of the service and nothing more.
It was
not amiable on his part thus to treat a
pilgrim who had so often helped him to
travel with credit through the wanderings
of the Odyssey, and I must own that, at
the first moment, I was greatly pained
and irritated by the behaviour of this
man. Now, however, I have only pity
and regret for one whose heart has been
petrified by Progress. Besides, how could
he, a Government employé, accost other-
wise a black criminal, whom that same
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
97
Government had turned out upon the
road? Several gendarmes were present,
and an amicable word might easily have
been turned into a sign of hostility against
the legislation; and so, like a prudent man,
he naturally took into consideration his
place, wife and family, rather than an un-
fortunate exile.
""
You are the Curé of N-— ? ”
"I am, Sir."
Muller, take the prisoner to the Thor.
You will start with him to-morrow morn-
ing, at five o'clock.
My new abode, the Thor, was an old
gate-tower, mostly in ruins, assigned by
the police as temporary quarters for
marauders and highwaymen. The lower
story of the sombre pile contained the
7
98
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
:
inevitable fire-engine, amongst a quantity
of articles of which it would not be
possible to make the inventory with pro-
priety, or by daylight. A small chamber
was assigned to me, in which the only
article of furniture was an old bed. A
plate of tepid soup, with a piece of bread,
was brought to me. I had still half a
bottle of wine, some remains of ham, and
a good appetite. I made an excellent
supper.
After commending myself to God, and
entreating fresh courage for the struggle,
I reposed tranquilly after the fatigues of
the day. That night I felt within myself
the mightiness of prayer.
So long as
the Government has nothing better than
•
prisons and gendarmes with which to

A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
GENERAL
LIBRARY
MICHIGAN
University of
oppose this powerful weapon, it will not
conquer.
Next morning, after a bowl of pallid
broth, I was on the road again, but this
time on foot, the carriage being at our
disposal only so far as this place. By
way of my next guardian angel, an her-
culean gendarme, with rifle and ammu-
nition, etc., was appointed to conduct me.
His martial countenance-from the mou-
staches of which nothing was visible but
the glowing tip of his nose-gave me
an impression that he was well accustomed
to the chase of "black game." I found
once more, that appearances were mis-
leading, for in spite of casaque and cara-
bine, shaggy beard and brows, he was
gentle-natured, and whiled away the time
•
2
¿
100
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
by telling anecdotes of his life as a
soldier.
As a subaltern officer, he informed me,
onions" that he had
to command, but the finest men in the
company. He was no bad hand at draw-
ing, nor, for the matter of that, at verse-
making either, etc. So here was another
undiscovered genius.
it was not mere "onions
As we had not more than a seven
hours' march before us, I was not sorry
to be on foot, for although the wind was
cold and the snow-flakes danced about our
heads, I preferred the exercise of walking
to the jolting of the carriage, and the
fresh air of the mountains to the mingled
odours of which my previous companion
and his habiliments had made me sensible.
મા
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. ΙΟΙ
On passing through a village, I pro-
posed that we should halt for the refresh-
ment of a light collation and a glass of
wine. This somewhat irregular proceed-
ing gave him food for serious reflection:
at last, however, he thought the sugges-
tion not a bad one. If we had to suffer
in other ways, we had not the additional
discomfort of hunger and thirst. Instead
of seven, we found that we had a nine
hours' march. The people whom we met
stood still and wondered, as they gave me
the beautiful Christian greeting, “Praised
be Jesus Christ!" My gendarme was at
first a little embarrassed, but he soon be-
gan to join me in answering, "For ever
and ever!" The poor fellow even grew
ashamed of having to guard me, and
102 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
begged me not to be offended with him on
that account.
It is impossible for me to relate all the
incidents of this journey, or others of the
same kind. I can only give a rapid sketch,
which will nevertheless suffice, I hope, to
let the reader see into what a position we
are thrown by the religious war in Prussia.
I therefore pass over the episodes which
would necessitate my entering into many
details, to arrive at the last.
At nightfall we crossed the frontier of
the district. The gendarme held out his
hand.
(C
Now, Monsieur le Curé, I leave you.
I am glad that my task is over. And now,
where shall you go?"
"I know not, my friend. I hope to
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 103
find some place or other where I may lay
my head. If not, I shall, in this at least,
only be like my Master and Lord.”
He turned, and walked quickly away.

!

I WAS alone
CHAPTER III.
the mountains.
proscribed, abandoned in
A keen wind drifted the
snow into my face; the bare trees swung
their branches over my way, like so many
skeletons mockingly greeting me, until I
began to feel myself a veritable Schinder-
hannes, haunting those lonely places, in
the mist and darkness. When the defunct
Gazette du Peuple of Treves, a reptile of
the worst species, called the vicaire Schnei-
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 105
ders a Schinderhannes, it was doubtless
thinking of a priest wandering by night
among the mountains. The comparison
touched me closely. All around me was
solitary and gloomy in the extreme, and
the locality utterly unknown to me. I
took a sudden resolution: retraced my
steps, and re-entered the district of Treves.
After another two hours of walking, I
found myself again with the good Curé
whose hospitable roof had last sheltered
me. This excellent old man, who knew
my name only from the Gazette de Moselle,
was not a little surprised to see me again,
after four hours of absence. It had just
struck ten by the tower clock. Full of
kindness and cordiality, he led me in, drew
a chair to the fire, and mixed a reviving
1.
1
106 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
glass, to do for the inward what the glow-
ing hearth was doing for the outward man.
Had the mayor of my village, who had
sent me off with such unctuous words the
evening before, suspected me to be still
upon forbidden ground, and under circum-
stances so comfortable, he might have
renewed his declaration that it was "no
question of a penitence of the State." But
as he was far from dreaming anything of
the kind, he would doubtless, according to
his habit every evening, go to drink his
chope of beer, laugh at the curés, and con-
gratulate himself upon being rid of me.
On this last point he was lamentably mis-
taken, for his troubles were not by any
means at an end, from the "incurable im-
penitent."
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 107
"It is a hard sacrifice," said M. le
Curé-Doyen," which you, and many other
young priests like you, are making. Every
man who has devoted long years, and also
his means, towards the attainment of a
particular object, must find it a painful
trial, when, having reached the accom-
plishment of his desires, he finds himself
marched about from prison to prison,
ranked amongst criminals, and driven from
his country. I admire your courage and
firmness—not because I am a priest my-
self, for, as such, I know that you could
not do otherwise-but as a man, who can
appreciate the cost of your sacrifice and
devotion. In the times in which we live,
how many vile beings are there, always
ready to spread their mantle to catch the
་
ག
▾
108
!
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
last change of wind, and ready to sacri-
fice, ten times in an hour, their con-
victions and their conscience! How
many, who, from fear of temporal incon-
venience, are cowardly enough to conceal
their belief! You, also, are you not
men ?
Would you not prefer to live
peacefully at home, in the tranquil fulfil-
ment of the duties of your calling, instead
of being tracked about the world like wild
beasts?"
"We endure these things joyfully," I
answered. "Why should we priests be
less strong and courageous than our
bishops? Yes, we are joyful, because all
the priests of Germany are united; be-
cause the Church has not, in her pastors,
hirelings who flee in the hour of danger;
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 109
and because we feel the Catholic people
firm and steadfast at our back."
"The present time," resumed my host,
after a pause, " strikingly recalls the fate
of the French priests at the time of the
revolution. Those who took oath to it
were caressed by the State, and despised
by the people, disgraced as they were
by the sacrifice of their conscience to
the Moloch in power, as Napoleon him-
self declared. History honours those who
lost all they possessed in this world, who
wandered about in disguise, to help and
strengthen their brethren, and died at last
upon the scaffold. It will also honour
the bishops and priests of Germany, who
value their conscience above a rich bene-
fice or a prebendal stall.”
110
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
In spite of excessive fatigue, I re-
mained conversing still for some time, and
soon had shaken off all my troubles, and
was able to look calmly into the sombre
future which lay before me, knowing as-
suredly that our Father in heaven would
not abandon me.
I remained in this hospitable presby-
tery for one day of rest, and the morning
after, the Curé-Doyen having furnished
me with certain useful little leaves of
paper, well known to the "friends of the
empire," I set out for the nearest railway-
station, and from thence made directly for
the jaws of the lion, that is, for the capital
of the district I was forbidden to enter.
My mayor might have consoled himself
with the proverb, Magnum voluisse sat est.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. III
At Treves, I immediately exchanged
my cassock, with its long folds, for a
fashionable little coat, a round hat, and a
travelling bag. Thus metamorphosed, I
strutted fearlessly in the streets by the side
of the sergents de ville, ruminating as to
what trade or profession I should appro-
priate. On the advice of a friend, I
decided upon that of a commercial travel-
ler in wines, and this for two reasons:
firstly, because the species is innumerable
as the sands upon the sea-shore; and,
secondly, because I wished to procure for
my clients the advantage of the purest
wine. I declared the razor under the
same proscription as myself as long as the
Kulturkampf should last, hoping that the
police would not espy an enemy of the
112 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
empire behind the shadows of a thick,
black moustache, à la Doctor Falk.
Before quitting Treves, I took a turn
round the exterior of the prison, still the
abode of the noble Bishop Mathias, and
was not sorry to be outside its walls.
It was six in the evening, and the bell
of the establishment let me know that my
former companions in misfortune were
then seeking their tree-trunks, vulgo their
beds, there to suffer and freeze until morn-
ing. Then I went to the Cathedral, and
prayed fervently for my parishioners, for
all the Catholics of Germany, and for my-
self.
Two days later, a post-chaise took me
back to the place which, not a week pre-
viously, I was supposed to have quitted
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
113
"for ever." It was getting dark, and there
was hardly a glimmer of light within the
carriage. On arriving in the court-yard
of the inn, a gendarme presented himself
at the door of the cab, glanced at the
trunks, and retired. It was the same who
had ridden his horse at me. I was seated
in a corner, and he did not notice me,
little suspecting the precious head of game
he was permitting to escape. In the street,
I elbowed a gendarme, while humming,
for greater security, "I am a Prussian:
know you my colours?" This patriotic
song, by the way, has been of great service
to me on several occasions.
.
I went first to my own house, packed
up the things that were indispensable, and
retired immediately; suspecting, with rea-
}
8
114 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
son, that I was less secure in this locality
than any other. I found a safe hiding-
place in the house of a good and brave
Catholic, who welcomed rie with cordial
hospitality, and took car to make my
presence known to the rest of my flock,
by announcing that, at a very early hour
next morning, I should celebrate Holy
Mass.
When the morning came, not a place
in the church was empty. While I ex-
horted my people to remain true to the
faith of their fathers, not to be dismayed
or led astray by the troubles of these tem-
pestuous times, but to hold firmly to the
Church and her bishops, a murmur of tears
and sobs arose from the assembly.
Before I had entered, one of the church-
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
115
wardens had, unknown to me, organized a
collection, and after Mass placed in my
hands a well-filled purse, as provision for
my coming peregrinations.
I then went into the confessional, ad-
ministered Holy Communion, baptized two
children, and visited a sick person. Natu-
rally the public exercise of all these "il-
legal" functions could not remain hidden.
At eight o'clock the police were on the
alert, seeking to lay hands upon me. Had
they guessed whose roof it was that shel-
tered me? Had I been betrayed? I
know not. In any case, a gendarme and
police agent came to the door, and de-
manded where I was to be found. The
master of the house had quickly pushed
me into a place of concealment not easy to
*
116
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
discover. I crouched upon a wooden
plank, under the boarding that made a
little roof over the well, and behind the
windlass. The position was not without
danger, for deep water shimmered beneath
me; but I was completely hidden, and my
seekers would not have risked their pre-
cious lives in such a place. The whole
house was searched, from garret to cellar,
every corner, room, cupboard, and bed
visited and overhauled, the granges and
stables examined, barrels and water-butts
knocked in, and even the door of my
hiding-place opened, but I was not found;
and the despairing gendarme quitted the
premises with a threat, which I heard dis-
tinctly—
!
"When we can but lay our fists on
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
117
this cursed fellow, we will wring his neck
for him!"
My kind protector, at my request,
informed the parishioners that at two
o'clock in the morning of the following
Sunday, I should say Mass in the church.
Then, accompanied by a stalwart youth,
and still in the garb of a commercial
traveller in wines, I decamped at nightfall.
We took a circuitous path, across gardens
and meadows, until we came to the house
of a neighbouring curé, where I slept.
Next morning found me gaily on my road
again, towards the chief town of the
canton, to make acquaintance with the
prefect, who made it his boast to be one
of the heroes of Progress.

B
CHAPTER IV.
I HAD ascertained that it was the prefect's
custom every evening to repair to the
Hotel de la Poste, the casino of the place.
Thither I went punctually at eight o'clock,
and found, seated together at a table, the
mayor, the doctor, the percepteur (or tax-
gatherer), the notary, and the prefect. In
the same apartment were two other guests,
who appeared to be strangers. I installed
myself in the vicinity of the men of Pro-
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 119
1
1
gress, and was soon in conversation with
these two. We touched at first upon
indifferent topics, but presently fixed on
the question of which all minds are full at
the present moment-the Kulturkampf.
“The excitement," I said, “which pre-
vails in this part of the country appears to
me extremely serious. A man who, like
me, has to travel much, possesses abun-
dant opportunities of ascertaining the feel-
ings of the country people. The conduct
of the employés does not seem to be free
from blame. The employé, because he is
a functionary, does not cease to be a man,
and as a man he sides easily with one
party or the other. In this question, the
highest interests of humanity are at stake,
and it is only too common in such cases to
120 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
substitute the prejudices of party for per-
sonal duty, especially in a class lacking the
culture of education, and whose very em-
ployment precludes refinement of manners.
For instance, it seems to me that the pro-
ceedings of the gendarmes are not in
accordance with the instructions of the
legislators and the Government, and that
they must be condemned by all right-
minded men."
The prefect, who had not lost a word
of what I was saying, quivered with im-
patience, and in an agitated manner sat
twisting his thick moustache into two
ferocious points.
"But what will become of us," asked
my vis-à-vis, "if the laws of the State are
to be violated with impunity? Unless
}
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 121
means are employed to keep a sharp bit
in the clerical mouth, the people will lose
every sentiment of order and equity. I,
for my part, say that the Government ought
to interfere with a high hand; and as, in
this matter, indulgence would be mere
weakness, it ought not to be scrupulous
in its choice of means. If the priests
won't understand, they must be made to
feel!"
66
Do you then believe gendarmes and
tribunals to be efficacious weapons against
conscience? I am not an enemy of the
empire. I love my country, but it is pre-
cisely because I love it that I deplore the
consequences of this unhappy war. It has
made a chasm which will not quickly be
closed, and struck a blow at the hearts of
122 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
Catholics of which the mark will not be
quickly effaced.”
(C
Things will improve, my dear sir!
I am a member of the Lodge, and pretty
well au courant of the state of affairs. If
imprisonment and dispossession will not
correct the bishops, their stipends will be
confiscated, and a stop put to their rela-
tions with Rome. In the first place, the
Embassy to the Curia will be suppressed,
and if the Pope puts himself into an atti-
tude which will authorize the Government
to take further measures, it will simply
annul the Bull of 1821-De Salute Ani-
marum. Touch the purse of the curés,
and they will become supple enough!
Should the people make any pretence of
disturbance, the district or province will
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 123
be declared in a state of siege. The
Ultramontane papers - the pest of the
empire-will be suppressed. We are at
the end of the beginning."
"I believe you are right, and that the
Government will shrink from no measures,
however violent; but I believe also that
the bishops will never sacrifice their con-
sciences to their pockets. For my part, I
respect every man's convictions."
Paperlapapp! The clergy will and
must hold the people in obscurantism, in
order to prolong their own existence, and
not cut away the ground from under their
feet. They are bent upon ruling the
masses, and their heads, stupefied by clouds
of incense, will take in no suggestions of
accommodation or compromise with the
124
?
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
law. It is the Government which desires
to instruct, enlighten, emancipate, and, in
fact, give its majority to the people. This
is the nucleus of the question. As for the
curés, they entrench themselves behind the
maxim that God must be obeyed rather
than men. They cloak their obstinacy in
this biblical sentence, and when they are
alone together, laugh among themselves,
as did the Roman augurs, at the silliness
of the deluded people.”
I
"The accusation is serious, and, it
seems to me, somewhat hazardous.
should like to know how it can be proved?
The bishops and priests suffer for their
principles: this is a fact. Religion must
exist this is another fact; for, without
religion, social order is impossible. No
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 125
•
t
amount of instruction will enable the
people to do without a positive religion,
nor can it ever be inoculated with so-
called principles of public morality until
it will do what is good and right, because
it is right and good, or avoid evil simply
because it is evil. Take away God and
eternity from the masses, and they will
fall beneath the brutes: their evil instincts
and unbridled passions will burst all bar-
riers, and social life will become impos-
sible. What hope, for instance, and what
motive for self-restraint, would you give
the working-man, worn out with toil, if you
rob him of his faith in another life, where
he may find a reward for his labours, and
a rest from his troubles and privations?
That man who charges the Church and
126
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
You just
the bishops, who are her representatives,
with wilfully deceiving the people, is either
a blind fanatic, or a madman.
now spoke of the Roman augurs. I could
speak of the liberals of our own day.
Well, then, was it not political hypocrisy
on the part of men calling themselves
liberals, to vote laws which in their hearts
they reprobated? I will mention only the
Military Law, with its formidable contin-
gents; the law upon the Landsturm, and
the rejection or indefinite adjournment of
the proposition for universal suffrage. Is
it liberalism, when the national representa-
tion, from love of the chancellor and the
Government, accept laws to which the people
are utterly averse?
And does not this
render the constitutional régime ridiculous?"
1
酵
​A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 127
"I confess," replied the freemason,
that I do not approve in every particular
the attitude of the national-liberal party,
and nevertheless, I excuse it, because it is
the only support of the Government, and
without its assistance the State would be
unable to pursue its mission of civiliza-
tion against the Blacks and the Reds.
That concessions, little worthy of true.
liberals, have been made, is a fact to be
regretted, but it was inevitable. Believe
me, times will change, and we shall then
know very well
very well how to shake the
Government out of its too absolute posi-
tion."
"Then, from pure considerations of
convenience, laws have been made, which,
it is decided, must be unmade by-and-by?
·
128 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
Well, Mundus vult decipi. Solely to
aid the Government in its war against
the 'Ultramontanes,' amen is said to
everything it demands, even when con-
science condemns the vote! I also am
a liberal, but, exactly because I flatter
myself that I am a true liberal, I blame
this manner of acting. Prejudice not
having perverted my judgment, I condemn
the measures against the refractory priests,
and, placing myself in an objective point
of view, and uninfluenced by party passion,
I must confess that the Governmental
weapons do not seem to me to be effica-
cious, and only yesterday, I witnessed some-
thing which confirmed me in my opinion.
I was at N -- the expatriated priest
of the place had returned, and illegally
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 129
celebrated Holy Mass. The police were
on his track. In
In vain, the people pro-
tected their Curé. Is not this a fiasco
for the Government? And do you sup-
pose that things like this can tend to in-
crease love of one's country?"
"
"You were yesterday at N——— ? '
exclaimed the prefect, turning quickly
towards me.
tɩ
"I was, Sir. You are perhaps inte-
rested in the place?"
'Assuredly I am. Until this moment
I knew nothing of the return of the Curé.
It must be owned that this man plays too
freely with the law!"
"And why, Sir?
Because he did not
let himself be seized by the police? In
his place I should not have acted other-
9
130
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
wise myself, since, as far as I could
ascertain, he felt bound to remain at
the post assigned him by his Bishop,
until compelled by force to relinquish
it."
The doctor, sitting next the prefect,
muttered in his beard something about
a "Jesuit in disguise."
"You are signally mistaken," I an-
swered, smiling. "I am a traveller in
wines, a liberal, and a friend of the
empire. I have no secret at the inn;
my business is to dispose of good
wine."
"And so!" continued the prefect, “the
Curé is not arrested?"
"He is not. But I am able to state
that the police left no stone unturned to
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
131
discover him. At least, he was not taken
when I left the place."
"If those peasants do not choose to
obey me," said the
said the prefect, angrily,
"I have but to say the word, and a
company of soldiers will be billeted
on them until they are tamed into sub-
mission!"
The company nodded approvingly.
"Since the matter touches you so
closely,” I said in an unconcerned manner,
you have only to see that the church
is guarded next Sunday morning, from
five to six o'clock. There is no doubt
whatever that the Curé will be somewhere
about the place at that time."
Hereupon I paid my civilities, and
left these gentlemen to puzzle their
?
132
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
heads on the subject of my personality,
and to laugh, to their hearts' content,
behind the back of the "Jesuit in dis-
guise."

#!

CHAPTER V.
A FEW days afterwards, on the invitation
of a friend, also 'exiled' like myself, I
repaired to a village on the frontiers of
Luxembourg. The Moselle forms its
boundary. I arrived on the Feast of
the Patron Saint. Besides myself, there
were the Curé of the place ('the exile')
and another priest, supposed to be in prison.
We all wore our beards, mine being the
least abundant, from its recent date, but
7
134 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
those of my comrades presented an im-
posing aspect. We celebrated High Mass
at nine o'clock. The Catholics, it need
not be said, had taken precautions in order
to secure us against surprise. A boat was
in readiness to transport us, in case of
need, to the Luxembourg frontier, all the
other boats being removed to a distance
and firmly moored to the bank. Sentinels
were posted in all directions, to give a
signal, if a red or green collar came in
sight; but it seemed as if the police, usually
endowed with eyes so piercing and ears.
so long, suspected nothing that day of our
clerico-criminal proceedings.
proceedings. Scarcely was
Mass over (and we had said it rapidly),
scarcely was the Blessed Sacrament re-
placed in the Tabernacle, when a young
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 135
man rushed breathlessly into the Church,
exclaiming, "They come!"
They come!" The people,
who were rejoicing to have their Curé
once more amongst them, after an absence
of several months, became alarmed and
excited. We quickly laid aside our sacer-
dotal vestments, exhorted the congrega-
tion to keep quiet, and hastened away
towards the Moselle.
We were hardly out of the churchyard
before we saw, two hundred paces off, a
couple of gendarmes dashing after us at
full speed.
"Halt!" roared our pursuers, en-
deavouring to accelerate their frantic
gallop.
As may readily be supposed, we did
not slacken our pace, and not being
1
136
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
encumbered by cassocks or cloaks, we
were quickly on board the boat, and far
from shore. It was fortunate that we
were, for one of the gendarmes was only
twenty paces off, and the other had already
one foot in the river. We shouted to
them our heartfelt pity for having put
themselves into such a violent heat on our
account, and begged them to wipe their
flushed brows and take a little repose.
By this time we were safe on the soil of
Luxembourg, which has not yet become
acquainted with the Kulturkampf and its
racing gendarmes. The parishioners stood
waving their hats and handkerchiefs on
the opposite bank; we returned the salute,
and went to get a cup of coffee in a neigh-
bouring village, where we found ourselves
1
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 137
better off than in fire-engine depôts or
Prussian prisons.
But if these things have their comic
point of view, they have also another,
which is very serious and very tragic.
Matters have surely come to a strange
pass when priests, because they offer the
most Holy Sacrifice, are pursued by gen-
darmes as vile criminals, and compelled to
wander about as they can, and where they
can, in disguise. Ten years ago, anyone
who had ventured to predict this as
possible, would have rendered himself
ridiculous.
The same day, bidding adieu to my
companions in misfortune, I took the boat
for B——, to seek an asylum at the house
of near relations.
+
138
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
On the boat I had the little adventure
to which allusion was made in the first
part
of my narrative, and only escaped certain
arrest by presence of mind and the protec-
tion of the captain-an old class comrade,
who showed himself less a "man of ser-
vice" than the mayor of whom I have
spoken. This worthy man was glad to
see me after several years of separation,
and, knowing that I had been a theological
student, was not a little surprised to find
me in the dress of a civilian.
"Well, yes," I said to him, "I am one
of the dried fruits of Progress. We priests,
who were formerly regarded as upholders.
of the throne and props of the State, are
now treated as revolutionists, criminals,
and traitors to our country. We must
督
​A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
139
wander from town to town, and find no-
where a safe refuge from the gendarmes,
who scent us out as dogs scent game."
I then briefly told him my story, and
begged him not to betray me.
(6
No, indeed; you may trust me for
that," he answered, warmly, and grasp-
ing my hand.
"As long as you are on
board my boat,
boat, you have nothing to
fear."
He did not know how soon he was to
be called upon to prove his words by
deeds. At the last stopping-place but one,
my friend, who had pushed his horse upon
me, got into the boat, and announced him-
self as also a passenger for B--. I
promptly withdrew into a retired corner,
lest I should be recognized, in spite of my
140
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
lay costume and the shade of my new
moustache.
I confided to the captain the difficulties
of the situation. He reflected a moment,
smiled, and left me. I, meanwhile, turning
my back to the passengers, contemplated
the track left by the vessel in the blue
waters, which reflected the melancholy
beams of an autumn sun, and admired the
meandering of the river, winding among
hills of romantic beauty. On the right
and left, hamlets and villages were artisti-
cally grouped amongst rocks and forests,
vines grew on the hill-sides, and above
spread the blue canopy of heaven.
(C
How exquisitely beautiful is every-
thing around us!" I mentally exclaimed,
as I listened to the melodious carillon of
t
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 141
!
bells, and the joyous songs of the grape-
(C
gatherers. How lovely would earth be,
were it not turned into a hell by human
passions! Life is full of sorrow, troubles,
sickness, and weariness, and men persecute
their fellows as if they had nothing better
to do than render more bitter still the few
days allotted to us here below!"
Here a hand laid on my shoulder drew
me out of my meditations. It was that of
the captain.
((
Follow me into this closet," he said,
with a knowing look; "the gendarme will
not be likely to find you here. You could,
it is true, stay here until we get to B
but it would not be at all amusing to be
caged up all that time, and this, too, when
the weather is fine, the breeze fresh, and
142 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
(
the sky clear. We must look at things
from a poetic point of view. You have
often helped me through Virgil's 'Eneid,'
and Homer's Odyssey,' and it is now my
turn to help you to put in practice Ovid's
'Metamorphoses.' Always classic! formerly
on the school-benches, now on board ship.
Here is a red sailor's jacket, and a cap
with metal buttons and a steel anchor in
front, at your service. There! now let the
gendarme encounter you as soon as he
likes. As you were already transformed
from a priest into a commercial traveller,
this new change will not be too sudden.”
The jacket proved somewhat tight-fit-
ting for my broad shoulders, and its seams
cracked ominously on receiving so formid-
able an amount of internal pressure; but,
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
143
seeing myself in a glass, I perceived, with
satisfaction, that I was indeed not easily
to be recognized. I lost no time before
trying the experiment, and passing boldly
by the personage who had practised horse-
manship upon me, placed myself by the
pilot, and arrived at B without any
misadventure.
#
I remained with my relations until
the Saturday, and then started again for
my parish, which I reached about one.
o'clock in the morning.


CHAPTER VI.
SHORTLY after my arrival in my own
parish, I perceived my people stealing
silently to the church, which was in total
darkness. Each person gave the watch-
word before the sacristy door opened to
admit him. I heard confessions until
two o'clock, and then said Mass. Curtains
were drawn over the windows, and shades
placed over the only two lights burning
↓
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 145
on the altar, or in the church. Although
it was full of people, a profound silence
reigned, scarcely broken from time to time
by the voices of the celebrant and server,
and by suppressed weeping. After Mass
I gave Holy Communion and the Bene-
diction, and at four o'clock had left the
village far behind me.
I afterwards learnt that the prefect,
acting on the advice I had obligingly
given him, had the church guarded
from five o'clock, and the hapless
police remained vainly shivering at their
posts through the coldest hours of the
morning.
A few days later I received the fol-
lowing letter from a counsellor-church-
warden :-
10
146
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
"MONSIEUR LE CURE,-The police are
on the watch. We must act with pru-
dence. We have put ourselves into com-
munication with the parochial clergy of
the neighbourhood, and obtained permis-
sion for you to celebrate Holy Mass, by
night, in the villages of P-—, G——,
N——, and M▬▬.
M- Your parishioners
N-
will await you there. All precautions
have been taken to prevent your being
arrested. Brave and trusty young men
will be placed as sentinels: the signal is a
sharp, short whistle; and the cry of the
cuckoo will indicate that everything is in
order. The parish is determined, in spite
of everything, to remain faithful to the
priest whom the bishop has appointed as
its pastor. Nothing shall weaken our firm
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
147
attachment to our Holy Church, the Pope,
and the Bishops. We gratefully appre-
ciate all the trouble you give yourself in
order to remain the faithful guardian of
your flock."
The plan indicated in this letter was
carried out. On the three Sundays fol-
lowing I was able to say Mass in the
places named, at one o'clock in the morn-
ing. Even aged and feeble women came,
notwithstanding the length of the way.
After the firm faith and generous self-
sacrifice of these good people, I admired
their sagacity, which succeeded in elud-
ing the vigilance of the police.
fourth Sunday, matters took
turn.
On the
another
,
148 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
It was midnight, and I strode briskly
across the fields towards the bourg of
When about three hundred paces
M-
M▬▬▬.
from the end of my journey, I heard a sharp
whistle. Another whistle, close at hand,
answered the first. I saw no one, and hesi-
tated. This signal warned me that the police
were abroad. At the same moment I
heard the sound of horse's hoofs approach-
ing. I turned quickly, and looked about
in vain for anything behind which to con-
ceal myself. It was bright moonlight.
Soon I saw the pointed helmet of a
mounted gendarme, and heard a rough
voice ask, "Who is whistling there?"
Immediately a man started out of a ditch
and dashed across the fields. The gen-
darme was turning his horse's head to
!
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 149
pursue the fugitive, when he suddenly per-
ceived me.
"Who are you? And what do you
want here?"
I pulled my hat over my forehead, and
made no answer.
"Come with me. If you attempt to
make off, I pass over your body! March!"
There was nothing to be done but
obey. My captor did not know what a
prize he had taken, for I heard him say as
we went along, "You think you are going
to make game of the police. Wait and see!”
All the place was in commotion. The
people were turned out of the church by the
gendarmes. Several inhabitants of N
were arrested at the same time as myself,
and taken to the house of the magistrate
!
150 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
of the place, where a procès-verbal was
drawn up.
It was there that I was recog-
nized. The rejoicings of the police were
worthy of a better cause. The other prison-
ers, who had committed no crime but that
of taking a long walk by moonlight, were
immediately set at liberty, and returned to
N——. I did the same, with this diffe-
rence, that I had the honour of being
escorted by a mounted gendarme on each
side, instead of walking in the midst of
my parishioners.
Next day, the mayor administered to
me one of his unctuous discourses, which,
besides being spiced with foreign words,
was abundantly garnished with such epi-
thets as night-walker, violator of the laws,
disguised vagabond, etc., and wound up
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
151
with a peroration announcing that I was
to be punished with a month's imprison-
ment, after which I must quit the empire,
being declared by royal ordinance an exile
from the country of Germany!
Banished from Germany! Without
country and without home!
This sentence moved me more pro-
foundly than I should have expected, for
I sincerely love my country, and would
never have quitted it voluntarily.
And so
I was to be banished from my Fatherland
-the land of my birth and childhood-
the land to which I am bound by every
tie of blood, of memory, and of friendship!
Thrown into the wide world, towards
France, England, America, or New Cale-
donia-the colony of criminals.
152
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
7
As emigration to France would have
laid me under still greater suspicion of
being an enemy to the Empire, and as
America is some way from the diocese of
Treves, I resolved to settle in Luxem-
bourg. But for four weeks yet I was to
be allowed to breathe the air of my
country-in prison; and had writing mate-
rials been at my disposal, I should have
addressed a letter of thanks to the Govern-
ment for this new favour. I think, how-
ever, that I should have felt tempted to
regret this act of gratitude, for the four
weeks I was permitted to pass upon Ger-
man soil, in the prison of the canton, were
terribly bitter.
The food was bad to a sickening
degree, and the treatment did not in any
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 153
1
way differ from that of the houses of
correction. I had to sweep my cell, make
my bed, fulfil other functions by no means
delicate, and in which my want of skill
often drew upon me violent abuse. I do
not say this by way of complaint, for I
was prepared for the worst, and know that
the saints have repeatedly done and under-
gone far more difficult and painful things;
but I wish once more to call to mind
that priests are not low-minded scoundrels,
and that they are in prison for principle
and conscience, and not for violence, burg-
lary, or murder.
The deprivation of personal liberty
would suffice to hinder the "illegal" exer-
cise of public functions. To put political
prisoners under the régime of a house of
154
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
correction, is an injustice of which legis-
lators ought not to render themselves.
guilty.
It must be remembered also, that, in
the prisons, the governor is absolute
master, and that it rests with him to
tighten at will the screw of power, and
to' tighten it to a pressure so cruel,
that a man needs all his moral strength
and religious fortitude to remain calm
under the enormities to which he is sub-
jected. These excesses, have, I rejoice.
to say, been pointed out by Herr Heere-
mann to the Prussian Landtag, and I beg
leave to join with him in soliciting that
political prisoners may be placed under the
régime customary in the fortresses.
If
an officer and a student who fight a duel
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 155
1
have their honour, a Catholic priest has
also his.
It would, however, on the one hand,
have been useless on my part to make
the attempt to inculcate any such ideas
in the mind of the governor of the prison,
for he would not have comprehended
them; and, on the other, it was not my
business to teach him the difference
between a highwayman and a priest who
fulfils a spiritual function prohibited by the
civil law. Besides, this man was a furious
partizan of the Kulturkampf, and rarely
opened his mouth without expectorating
the word "prefect," with an effort to ex-
hale it with emphasis. He regarded me
with cordial hatred, and with a degree of
contempt which I could only explain by
#
Į
'
156 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
the fact that I was an obscurantist,” while
he, though unable to write correctly, was a
man of Progress. One day when he was
wishing that "all the Curés might go to
the devil," I asked him if he had ever
heard of Nero's wish, that the human race
had but one neck, that he might finish it
at a blow.
These four weeks came to an end at
last, but I own that the last day seemed
an eternity. I counted every moment,
and trembling with cold, paced my narrow
cell a hundred times an hour. The im-
patience which dwells in the human heart
is, under such circumstances, irrepressible,
and lengthens days into weeks and months.
All my feelings centred upon the one
thought-To-morrow, free! No one who
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
157
has not experienced this, can imagine what
it is. Although, together with that of
liberty, I had the prospect of exile, this
did not hinder my ardent longing for the
morrow.
I was obligingly allowed a delay of
forty-eight hours, in which to quit my
country; with a warning, that if by that
time I were not gone, the public force
would transport me beyond the frontier.
I simply declared that my conscience as a
Catholic priest would not allow me to go
away of
my own accord, and quietly waited
the result.
In the evening of that day I had an
agreeable surprise, which, though it moved
me to tears, made me quickly forget the
hard treatment from which I had been
鲁
​158
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
suffering. Having received a note to
summon me to the house of a friend, what
was my joy at finding there my dear and
aged mother!
She had read in the
journals my sentence of banishment, and
regardless of the long distance, the snow,
and bitter cold, she had come to see me
and bid me good-bye.
It was one of the happiest moments of
my life. With what appetite I consumed
my supper, to the peril of a digestion long
unaccustomed to good and wholesome
food! How excellent were the cigars my
good mother had brought me! But why
do I relate these trivial details? Because
I cannot refrain from lingering a moment
to contemplate one spot of brightness, one
ray of sunshine, suddenly beaming into the
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 159
dark night of my sufferings. Besides,
when I tell the sympathetic reader that I
am the only son of my mother—my excel-
lent mother, who sacrificed her last farthing
for the expenses of my studies for the
priesthood, and for me willingly imposed
upon herself all kinds of privations—who,
with tears of happiness, beheld me for the
first time ascend the steps of the altar, and
who finds me again without position or
resources, a proscribed wanderer, ex-
hausted by prison, on the eve of exile,
and about to bid her, it may be, the last
adieu in this world-I need say no more
in the way of apology.
We remained talking together far into
the night, her hands in mine. I told her
my history, and she smiled and wept at
JorM
J
160
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
1
the same time. Since that night we have
never met again.
And here I would make an observation
to the non-Catholic reader into whose
hands these pages may chance to fall. I
wish to make distinctly understood what
has often been in my mind on the bleak
mountains and along the muddy roads,
when exhausted with fasting and fatigue,
ill, and not knowing whither I was wan-
dering; and it is this. Not only is prison
life, as I have already said, not a "cheap
martyrdom," but to this I would add,
neither is that of the proscribed priest.
Let those who so speak recollect that man
naturally and legitimately requires repose
and refreshment, after the fatigues of toil
and the weariness of the day. Every one
Mou
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 161
loves the hours which are at his own dis-
posal, when, the day's work over, he once
more belongs to himself, and his moments.
belong to him, to spend as he sees fit.
The exiled priest, who is also a man, must
renounce all this. He is isolated from all,
he dare not show his face in any company,
must be constantly upon his guard, keeping
out of sight like a thief, and moving by
stealth from place to place, in the night,
the storm, or the snow. And it is not for ·
obstinacy that he undergoes these hard
trials, but for conscience' sake, and that he
may keep faithfully the souls confided to
his care. Well, then, I ask, is not this
voluntary renunciation of all that makes
life pleasant, all one's daily habits—is not
this incessant state of anxiety, excitement,
11
162
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
and suffering, a confessorship which has at
times ended in the death of the victim,
and is not this death a martyrdom?
It was three days before Christmas
when I was released from my executive
prison, and I was expected, conformably
to the order of the Government, to shake
off from my feet the dust, or rather the
snow of my country, on the great Festival
itself. I was, however, determined to
keep it with my parishioners, cost me what
it might. I could not leave them without
Mass on that beautiful feast of joy and
love.
On Thursday, the 24th of December,
I found myself at a village four leagues
distant from my parish. The weather was
fearful.
For eight days the snow had
3
:
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 163
been falling without intermission; it was
several feet in depth, and there remained
no trace of the road. I did not conceal
from myself the difficulties of a journey
to N-, but I had promised to be at
my post at midnight, and intended to keep
my word.
·


CHAPTER VII
AT three o'clock in the afternoon I set
out. I had a pair of long boots, as indiffe-
rent to water as a Winkelried is to death.
Each step plunged them into two or three
feet of snow, and there they stuck as if
they were glued. At this rate I advanced
so slowly that I began to fear lest I should
lose my way and not arrive in time.
Clouds of small snow-particles, driven by
a piercing north wind, danced around.
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 165
I could not see ten paces before me, and
vainly strove to keep in one direction.
How far I went before losing my way, or
how far I wandered out of it, across
fields and meadows, I cannot say, but,
all at once, what I was walking upon
cracked beneath me, and I found myself
above the knees in icy water. I had set
foot upon a stream, and it was with some
difficulty that I extricated myself from this
involuntary bath. All these hindrances
only sharpened my determination, and I
experienced the truth of the proverb,
'Courage increases with danger." One
who dares to defy the powerful Prussian
Government must not let himself be
stopped by snowflakes and a malicious
stream.
166
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
It was then quite dark. About six
o'clock I passed through a village, and
there ascertained that N-was still two
and-a-half leagues distant; in three hours
I had not accomplished half the way, and
was ready to drop from fatigue. I halted
a few minutes at a small inn, drank a glass
of sour wine, and started again on my
road.
I will not fatigue the reader with an
account of my new difficulties, in spite of
which, to my own astonishment, I reached
the end of my journey at half-past eleven
o'clock. This march through the snow,
on Christmas Eve, 1874, will never be
effaced from my memory.
The police were prepared for anything
rather than for my re-appearance so soon
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
167
J
in my own parish, and thus left me in
peace all that night, for which I beg them
to accept the assurance of my sincere grati-
tude.
When I entered the church it was
already full, and a parishioner was re-
citing the rosary aloud. A murmur of
joy ran through the congregation when I
appeared at the altar. No one, not even
the gendarmes, had expected me in such
weather. The church was lighted, but
curtains covered the windows.
At the first stroke of midnight I began
the Holy Sacrifice. Never did I pray with
greater happiness and fervour, and when
the cantor intoned the admirable hymn :—
"Dispel the darkness, holy night!"
my whole soul was stirred within me.
168
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
During the first Mass, I gave a brief
address to my flock—“Glory to God in
the highest; peace on earth, good will
toward men." My words flowed straight
from my heart. I was so happy! Yes,
the man of Progress and the unbeliever
may laugh and mock, but I was completely
happy, in spite of persecution and suffer-
ing. Fatigue and anxiety had vanished,
and the varied feelings which thronged
into my heart, the circumstances under
which I was celebrating the Feast of
Christmas, the love of my dear people
for their Church, although drawing from
me tears of mingled joy and sadness,
yet filled me with a happiness which the
world cannot give, nor its hatred take
away.
1
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
169
}
I said the three Masses of Christmas
Day, baptized three children, and gave a
general benediction. At the end of these
simple ceremonies-but sublime in their
simplicity—my brave parishioners crowded
round me, holding my hands and weeping.
I said a few more words to cheer and
strengthen them, and then, notwithstand-
ing the entreaties of those who invited me
to their homes, I plunged again into the
darkness.
The snow seemed, that beautiful night,
as if it were dancing for joy. In the bleak
wind I could almost imagine I heard an
echo of the songs of the angels. When
at last, after daylight had returned, I
reached the door of a presbytery in a
distant village, I fell down, unconscious,
170
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
from exhaustion, and for some days
afterwards was a prey to burning
fever.
Since that time, I have only been
twice to N——. It was not possible for
me oftener to fulfil my pastoral duties,
without deliberately throwing myself into
the talons of the police. I have sojourned
at Treves, Cologne, and Coblentz, besides
spending some time in a cloister.
have no country, or home, or resting-
place.
I
The
My parishioners are orphans.
nearest church is a league and a half dis-
tant. In the depth of a severe winter, a
small number of them only can go to Mass
on Sundays. They have no sermon, no
religious instruction, no one to administer
!
A
A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS. 171
the sacraments-to comfort the sick, to
carry to the dying the Bread of life. But
our Father in Heaven is merciful.
These, then, are the fruits and mani-
festations of the Kulturkampf. Similar
scenes are renewed daily, and in every
direction. The whole country is in tears,
and the priests are in prison, proscribed,
and wanderers like myself.
But the State cannot come out of the
struggle victorious. It may, by new laws,
hang the bread basket as high as it chooses :
it will see what it is to have to deal with
Catholic priests.
If my narrative, the sole merit of
which is its accurate relation of facts,
should find favour with the Catholic
people, I might possibly relate more on a
172 A VICTIM OF THE FALK LAWS.
future occasion. The matter is so alarm-
ingly abundant that I could fill volumes.
I commend this little account to the grace
of God.

1
APPENDIX.
1
سحر
..
i
་་
T
APPENDIX BY THE TRANSLATOR.
THE Catholic papers of Germany (January,
1879), publish the following statistics of the
cures and vicariates left vacant by the death
or proscription of their titular priests :-

Dioceses.
Cures.
Vicariates.
Total.
Cologne
Munster
•
137
About 50
187
81
68
""
149
Paderborn
80
?
80
Treves
163
?
2.
وو
163
Ermland.
18
""
15
Fulda
I I
""
5 3
33
3
14
Culm
33
24
""
57
Limburg.
20
Hildesheim
•
23
72
27
25
Osnabruck
18
Breslau
107
Posen
97
وو
وو
وو
13
31
93
200
?
97
788
About 275
1063
176 .
APPENDIX.
In 788 parishes,* therefore, all services of
religion have ceased. The Catholics are often
obliged to go a distance of several leagues for
Confession, Communion, or Holy Mass. Their
sick and dying are left entirely without the
ministrations of a priest, and the greatest con-
solations of religion.
The Archbishops of Posen and Cologne, the
Bishops of Paderborn, Munster, Limburg, and
Breslau, are deposed and in exile; the sees of
Fulda, Osnabruck, and Treves have been kept
vacant since the deaths of their Lordships
Koett, Eberhardt, and Beckmann-deaths which
have taken place during the Kulturkampf, and
which have, in all probability, been caused
by it.
Not many days ago, the Falk ministry
* This number has largely increased during the last
three months. (April, 1879.)
APPENDIX.
177
boasted before Parliament that it had swept
away 764 communities of Teaching Nuns and
Religious, of the 819 which are doomed to
extermination by the 1st of May. With re-
gard to the Hospital Sisters, who are no longer
permitted to receive novices, make any change
in the personnel of their communities, or supply
the vacancies caused by age, sickness, or death,
their extinction is certain.
The priests ordained since the promulgation
of the May Laws, are in other countries, waiting
for better days to return to their own.
The seminaries for the priesthood are
closed. Diocesan and other church property
is handed over to administrators nominated
by the Government. All the religious orders
of men were expelled from the country be-
tween the years of 1873 and 1876. The same
work of expulsion and suppression is going
on, for all the communities of women, even the
12
:
178
APPENDIX.
Sisters of Charity being driven from their aged
poor and the helpless orphans, to whom they
were as daughters and mothers.
This being done, the oppressors talk of
"peace"! It is the peace of a cemetery, and
recalls the announcement, "Peace reigns at
Warsaw !"
سکتا ہے
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