Ashbee Volume 2 - Centuria Librorum Absconditorum

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Below is the raw OCR for Ashbee's bibliography of prohibited erotic books volume 2.  If you wish to verify the text, please download the PDF of the scanned pages.

Since the titles in the PDF of this book are in Gothic scrip with is practially impossible for OCR programs to correctly handle, here is a simple list of the book titles in this volume:

Page 1, Spermatologia Historico-Medici, h.e. Seminis Humani Consideratio Physico-Medico-Legalis...
Page 3, Muliebria Historico-Medica, hoc est Partium Genitalium Muliebrium Consideratio Physico-Medico-Forensis...
Page 4, Parthenologia Historico-Medica, hoc est, Virginitatis Consideration, qua ad eam pertinentes Pubertas & Menstruatio...
Page 5, Gynaecologia Historico-Medica hoc est Congressus Muliebris. Consideration Physico-Medico-Forensis...
Page 9, Syllepsilogia Historico-Medica hoc est Conceptionis Muliebris Consideration Physico-Medico-Forensis...
Page 10, Embryologia Historico-Medica hoc est Infantis Humani Consideratio Physico-Medico-Forensis...
Page 15, First Century of Scandalous, Malignant Priests Made and admitted into Benefices by the Prelates, in whose hands the Ordination of Ministers and Government of the Church...
Page 44, The Crimes of the Clergy or the Pillars of Priest-Craft Shaken...
Page 51, Rabillae Redibibus Being a Narrative of the late Tryal of Mr. James Mitchel. A Conventicle-Preacher.....who was Executed for Adultery, Incest and Bestiality...
Page 62, In Sertum Decalogi Praeceptum In Conjugum Obligationes, et Quaedam Matrimonium Spectantia, Praelectiones...
Page 66, Moechialogie ou Traite des Peches contre Les Sixieme et Neuvieme Commandements du Decalogue...
Page 69, Llave de Oro O Serie de Reflexiones que, para abrir el corazon cerrado de los probres pecadores, ofrece a los confesores nuevos el Excmo...
Page 71, Les Mysteres du Confessionnal
Page 73, Manuel des Confesseurs ou Les Diaconales Dissertation sur le Sixieme Commandement et Supplement au Traite du Mariage
Page 77, De la Demonialite et des Animaux Incubes et Succubes....
Page 81, Illustrations on the Incarnation and Immaculate Conception of the Vigin Mary and the Miraculous and Mysterious Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ
Page 87, Compendium Code des Jesuites d'apres plus de 300 ouvrages des casuistes-jesuites
Page 88, The Confessional Unmasked or the Curiosities of Romish Devotion
Page 88, frammento Inedito
Page 89, The Confessional Unmasked or the Curiosities of Romish Devotion
Page 89, The Confessional Unmasked or the Curiosities of Romish Devotion
Page 110, Theologia Moralis et Dogmatica Reverendi et Eruditissimi Domini Petri Dens, etc.
Page 112, A Master-key to Popery Containing....
Page 122, The Frauds of Romish Monks and Priests Set forth in Eight Letters. Vol. 1. The Fifth Edition.
Page 128, A Short History of Monastical Orders In which the Primitive Institution of Monks, Their Tempers, Habits, Rules......
Page 129, Auricular Confession and Nunneries
Page 135, Succinct and Accurate Acccount of the System of Discipline, Education, and Theology...
Page 137, The Priest, The Woman, and The Confessional
Page 137, The Priest, The Woman, and The Confessional
Page 144, Le Pretre, La Femme et Le Confessionnal
Page 145, Authentic Memoirs and Sufferings of Dr. William Stahl Containing his Travels, Observations and interesting Narrative during four Years Imprisonment at Goa...
Page 149, Awful Disclosures by Maria Monk, of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal...
Page 149, Confirmation of Maria Monk's Disclosures Concerning the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal; prededed by a Reply to the Priests' Books
Page 157, Apologie pour herodote Ou Traite de la Conformite des Merveilles Anciennes avec les Modernes...
Page 177, Cabinet du Roy de france dans leqvel il y a trois Perles precieuses d'inestimable aleur...
Page 181, Vie de Scipion de Ricci Eveque de Pistoie et Prat, et reformateur du Catholicisme...
Page 191, Factum pour les Religieuses de S. Catherine
Page 191, Nunns [sic] Complaint Against the Fryers, The Being the charge given in to the Court of France, by the Nunns [sic] of St. Katherine...
Page 201, Les Immoralites de Pretres Catholiques
Page 207, Horreurs, Massarres et Crimes de Papes
Page 208, Reasons humbly offer'd for a Law to enact the Castration of Popish Ecclesiastics As the best way to prevent th [sic] Growth of Popery in Enland
Page 213, Historie Van B. Cornelis Adriaensen va Dordrecht Minrebroeder binnen die Stadt van Brugghe...
Page 225, Proces du Perre Girard et de marie C. Cadiere Recueil General des Pieces contenues au Procez Du Pere Jean-Baptiste Girard....
Page 260, The Cloisters laid Open or, Adventures of the Priests and Nuns. With Some Account of Confessions, and the lewd Use they make of them...
Page 265, Le B***** Monacal ou Vie Voluptueuse des Capucins et des Nonnes tiree de la confession d'un pere de cet ordre suivie des fouterries Nobiliaires
Page 267, Parc-Aux-Cerfs Episcopal-histoire Edifiante et Curieuse du Seminaire de Venus ou Les Fo...ries Sacerdotales
Page 269, Amours, Galanteries, Intrigues, Ruses et crimes des Capucins et des Religieuses Depuis les temps les plus recules jusqu'a nos jours
Page 270, Exercises de Devotion de M. henri Roch avec Madame la Duchesse de Condor de joyeuse memoire & de son vivant Membre de l'Academie francaise
Page 277, Les Devotions de Madame de Betzhamooth et Les Pieuses Faceties de Monsieur de Daint-Ognon
Page 277, Turin
Page 280, Retraote, Les Tentations et Les Confessions de Madame la Marquise de Montcornillon Histoire Morale, Dans laquelle on voit comment une jeune...
Page 287, Les Supercheries de Satan Devoilees ou la Confusion des Incredules par Une Eminence Rouge
Page 287, Ufaffenuntvefen, Wunchsjcanbale und Ronnenfput
Page 288, Der Heilige Antonius von Padua
Page 292, The Priest in Absolution A Manual for such as are called unto the higher Ministries in the English Church
Page 301, The Toast an Epic Poem in Four Books. Written in Latin by Frederick Scheffer, Done into English by Peregrine O'Donald.
Page 302, The Toast An Heroick Poem in four Books, Writtne originally in Latin, by Frederick Scheffer...
Page 326, Sodom. A Play
Page 346, Pretty Little Games for Young Ladies & Gentlemen With Pictures of Good Old English Sports and Pastimes
Page 399, Pretty Girls of London Their Little Love Affairs, Playful Doings, etc....
Page 400, Mes Loisiers Dedies [sic] a mes Amis....
Page 401, Scenes de la Vie Privee
Page 402, Amusemens de l'Innocence Tableau tires de la Mythologie
Page 402, Costumbres Sociales Intimas Cuadros al Natural
Page 402, Les Extases de l'Amour Genre Philosophique dedie a l'Univers Fouteur. Philadelphy Upon the Place Peter
Page 403, Mesa Rebuelta
Page 471, The Rodiad Library Illustrative of Social Progress



 

NOTES

on

CURIOUS AND UNCOMMON
BOOKS.

x| rf££g^>

A nrifTtc "«/« 92 ' '<■ 'V>

CENTURIA

LIBRORUM ABSCONDITORUM:

Bio- Bib I to-- Scono- graphical anto Critical,

Curious anti Chtcammon Books,

Pardonez-moy lecteur si ie parle si gras, estant

contraint de m'accommoder au propos que ie traite.

Hfnbi Estiene.
Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, serf magis arnica Veritas.

Cicero.

being

on

BV

FISANUS FRAXI.

LONDON:
$ r f b a t e I p $ r t it t c b:

MDCCCLXXIX.

T

o the jleader.

This book for men alone is meant,
Book-worms, or bibliophiles anent,
Of solid mind, of serious bent,
On curious, hidden books intent,
On odd research and learning.

Should pastime all thy thoughts engage,
Or trifles of the present age,
Its words will not thy thirst assuage;
Close it at once; its lightest page
Will not repay thy turning.

From maids and inexperienced youths
Prithee conceal its bitter truths.

Guseque ades exhortor, procul hinc matrona, recede
Quxque ades hinc pariter, virgo pudice, fuge.

Panormit* Jjtrmapljrotottu*.

ppigi^aphs.

Voulant doncques (je vostre humble esclave) accroistre vos passetemps dadvantage, vous
offre de present un aultre livre de mesme billon, sinon qu'il est peu plus Equitable et digne de
foi que n'estoit l'aultre. Car ne croyez (si ne voulez errer 4 vostre escient) que j'en parle
comme les Juifs de la loi. Je ne suis n£ en telle planfete, et ne m'advint onques de mentir ou
assurer chose qui ne fust veritable. J'en parle comme un gaillard onocrotale, voire, dis-je,
crotenotaire des martyrs amans, et croquenotaire de amours : j'en parle comme sainct Jean de
1'Apocalypse, quod vidimus testamur.

Rabelais, iftatltagruel, Prologue.

Apr£s le plaisir de poss£der des livres, il n'y en a gu&re de plus doux que celui d'en parler, et
de communiquer au public ces innocentes richesses de la pens£e qu'on acquiert dans la culture
des lettres.

Charles. Nodier. Jfrltlangeg tuea U'une Jhtite fitblt'otijeque, Prtface.

There is not perhaps any man so good a judge of the difficulty of writing a book, as an
actual author. He soon discovers how many qualifications are necessary, how much science
is required, and which are the points of most' difficult access. He soon finds out his own
deficiencies; and, as regards his powers, that some difficulties may be insurmountable. That
essay, which sometimes originates in study and amusement, gets insensibly into growth, and
is perpetuated. For, having been undertaken in the spirit of an inquirer, it is frequently carried
on in the capacity of a student. This student, however, soon assumes the master, and pro-
nounces his decisions on critical subjects, as authoritatively as if all learning and languages
were at his fillers ends. ....

VI.

EPIGRAPHS.

No man's industry is mis-spent, if he merely clear the obstruction from any path ; and the
very attempt to shew what is right, frequently exposes that which is wrong; so that the
immediate blunders of one person rectify those of another; and he ever must deserve well of

society who attempts improvement........... . . , .

Bibliography is a dry occupation,-a caput mortuum,-it is a borrowed product,on, which
brines very little grist to the mill; and so difficult and tedious is the object, of lay.ng before our
eves all the real or reported copies or editions of the works enumerated, that almost every line
of our reports may be suspected of falsehood. How are we to collect, how to produce, how to
examine, the originals ? Many books are so scarce, so sequestered in pnvate hands or in the
mansions of the great, that even th: keen eyes of lucriferous booksellers cannot find them.

And if they cannot, who the deuce can ?

James Atkinson. JKtllUal fitblu>2rapl)j», Preface.

To every man of our Saxon race endowed with full health and strength, there is committed,
as if it were the price he pays for these blessings, the custody of a restless demon, for which he
is doomed to find ceaseless excitement, either in honest work, or some less profitable or more
mischievous occupation. Countless have been the projects devised by the wit of man to open
up for this fiend fields of exertion great enough for the absorption of its tireless energies, and
none of them is mDre hopeful than the great world of books, if the demon is docile enough to
be coaxed into it. Then will its erratic restlessness be sobered by the immensity of the sphere
of exertion, and the consciousness that, however vehemently and however long it may struggle,
the resources set before it will not be exhausted when the life to which it is attached shall have
faded awav; and hence, instead of dreading the languor of inaction, it will have to summon
all its resources of promptness and activity to get over any considerable portion of the ground
within the short space allotted to the life of man.

John Hill Burton. Cf)t SooM&Uttttr, p. 106.

=wca

1 have no repugnances. Shaftesbury is not too genteel for me, nor Jonathan Wild too
low. I can read anything which I call a book. There are things in that shape which I cannot
allow for such.

In this catalogue of books which are no books—biblia a-biblia—I reckon Court Calendars,
Directories, Pocket Books, Draught Boards, bound and lettered on the back, Scientific

EPIGRAPHS.

vii.

Treatises, Almanacs, Statutes at Large: the works of Hume, Gibbon, Robertson, Beattie,
Soame Jenyns, and generally, all those volumes which " no gentleman's library should be
withoutthe Histories of Flavius Josephus (that learned Jew), and Paley's Moral Philo-
sophy. With these exceptions, I can read almost anything. I bless my stars for a taste so
Catholic, so unexcluding.

Charles Lamb. ?Lagt of <£lia.

Vous voyez que, pour Stre, comme vous aussi, un Amoureux du Litre (et j'ai fait mes
preuves depuis cinquante ans), je ne suis ni exclusif, ni intolerant, et que je ne contrains pas
les gens k n'aimer que certains livres, k ne lire que les bons; je ne les invite pas mfime k
detruire, k brtiler les mauvais, car, en ma quality d' Amoureux du Livre, en g^ndral, j'ai des
preferences et des repugnances ; j'ai des passions et des illusions, ainsi que tous les amoureux,
mais je pense que les plus mauvais livres ont leur raison d'etre et leur utility relative, comme
les poisons parmi les vegetaux, comme les bfites f<5roces parmi les animaux, comme les
demons parmi les puissances du monde invisible. II est vrai qu'i mon Age l'amoureux se
metamorphose en philosophe.

Paul Lacroix. it4 Stnoumtj: tfU itbtt, Preface.

Omnes 1 Omnes 1 let others ignore what they may;
I make the poem of evil also—I commemorate that part also ;
I am myself just as much evil as good, and my nation is—And I say

there is in fact no evil;
(Or if there is, I say it is just as important to you, to the land,
or to me, as anything else.)

Walt Whitman. ileabMf of ©ratftf.

For Books are not absolutely dead things, but doe contain-a potencie of life in them to be as
active as that soule was whose progeny they are; nay they do preserve as in a violl the purest
efiicacie and extraction of that living intellect that bred them......

viii.

EPIGRAPHS.

For books are as meats and viands are, some of good, some of evill substance; and yet God
in that unapocryphall vision, said without exception, Rise Peter, kill and eat, leaving the choice
to each mans discretion. Wholesome meats to a vitiated stomack differ little or nothing from
unwholesome ; and best books to a naughty mind are not unappliable to occasions of evill. Bad
meats will scarce breed good nourishment in the healthiest concoction ; but herein the difference
is of bad books, that they to a discreet and judicious Reader serve in many respects to discover,

to confute, to forewarn, and to illustrate......

Since therefore the knowledge and survay of vice is in this world so necessary to the constituting
of human virtue, and the scanning of error to the confirmation of truth, how can we more
safely and with lesse danger scout into the regions of sin and falsity then by reading all manner
of tractate, and hearing all manner of reason ? And this is the benefit which may be had of
books promiscuonsly read. ^^ ^^^



L'Amour, la Galanterie & mfime le Libertinage ont de tous temps fait un article si consider-
able dans la vie de la plftpart des hommes, & surtout des gens du monde, que l'on ne connoi-
troit qu'imparfaitement les moeurs d'une nation, si l'on n<5gligeoit un objet si important.

jHrntotrcd pour aert)tr a rfetatoirt Kefi JHaeuttS tiu xviii &ttclt, Avertissement.



II y a des gens qui, si on leur donnait k diss^quer un cadavre, ne verraient qu'une chose,
c'est qu'il est nu. Ces esprits sont tellement sales qu'ils en sont b8tes, ou sont tellement bStes
qu'ils en sont sales. D'un livre, si mauvais qu'il soit (quelqu'un l'a dit, je crois que c'est tout

le monde), on peut tirer quelque chose de bon.

je suppose une chose immonde, un corps en putrefaction : l'homme de science ne reculera
pas d'horreur; la science est belle, car elle est utile. Je mets cette immondice au creuset de
I'analyse et de l'observation, et j'en separe les principes differents. Faisons de la chimie rntel-
lectuelle; cherchons comment ces principes de purs sont devenus corrompiis; et cherchons
comment on pourra les ramener A leur premier *at Les ^menls que nous analysons sont
remplis d'un venin corrosif pour les faibles cerveaux; cherchons * neutraliser ces mauvaises
influences. On empfiche bien la decomposition des cadavres, ne peut-on empScher la
decomposition des intelligences? Si les faibles savaient, si nous savions tous qu'un vice a
mauvais gout et fait du mal, avec quel bonheur nous le fuirionsl 11 suffit de voir certaines
ignominies telles qu'elles sont pour les avoir en haine.

Ad£le EseuiRos. He* JHarrfjatrtt* Humour, p. 189.

EPIGRAPHS.

ix.

Now if any mo-lest mind shall (haply) take offence at some of his (Henri Estiene's) broad
speeches, or shall thin'ce that they might haue bin better spared: 1 shall desire him to consitler
that it is not so easie a matter to find modest words to expresse immodest things : as himselfe saith
Chap, 34. § 2. (quoted on my title page) that he hath but laid forth the Hues of Popish Prelates,
as Suetonius is said to haue written the Hues of the Emperours, Eadem libertate qua ipsi
vixerunt: and that there is 710 reason that some should commit their villany with impunity } and
thai no man may speake against it with modesty : or that writers should be counted bauily
Bales (that is, knaues) for publishing it, they honest men who practise it. As far those wit•
foundred and letter-stricken students, I mean those cloudy spirits that are so wedded to the Muses,
that they become enemies to the Graces, and can relish no discourse except it be full fraught and
farced with Ob. and Sol. Videtur quod sic : probatur quod non, &c. Let them (a Gods name)
enioy their Dunses and Dorbels, their Banes and Bambres, their Royards and blind bayards :
so they measure vs not by their owne meatwand (making their minds the modell for all men) but
giue vs leaue to vse our liberty, and to imitate the practise of prudent Physitians, who apply the
medicine to the malady, with particular respect of the patients temper; not giuing the same
potion to a queasie and a Steele stomach. For euery plummet is not for euery sound, nor cuery
line for euery leuel. All meats are not for every mans mouth : nor all liquors for euery mans
liking. The ignorant multitude and profound Clarks are not to le perswaded with the same
arguments. For popular perswasimi the learned prise not: and deepe demonstration the simple
pierce not. They must also remember what Saint Augustine saith, Vtile est plures libros a
pluribus fieri, diuerso stylo, non diuersa fide, etiam de quaestionibus ijsdem, vt ad plurimos res
ipsa perueniat, ad alios sic, ad alios autem sic. (De Trinit. lib. 1. cap. 3). That is, It is good
»hat many bookes should be written by many men, & that of the same argument, in a
different style, but not of a different faith : that so the same truth may be conueyed to many:
to some after this manner, to some after that.

& of The Epistle to the Reader.

Nous n'essayerons pas de pre'eiser, aprfes d'autres plumes e'loquentes, ce que e'est qu'un
livre ; mais ce que nous pensons devoir dire, e'est ce qu'un livre n'est pas.

Un livre ne pourra jamais entrer en concurrence avec ce soi-disant but utilitaire, que lui
imposent des auteurs incorruptibles. Un livre ne sera jamais, du moins nous le croyons, une
ventouse qu'on puisse appliquer aux soci£t£s malades pour les gu£rir. Ce n'est point non plus
une botte k pilules avec laquelle on peut administrer aux hommes la morale par petite dose?,
except^ pour ces Granges philanthropes qui rfivent actuellement de transformer 1'art en un
empldtre pour les plaies humaines.

X.

EPIGRAPHS.

Non, un livte n'est point con9u dans l'officine d'unepharmacie. Le cabinet ou la mansarde
dans lesquels il vient au monde ne sont hantfe que par des visions dflicates qui assent le
oenseur L'artiste inconnu ou le richelettrf qui l'enfantent en polissent la forme avec le mime
Tmour. Souvent e'est un pan de draperie moulee qui suffit k «?veUler dans lVsprit 1 .mage des
beauts secretes qu'elle a d fection plastique, de convoitise brutale. Autant vaudrait faire le procfes de Phidias parce quA
a touch* au marbre, ou celui de Pericles parce qu'il a dispose pour lui des fonds de la rfpub-

lique,—la vraie, celle-lk. ,T ^ , . , .•

Mme. Marie &u.voose. fcuJtOtM S'fcllOUfc tt JS'flbailartJ, Introduction.

. for that which chiefly makes Bawdry in so ill Repute, is because it has been
always believ'd an Incentive to such Desires, as Divines tell us, shou'd rather be curb'd than
encourag'd, and apt to bring Thoughts into peoples Heads, which ought not, and perhaps
otherwise never wou'd come there; now if barefae'd Bawdry has this particular property, that
it does not hint these forbidden Thoughts, nor stir those unlawful Desires, but on the contrary
flattens and stifles 'em, 'tis much more innocent, and consequently fitter to be us d, or at least
to be pardon'd, than any other.

Robert Woiseley. Preface to CalMUtman.

But obscene Words too grosse to move Desire,
Like heaps of Fuel do but choak the Fire.
That Author's Name has underserved Praise,
Who pal'd the Appetite he meant to raise.

Rochester. fJotttltf.

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

each volume stand by itself, the more so as each volume is
complete in itself.

The Centuna ftbrorum SHtecoirtn'tontm is carried out on
the same plan as that proposed at p. lxxi of the Index Librorum
Prohibitorum, with the exception only of two slight changes,
which will, I trust, be deemed ameliorations: (i) I have
abolished the alphabetical arrangement in the body of the book.
That arrangement was arbitrary, and served really no practical
use for reference, as I anticipated it would. This alteration has
enabled me, without binding myself to any strict rule, or
system of classification, to throw together books by the same

been continually straggling after this achievement, and straggling in vain; and
it is a humiliating fact, that the greatest adepts, abandoning the effort in
despair, have taken refuge in some fortuitous word, which has served their pur-
pose better than the best results of their logical analysis. The book which has
been the supreme ruler of the intellect in this kind of work, stands forth as an
illustrious example of failure." €l)e JJooM^imter, p. 112. Several authors
have amused themselves by composing imaginary title-pages, others in noting
those which bore very marked peculiarities. Some amusing specimens of
book-titles will be found, inter alia, in SPantagruel, Chap. 7 j CurtoSttu* of
literature, I. Disraeli, vol. 1, p. 321 •, JfautauStcsJ i3tbltograpf)tque mtur* fimagmatresf, CrsisSat *ur Its Btbliotljeques fmagtnairc*, Gustavb
Brunet; le CoIIrcttonncur, Louis Judicis; SnalccM Du Eibliopljtlt,
part 3 ; JBttfcellanrc* fitbltograpljtqurS, No. 6. One of the most remarkable
deceptions of modern times was the Catalogue d'une tres-riche mais peu nom-
lreuse collection de Livres provenant de la lilliotheque de feu Mr. le Comte
j.—N.—A. De Fortsas, dont la vente sefera a Binche, le 10 aout 1840, &c.,
by which many of the most astute collectors of Europe were duped. To the
Catalogue should be added SocumtnW et ^articuliaiituf! fetsitortquetf sur le
Catalogue du comte de Fortsas ; &c. A Mons. pp. 222.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

author, upon the same subject, or of a kindred nature. In
every instance of reference I beg my readers to apply to the
Index,3 which I have endeavoured to render more explicit,
more detailed, and more exhaustive, than in my former
volume. (2) For the words " Index Librorum Prohibitorum,"
which were constantly repeated as page-headings throughout
the volume, I have substituted the title of the book noticed,
or a few words indicative of the person or subject mentioned
in each page. This will, I hope, be found materially to facili-
tate reference.

Like its predecessor, this volume is miscellaneous in its
contents. As, however, in the Index Librorum Prohibitorum,
a few items were predominant, among which I may more par-
ticularly point out the complete works of Edward Sellon,(4)

i The importance of a thorough, alphabetical Index cannot be too warmly or
too frequently urged. " So essential (writes Lord Campbell) did I consider
an Index to be to every book, that I proposed to bring a Bill into parliament
to deprive an author who publishes a book without an Index of the privilege of
copyright 5 and, moreover, to subject him, for his offence, to a pecuniary
penalty." Cfje Eibrg of tljc Cljtcf SWtstircS of <£ttglan&, Preface to vol. 3.

4 I have before me a most interesting collection of documents, made by
Sellon himself. It comprises (1) a copy of Cljc 9&caUer, No. for January 21,
1865, in which is given an account of a paper On the Linga puja, or Phallic
worship of India, read by Sellon to the Anthropological Society, January 17 ;
(2) Some Remarks on the Sancti Puja or The Worship of the Female Powers,
and A Reply to the Attack in the Ethnological Review for December, 1865, two
MSS. in Sellon's own writing; (3) numerous autograph letters, generally very
eulogistic, concerning the above mentioned paper, and his &miotation0 on tl)t
£acrcU ISIrtttngs of tl;e feuttouS, from C. Cartkr Blake, sec., J. F. Col-

xiv. preliminary remarks.

and of John Davenport,(«) the Olt ®®Omait(6)

lingwood, v. p. of the society, from Sir J. Embrson Tennent, Thomas
Wright, Dr. James Hunt, Dr. Kinkkl, Col. J. Dickson, Col. P.
Bernard, &c.

t I supplement my brief memoir of him with the notice of his death.
John Davenport breathed his last May 11, 1877, at No. 30, Huntley Street
(then No. 15, Alfred Street), W.C. He died in the greatest penury, having
been supported during the last months of his existence by donations from the
Royal Literary Fund, and the bounty of private individuals.

6 Since writing my notice, I have had occasion to inspect, at the Record
Office, the original indictment, in which enough of the poem is set forth to
enable me to pronounce as genuine versions, the edition which heads my
article (p. 198) and Hottens reprint (p. 229); although no decision as to the
purity of the texts can be given until they shall have been compared with that
of the edition printed at Wilkes's own press. In the indictment the work is
described as: "a certain malignant obscene and impious libel or composition
intitled Sin ©Map on ©Roman, and purporting to be inscribed to Miss Fanny
Murray with a certain obscene frontispiece or sculpture prefixed to the said
Libel and in the title page thereof representing the Genitals or private parts of
a man in which said libel or composition were then and there contained
(amongst other things) divers wicked obscene and scandalous matters (that is
to say) in one part thereof to the tenor and effect following (to wit) Awake my
Fanny, leave all meaner things, This morn shall prove what raptures swiving
brings, &c." Several of the notes are similarly set forth, and the separate
poems', The Universal Prayer and Veni Creator are specially mentioned. It
may not be inappropriate to note here an edition in the Advocate's Library,
Edinburgh, which I have not previously mentioned, and which is curious
although a spurious one. It is a small 4to pamphlet of 17 pages in all; of
which the title page, ornamented with a fleuron, reads as follows: This Day is
Published, Price is. 6d. Sn «£«aj> on OToman, in Three Epistles. Sold at a
pamphlet-Shop, the Corner of Lovat's-Court, in Pater-Noster-Row, and no where
else. *** If no dangerous Consequences result from this Publication, the Pul/ic

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

by the once notorious John Wilkes,(7) numerous books on

may expect the Fourth Epistle and the Notes, in a few Days. The first and
last couplets of the poem are as follows :

" Awake! my C......., leave all things beside,

"To low ambition, and to Scottish pride:
"Those only fixed, they, first or last, obey,
" The love of pleasure, and the love of sway."
The version is then the same as that noticed at p. 220 of the IntJejr EtOrorutn
$rol)tbttorum, as No. 3, without the French translation.

1 To the numerous authorities concerning him there cited may still be added :
JJercg aiurtJote*} ffifcmburg!) Htbufo, 1839; fHonUesi,

October 15, 1875. But mentions are made of John Wilkes where one
would little expect to find them—a proof, I take it, that he has influenced the
minds of men more universally than is generally supposed. In Cl)t Sftgion of
SluUgment of Southey he figures as the "Lord of Misrule in his day," known
" by the cast of his eye obliqueand Lord Byron, in his parody of that poem,
introduces him as:

"A merry, cock-eyed, curious-looking sprite."

Perhaps I may be permitted to transcribe the following striking passage with
which Lord Lytton concludes his tale, CUffbrtJ: " O John Wilkes!

Alderman of London, and Drawcansir of Liberty, your life was not an iota too
perfect,—your patriotism might have been infinitely purer,—your morals
would have admitted indefinite amendment: you are no great favourite
with us or with the rest of the world; but you said one excellent
thing, for which we look on you with benevolence, nay, almost with re-
spect. We scarcely know whether to smile at its wit, or to sigh at its wis-
dom. Mark this truth, all ye gentlemen of England, who would make laws as
the Romans made fasces—a bundle of rods with an axe in the middle; mark
it, and remember! long may it live, allied with hope in ourselves, but with
gratitude in our children;—long after the book which it now ' adorns ' and
' points' has gone to its dusty slumber,—long, long after the feverish hand

xxviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

Flagellation,(8) and upon Sodomy, (9) both in France and
England; so, in the Centuria Librorum Absconditorum, some
authors and subjects occupy more space than others, such as
the works of Schurigius, books connected with the Church of

which now writes it down can defend or enforce it no more :—' The very
worst use to which you can put a man is to hang him !' "

The lord mayoralty of the "friend of liberty" was commemorated in a
modest obelisk the existence and whereabouts of which are little known even to
Londoners. It stands in the middle of Bridge Street, Blackfriars, at the
junction of Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill, facing a similar monument to Robert
Waithman of the " Emporium for Shawls," and is inscribed : "a.d.mocclxxv.
The Right Honorable John Wilkes. Lord Mayor.

In order more fully to illustrate this strange propensity, I reproduce two
engravings, chosen from among several others of a similar nature, in vogue
during the latter part of the last, and the beginning of the present century.
The original of the first, which is without signature or title, is by H. F.
Gravelot, and measures 11 by 9 inches j a lithographic reproduction of this
plate, in a reduced form, size, ex title, 9 by 8 ,5 inches, was made by J. C.
Hot'ten, who, more suo, supplied it with a title and supposed artist's name,
and issued it as Molly's first Correction, from the very rare original by
Hogarth. The second : Lady Termagant Flaybum going to give her Step
Son a taste of her Desert after Dinner, &c., which I have already mentioned at
p 375 of the foitifv Etbrorum ^roijflntorum, is entirely different, and much
bolder in treatment, and is by an artist of no mean talent, although I have been
unable to discover his name; the size of the original, not including the title, is
2Ii by 16 inches. This second plate will be found inserted at the end of the
Additions, facing some further notes on Flagellation.

9 No books specially devoted to this subject are comprised in the following
pages, unless I mention Sodom noticed at p. 3*6, but I would call the atten-
tion of my readers to the very remarkable notes which I have been able to
add at p. 404, post.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

Rome, and the numerous erotic productions of the pencil and
etching-needle of Thomas Rowlandson. Upon these I desire
to make a few introductory observations.

Of all the learned physicians or surgeons who have written
upon the physical connection of the sexes, no one has treated
the subject so thoroughly, or brought together so many curious,
interesting and extraordinary details as Dr. Martin Schurig.
The lovers of the curiosities of literature will assuredly not be
displeased at having these little known, and less read volumes
brought more prominently before them.

Already in the thirteenth century, Albert Bollstoedt,
bishop of Ratisbonne, better known as Albertus Magnus,(,0)
had, in spite of his clerical profession,(") furnished much
scabrous matter concerning the opposite sex in his work: J3e
£>ecretfe iflulierum,(,a) The learned bishop gives his reasons
for having composed that treatise: " Quia malum non evitatur
nisi cognitum : ideo necesse est volentibus abstinere, cognoscere
immundiciem co'itus et multa alia quae docentur in isto libro."

Later, during the same century, in his ftegtmeit £>amta--
tl0,(13) Arnaldus de Villanova, in a chapter De ornatu

10 See that name in Sic. $tgtortquf de Bayle, &c.

" " Shall a bishop, raised to the See of Ratisbone, (exclaims the erudite
James Atkinson) and (still more monstrous) shall a canonized man, an ''in
coelum sublevatus,' undertake a natural history of the most natural - secret, inter
secretalia foeminea ? Is the natural and divine law at once to be expounded,
inter Scyllam et Charybdim, of defailance and human orgasm ?" ^Hrtical
Bibliograpfjp, p. 72.

" ifftamul Du Itbratrr, vol. 1, col. 138. Ibid., vol. 5, col. 1227.

c

xxviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

mulierum, furnished a receipt «ut desiderium et dulcedo
(coitus) augeatur." In another chapter he says: «In hoc
meo Deo auxiliante, de egritudinibus quae proprie mulienbus
accidunt tractare intendo;" and one can imagine the details which
he gives when he adds: "et quia mulieres ut plunmum sunt
Animalia Venenosa/'C4) ^ the next century, one of the popes,
John xxii, wrote a work upon the formation of the fcetus.(,J)

All this may perhaps be placed to the account of the bar-
barity of the age. Passing now to a much more recent date,
we have, published at Rome, in 1642, the remarkable work by
Dr. Sinibaldus, etntantforoima; (,6) and about a century
later the erudite Jean Astruc gave to the world his ®t

iHorbfc ^enmfe, and Cratte ties iHalatote* toe* Jrem*

in which works he treats everything in the freest
manner possible.('8)

-4 To which passage James Atkinson appends the following humourous

criticism: "(Oh the rascal!) begging leave, (Deo auxiliante) w.th Gods

blessing and his own endeavours, to abuse the dear creatures- Et de morsu
Dieting ouu i a ,JJC. « simnle Villa Nova what occasion

Animalium Venenosorum, &c. He adds. Simple vuia iNova

for any of his abominations; could he suppose they d.d not understand the

rights of man. Why not leave the expedient to the gernus and resources of

the ladies; they all knew full well, that there is no steering the best ngged man

of war in a storm, without command of the steerage; and they never affect to

strike fire out of a cheese paring." JBtStcal fiibliograpl,*, pp. 7* and 78.

« Biographic mntbtrtftUt (Michaud), vol. 20, p. 610; ^ayca, p. 75-

- Fully noticed at p. 260 of the indty librorum »ro!)tbitorum.

- Biagrapfjia flflrtica, vol. 1, p. >8, *iograpf)« *fletfcaU, vol. 1, pp. 400

and 401; Biographic Be* Science* iKtBualcU.

.3 4In the ffirtTcal BibliograpDi?, (already cited) p. i33, there .s an excellent

notice upon Astruc and his works.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

One might imagine from these remarks that, as far as the
medical art was concerned, the boldest enquiries and the most
naked details concerning the union of the sexes and its conse-
quences had been made known, but this would be a grave
error. The particulars, observations, and anecdotes given by
Schurig far surpass any thing in the works already mentioned,
as will be seen in the analyses of the six works noticed in these
pages (pp. i to 10), although to form any just notion of what
they really contain the books themselves should be read; and
they will be found thoroughly interesting by those not con-
nected with the profession.

It may to the general reader appear strange, and be deemed
impossible by one who has not considered the subject, that
books of an objectionable, immoral, or obscene nature should
be found connected with any religion, the primary object of
which is, or is believed to be, in every instance, the teaching, in
some form or other, of purity and morality ; but a very super-
ficial enquiry will suffice to show that whatever the tenets of
the founder, or founders, every system of theology has, sooner
or later, become alloyed with immoral doctrines, impure rites,
or obscene practices and customs. None, I opine, have been
more shamefully perverted and degraded than that originated
by the lawgiver of Sinai, and modified by the carpenter's son
of Bethlehem.('9) Around none assuredly has so voluminous

19 Concerning ULijt Bible itself, I do not propose to make any remarks;
although, as it is a prohibited book to the greater part of the Christian world,
it would fairly come within the scope of the present essay. To those wishful

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

and objectionable a literature sprung up.('°) This cannot well

of having the turpitudes, blasphemies, and contradictions which undoubtedly
defile its pages served up with a sauce of exquisite wit and banter, I would recom-
mend %t Cttateur of Pigault-lebrun. I shall confine myself here to citing
the sober words of Milton, who exclaims: " yea the Bible it selfe ; for that
oftimes relates blasphemy not nicely, it describes the carnall sense of wicked
men not unelegantly, it brings in holiest men passionately murmuring against
providence through all the arguments of Epkurus: in other great disputes it
answers dubiously and darkly to the common reader: And ask a Talmudist
what ails the modesty of his marginall Keri, that Moses and all the Prophets
cannot persuade him to pronounce the textuall Chetiv. For these causes we all
know the Bible it selfe put by the Papist into the first rank of prohibited

books."
*> Let me say a word concerning the Jewish commentators, to whom
allusion has been made in the foregoing note. Nothing can exceed the horrible-
ness of their legends, or the filthiness of their comments upon the Old Testa-
ment. Dr. Edward Vaughan Kenealy, whose erudition in Rabbinical
literature is remarkable, has, in five ponderous volumes, treated the subject very
exhaustively. I extract two passages : "The believers in the rabbis excused
to themselves the frightful enormities of which we know they were guilty,
(see Part I., pages 354, 43*. 434. and Exodus xxii. 19; Leviticus xviii, 23, xx.
15, 16; and Deuteronomy xxvii. 21), by the example of their feigned progeni-
tor, Adam, who as their Rabbis taught them, had carnal knowledge of every tame
and wild beast on the earth, and was not satisfied until God made Eve for him.
This fearful doctrine is declared by Bartolocci in his learned Bibliotheca Rab-
binica, vol. I., page 77, and he cites for it Rabbi Elbazer and R'abbi Solomon
Jarchi, two of the most noted doctors of the Jews: adding /id idem omnia
tendunt—all things prove it was so, in the opinion of the Hebrews." €f)t
Soofe of ®0tJ. An Introduction to The Apocalypse, p. 694. " I have already
expressed my opinion as to the value of the Rabbinical writings. They are
worse even than the legends of the monks. I hold them in the most utter
contempt. But there are people who do not, and for whom they may have
value. I cite here another instance of the utter abominablness of Rabbinical

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

fail to be the case as long as humanity is as it is. Enlighten-
ment and education are our best safeguards against vice and
error; and it is not difficult to understand how immoral teach-
ing crept in, and lewd conduct was tolerated, during
those dark ages when power almost absolute was in the
hands of a bigoted, intolerant and uninstructed priest-
hood. "Tout homme est homme, et les moines sur-
tout." To make a complete bibliography of books connected
with the Christian religion, or even with the Romish branch of
it, would be a Herculean labour. To form one indeed of
those against the priests(") would be most interesting, although

literature j what I cite is a specimen of what it all is. Nimrod quotes, but
without animadversion, the frightful rabbinical story about Noah given in
Part III., 461 : Cham, nactus opportunitatem cum Noa pater madidus jaceret,
illius virilia comprehendens, taciteque submurmurans carmine magico,patri illusit,
et ilium, sterilem, perinde atque castratum, effecit, neque deinceps Noa fcemellam
ullam fcecundare potuit. iv. 377, This abomination was invented by the Jews
for the purpose of showing, first, that Noah had no other children than Shem,
Ham, and Japhet, and that they (the Jews) were descended from Shem, the
best and holiest} and secondly, that Cham, the father of the Asiatics and
Africans, was one of the most accursed of wretches, whose posterity, and more
particularly the Canaanites, it was lawful to subjugate, ravish, murder, and
destroy; just as it was right to exterminate the Moabites, who were the fruit of
the fabulous incest of Lot. Thus there was a bloody and damnable and cruel
motive at the bottom of these Rabbinical lies." ©nocf), vol. i, p. 198.

One of the most esteemed and comprehensive collections of poems against
the priests is contained in a small 8vo. vol. of pp. 494, and 1 unnumbered,
entitled : Varia tioctoru f)torbm'qbc 'Firorum, De corrupto Ecclesice statu,
Poemata, Ante nostram (Ptatem coscripta : ex quibus multa historica quoq. utiliter,
ac summa cum uoluplate cognosci possunt. Gum prcefatione Mathi^e Flacii
Illyrici. Basilets, Per Lvdouicum Lucium. Date, on the colophon only,

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

a giant undertaking. I do not propose to myself either of these
tasks. I have endeavoured however in the following pages to
bring together, as specimens only, a few works of different
descriptions concerning the Church of Rome, which I have
classified as follows: Books written by priests, or members of
the Church of Rome (pp. 62 to 86); compiled from those
of Popish writers (pp. 87 to in); by apostates from the faith
(pp. 112 to 144); by those who had suffered clerical persecu-
tion (pp. 145 to 156); by Protestants, or enemies of the
Romish Church (pp. 157 to containing authentic ac-

counts of scandals committed by priests (pp. 213 to 259) ;
made up of stories, more or less apocryphal, intended to bring
the church into bad repute,(") and fictions, ridiculing the rites

m d lv1i This vol., which is now rarely met with, comprises the effusions of
three centuries, many of which are not to be found in any other collection.
Among the most interesting items maybe mentioned a poem and bnef memoir
of Walter Mapes, and a remarkable poem in centons by Ljelio Capilupi,
de uita Monachorum, which contains some very free passages In 1841
Thomas Wright published for the Camden Society the poems of Mapes, and
again in 18.50, Gualteri Mapes De Nugis Curialium Distinctions qvtnque,
from an unique MS. in the Bodleian Library. A brief notice of him .s given
at p <23 of Che literature of tl>e Upmrp. Mathias, in his ^urauiM of
literature, quotes him more than once, and calls him "the jovial archdeacon
of Oxford, the Anacreon of the eleventh century." Concerning Laelio Capilupi,
his poem is given by Wolf in his lectionbm ^emorab«ibm ; and much infor-
mation about him (and four other writers of the same name), together with
extracts from their works, will be found in M. O. Dblepierre s Caftlcau He

la litterature ttu Centon, vol. 1, p. 170.

» Abominable as these compilations frequently are, their comparative utility
must not be overlooked. In speaking of the celibacy of the clergy, Southey

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

of the church and the conduct of its ministers, some written by
members of the church (pp. 260 to 291). A glance at either
of these subdivisions will, I feel confident, suffice to prove the
correctness of what I have advanced, viz., that books, improper,
immoral, and even grossly obscene, will be found in abundance
connected with the Christian religion, and with the Church of
Rome in particular, many indeed written by members of that
church, and furnished with the permission and approbation of
the pope and his officers.(JJ) Should my readers however

remarks. " A wide spreading immorality was the inevitable result. Upon this
point we may appeal to popular opinion, being one of the few points on which
it may be trusted. Before the Reformation the clergy in this country were as
much the subjects of ribald tales and jests for the looseness of their lives, as
they were in all other Roman Catholic countries, and still are in those where-
ever any freedom of speech can be indulged." Vmtftria ©rrlctfta 9ngU«
cans, p. 302.

n But as these clerical writings, especially the treatises of the casuists,
became known to the world at large, the Church of Rome was constrained to
condemn what she had at first approved. After quoting the forcible invectives
of Bossubt upon this subject, M. Libri continues : " Faut il ajouter mainte-
nant que le cardinal de Noailles, dans son instruction pastorale du 16 janvier,
1719, voyait dans le dangereux principe de la probability la source de tous les
relachemevts.' et qu'au xviie siecle, vingt evfeques franijais ont proscrit ce prin-
cipe, egalement condamne par les facultes de theologie de Paris, de Reims, de
Nantes, de Poitiers, de Caen j par les cures de Paris, et enfin par l'assemblee
generate du clerge censurant, en 1700, cent vingt-sept propositions tirees, pom-
la plupart, des probability, qui, dit l'editeur d'un ouvrage (Conferences ecclesi-
astiques sur plusieurs points importants de la morale chrhienne, Bruxelles,
1755't- l> P- 3 et 19) compost & la priere d'un ancien archev&que de Paris (le
cardinal de Noailles), sembloient avoir puisi dans un cloaque toutes les ordures
qu'ils mettoient dans leurs livres, et dont les patens meme nauroient ose salir leurs

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

consider my selection partial, prejudiced, or unfair, I would
request them to take up the writings of any of the
most esteemed Romish authors, especially of the jesuits(^)
and casuists,CO such as Angelus, St. Augustin, Azorius,

murages. Tels sent, en un mot, les decisions de l'Eglise gallicane * 1 egard de
ce probabilisme que professent l'.bfa6 Moullet et l'.bb6 Rousselot, et sans
lequel. dit-on, la morale ne saurait fere enseignee. Aprts Alexandre vii,
Innocent x. et Benoit xiv ont condamn6 cette doctrine, repousse egalement
par les plus savants th6ologiensde tous les pays (parmi lesquels .1 suffira de
citerles cardinaux d'AouiRE, Sandoval, Bellarmin, Palavic.ni, Noris,
Sfrondrat, les peres Merenda, Fagnan, Gonzales, Concna) et par le
tribunal de requisition, dans une d6cision du 15 janvier 1664. *ettrea iwc
le CUrae, p. 106. I would direct the special attention of my readers to the
able Note which should be added to the ©ecouberte* K un »ibl»op*tle and
which comprises an exhaustive list of objectionable Romish writers, and of the
doctrines, pernicious or immoral, for which they were condemned

In his Cratte Ou Secret frtbtolable He la ConfeMton, Lenolet du
Fresnoy has given a very complete and useful list of the Jesuitical waters up
to the end of the i7th century. A list of authors of a later da e w,H be found ^ the Compendium (see p. 87, post). It is however to the lettre^ro^le,
that one must turn to get a clear notion of the Jesuitical teachings. Nothmg
can surpass the ridicule which Pascal has heaped upon the followers of
Loyola. Little indeed can be added to what that great and witty has said.

I The biting sarcasms which Montesquieu directed against the casuists
in his fcettre* $er«ane*, are too well known to need citing. I find space how-
ever for the foUowing sketch of their origin by M. Libr. : "Cest alors au
moyen age) que des thdologiens, que des canonistes, voulant donner des regks
certaines de conduite, et trouvant apparemment la morale de 'Evang,le insuffi-
sante formerent le projet insense de faire 1'enumerat.on complete de toutes es
actions humaines, de donner une solution de tous les cas possibles, et fonde en
cette science du casulsme, qui a pris dans la suite un si grand accro.ssement, et

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

BaUNY, benedictis, benzi,(a6) Billuard, Bonacina, Bossus,
Busembaum, Cajetano, Charly, Conick, Decius, De la
Hogue, Dens, Diana, Dicastillo, Elbel, Escobar, Fa-
gundez, Filliucius,(*7) Gambac, Gousset, Graff, GrIsgoire

contre laquelle se sont toujours elev6s les hommes les plus pieux, les coeurs les
plus purs. Ce n'est pas du vivant de ceux qu'on a si bien nommes les pre-
dicateurs de la raison humaine que ces doctrines pouvaient prendre naissance j
e'est lorsque des moines discutaient gravement si le Ftls de Dieu avait pu
s'incarner dans une vache, e'est pendant qu'on celebrait la messe de Vane dans la
cathedrale de Sens, que la plupart des eglises de France servaient de theatre aux
mysteres et aux farces les moins propres & edifier les fiddles j e'est lorsqu'enfin
on composait et on lisait regulierement & certaines heures dans les couvents ces
contes devots si remplis de descriptions licencieuses, qu'& propos du sixieme
commandement on se prit £l traiter avec un cynisme revoltant les cas les plus
monstrueux que des cerveaux en delire aient jamais pu imaginer. La chaire
sacree suivit bientot cet exemple deplorable, et les hommes qui font collection de
ces sortes de livres recherchent beaucoup les sermons du pere Maillard, qui,
racontant £ ses auditeurs les tentatives d'un certain president pour seduire suc-
cesssivement plusieurs femmes mariees, reproduisait jusqu'au bruit du tic toe
que faisait en frappant k la porte de ces femmes la personne que le lubrique
magistrat avait chargee de ses interets. Voild les veritables sources qu'il faut
citer quand on veut connaitre les ancfetres de l'abbe Rousselot." lettrfS 3ur
It Clerge, p. 80.

* " Le Pere Benzi causa un grand scandale en declarant que e'etait une pecca-
dille que de palper les seins d'une nonne. Les Dominicains l'ayant attaque, il
fut defendu par les Jesuites Foure et Turani ; ce dernier essaya de prouver,
que Thomas d'Aguin avait enonce le mfeme principe; il n'y reussit point.
A propos de cette opinion sur les tatti mammillari, on donna aux Jesuites le
surnom de' theologiens mamillaires.' " JLtti SJfjtfuttfitf par J. Hubbr, vol. 2, p. 84.

17 Lisez . . . le jesuite Filliutius, qui a discute avec une extreme sagacite
jusqu'^ quel degre peuvent se porter les attouchements voluptueux, sans devenir
criminels. II decide, par exemple, qu'un mari a beaucoup moins & se plaindre

d

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

de Valentia, gury,(a8) Henricus, Holzmann, Hurtado,
Lacroix, Laymann, Gordon Lesmore, Liguori,(J9) Maider,

lorsque sa femme s'abandonne k unetranger d'une maniere contraire k la nature,
que quand elle commet simplement avec lui un adultere, et fait le peche comme
Dieu le commande; parce que, dit Filliutius, de la premiere fagon on ne touche
pas au vase legitime sur lequel seul I'ipoux a des droits exclusifs . ... O qu'un
esprit de paix est un precieux don du ciel!" ©rotitta Biblton, mdcccxxxiii,
p. 59.

His works have lately passed through a new edition: Compendium
€l)tologiat ifioraltU P. Ioannis Petri Gury S. I. &c. Romae Ex Typo-
graphy Polyglotta &c. mdccclxxvii. 8vo., 2 vols. Many of the most
noteworthy points of his teaching will be found set forth in £f)« 3fe*uiU, by
Mr. W. C. Cartwright.

*» Saint Liguori occupies an important position in the Church of Rome.
His teaching maintains to the present day, and he founded a sect, which, atone
time, had an influence second only to that of the Jesuits. His doctrines,
together with those of saints Leonard de Port-Maurice, Charles
BorromSb, Fban§ois de Sales, Philippb db N^ri.and Fran$ois-Xavier,
have been lately embodied by Mgr. Gaumb in his flSanuel Be* ConfrfSrur*.
On the other hand the objectionable and immoral points of his teaching are
ably summed up in the Becouberte* Vun Bibliophile. The followers of
Liguori, called Redemptorists, or Congregation of the Redeemer, appear to have
adopted the subtlety and duplicity of the Jesuits without attaining the learning
and wisdom for which that order is justly celebrated. In his ^floUem
SkautttSm, Dr. Michelsen has given an admirable sketch of the Redemptor*
ists; but 'i append the still more striking picture of Dr. F., Schuselka :
"S)er @ad?e unb brn ©eijle na$ unterfdjeiben jlct? Die fiiguorianer con ben
eiflentlidjen Sefuiten nur baburfy ba§ fie no$ oerberbitter unb gefdfjrlit^er ttirfen
al8 bieje. <®ie oerfolgen bie fdjlmmjlen jefuitif^en 3rce cigentlityn ftefuitiSmuS. £>a ifl feine <®pur jenet &a%elef;rfamfeit, fener welt,
mannifaen gein^eit unb ©efameibigfeit, but$ roelty bie 3efuiten mantyrlei

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

Marchantius, Moja,(3°) Molina, Moullet,(3I) Navarrus,
Palao, Pereira, Petrocorentis, Corneille de la Pierre,

nufclicfyeS gefcfyaffen unb fid? ber ffielt roenigftenS leister crtrdgtic^, ja juireilen fogat
angeneljm gemacfyt Ijaben. £>ie Siguorianet prebigen bit fcatfle, nacftejle Dumm^cit
unb oerfunbett rnit emporenber gotteSlafterlidjer 2)reifligfeit, bafj e6en nur in biefer
2>umm§eit, b. Jj. im toofligen 5lufgefcen aOet 93ernunfttljdtigfeit, im blinbeflen gegen*
benglaufeen, in finbif^efien Getemonienfyiel, b. f). alfo im ganjlid?en 93ergid>ten auf
atte gottdtynlicfye 2J?enfd)lic(?feit unb Sftenftijenroutbe bag bie8* unb jenfeitige >§eil ber
2Renfcfyf)eit liege. £>ie Siguorianer rootten im fircfjltcfyen, l)du8licfyen unb offentlicfjen
Sefcen jenen jelotifcfyen Gi)ni8mu8 roiebereinfutyren, ber im STOittelalter bi8 ju folder
SKenfcfyen* unb ©ottfdjdnbung eerfanf, bafc g. 38. etne beutftye gurftiri ©ott einen
n?o^lgefdaigen ©ienft ju leiften ro'atynte, roenn fie ba8 ffiaffet tran!, in roeltfyem flc^
2Rdndje bie ftiifje geroafaen !" 2) e r 3 e f u i t e n f r i e g, p. 294.

30 " Les elucubrations que l'on rencontre dans les ouvrages de leur Ordre
(the Jesuits) se refusent k toute transcription. Moja, entre autres, a devoloppe,
dans un livre condamne par la Sorbonne, le theme des exces sexuels avec un
cynisme sans pareil: la faculte, k la fin de la censure, ajoute quepouvantee
des ordures dont est rempli le livre, et tenant compte des exigences de la
morale et des bienseances publiques, elle renonce £ formuler toutes les sen-
tences de la condammation. iesi $e*utte0, par J. Huber, vol. 2, p. 83.

31 " En effet, s'agit-il d'une jeune personne poursuivie et en danger d'etre
viol6e; le moraliste (Moullet), apr£s l'avoir engagee k fuir et k crier, a soin de
tenir un tamen en reserve, pour lui apprendre que si par cette fuite ou par ces
cris elle pouvait exposer sa vie ou sa reputation, elle n'est obligee ni de s'enfuir
ni de crier avec la perspective de ces desagrements (cum tanlo suo incom-
modo).....

" L'abbe Rousselot nous avait enumere les petites caresses mamillaires
qu'on pouvait faire k une femme en toute securite de conscience j la limite une
fois franchie, M. Moullet nous apprend k diriger l'intention de manure A
diminuer le nombre des pech6s. ' Celui (dit-il) qui touche ou embrasse
lacivement une jeune personne sans avoir l'intention d'aller plus loin, commet
plusieurs p6ches, mais (vero) il n'en commet qu'un seul s'il se livre k ces actes
comme moyens d'atteindre un autre but, quand mfeme cet effet ne s'ensuivrait
pas.' " lettrea dur U Clerge, p. 97.

xxviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

Pontius, Preinguez, Rodriguez, Roncaglia, Rousselot(3'),
Emmanuel Sa, the universally known Thomas Sanchez,(»)

v " II faudrait inviter ces austeres censeurs h lire les pages oil l'abbe Roussblot
conseille aux confesseurs de demander aux jeunes personnes si elles ont l'habi-
tude de livrer leur corps aux chiens j il faudrait les engager & chercher dans ce
livre (CompenUtum) comment, par des attamen judicieusement plac6s, on peut
excuser et pallier les infamies les plus r6voltantes. La valse et la galopade sont
mortelles, suivant le professeur de Grenoble, qui permet cependant de pousser
du pied le pied d'une femine, de lui serrer la main, de lui palper les jambes, la
gorge, les epaules, et mferae d'eprouver quelque plaisir dans ces attouchements.
Ceci rappelle tout & fait la celebre doctrine des mamillaires, contre lesquels le
theologien Concina 6crivit un traite dans le sidcle dernier, doctrine qui fut
severement proscrite par le pape Benoit xiv. . . . Les doctrines exposees
dans ce livre au sujet de l'avortement sont reprehensibles au dernier degr6.
Les distinctions que l'auteur etablit entre le cas oil le foetus est anim£ et celui
oil il ne l'est pas encore contiennent autant d'erreurs en physiologie qu'en
morale. En comparant ce crime horrible a une action honteuse et funeste i la
verite, mais malheureusement. trop frequente, M. Roussblot ne pourrait que
multiplier les avortements, s'il n'y avait pas dans le coeur des hommes d'autre
morale que celle qu'il a prechee." lettretf fttir U Cltrge, p. 87.

33 It was my intention to have noticed fully the three remarkable volumes
Stepbtattonbm Be Sancto ;tfHatrtmonu Sacramento, of Thomas Sanchez,
especially as there are connected with them one or two bibliographical uncer-
tainties which it would be interesting to clear up. However, the work is
so generally well known, and mentioned by so many bibliographers, that I
decided to pass it over. It may not however be superfluous .to note here a
few of the questions which the worthy jesuit discusses : " Utrtim liceat extra
vas naturale semen emittere ?—De altera foeminS cogitare in coi'tu cum su&
uxore ?—Seminare consulto, separatum ?—Congredi cum uxore, sine spe
seminandi ?—Impotentiae, tractibus et illecebris opitulari ?—Se retrahere quando
mulier seminavit?—Virgam alibi intromittere, dClm in vase debito semen
effundat?—Utriim virgo Maria semen emiserit in copulatione cum Spiritu

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

Schroeerus,(J4) Soto, Sporer, Suarez,(") Sylvius, Taberna,

Sancto ?" In the dfratic arcfjcr Be la brage <£glt$e there is a remarkable
criticism of Sanchez which has been deemed worthy of transcription in
extenso in the ©trt. fjuftoriqiu de Baylb (vol. 13, p. 79). That criticism,
although extremely violent, is in the main true, and as it applies with more
or less exactness to all the authors above named I would recommend its
perusal to my readers. In spite of the scabrous questions which he mooted,
Sanchez appears to have led a most pure life, and we are told that: " C'est
aux pieds du crucifix qu'il 6crivait ses livres." That he studied "trente
ans de sa vie ces questions assis sur un sitge de marbre, ne mangeait jamais ni
poivre, ni sel, ni vinaigre, et, quand il etait & table pour diner, tenait toujours
ses pieds en l'air," &c. " II y a plus de deux sidclesque M. Le Gay, lieutenant
civil de Paris, fit saisir tous les exemplaires de Sanchez qu'il put trouver,
et defendit aux libraires d'en avoir, sous peine de la hart!" Vide )3tbliotjf)t(a
J}t$pana |Joba, vol. a, p. 312; Uitt. He Jfiograpfjit Cfjrtttfmu et Slntt*
Cljrtttmne, vol. 3,col. 974; (Krottfea SKblton, p. 32; Itttreff aur U CUrgr, p. 90.

34 I have not seen the work of ScHR0BBRus,0rScH0R0EBRus, but extract from
the Catalogue De Eebtr, art. 95, the following notice of it: " f. SiMntatio
tjjjeologtca de sanct\ficatione seminis Marice Virginis in actu conceptionis Christi
sine redemptionis pretio .... authore Samuelb Schorobero. Lispice, ap.
Braunium, 1709, in-4. Livre fort rare et non moins curieux. Le titre
indique assez la nature et le caractere de singularite de l'ouvrage. On n'a
jamais port6 plus loin le scandale des interpretations et 1'impertinence des
recherches sur un pareil sujet. On pretend y prouver, par exemple, que:
' Semen Mariae Virginis ante Spiritus S. actionem superventus in vasis sper-
matids actu extitisse falsum est: ergo nec in lumbis Adami, nec in ovario
Mariae, multominiis Evae fuit; sed Spiritus S. virtute creatrice ex sanguine
Mariae semen illud procreavit, siquidem ad generationis actum ipsa quoque
actio sementiva pertinet.' Thomas Sanchez est un module de discretion
pudibonde, en comparaison du docteur Samuel Schroeerus."

x " SuARfes examine les differentes fa^ons dont le Christ pouvait sortir du
ventre de sa m&re, il entre dans des discussions de la nature la plus d£li-

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

Tamburini, Tanner, Thomas d'Aguin, Thomas de Malo,
jAcauES Tirin, Tolet, Trachala, VAsauEz, Vega, Vigu-
erius, Villalbos, Vivaldi, Wigandt, Zenardi, Zerola,
and many others, not to mention the authors whose works are
more particularly noticed in the following pages, and judge for
themselves. (j6)

Every reflecting mind must find it difficult to understand
how, in the present nineteenth century, a system so false,
prurient, and polluted, can still be believed in,(") can find

cate et se demande entre autres si Marie est accouchee de J6sus avec ou sans
delivre. II se prononce pour le dernier cas. £ti $tsiutte4, vol. a, p. 116.
The most striking doctrines of many of the writers above named will be
found noted in Mr. Huber's excellent work.

* In le* Sktfuite* remta en cauae, Collin de Plancy brings the leading
jesuits on the scene, and, in the form of dialogues among themselves, or with
their adversaries, makes them argue their causes, and explain their own doc-
trines. Many of the writers whom I have enumerated above figure in his
curious and little known work.

n it is certain that in every age there have been priests who have disbelieved
the doctrines they taught; some indeed have been honest enough to avow
their disbelief. A notable instance was Jean Meslier, cur6 d'Etrepigny en
Champagne, who died in 1733. The most complete edition of his Cedtament
is that of R. C. Meijer, Amsterdam, 1864, 3 vols., 8vo., with an Etude lio-
graphique by Rudolf Charles. But: " Avant Meslier, M. de Lavardin,
eveque de Seez, avait dit et repet6 publiquement qu'il detestait sa religion ; il
protestait que jamais il n'avait consacre le pain et le vin en disant la messe,
qu'il n'avait reellement administre aucun sacrement, ni ordonne aucun pretre}
il riait, en mourant, des scrupules des pretres qui avaient dit la messe tout de bon,
apres avoir ete ordonnes pour rire; et en effet, ces pauvres gens ne savaient
s'ils devaient se faire ordonner de nouveau ; les enfans confirmes ne savaient
s'ils devaient se faire readministrer un sacrement qu'on ne peut recevoir qu'une

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

devotees ready to lay down their lives in its support, and even
make converts(38) of men of knowledge, experience, and bright
parts. For, whether we consider the absurd miracles which are

fois; les gens de qualite que sa grandeur avait unis, ne savaient s'ils vivaient ou
non dans l'etat de concubinage, et si leurs enfans etaient legitimes ou b&tards :
c'6tait un bruit d'enfer." Ee CttaUur, Introduction.

* The secret lies perhaps in what I may terra, somewhat paradoxically, the
certainty of a chance. Scepticism leads only to doubt, and can offer nothing
in lieu of what it rejects. The Reformed Christian Church demands what few
men can fulfil—true belief, and a virtuous life. The Church of Rome, on the
other hand, requires, in reality, neither faith nor works. The penitent is re-
quired to observe, not very strictly, the outward rites and forms of his church,
to support that church, or its ministers, as liberally as his means will permit,
and to give his conscience over to his priest, or spiritual director, who under-
takes all responsibility. A man then may join the Romish Church, and remain
at heart an unbeliever} he throws the weight of his actions, and even of his
unbelief, on his confessor, who accepts the burden, and he has thereby the
chance of being saved. There are men who cannot tolerate uncertainty, and
who must, sooner or later, in spite of their reason and common sense, adopt
that system which offers a certainty. Milton might have had such a person
in his mind when he wrote : " A wealthy man addicted to his pleasure and to
his profits, finds Religion to be a traffick so entangl'd, and of so many piddling
accounts, that of all mysteries he cannot skill to keep a stock going upon that
trade. What shoulde he doe ? fain he would have the name to be religious,
fain he would bear up with his neighbours in that. What does he therefore,
but resolvs to give over toyling, and to find himself out som factor, to whose
care and credit he may commit the whole managing of his religous affairs;
som Divine of note and estimation that must be. To him he adheres, resigns
the whole ware-house of his religion, with all the locks and keyes into his
custody; and indeed makes the very person of that man his religion; esteems
his associating with him a sufficient evidence and commendatory of his own
piety. So that a man may say his religion is now no more within himself, but

XXXviii. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

even to-day being palmed off upon the credulous ;(39) the
blunders, crimes and follies of the infallible popes ;(«•) the vices

is becom a dividuall movable, and goes and comes neer him, according as that
good man frequents the house. He entertains him, gives him gifts, feasts him,
lodges him; his religion comes home at night, praies, is liberally supt, and
sumptuously laid to sleep, rises, is saluted, and after the malmsey, or some
well spic'd bruage, and better breakfasted then he whose morning appetite
would have gladly fed on green figs between Bethany and Ierusalem, his
Religion walks abroad at eight, and leavs his kind entertainer in the shop
trading all day without his religion." aveopagttua.

» In ®f)e Ctmea of Nov. 20, 1876, we read: "The three children at Mar-
pingen, in Prussian Rhineland, who last summer stated they had repeatedly
seen the Holy Virgin in a wood close to their village, and whose glowing
asseverations, backed by the clergy, attracted thousands of pilgrims to the sacred
spot, have just been tried by Judge Comes, at St. Wendel. Upon the children
confessing that they had been telling lies, they were sentenced to be placed in
an educational establishment for culprits under 12 years of age."

The perusal of any one of the numerous histories of the Papacy, even by
writers favourable to that institution, will suffice to show that among the
Popes have existed rulers unequalled, by the secular sovereigns of other
countries, for arrogance, cruelty, oppression and immorality. Such modern
publications as fetatotreUta $aptfJ, Crimes, Meurtres, Empoisonnements, Parri-
tides, J duller es, Incestes, &c., 1843-4, 1° vols; fetJftotre UcS »apt* &c. par
Maurice Lachatrb, 3 volsj Mm Uttf »apt* par Louis de la

Vicomterib, 1857, may be consulted respecting the personal character and
particular crimes of each pontiff. In the ftccttonbm fftcmarabtltbm tt ftcconttu
tarum Centmarii xv, will be found a number of satirical pieces against tho
popes and their officers, frequently illustrated by curious wood cuts, among
which may be particularly mentioned a set contrasting the life of Christ with
that of a pope. Barely to enumerate those sovereign bishops of Rome whose
lives have been especially scandalous would surpass the limits of a foot-note,
and I will conclude with the pointed words of Voltairb, who alluding to

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

and hypocrisy of many of the clergy, both regular(41) and

Alexander vi asks : Le Pape est-il infaillible quand il couche avec sa mal-
tresse, ou avec sa propre fille, & qu'il apporte & souper une bouteille de vin
empoisonne pour le Cardinal Cornetto r Quand deux conciles s'anathema-
tisent l'un l'autre, comme il est arriv6 vingt fois, quel est le concile infaillible ?"
%ti (©ueattona tie Zapata.

41 Happily the influence of the monks has disappeared for ever j and their
numbers diminish with the advance of civilisation. The time has passed when
" seulement l'ombre du clocher d'une abbaye etoit f^conde." The " vrai moine
si onques en fut depuis que le monde moinant moina de moinerie " exists no
longer. It is however the times only which have changed, not the men ; for in
those unenlightened countries where he is tolerated or encouraged, the monk
remains what he ever was, slothful, ignorant, and debauched. Books against
the monks are simply legion, and no list for which I could find space here
would afford any idea of them. From among the numerous illustrated satirical
publications I may perhaps select: Da8 lippige Sefcen ber SWoncfien. $Bie fo(cf)<3
tnbem Softer ju (Smbrad? urn ble Son A0 1517 burcfy Satyrische Figuren
Uorgejlelt unb bafelbfl all fresco gematylt, faint fcettgefejten Versen gufe^en rear. &c.
in Jfu^fer gefcradjt A" 177a. &c., engraved title and 12 figures in outline, each
with 4 lines, partly Latin, partly German, underneath; Jftenbersfcmcnt tie la ^Morale Cljrettenne Par les desordres du Monachisme. Enrichi de Figures.
Premiere Partie. On les vend en Hollande, chez les Marchands Lilraires &
Imagers. Avec Pricilege d'Innocent XI. <©m£ftoottnge Uir Cljrtetelgfee
Xctttn. &c., 50 well engraved figures, and a folding frontispiece; the text,
pp. hi, ex title, is like the title-page, partly in French and partly in Dutch;
<£&fai 4ut I'fltetotrt Jiaturclle tie quelquea CtsSperea fie Plotnejf, Dtcrits a la
maniere de Linn£. Ouvrage traduit du Latin et orni de Figures. Par M.
Jean d'Antimoine, i!fc. A Monachopolis, m.dcc.lxxxiv. Of this work
translated by Broussonet from the Latin of Baron Ign. db Born, Querard
notes a second edition of 1790, to which may be added one with Latin and
French en regard, and double title-page: fjlonacfjologta Figuris Ligno Incisis
illustrata Eridaniee Typis Philanthropicis 1782, jHonacologte illustrde de

e

XXXviii. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

secular ;(*') the duplicity, lax teaching(43) infamous doc-

Jigures sur lois. Paris Paul in, Rue de Seine, 33 1844, 8vo., pp. 96. In Ea
police He arts Scbotlce, vol. 1, p. 292, there is a curious chapter, De la Police
sur les Pretres, in which are recorded the visits to different prostitutes in Paris
of members of various monastic orders during the years 1760 to 1773.

43 Were such a course necessary, we could extract their condemnation from
their own lips. Had crimes not been committed, or were they thought
unlikely of commission by priests, the penitential codes, drawn up by the
Church, would not exist. The Church, however, considered its members
capable of the most heinous and filthy crimes which it is possible to imagine.
Further, numerous churchmen have written against the vices of their co-
religionists ; and historians, full of zeal for the glory of Rome, have found it
impossible to conceal sacerdotal depravity. A. Pelagius, writing in the 16th
century, gives the following picture: " Helas 1 combien de religieux et de
pretres dans leurs retraites et leurs couvents, aussi bien que les lai'ques dans
leurs villes, surtout en Italie, ont etabli en quelque sorte publiquement une
espece de gymnase et de cours inf^me, oil ils s'exercent aux plus criminelles
debauches ! Les jeunes gargons les plus distingues sont voues & ces lieux de
prostitution. . . . Les pretres vivent dans le plus grand dereglement; les fils de
pretres sont presque aussi nombreux que les fils de lai'ques; les pretres se
levent d'ayec leurs concubines pour aller monter & l'autel, etc." The above
passage is extracted from 2)e la Confession et tiu Crlibat Ucsf Jh'ctrcS, where
one or two others of a similar nature will be found. M. Bouvet adds: "Et
tels sont encore de nos jours les ecclesiastiques, £ Rome, ik Naples et dans les
pays en general oh domine le pouvoir sacerdotal." Have we not at present
proceeding the Lambertini-Antonelli lawsuit, a clear proof that the great
cardinal did not keep his vow of chastity ! The case, as far as it has gone, has
already been put in the form of a volume, Roma, 1877, pp. 112.

43 "Advocate and antagonist will alike admit (writes Mr. W. C. Cart-
wright) that the system of lax opinion popularly charged against Jesuit
divines rests on three cardinal propositions—of Probabilism, of Mental Reser-
vation, and of Justification of Means by the End." He offers the following

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

trines,(44) and dishonest commercial dealings(4S) of the jesuits;

illustration : " Anna having been guilty of adultery, and being interrogated by
her husband, who has formed a suspicion, answers, the first time, that she has
not violated wedlock; the second time, having in the interval obtained absolu-
tion, she replies, I am guiltless of such a crime. The third time, she absolutely
denies the adultery, and says, I have not committed it, meaning within herself
such particular adultery as I am bound to reveal, or, I have not committed an
act of adultery that has to be revealed to you. Is Anna to be blamed ?'
Gury's reply, too long to give here, justifies each answer of the adulterous
woman, supporting his ruling by a grave array of authorities, amongst which
figure the Jesuit Suarez and St. Liguori." Cfjc SJeauttS, pp. 149, 160.

44 The remarkable article of Diderot, in the Dictionnaire Encydopedirjue,
is worthy of especial attention. From it I extract the following paragraph :
" Lisez l'ouvrage intitule les Assertions, et publie cette annee 1762, par arret
du parlement de Paris, et fremissez des horreurs que les theologiens de cette
societe ont debitees depuis son origine, sur la simonie, le blaspheme, le sacri-
lege, la magie, l'irreligion, l'astrologie, l'impudicit6, la fornication, la pederastie,
le parjure, la faussete, le mensonge, la direction d'intention, le faux temoignage,
la prevarication des juges, le vol, la compensation occulte, l'homicide, le suicide,
la prostitution, et le regicide; ramas d'opinions qui, comme dit M. le procureur-
general du roi au parlement de Bretagne, dans son second compte rendu, page
73, attaque ouvertement les principes les plus sacres, tend £ detruire la loi
naturelle, ^ rendre la foi humaine douteuse, £ rompre tous les liens de la societe
civile, en autorisant l'infraction de ses lois, £ etouffer tout sentiment
d'humanite parmi les hommes, i aneantir l'autorite royale, & porter le trouble et
la desolation dans les empires, par l'enseignement du regicide ; i renverser les
fondements de la revelation, et £ substituer au christianisme des superstitions
de toute espece." A handy little volume, giving in the concisest possible form
the peculiar tenets of each of the most noted fathers, is the Jitogrnpfyte
liittorejiquc tlrS S^utttg, par M. Collin de Plancy.

45 It is certain that, in their missions to the East, the jesuits thought more of
enriching their society than of enforcing the doctrines of Christianity, that they.

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

the scandalous quarrels(46) which have taken place between
the different orders, and the irregularities^7) and licenciousness

in fact, became merchants rather than priests. This was notoriously the case
in Japan, and the result of it, coupled with their arrogance and jealousy of
other christian orders, was the total extinction of Christianity in that country.
A long account of their doings in Japan will be found, inter alia, in the HtSt.
Beg $egutte£, par Adolphe Boucher. I wish however more particularly to
remind my readers of their two great bankruptcies—at Seville in 1646, and
that of the P. Lavalbtte, in 1753.

46 One cannot read the histories of the various orders without being struck
by the animosity and jealousy existing between them, and which have fre-
quently produced bloodshed. Numerous are the satirical books in the style of
JU ©uerre i^rrapfjtque, ou Histoire des Perils qua courus La Barle des
Capucins Par les violentes Attaques des Cordeliers. See. A La Haye, Chez
Pierrb de Hondt. m.dcc.xl. Some interesting facts on the subject will
be found in the (QufrtUeS Hitterairea, ou Memoires Pour servir a 1'Histoire des
Revolutions de la Ripullique des Lettres, 8cc. Paris, m.dcc.lxi.

47 In a rare volume entitled : explication Be la 33blla Be la #anrta Crb^aBa.
En Qaragofa. 1592., 8vo., 344 fols. with 67 pages unnumbered,we read: "En
la tercera (parte) la Composicion, y la postre se declara el Motu propio de
Pio V. en el qual se prohibe la entrada de las mugeres en lo interior de los
monesterios de frayles." Passing now to our own country, in his notice of
the order of Gilbertines, founded in 1148, in England, Gabriel d'Emilliannb
says: "He (Gilbert, the founder) caused to be built for them, in a short
time, thirteen Monasteries, in which were reckoned 700 Monks, and 1100
Women, who lived together, separated only by a Wall. . . . This Hermaphro-
dite Order, made up of both Sexes, did very soon bring forth' Fruits worth of
it self; these holy Virgins having got almost all of them big Bellies, which
gave occasion to the following Verses.

" Harum sunt queedam steriles, qucedam parientes,
" Virgineoque tamen nomine cuncta tegunt.

" Quce (the abbess) pastoralis laculi dotatur honore,
" Ilia quidem melius fertiliusque parit.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

which have at all times distinguished monastic institutions,^8)

" Fix etiam qucevis sterilis reperitur in illis,
" Donee ejus cetas talia posse negat.

"Tho' some are Barren Does, yet others,
" By Fryars help, prove teeming Mothers.
" When all to such Lewdness run,
"All's cover'd under Name of Nun.
"Th' Abbess, in Honour as She' excells,
" Her Belly too, more often swells.
" If any She proves Barren still,
"Age is in fault, and not her will.

" These Nuns to conceal from the World their infamous Practices, made
away secretly their Children j and this was the Reason, why at the time of the
Reformation, so many Bones of Young Children were found buried in their
Cloisters, and thrown into places where they ease Nature." 9 $f)ort $t'gtorj>
of 4Hona$tual <©rUm5, &c. p. 133.

48 Nothing will be found in the present volume concerning the Knights
Templars, yet the crimes with which they were charged far surpass those of
any other religious body. It has been asserted that nothing was proved against
them; but the bare fact of its being thought possible that so holy and noble an
order could be so far guilty, and that such terrible accusations could be brought
against so powerful and wealthy a body, suffices to show into what a state of
disrepute the religious orders had then fallen ; moreover, that the society was
definitely abolished, in spite of the great opposition made against its destruc-
tion, is surely enough to prove that the authorities at Rome were not con-
vinced of their innocence. Their wealth was doubtless a bait, but other orders
were very wealthy and very licencious, and were not destroyed. Further, not
in one country only were they called to account, but in every land where they
had institutions. I shall confine myself to noting one or two of the crimes
with which the Templars of England were charged, although they are not by
far so idolatrous or so filthy as the turpitudes brought against those of foreign

XXXviii. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

both male and female ;(49) their useless asceticism, puerile

countries. " That they sometimes pis'd and caus'd others to piss upon the
Cross. That they ador'd a certain Cat that appear'd to them at that Assembly.
That at the Reception of Brothers of the said Order, the Receiver sometimes
and the Person receiv'd, now and then Kis'd one another's Mouths, Navels,
bare Bellies, and in the Anus, or the Back-Bone. That sometimes on the
Members, or Yard. That they told the Brothers they receiv'd, that they might
have carnal Copulation with one another. That it was lawful for them to do so.
That they were to do this to one another, and to be passive." &c. fHonasSticon
9n$jlt'tanum, Dugdale, mdccxviii, p. 181.

49 In all ages convents of women have been more or less perverted; nor
could the nuns do otherwise than follow the lead, and obey the orders of the
monks and priests to whom they were subject. Roman Catholic writers have
not been able to deny this 5 on the contrary, it is frequently to their reports that
we are indebted for what we know of the interior of nunneries. " I shall
confess (writes the partial author of &cfiertion0 on Communities of U3omen
anU iHonafittc fln$titutc0, Taunton, 1815, p. 80) that from time to time,
religious communities have degenerated from their primitive sanctity and
fervour j I shall acknowledge that, through that infirmity inherent in all human
establishments, which tend, after a certain lapse of time, to relaxation and
decay, the most fervent convents have now and then wanted reformation." In
his flympfiomame, Dr. M. D. T. de Bienville has left us a harrowing picture
of the inhumanity and cupidity of the sisters of a religious community at
Tours. Instances, indeed, might be given ad infinitum. " La lumiere, & la
verite, (writes Linguet) n'a point encore penetre dans l'interieur des cloltres.
Elle vient mourir contre les murailles de leur enceinte. L'habitude & le
prejuge y sont continuellement en sentinelle. Ces deux ennemis de la raison y
repandent plus de bandeaux, que leur rivale n'y peut introduire de rayons."
(Jcsjfat $5fjtIo£iopl)tque *ur k iHonacljteme, Paris, m.dcc.lxxv, p. 174. A vast
amount of curious matter has been collected by M. Paul Lacroix in his
Recherches sur les Couvents au Seizieme Siecle, which forms the introduction to
1U Coubent lie 33aiano, Paris, m dccc xxixj and some startling facts connected

\

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

macerations, and their flagellations, at once absurd,cruel and

with modern English nunneries will be found in a pamphlet entitled : ©njjliaf)
Conbenta, IVhat are they ? London, 1870.

50 The Jesuits have always been strict disciplinarians, and some curious
information respecting their modus operandi will be found in fHemottea
ftidtonqucg aur r<©rbtliaruame, et lea Correcteuva Kea Skauitea: &c. 1764.
Nor have they at the present day given up their devotion to the rod. I append
A. Steinmetz's experience of the aids to holy living at Hodder, "cet abus
odieux," described by Boileau,

" Qui, sous couleur d'eteindre en nous la volupte,
" Par 1'austerite meme & par la penitence
" Sait allumer le feu de la lubricite."

"During Lent (writes Steinmetz) we used them (flagellations) twice a
week. The porter gave out ' Mortification!'—we understood him. After he
had gone the round of the curtains with the 'Deo gratias—thanks be to God!'
we made ready by uncovering our shoulders—each novice sitting in his bed—
and seized the whip. The time the porter took for these preliminaries pre-
supposed an equal alacrity in the other novices: we were always ready when he
rang a small bell, and then, oh! then, if the thing edifies you, gentle reader, be
edified; if it makes you laugh, laugh to your heart's content, at the sound of
twenty whips cracking like a hailstorm on the twenty innocent backs in
question. I think we were restricted to twelve strokes: they were given as
rapidly as possible : all ended almost at the same instant. In the excitement,
very similar to a shower-bath, we could not help tossing the whip into the
desk ; and then, diving into the sheets, felt very comfortable indeed ! Perhaps,
after the chorus of flagellation, you might hear a young novice giggling ; ' it
was quite natural,' he could not help it! Why have I described this foolery in
this merry vein ? Because it is a foolery, and the ' holy fathers' must
consider it as such: but more, I maintain it to be a most pernicious foolery,
and conducive to anything rather than the end proposed. The reader must
imagine my meaning.

XXXviii. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

indecent ;(*') the gross oppression and horrid cruelties of the

"- Manat

" In venas animumque !

".... If my own experience is worth anything, I tell the Jesuits that their
' discipline and chain' totally defeat the alleged object of their use; and appeal
to the principles of physiology in proof of my opinion. In this matter, at
least, we may say with perfect truth—nocet empta dolore voluptas.'" ©f)t
JJobiriatt, pp. 252 and 254.

Sl " On lit dans les Chroniques de Fonte-Evrault, qu'une heure avant minuit
' un son de cloche faisait sortir les religieuses de leurs cellules, malgr£ les froids
les plus &pres. Comme elles couchaient tout habill6es, elles ne se faisaient
guere attendre, et se glissaient pareilles ^ des ombres le long des corridors oil
sifflait la bise glaciale. On se rendait au choeur de la chapelle silencieuse et
semi-obscure. Les reliques de l'autel 6taient voilees et quelques lampes
fumeuses luisaient dans les t6nebres des vofites en arceaux. Au dehors, on
n'entendait que des cris d'oiseaux de nuit, le frissonnement des cypres du
cimetidre, le vent et la pluie : l'&me se trouvait. merveilleusement disposee & la
priere. Mais toutes ces 6pouses de Dieu arrivaient & pas lents en murmurant
des psaumes, faisant sonner les grains d'un chapelet, ou bien resserrant les
noeuds de corde tach6s de sang de leur cilice, ce qui 6tait le signe d'une
grande ferveur.

" Le precepte de l'Evangile: 1 Veillez et priez ' s'executait £ voix basse dans
une mome meditation; puis, tout k coup, 1'abbesse levait sa discipline au ciel, et
criait d'un air lugubre : ' Cy commencent les pinitences!' Elle ajoutait souvent:
' Repliez la role noire dessus la tete, et jetez las la robe de dessous.' Les
lumieres s'eteignaient et il se faisait dans la nef un bruit sourd et mesure
qu'accompagnaient les encouragements de la superieure, les cris, les soupirs
arraches ^ la souffrance. ' Sus et vitement! plus roide un petit! rompez
de coups les sept peches mortels, sans excepter la luxure! Le paradis vous
vaudra au centuple ces peines du corps! chaque coup fait issir une Sme ou
deux du purgatoire, selon qu'il est bien donne et bien re
" La discipline ne cessait de retomber sur les chairs dechir&s et saignantes

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

inquisition ;(**) the terrible system of auricular confession, and

qu'apres que la fatigue mettait un terme & ces cruautes, et, souvent, un rayon
de lune color6 par l'email des vitraux et des rosaces diaprees, descendait
mysterieusement sur de blanches victimes immolees de leurs propres mains,
jusqu'sl ce qu'elles allassent chercher dans leur cellule solitaire un sommeil
sans charme, sans repos et sans reve." The above description is extracted
from Hfg SFc^talrcf Be l'<2?gltge, and I have reproduced it at length on account
of its poetical force. In the convent of Fonte-Evrault the men were subject to
the women, and received at times the discipline from the hands of their fair
superiors, (see p. 128, post). Robert d'Arbrissel, the founder of the
community, was accustomed to sleep with his nuns in order to mortify the
flesh. The inquisitor Pedro Guerrero was fond of administring castigation
with his own hand; this he did at the monastery of St. Lucia, and he " was
(writes Gavin) so impudent, and barefaced a Nero, that commanding the poor
Nuns to turn their Habits backwards and discover their Shoulders, he himself
was the Executioner of this unparalleled Punishment."

* Here is Llorente's estimate of the number of victims who were sacrificed
during the reign of the first inquisitor, Thomas de Torqubmada, who died in
1498 : " II s'ensuit que Torquemada pendant les dix-huit annees qu'a dur6 son
ministere inquisitorial, a fait dix mille deux cent-vingt victimes qui ont peri
dans les flammes, six mille huit-cent soixante qui on (sic) £te brulees en effigie,
apres leur mort ou en leur absence, et quatre vingt-dix-sept mille trois cent vingt-
une qui ont subi la peine de l'infamie, de la confiscation des biens, de la prison
perpetuelle et de l'exclusion des emplois publics et honorifiques. Le tableau
general de ces barbares executions porte & cent-quatorze mille quatre cent une,
le nombre de families k jamais perdues. On ne comprend pas dans cet etat les
personnes qui par leurs liaisons avec les condamnes partageaient plus ou moins
leur malheur, et gemissaient comme amis ou parens desrigueurs dont ils etaient
les victimes." He makes similar calculations for the times during which
the other inquisitors held sway, and he adds : " Calculer le nombre des victimes
de l'lnquisition, e'est etablir materiellement une des causes les plus puissantes
et les plus actives de la depopulation de l'Espagne:" &c. S}i£it. Critique Be
rfnqutottum B'<£apagne, Paris, 1818, vol. 1, pp. 272, 279, vol. 4, p. 242.

f

XXXviii. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

the abuse which has been made of it ;(53) the coarse,

S3 Confession is undoubtedly the greatest source of power which the Church
of Rome posesses ; but it is at the same time a main cause of its discredit-
power, from the means it affords the clergy of learning the secrets of their
believers; discredit, from the tendency it has to corrupt the confessor as well
as the penitent. Socially and politically, confession has been the cause of
a greater number of crimes than any of the other superstitions and aberrations
of the human mind. Its abuse, for instance, in Spain, became so crying during
the 16th century, that pope Pius iv sent a bull to the archbishop of Seville to
investigate the matter. The number of women who had been seduced was
however so great that the enquiry had to be stopped. Later, Gregory xv
sought to renew and to give a wider scope to the same bull; and Clement
viii and Paul v endeavoured to institute a law that penitents who had been
perverted should denounce their clerical seducers. Without referring to the
works noticed in the body of the present volume, I may perhaps enumerate
a few of the less generally known books on the subject, pro et contra: St
Jfrcquentttf CottfeSgtomg ft Commumontg SUtilitate, Jean de Launoy, Paris,
1662; &i£toria ConftSStotug Surtcularis, Jacsues Boileau, Paris, 1684 j
21 Sigcoutge concerning Auricular Confegtfton, isfc. Dr. John Goodman,
London, 1684; <©f Confeagion to a Iatoful priest, is'c. Dr. Peter Manby,
1686; £I)C Crytg efamuutt which Papists cite to prove their Doctrine of Auricu-
lar Confession, Dr. Thomas Ly.nford, London, 1688; ^acfrtJotal JJofotrS ; or,
the Necessity of Confession, Penance, and Also/ution, R. Lawrence, London,
1713 ; Crattt SHstorique ft Dogmatique bu Secret tfnbiolable be la Confcgaion,
tsfc. Par M. Lenglet du Fresnoy, 1715; St la Confession ft bu Cclibat
DrsS $retresi, i$c. Par francisaue Bouvet, Paris, 1845; feuitoire be la Con*
ffSSton sous ses Rapports refigieux, moraux et politiques,&c. Par le Comte C. P.
de Lasteyrie du Saillant, Pagnerre, 18465 Cat£cl)Ufme bejf ©ensi iHarit*,.
(By Le P. Feline, Caen, 1782). In addition to the above books, especially
devoted to the subject, descriptions of the confessional and of the evils
attending it will be found in various works, both of history and fiction,
among others, in Ee JJrctre la Jfemrne tt la dFamtllf, Micheletj Dei
Michelet et Quinet, Paris, 1843; iLrg Confctftong. b'un

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

scurrilous, abusive and licentious discourses of the old

Urttre, Paris, 1870; ILeS 4®fosterea B'un CbM)*, par le Chanoine X.
Mouls, Bruxelles, 187a ; Et Hornan flu Cure, by XXX; &c. The most remark-
able picture however with which I am acquainted is that which P. L. Courier
has drawn in his Reponse aux Anonymes; it is at once so graphic, so pointed,
so truthful, so much to the purpose, that I must find space for it at length : •

" Confesser une femme ! imaginez ce que c'est. Tout au fond de l'eglise,
une espece d'armoire, de guerite, est dressee contre le mur expres, oil ce pretre,
non Mingrat, mais quelquehomme de bien, je le veux, sage, pieux, comme j'en
ai connu, homme pourtant et jeune (ils le sont presque tous), attend le soir
apres vepres sa jeune penitente qu'il aime j elle le sait: l'amour ne se cache
point & la personne aimee. Vous m'arreterez 1& : son caractere de pretre, son
6ducation, son vceu . . . je vous reponds qu'il n'y a voeu qui tienne; que tout
cure de village sortant du seminaire, sain, robuste et dispos, aime sans aucun
doute une de ses paroissiennes. Cela ne peut etre autrement; et, si vous con-
testez, je vous dirai bien plus, c'est qu'il les aime toutes, celles du moins de son
age; mais il en prefere une, qui lui semble, sinon plus belle que les autres, plus
modeste et plus sage, et qu'il epouserait; il en ferait une femme vertueuse,
pieuse, n'etait le pape. II la voit chaque jour, la rencontre & l'eglise ou
ailleurs, et, devant elle assis aux veillees de l'hiver, il s'abreuve, imprudent, du
poison de ses yeux.

" Or, je vous prie, celle-te, lorsqu'il l'entend venir le lendemain, approcher
de ce confessionnal, qu'il reconnait ses pas et qu'il peut dire : ' C'est elle,' que se
passe-t-il dans l'ame du pauvre confesseur? Honnetete, devoir, sage resolu-
tions, ici servent de peu, sans une gr&ce du Ciel toute particuliere. Je le
suppose un saint: ne pouvant fuir, il gemit apparemment, soupire, se recommande
a Dieu; mais, si ce n'est qu'un homme, il fremit, il desire, et dejil malgre lui,
sans le savoir peut-fetre, il espere. Elle arrive, se met & ses genoux, k genoux
devant lui, dont le cceur saute et palpite ! Vous etes jeune, Monsieur, ou vous
l'avez ete : que vous semble, entre nous, d'une telle situation ? Seuls la
plupart du temps, et n'ayant pour temoins que ces murs, que ces voutes, ils
causent j de quoi ? helas ! de tout ce qdi n'est pas innocent. lis parlent, ou

XXXviii. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

preachers ;(S4) the immorality caused by the unnatural law of

plutot murmurent k voix basse, et leurs bouches s'approchent, leur souffle se
confond. Cela dure une heure ou plus, et se renouvelle souvent.

" Ne pensez pas que j'invente. Cette sc£ne a lieu telle que je vous la
depeins, et dans toute la France, chaque jour, se renouvelle par quarante mille
jeunes filles qu'ils aiment parce qu'ils sont hommes, confessent de la sorte,
entretiennent tete h tfete, visitent parce qu'ils sont prfetres, et n'epousent point
parce que le pape s'y oppose. Le pape leur pardonne tout, excepte le mariage,
voulant plutot un pr&tre adultere, impudique, debauch^, assassin, comme
Mingrat, que marie.....

" Reflechissez maintenant, Monsieur, et voyez s'il 6tait possible de reunir
jamais en une mfeme personne deux choses plus contraires que l'emploi de con-
fesses et le voeu de chastete; quel doit fetre le sort de ces pauvres jeunes gens
entre la defense de poss6der ce que nature les force d'aimer, et l'obligation de
converser intimement, confidemment, avec ces objets de leur amour; si enfin ce
n'est pas assez de cette monstrueuse combinaison pour rendre les uns forcenes,
les autres je ne dis pas coupables, car les vrais coupables sont ceux qui, etant
rnagistrats, souffrent que de jeunes hommes confessent de jeunes filles, mais
criminels, et tous extrfemement malheureux. Je sais te-dessus leur secret."

The Library of the London Institution possesses a remarkable collection of
tracts relating to " The Confessional," in 6 vols., 8vo, described in the Cata*
logue, vol. i, p. 20.

54 A most curious, racy and amusing volume might be formed exclusively of
extracts from the discourses of the Romish preachers. It is indeed impossible,
without reading their sermons, to conceive the licence which they allowed
themselves. Rabelais is unceasing in his ridicule of themj H. C. Agrippa
follows his example; and Erasmus has heaped upon them some of his bitterest
sarcasms. " lis remplissoient leurs discours (writes Lingurt) de familiarit£s
revoltantes, d'obsc&iites odieuses & de declamations ridicules." M. A. Me rat
however remarks : " Pour se faire comprendre de contemporains grossierement
sensuels, ils etaient souvent obliges de leur parler l'argot du vice tres-bien
admis d'ailleurs dans les meilleures societes, et dont les cours des rois, celles

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. XXXiii.

clerical celibacy ;(") the barefaced and iniquitous sale of indul-

m&me des princes spirituels usaient jadis sans trop se gener." To choose one
example where so many are at hand is difficult; however let us take the ex-
jesuit, Andr£ Valladier, who, in la Sainte $i)ilodopl){e Be I'&me; ou
Sermons de I'Avent, Paris, 1613, tells a tale of a young girl " devenue enceinte
sans accointance charnelledescribes in the crudest and most extravagant
language the secret charms of Marie db M£dicis, dividing her body into
"trois etagesj" discusses "les mysteres des nouements d'aiguillettes et des
generations diaboliques j" eulogises the organs of generation, and explains " les
trois choses qui concourent pour donner puissance " to those organs; finally,
he gives the most familiar details concerning " l'accouchement de la Vierge."
Consult, rf)tur6, pp. 157, 172; IhcBttatortana, pp. 128, 197. See also, $tnnon dfatHttup OU ftiBttuled, et Anecdotes Curieuses sur les Predicateurs; He
33ibliopf)tle jTantatiitfte; Se la Cf)arlatanene Beti Sabaius, par Menken ;
©ag Jtlojter, (Stuttgart, 1845.

55 " Le voeu de chastete (exclaims M. Paul Lacroix) est un blaspheme
contre la nature; l'Evangile repete en divers endroits que l'esprit est faible et la
chair fragile 5 d'oil vient cependant que toutes les religions ont eu des apotres
du celibat et des voeux de chastete ? On a pretendu que les moines, pour
amortir les desirs de la chair, avaient recours ^ des simples refrigerans; mais
ils les employaient done bien rarement, puisqu'ils produisaient si peu d'effets."
Recherche sur les Couvents au seizieme siecle. Although the Church of Rome
enforces celibacy on her priests, incontinency is looked upon as but a slight
irregularity j indeed some of the casuists, among whom are Sanchez and
Escobar, consider priests justified in keeping concubines. In spite of this,
there have doubtless been priests who have endeavoured, perhaps even a very
few who have succeeded in preserving their chastity. " J'ai connu & Livourne
(writes P. L. Courier) le chanoine Fortini, qui peut-etre vit encore, un des
savants hommes d'ltalie, et des plus honnetes du monde. Lie avec lui d'abord
par nos etudes communes, puis par une mutuelle affection, je le voyais souvent,
et ne sais comme un jour je vins k lui demander s'il avait observe son voeu de

XXXviii. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

gences ;(56) the foolish belief, and still worse trading in relics

chastete. II me l'assura, et je pense qu'il disait vrai en cela comme en toute
autre chose. ' Mais, ajouta-t-il, pour passer par les memes epreuves, je ne
voudrais pas revenir £ I'ige de vingt ans.' II en avait soixante et dix. ' J'ai
souffert, Dieu le sait, et m'en tiendra compte, j'espere; mais je ne recommen-
cerais pas.' Voili ce qu'il me dit, et je notai ce discours si bien dans ma
memoire que je me rappelle ses propres mots." Reponse aux Anonymes.
Of the evils of enforced celibacy there can be no doubt. Nature will never
allow her laws to be perverted with impunity} and several medical men
have explained the kind of erotic fury with which priests and nuns are not
unfrequently possessed. In ia JEUltgtenae of Diderot, and ®1)t fftonft of
M. G. Lewis, this question has been touched upon—in the former, the
unsatisfied desires of the woman urge her to tribadism and insanity; in the
latter, the passions of the man, long reined up, become at last uncontrol-
able. An admirable little work on the subject is ILt JfHariage ieS Jlretrea par
A. S. Morin, 1874.

5« « Ce trafic dej& ancien (writes M. F. Bouvet) ne fit que se developper
jusqu'au xvi* siecle. Les papes Victor ii, Bonifacb ix et L£on x lui
donnerent surtout une grande activit6. Le jubile avait ete renouvele; toute
1'Europe faisait le voyage de Rome et y portait son argent. Des pretres se
tenaient de chaque cote de l'autel de Saint-Paul, et, un rateau £ la main,
recueillaient le prix des pardons, apres que d'autres avaient administre l'abso-
lution. Telle etait l'impudence des chefs de l'Eglise, que leurs nonces voy-
ageaient dans les diverses contrees de la chretiente pour vendre les indul-
gences. Quant ils arrivaient dans une ville, disent les historiens, ils suspen-
daient aux fenfetres de leurs logements un drapeau avec les armoiries du
Vatican et les clefs de l'Eglise. Ils dressaient dans la cathedrale, & cote du
maitre-autel, des tables couvertes de tapis magnifiques, pour recevoir l'argent
de ceux qui venaient racheter leurs fautes. lis annon pouvoir absolu dont ils etaient investis par le pape de delivrer du purgatoire
les ames des trepasses et d'accorder la remission complete de tous les
peches et de tous les crimes 4 ceux qui viendraient les racheter. Le domi-

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

and other holy or consecrated articles ;(S1) the opposition to all
scientific progress, and the constant efforts made by the church
to keep the people in darkness and ignorance ;(58) the super-

nicain Tetzel et ses compagnons ne faisaient pas difficulte de dire: ' Aussitot
que l'argent sonne dans nos coffres, les Smes renfermees dans le purgatoire
s'echappent et montent au ciel. L'efficacit6 des indulgences est si grande
qu'elle peut effacer les crimes les plus enormes, m&me le viol de la Vierge
Marie, s'il etait possible.' " The system of indulgences being framed to gain
money, it is evident that those who could not pay could not be pardoned, and
this indeed is stated in the plainest words: " Et nota diligenter quod hujus-
modi gratiae et dispensationes non conceduntur paupeiibus, quia non sunt, ideo
non possunt consolari." Such iniquity could not fail to shock many of the
staunchest supporters of the Vatican. Olivier Maillard sends these
" lullalores " "ad omnes dyalolos," but adds : " Je ne veux pourtant pas revo-
quer en doute la clef de saint Pierre, mais je dis, et in hoc omnes doctores
conveniunt, indulgentue tantum valent quantum sonant. . . . An creditis quod
unus usuarius plenus viciis qui habebit mille millia peccata, dando sex albos
trunco, en metUnt six blancs dans un tronc, ait remission des ses peches P Certe
durum est mihi credere et durius predicare !" See 0e la Coufcfigtou ct liu
Crtibat ties Jketrrjf, p. 231-, Xetf ICtbrcg iheeljcurS, p. 54. Consult also
Cafcd Uc£f partus Cagucllcg; CI)c Venal fntiulgciucS aufi JP.nOonS of
tf)C Cfjurcf) of 3Rome, (Sfc. By the Rev. Joseph Mendham, London
mdcccxxxix. &c.

57 The industrious Collin de Plancy compiled a very useful work upon
this subject: ©tcttonnatrt critique Bra &eliquetf et tirif ffmagei iHiracuIeusrsf,
Paris, 1821, 3 vols.; but I would call the attention of my readers to a more
modern publication : 3L'2lttSenal Kela i9cbotton isfc. par Paul Parfait, Paris,
1876, in which will be found a complete price-current of the wares sold, whole-
sale and retail, at the present day, by the Church of Rome. There is an
amusing chapter on Relics in Disraeli's Curiodtticg of llttcraturc, vol. 1, p. 267.

58 Listen to the testimony of one writer only, a Roman Catholic, Llorente :
" Parmi le grand nombre de maux que l'lnquisition a fait eprouver il l'Espagne,

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

stition of many of the greatest Roman Catholic writers, their
belief, even to the present day, in magic, in exorcisms, in the
commerce of demons with the human race, &c.;(") the ob-
scenity of many of their visions^60) the indecency even in
their church ornaments ;(6') we are lost in astonishment at

l'obstacle qu'elle met aux progres des sciences, de la literature et des arts n'est
pas un des moins deplorables. Les partisans du Saint-Office n'ont jamais voulu
en convenir : c'est cependant une verite bien demontree. . . . Ce que je viens
de dire, prouve qu'il ne peut se former de savant en Espagne qu'autant que
ceux qui voudront y cultiver les sciences, se mettront au-dessus des lois pro-
hibitives du Saint-Office. Mais oil sont les hommes assez courageux pour
s'exposer & ce danger ? On voit que depuis que l'lnquisition est etablie il n'y
a presque pas eu d'homme celebre par son savoir, qu'elle n'ait poursuivi comme
heretique. II est honteux de le direj mais les faits qui le prouvent sont incon-
testables, et notre histoire nationale peut en convaincre facilement les plus
incredules." feiStoire critique Be requisition, vol. 2, pp. 4x7, 420.

» Consult, inter alia, ftistoire Beg dfantoineg et Beg Shnong isfc. Par Mme
Gabrielle de P***** Paris, 1819; He Stable peuit par lutanfau, &c.
Par Collin de Plancy, Paris, 1825; Sissertation gur lea Jlflalrticeg et leg ^orcierg isfc. Lille, 1862. Even to the present day the form of exorcism is
preserved in the ritual of the church.

60 Some curious specimens will be found in M. 0. Delepierre's remark-
able little volume: 2L'(£iifcr Essai Ph.ilosoph.ique et Historique sur les Ligendes
de la Vie Future, Londres, 1876.

61 The edifying history of Lot and his daughters, for instance, is represented,
in six bas-reliefs, on the embrasure of the central door of the cathedral at
Lyons j for a full description, see E'lfntermtBtaiie, x. col. 362. "J'ai vu &
Anvers, (affirms Pioault-Lebrun) il n'y a pas quarante ans, un tableau qui
representait le sacrifice d'Abraham. Le peintre avait arme le patriarche d'un
fusil, avec lequel il tenait son fils en joue. Un ange, du haut du ciel, pissait
dans le bassinet, et faisait rater l'arme. Ce peintre-U meritait de peindre toute
la Bible j il etait aussi plaisant qu'elle." He Citateur, chap. 3.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

the depths to which human credulity can sink.(6') The very-
existence of such an institution must be looked upon as the
true miracle.

Nos pr&tres ne sont point ce qu'un vain peuple pense;

Notre credulite fait toute leur science. (63)

Although England has never possessed many artists who
have devoted their pencils to the illustration of amorous or
erotic subjects, nor among those few such eminent masters as
some other European countries can boast; yet Thomas Row-
landson stands out as a great exception to this rule. I do not
propose to enter here into the consideration of such of his
works as are before the general public ; that task is being per-
formed by other hands, but I shall confine myself entirely to
that class of his productions which enters into the frame of the

68 "When I reflect (writes Dr. Beggi) that a thousand years ago it was
exactly the same as it had been from the year 370, and when I see that from
the fifteenth century we have not improved in anything except hypocrisy, I ask
all conscientious persons what use it is for society, and for the moral and
political welfare of states, to keep up such a lot of parasitic, libidinous, envious,
vain, rapacious, and miserable gluttons, who seem to be on earth only to per-
petuate the list of human miseries, and to suck the blood of the people whom
they constantly toss about for the opportunity of better and easier spoliating
their victims ? Some people say that they are a necessary evil, and you must
not say or do anything against them, but at the same time they coincide with
me that the wrongs and injuries that they inflict upon society are infinitely
greater than the little good or assistance that they give to the people in compen-
sation for what they get out of them." €f)e fincubt of 3&ome anU Venttt, &c.
London, 1864, p. 167.

63 Voltaire, Oedipe, act iv, scene 1.

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

present work, many specimens of which will be found described
in the following pages (pp. 346 to 398).

Perhaps no artist, Foreign or English, has so thoroughly suc-
ceeded in combining the humorous with the obscene. We must
not seek in his productions the minute detail and careful exe-
cution of many of the French artists of the last century, for his
is of an entirely different school. Endowed with more facility
of execution than patience or industry, he threw off with ease and
rapidity the creations of his fruitful imagination without caring
to elaborate them and supplement every trifling detail. His is
a school of broad, rapid, startling effect, rather than one of
painstaking, pre-raphaelite minuteness. Rowlandson's drawing
is not invariably true: his animals are frequently faulty, and his
figures not always correct. This arises from carelessness,
hurry, or an endeavour to give a special effect to a difficult
posture, not from want of skill. Rowlandson had studied the
human figure carefully, had inspired himself from the antique,
had reproduced some works of the great Italian masters, and
many of his early nudities are perfect in outline. Like all true
geniuses however, he soon threw off the trammels of classic
art, and opened out a field peculiarly and unmistakably his
own. He is never conventional, never stilted, or theatrical.
He loved a small foot and an elegant figure as well as Binet,
for instance, but he never fell into the preposterous, lanky, un-
womanly figures in which that artist, and some others of his
school, have indulged. Rowlandson's women have " points"
more in accordance with the notions of the great Flemish
painters. To faces of a truly English type of beauty he adds
bodies of more than English proportions. He combines Law-

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

rence and Rubens. One thing is especially remarkable, and
worthy of grateful recognition in Rowlandson. In spite of an
obscenity which is frequently outree, and by the moderation of
which the attractiveness and amorous or luxurious effect of the
design might frequently be heightened, he nevertheless never
oversteps the bounds of what is manly and natural. He is
never crapulous, never anti-physical (if I may be permitted the
expression); and I know no single specimen of all his numerous
productions in which filthy, revolting, or unnatural actions are
portrayed. This praise is greater than it may at first sight appear
to be if we consider the impossible postures and combinations
which some foreign artists have affected, or the depths of
groveling crapulousness to which they have descended.

A word on bibliography. I have been censured(64) by some
of my friends for having admitted into my former volume
many worthless books, bad in point of art, rubbish in fact. I
plead guilty to the accusation, and beg to remind my readers
that in so doing I acted in conformity with the programme
which I had sketched out. I do not retract what I have ad-
vanced, I go even further. What we want are not biblio-
graphies of good and standard works, such as " no gentleman's
library should be without," but of rare, forgotten, insignifi-
cant, deceitful, or even trivial and pernicious books. A good
book, like a great man, will penetrate, sooner or later, will

64 " II est de l'essence d'un bon Livre d'avoir des Censeurs j & la plusgrande
disgrace qui puisse arriver & un Ecrit qu'on met au jour, ce n'est pas que beau-
coup de gens en disent du mal, c'est que personne n'en dise rien." Boileau,
Epitres, Preface.

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

eventually make its mark, and obtain its proper place. Worth-
less books on the other hand are stumbling blocks to the
student; they exist, and are constantly obtruding themselves in
his path ; he must consequently be grateful to the bibliographer
who shall have taken the trouble to wade through this literary
garbage, shall have estimated it at its real value, and shall give
a terse but reliable account of it. How often does it happen
that a young student, or even an experienced collector, sees a
book catalogued which, from its title, seems to be what he
ought to consult, or which should enter his collection, but
when, with difficulty and expense, he shall have procured the
work in question, it turns out to be quite different from what
he expected. How numerous are the bibliographies which
repeat, one after another, the titles of standard, well known
books with which every advanced student, every intelligent
collector, will be acquainted. I know however of no single
work which, confining itself to the worthless and deceitful, points
out what should be avoided. This is the real desideratum.

Books are collected by two sorts of persons—those who read,
and those who do not read.(6s) The former will, from their

65 Book-collectors may be subdivided ad infinitum. There are those who seek
works of a certain epoch, in a particular language, on a special subject, by a
favourite author, or a remarkable publisher or printer. Others will accept only
books which are especially rare, editiones principes, or other particular editions,
reprints containing peculiar errors, illustrated editions, extra tall copies, or
specimens of fine binding. The former may possibly appertain to those who
read, "literary ghouls, feeding in the charnel-house of decayed literature," the
latter most probably to those who do not read. Book-collectors are so

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

own experience, know what books they require ; for the habit of
reading is not sudden, but gradual, must be acquired when
young, and cannot be taken to at will, in later life, or when one
shall have the means, or have taken a caprice for collecting.

numerous, and anecdotes about them so plentiful, that a list of their names,
apart from any information about them, would be impossible here. I shall
restrict myself to a brief note upon one or two less generally known specialists,
or originals. We have Magliabbchi of Florence,the "Glutton of Literature
Dr. Douglas of London, who collected only editions of Horace, or books
having reference to his favourite poet j Fitzpatrick Smart, too erratic in his
taste to be placed in any special category; " Inch-rule " Brewer, who bought
books exclusively by measurement; C. F. Kofoed of Brussels, who devoted
all his attention to illustration. The book-collector, it must be owned, is a
most inoffensive individual, and I know of but two instances of crime resulting
from the mania: I allude to those of brother Vincente of the convent of
Poblet, Aragon, and afterwards bookseller at Barcelona, who committed incen-
diarism, and murdered twelve persons in order to gain possession of the
volumes he loved so well; and of Tinius, a Saxon pastor, who, in 1812 and
1813, killed and robbed successively a merchant and an old woman in order to
procure the money he needed to pay for books he had bought. In his pleasant
article : Les Catalogues de Livres et les Bibliophiles Contemporains, which serves
as preface to Fontaine's Catalogue for 1877, M. Paul Lacroix has given an
interesting sketch of the chief living French bibliophiles, ranking them according
to military grades. Concerning those of the generation immediately preceding
our own, information, not to be met with elsewhere, will be found scattered
through the 7 vols, of He Sibltopfjtle dFrautattf. M. Octave Uzanne has
lately portrayed, in his Capruetf B'uu Shbltopfjl'le, le Cabinet d'un Eroto-
Bibliomane, of which the original is perhaps not difficult to trace, although the
picture is highly coloured. Consult "Political antJ H terarp ailiecKotcg by Dr.
William King, 1819, p. 70; Cfje 33ooMfcunter, pp. 18 and 23 ; Cat. Be*
Itbretf &c. de M. C. F. Kofoed; He Hibre par Jules Janin, p. 120;
2,'foUermeBtatre, x, 678} Stepecta of SutljoMrtjip, p. 84.

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

The true bibliophile will then have been a student^66) a reader
in his youth, and must, from his very reading, have obtained a
better acquaintance with the works he wants in his particular
branch, or even with their various editions, than any of the
bibliographies I have alluded to can, as a rule, inform him of.
To the latter, all bibliographies are alike useless, for they will
probably pay more attention to quality of paper, size of type,
beauty of illustrations, or even height of the volumes, or style
of binding, than to the intrinsic merits of the work, or correct-
ness of the edition, and are as likely to be guided by their
upholsterer, as by their bookseller.(67)

I regret that in this volume I have not reached the goal for
which I am striving. I have not been able strictly to carry out
my intention of registering and branding exclusively worthless
book's^68) We are all prone to pass over, to shun, and leave

66 Such an one, let us hope, as is described in the following words of Dr.
William Mathews : "The best books are useless, if the book-worm is not a
living creature. The mulberry leaf must pass through the silkworm's stomach
before it can become silk, and the leaves which are to clothe our mental naked-
ness must be chewed and digested by a living intellect. The mind of the wise
reader will react upon its acquisitions, and will grow rich, not by hoarding
borrowed treasures, but by turning everything into gold." feourg fottf) fftcn
anK Eaofeg, p. 139.

67 I have been told an anecdote of a gentleman, who, having gained a com-
petency in commerce, took to book-collecting. A friend, knowing that the old
gentleman was no reader, and curious to learn what use he made of his newly
acquired treasures, asked the son what his parent did with his books. " Oh," re-
plied the youth ingenuously, " my father dusts them every Sunday morning
with a silk handkerchief."

68 When I say " worthless books " I must be nnderstood to speak compara-

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

unnoticed the insignificant and trivial, and to dwell upon the
good and great. This has been my case ; I have been attracted
by masterpieces, and have neglected the unartistic ; conse-
quently in this volume less rubbish will be found than in the
Index Librorum Prohibitorum.

As bibliography is, after all, but a reproduction of what
already exists—a pouring out from one vessel into another—
care should be taken that this " decanting " be not useless or
superfluous. A good bibliography is a great boon, a bad one
the very reverse. Every purposeless bibliographical compila-
tion is but an additional hindrance to the seeker of knowledge,
for he will feel in duty bound to consult it in the hope of
learning something from its pages. Unless a bibliographer has
something new or ignored to communicate, errors to point out,

tively, for I hold with Pliny the younger that: " Nullus est liber tam malus,
qui non ex aliqua parte prosit." " It is difficult, almost impossible, (observes
Mr. J. H. Burton) to find the book from which something either valuable or
amusing may not be found, if the proper alembic be applied. I know books
that are curious, and really amusing, from their excessive badness. If you
want to find precisely how a thing ought not to be said, you take one of them
down, and make it perform the service of the intoxicated Spartan slave. There
are some volumes in which, at a chance opening, you are certain to find a mere
platitude delivered in the most superb and amazing climax of big words, and
others in which you have a like happy facility in finding every proposition
stated with its stern forward, as sailors say, or in some other grotesque mis-
management of composition. There are no better farces on or off the stage
than when two or three congenial spirits ransack books of this kind, and
compete with each other in taking fun out of them." Cfye Uooh-?L>u»trr,
p. 141.

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

or some decided improvement in form or arrangement to pro-
pose, he had better leave old materials as they are, and not put
errors and uncertainties into another shape. No book is easier
to make than a slipshod, incorrect bibliography, none perhaps
so difficult, or which demands so much care, attention, research,
and patient drudgery^69) as one at the same time profound,
comprehensive, concise, and easy of consultation. (,0)

69 The following instance of literary drudgery is so remarkable that, although
not strictly to the point, I give it place : " In 1786 the Rev. William Davy,
an obscure curate in Devonshire, began writing a * System of Divinity,' as he
termed it, in twenty-six volumes, which, being unable to find a publisher, he
resolved to print with his own hands. With a few old types and a press made
by himself, he began the work of typography, printing only a page at a time.
For twelve long years he pursued his extraordinary labours, and at last, in 1807,
brought them to a close. As each volume of the twenty-six octavo volumes of his
work contained about 500 pages, he must have imposed and distributed his
types, and put his press into operation 13,000 times, or considerably more than
three times a day, omitting Sundays, during the long period of his task,—an
amount of toil without remuneration which almost staggers belief. Only
fourteen copies were printed, which he bound with his own hands, and a few
of which he deposited in the public libraries of London. He died at an
advanced age in 1826, hoping to the last for a favourable verdict from posterity,
though even the existence of his magnum opus,—magnum in size only,—is prob-
ably not known to ten men in Great Britain." S?ourfi luttf) jHeit antl
33oofeS, p. 238.

70 " De tous les livres difficiles a faire, (writes Jules Janin) il est convenu
qu'un livre de libliographie est, plus que tous les autres, rempli de perils detoutes
sortes. Chaque partie du discours appartient a quelque savant qui n'a jamais
appris que cela, lisant peu, mais lisant en conscience (multum non multa) ; si
lien qua chaque instant, a chaque page, a tout propos, vous rencontrez un censeur
nouveau, frais emoulu, qui vous demontre, inevitallement, quiet meme, a cette

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

Perhaps one of the most useful bibliographical labours would
be the construction of a combined alphabetical index rerum of
works the titles of which do not fully indicate their contents, or
of such as embrace a variety of topics. When we see a book
upon a special subject, the history of a particular country, or
the life of a certain individual, we know that in such work we
shall find information upon that subject, country, or person;
but what else does it contain ? Further, what a mine of infor-
mation lies ignored, or only partially explored, in travels,
reviews, memoirs, diaries, correspondences, and a host of other
works of a miscellaneous character which it is unnecessary here
to enumerate. In these days of prolific publication, the student
has in truth not the time to wade through these numerous and
frequently voluminous works, and an united alphabetical table
of contents would be invaluable.(")

Bibliographers, with a few honourable exceptions, have
hitherto been content to confine themselves to the outsides (if
I may so express it) of the books which they have described,
and have rarely penetrated further than the title page or the

place, a lei nom propre, irrtvocablement, vous vous etes trompd. Les plus
grands esprits du monde ont rencontri cet obstacle imprdvu." %t fttbre, p. xxv.

71 There is a prospect of this want being, if in part only, supplied by the
Index Society, lately founded in London. To the able little pamphlet by the
Hon. Sec., the first publication of the Society, I would refer my readers for
confirmation of what I have advanced above, and for a fairly exhaustive treat-
ment of the subject he has taken in hand : SSBtyat tg an fntJev ? A Few Notes
on Indexes and Indexers. By Henry B. Wheatley, F.S.A. isfc. London:
mdccclxxviii. 8vo., pp. 96.

h

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

colophon. A record of the title, date, size, and pagination of
a book is of course useful as far as it goes, particularly to the
collector or amateur, but the student requires to be informed
of much more than this; he wants to get at the contents, and
this with as little loss of time as possible; he must have an
estimate of what is in the book, so that he may be able at once
to decide whether he has to read it, or to leave it alone, and
pass on to something else. What imports it to him whether
the book is in i2mo. or folio, on good or bad paper, &c. ? It
is the nature of the matter which is all important to him—
whether he has found in it a stone to be added to his temple of
knowledge, or only another useless brick which does not fit
into his structure^'1)

There is one thing which cannot be too earnestly impressed
upon every bibliographer; it is that he should avoid fine
writing, or an endeavour to be brilliant, amusing, or witty.(M)

73 I should be happy if the following words, which J. Techener wrote con-
cerning one of France's most distinguished bibliographers, could be found
applicable to myself: "Aux yeux de M. Nodier la bibliographie n'etait pas
seulement la science du titre exact d'un livre, de sa date precise, de son format
et de sa reliure ; chacun des bijoux qu'il avait juge dignes de figurer dans ses
rayons etait un tresor nouveau et devenait pour lui l'occasion de reflections
delicates, originates et philosophiques; il aimait & promener son admirable
telescope sur tous ces petits mondes; il decouvrait souvent, dans la plus mince
plaquette, une peinture de moeurs, un souvenir litteraire, un precieux eclaircisse-
ment historique." Preface to UfSrrtptton rateonnfe K'uiu joltt CoHtftton U t
IUbr«(.

73 It is surprising that the French, lovers of bibliography, and able biblio-
graphers as they undoubtedly are, find it so difficult to avoid this error. Even

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

XXXiii.

As it is not good for a theatrical manager to be an actor, a
critic an artist, or a librarian a reader,(,4) &c., so it is undesir-
able that a bibliographer should be a fine writer. He must
content himself with being the humble servant of his authors,
and the faithful guide of his readers. What may be readily
granted to authors in other fields of literature must be denied
to him. They may be allowed to display their knowledge and

the editors of the Supplement (1878) to the classical ;fHanutl tlu Itbratrt
complain of having to resign themselves to this stern necessity. " Ce public
difficile (writes M. P. Deschamps, at p. xi of the Avertissement) nous repro-
chera sans aucun doute de ne pas observer rigoureusement, en toutes circon-
stances, cette loi de la secheresse noble, qui semble &tre une regie d'Etat pour les
bibliographes, particulierement pour ceux de l'ancienne ecole. Mais la biblio-
graphie est-elle fatalement vouee k cette aust6rite ? L' ecrivain doit-il se voiler
6ternellement la face avec le masque tragique, absolument comme s'il etait
condamne & declamer & perpetuite le recit de Theramene ? Mais alors rentrons
tout de suite dans la forme aride des repertoires anglais et allemands, et nos
catalogues gagneront en dignite et en correction glaciale ce qu'ils perdront en
interet et en mouvement."

74 "The learned author of the life of Isaac Casaubon, Mr. Mark Pattison,
says ' the librarian who reads is lostand this is to a great extent true. It was
certainly true in the case of Casaubon, who, in his love for the contents of the
books placed under his charge, forgot his duties as a librarian. The licence
which a librarian may be allowed to take while in the discharge of his duties
was well indicated by the amiable Cary, the translator of Dante, who used to
describe himself and his colleagues, while engaged in their task of cataloguing
the books of the British Museum Library, as sheep travelling along a road and
stopping occasionally to nibble a little grass by the wayside." Mr. John
Winter Jones, Inaugural Address at the Conference of Librarians held in
London, October, 1877. See C|>e Hibrarg journal, vol. a, p. 106.

XXXviii.

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

bright parts without showing the means by which they attained
their skill and learning. He must be satisfied not to shine, and
he is most useful, best performs his duty, and most surely
reaches his goal, by discovering every step by which he has
risen to the position he occupies, every path through which he
has passed in the acquisition of such erudition as he may
possess. He is not the host, but the servant, not the enter-
tainer, but only the attendant whose duty it is to usher the
guests into the presence of those who have to entertain them.

Note.—A few words may not be out of place here, may even be thought
necessary, to account for the irregularity, incompleteness, or even, as some may
deem it, the capriciousness with which the foregoing epigraphs and notes have
been selected. John Selden has said: "In quoting of Books, quote such
Authors as are usually read, others you may read for your own satisfaction, but
not name them. ... To quote a modern Dutch Man where I may use a
Classic Author, is as if I were to justify my Reputation, and I neglect all
Persons of Note and Quality that know me, and bring the Testimonial of
the Scullion in the Kitchen." Cablt-Callt. Selden was right from his point
of view, but I have nevertheless proceeded on a different principle. As the
works noticed in the body of this volume are, more or less, of an obscure
character, so, in order to make my notes correspond, I have sought to illustrate
my remarks with selections from obscure authors rather than from those patent
to the world at large. Of course where an appropriate passage was not to be
found in a minor writer I have taken it from one better known. Every one of
my readers will be conversant with the works of such authors as Rabelais,
Milton, Voltaire, Diderot ; but some few will possibly be less well
acquainted with the productions of Robert Wolselet, James Atkinson,
Dr. F. Schuselka, f)r. F. O. Beggi, Dr. E. H. Michblsen, A. Steinmetz,
or Mme. Marie Quivogne, and may not be displeased with the present
introduction. As the intention of this compilation is suggestive, not exhaus-
tive, is to deal with disdained or overlooked authors, my object will be readily
understood, and my modus operandi, I trust, pardoned.

CENTURIA LIBRORUM ABSCONDITORUM.

pfrmatoloijia Historico-Medica, h. e. Seminis Humani
Consideratio Physico-Medico-Legalis, qva Ejus
Natura et Usus, insimulqve Opus Generationis et
Variade Coitualiaqve hue pertinentia, v.g. De Castratione,
Herniotomia, Phimosi, Circumcisione, Recutitione, &
Infibulatione, item De Hermaphroditis & Sexum mu-
tantibus, Raris & selectis Observationibus, annexo
Indice locupletissimo, traduntur, k D. Martino
Schurigio, Physico Dresdensi. Francofurti ad Moenum,
Sumptibus Johannis Beckii, mdccxx.

4to.; pp. 721, preceded by 8 pages of title and preface, and
followed by 66 pages of indices and errata; title printed in red
and black. Renauldin* notes an edition of 1721, which I
have not seen.

* JStofliap^te OnifmtftlU (Michaud), vol. 38, p. 475. Second editions of
two other of Schurig's works are also there given, but they are not noted in
any other biographical work which I have been able to consult, nor have I
ever met with them, and I am consequently inclined to doubt their existence.
No authorities are given in Michaud's JJtograpfjte.

b

2

spermatologia.

Although chiefly occupied with the consideration of the
act of generation, this volume, as its title indicates, embraces
many other subjects. Like all other works by the same
author it abounds in curious and instructive anecdotes. I
add a few of the subjects which have struck me as being
the most noteworthy:

Various names of the penis (p. 89); " De Coitu," a very
remarkable chapter (p. 122); The size of the nose indi-
cative of that of the yard (p. 320); " Castrati Spadones &
Evnuchi quomodo differant " (p. 374); "Castrati coire^pos-
sunt" (p. 390); "An Penis magnus Coitum impediat" (p.
496); Remedy against long yards (p. 502) ; " De Herma-
phroditis & Sexum mutantibus," a most interesting chapter
(p. 561); " Clitoris magna" (p. 576); Writers who affirm that
Adam was a hermaphrodite (p. 684); Examples of women
changed into men (p. 690).

I may here remark, once and for all, that this volume,
like all those which I am about to notice by Schurig, is most
thoroughly done. Authorities are carefully and fully given;
and citations are reproduced in the language and words of
their authors. Each volume is furnished with a Syllabus
Autorum and an Index Rerum, alphabetically arranged, so
that every item of the contents can be easily got at, and
verified. It is this thoroughness, peculiar to erudite Ger-
mans, which renders their books so valuable to the student,
although by the reader for mere amusement they may be
thought troublesome and unattractive.

MULIEBRIA.

3

iWtlll'eljn'a Historico-Medica, hoc est Partium Genitalium
Muliebrium Consideratio Physico-Medico-Forensis, qua
Pudendi Muliebris Partes tam externae, quam internae,
scilicet Uterus cum Ipsi Annexis Ovariis et Tubis Fallop-
ianis, nec non Varia de Clitoride et Tribadismo, de
Hymene et Nymphotomia seu Feminarum Circumcisione
et Castratione selectis et curiosis observationibus tra-
duntur. A D. Martino Schurigio, Physico Dresdensi.
Dresdae & Lipsiae, apud Christophori Hekelii B.
Filium, m.dcc.xxix.

4to.; pp. 384, preceded by 8 pages of title and preface, and
followed by 36 pages of indices, unnumbered.

A very curious collection of entertaining anecdotes could
be formed from this volume. I confine myself to the indi-
cation of a few of the most remarkable passages :

" De Pudendi muliebris denominationibus" (p. 2) ; Hair
on the private parts so luxuriant that it was cut off and sold
(p. 26); External signs of the size of the pudenda of both
sexes (p. 49); " Vulva monstrosa" (p. 51); " De Vaticinio per
vulvam " (p. 56) ; " De clitoride magna " (p, 83); " Tribades "
(p. 90); Sodomy committed in three ways (p. 105); "An
mulieres viros ineant" (p. 107); "Differentia inter clitoridem
& caudam " (p. 111) ; " Circumcisio feminarum." Women
were circumcised under Magueda, queen of the Sabae
(p. 142); " Daemonum cum mulieribus concubitum vanum
esse mereque imaginarium" (p. 171); "Usus vaginae"
(p. 207); "An orificium (uteri) in coitu aperiatur" (p. 223);
"Testiculi muliebres a virilibus differunt (p. 307); Extra
ordinary example of female lubricity (p. 335).

4

PARTHEN0L0GIA.

ftal'tfrttlOlOgta Historico-Medica, hoc est, Virginitatis Con-
sideratio, qua ad earn pertinentes Pubertas & Menstruatio,
cum ipsarum maturitate, item Varia de Insolitis Men-
sium Viis atque Dubiis Virginitatis Signis, nec non De
Partium Genitalium Muliebrium, pro Virginitatis Custodia,
olim instituta Consutione et Infibulatione variis atque
selectis observationibus cum Indice Locupletissimo tra-
duntur a D. Martino Schurigio, Physico Dresdensi.
Dresdae & Lipsiae, apud Christophori Hekelii B.
Filium, mdccxxix.

4to.; pp. 384, preceded by 4 pages of title and preface, and
followed by 36 pages of indices, unnumbered. Here are a
few of the passages which have struck me as the most re-
markable in this curious volume:

Sale by auction of virgins among the Babylonians (p. 25);
"De Menstrui sanguinis usu" (p. 223); " De statua uxoris
Lothi" (p. 265); " De Notis Virginitatis ex Miraculis (p. 274);
Chastity put to the proof by a hot iron and boiling water
(p. 276); Conception without insertion of the penis (p. 301);
Various modes of infibulation of girls (p. 369); Andramytes,
King of the Lydori, was the inventor of castration of women,
and Semiramis of that of men (p. 374); " Virgo a serpente
amata" (p. 382). Numerous historical and scientific anecdotes
are scattered through the volume.

GYNJECOLOGIA. 5

6pn*C0l0gta Historico-Medica hoc est Congressus Muliebris
Consideratio Physico-Medico-Forensis qua utriusque sexus
Salacitas et Castitas deinde Coitus Ipse Ejusque Voluptas
et varia circa hunc actum occurrentia nec non Coitus ob
Atresiam seu Vaginae Uterinae Imperforationem et alias
Causas Impeditus et Denegatus, Item Nefandus et So-
domiticus raris observationibus et aliquot casibus medico-
forensibus exhibentur a D. Martino Schurigio, Physico
Dresdensi. Dresdae & Lipsiae, In Officina Libraria
Hekeliana, m.dcc.xxx.

4to.; pp. 418, with 4 of title and preface, and 18 of syllabus
and index, unnumbered.

This is one of the most remarkable, if not the most remark-
able, of Schurig's works. It is impossible, without overstep-
ping the limits of a bibliographical compilation like the
present, to give an adequate notion of the vast gathering of
facts and anecdotes embraced within its pages. The difficulty
lies in the selection. Here are a few of the most curious
points:

Description of the lasciviousness of women (p. 1); Extra-
ordinary aphrodisiacal properties of the root of an Indian plant
(p. 12); "Furoris uterini exempla" (p. 14); Notices of
Messalina, Julia, Cleopatra and Semiramis (p. 27);
" Lascivae uxores maritis cornua imponentes," with signification
of the term " cornuti," and anecdotes (p. 31); "Salaces cum
brutis coeuntes (p. 39); " Salacium puellarum instrumenta"
(p. 40); " Virorum salacitas," with numerous examples (p. 40);

6

GYN-ffiCOLOGIA.

"An mares, an feminae salaciores?" (p. 46); "Conjugium sine
coitu (p. 56); " An sine coitu fiat conceptio ? (p. 64); " A.n
dentur conceptiones hermaphroditicae?" (p. 65): "Voluptas in
coitu " (p. 69) ; " Utrum mas an femina majorem voluptatem
sentiat?" (p. 72); " Quatuor bestiales concumbendi modos"
(p. 85); " Dolor in coitu," and difficulties of deflowering vir-
gins (p. 95); Two curious anecdotes of newly married couples
(p. 101); " Cohaesio in coitu" (p. 107); "In coitu morientes" (p.
124) ; Copulation prevented by the excessive size of the clitoris
(p. 157) ; Example of a girl being pregnant without losing her
virginity (p. 162); Another similar example: "femina permisit
colem maris ad vulvae orificivm vix pertingere, ille vero tenti-
gine flagrans semen ad vulvae orificium invitus ejecit &
gravida facta virgo est sine concubitu : &c. ambo asseverarunt,
penem in vulvam nequaquam penetrasse." (pp. 172 and 207);
Instances of lubidinous men, and of such who have performed
the act a great number of times consecutively, one " eandem
decern ad minimum, saepe duodecim, quindecim, imo ali-
quando viginti coitibus exercens." (p. 225); Various ways in
which the act of sodomy is committed by different peoples
(p. 369); "Coitus feminarum cum feminis. Frictrices" (p.
377); Bestiality with various animals of both sexes, with mer-
men and maids, with demons, and with statues (p. 380);
" Coitus per os" (p. 379); Corpse profanation (p. 388).

I cannot close my notice on this very remarkable volume
without reproducing in full two pieces which appear to me
exceptionally curious. In treating of the size of the male
human member, Schurig gives the following letter taken from
a MS.:

P. P.

Ew. Hoch-Freyherrl. Gnaden Excell. und Grosz-Achtb. Herri,
sey mein unterthcenigst Gehorsamb in tieffester Demuth und and cechti-

De coitu denegato.

fetien mirundH. K.bedarjfnotbtvendig einerim Recbtczulafil, Leute-
rung, indent in meiner Moth-Klage icb aus Blcedigkeit am 10, diefes
fcbambafftig vor dero bohen Obren und Augen im Lefen unbemubet
enthaltm, die grojfe utid dicke K. Mannes-Glied zu befchreiben, tve'iln

Pferde zu vergleicben ivijfen, ivv folte denn ich > ah ein fcbivacbes
\Verckzetig} als eine kleine Creatur^falcbe unmcegliche Geflalt eitau-
ren, mtch fcbivingen, zerbrecben und zu einen labmen Menfcben
machen lajfen, Tver wolte m'tr ein Stuck Brodmeine bungerige Seele zu
fettigen, darreicben; Waere einige Mzglicbkeit bey m'tr auszufleben,
er ivurde es b 'trtnen ztvey undzioantzig Wocben Woblerztvungen, und
micb geceffhet haben. Unmceglicb bleibei unmceglicb. Was GOtt
und die N-tur gezeicbnet, darfiir foil man ficb bitten. MuJ? matt
ducb bey Stuttereycn bey grofi- und kleinen Pferdtn einen Unter-
fibied machen und gebraucben, foil das Pferd Mutter und Fiillen
nicbtauff einen Hauffenin derGeburt verderben, alles beyfammen
bleiben und fter ben. Denn diefer unbefcbeidene undurtverfcbtmtt
Menfcb im freyen Feldc vor alien Kub-FUrten, mancben Taggantz
obne ScheU) micb mbl dreymal zu Boden getvorffen und feinen Wil-

es bey befcbe
t'tgung nur
Auffmunte
tet und klei
ben iaorden
habe icb no
die tvabre Be
det Dicke all
genw (er t igen
verleiben laj
bocbverfttndi
de Cbriften.
nicbt voi
fondern viel

hener Beficb-
obiter obne
rungbetracb-
tier befcbm-
feynmufi-, So
,lens volens
\fcbafl en&eit
1 bier mit ge-
f Circkel ein-
fen. Was nun
gemitleyden«■
iverden es
menfchlicb,
mebr e'mem

Ff i

gynjecologia.

7

gen Gebet zu Gott anvor. Dero heutiges Tages gegebener Abschied
zwi-

[Here read the page which I have facsimiled in the exact size of the original'
and conclude with :]

len an mir nicht vollbringen, vielweniger eine Moegligkeit erzwingen
kcennen. Dergleichen grosse und dicke er eine weisse Rube ge-
schcehlel,mich damit ueiter, als michGOtt erschqffen, eroeffhen wollen.
Darzu so hat auch sein Stieff-Vater und andere Freunde ihn
angefrischt, wo er an mir nicht seinen Beyschlaff geniessen kcente,
solte er mich im Holtze an einem Baum binden, todt schiessen,
duff und darvon gehen, wohin er wolte. Dahero gelanget &c.
Datum den 14. Jun. 1681.

From the long chapter: "De stupratione in somno," in
which several curious instances are adduced of virgins being
deflowered and rendered pregnant during sleep, and without
their knowledge or consent, I extract the following, which will
serve at the same time as a specimen of the macaronic style
frequently used by the learned Germans of the time, and to
whom Schurig made no exception. The questions are put to
the Faculty of Medicine of Leipzig :

1.) An dormiens in sella virgo inscia deflorari possit?

a.) An citra immissionem seminis per solam hujus spirituascentiam con-
cipere queat ?
expetiebat, quod ipsius Facultatis verbis ita sonat:

Als uns diesellen ein Schreiben und Acta contra D. R. H. Barlier-Gesellen,
in puncto angegebener Schwcengerung an A. B. S. zugeschickt, und unser Gut-
achten uler die zwey Fragen umstcendlich zu eroeffnen verlanget: 1) Ob es
auch moeglich, dasz eine Virgo ley naturlichem Schlaff, sitzende auff einem
grossen Polster-Stuhl, dessen Sessel eine File lang und breit, und ohngefehr vorn
Auszuge eine halle Elle hoch von der Erden, ohne Accommodation, Bewegung
und Empjindlichkeit, und zwar ihrem Vorgeben nach, mit Gewalt von den1
Impraegnatore halb stehend, hall kniend erkannt werden kcennen ? a.) Ob nicht,

8

gyn-fficologia.

als H. Impraegnatam auf dem Faullette fleischlich erkannt, ob gleich das Semen
ins Hembde gegangen, per spiritum dessen, und also noch vor letzterm Congressu
die Conception und Foecundation geschehen kcennen ? So geben wir nach
collegialijcAer Verlesung und reifflicher Uberlegung aller in Actis bqfindlichen
Umstoenden hieravff zur Antwort; und zwar auf die erste Frage, dasz, ob schon
nicht so leicht zu vermuthen stehet, dasz eine annoch wahrhafftige yungfrau
ohne alle Empfindligkeit und Einwilligung stuprire/ werden mcege, dennoch in
dem Casu, da dergleichen junge Person, so von der Arbeit ermudet, sick im
ersten Schlaff bqfindet, auf einem in Actis besthrielenen Lehn-Stuhl sitzend, oder
fol. 10. des Stupratoris Vor geben nach, riickwerts angelehnet, dannenhero Ge-
nitalia ziemlich vor-und Uberwerts gewendet, und die Fusse auf dem unterm
Stuhle bqfindlichen Auszug, von sich gestrecket, solches nicht vor ganiz unmoeg-
lich zu achten sey, und also sie ohne sonderbahre Empjindlichkeit oder vollkom-
mene Wissenschqff"t, das ist, cum actu reflexo & cognitione eorum, quae ipsi
contingunt, auch ohne Bewegung und Accommodation, und dannenhero inscia &
invita, fleischlich erkannt und geschwcengert werden kcenne. Welches bey A. B. S.
vielleicht umb so viel eher geschehen, da Stuprator, seiner Aussage nach, fol. 18.
selbige schon etliche Wochen zuvor einsten im Bette wircklich und vollkommen,
i. e. cum penis omnimoda in genitalia ejus intrusione, wiewohl ohne seminis
immissione, fleischlich erkennet und violiref, auch dahin gestellet wird, ob er wie
damahls, also auch auf dem Stuhlsein Membrum der S. so tieff in den Leib gebracht
habe, we'll er, ob er bey diesem Actu besage f. 19. dieses Werck vollkommen voll-
bracht, (indem er betruncken gewesenj selbst nicht wissen will; dergleichen
unvollkommener Congressus dennoch, und da Mentula vaginae uteri orificio nur
einiger massen appliciret, dieses sub illius affrictione titilliref, und ihm semen
virile aspergire/ wird, wie unterschiedener Autorum Observationes medicae
erweiien, zu Schwcengerung einer Weibes-Person untervveilen sufficient und
zulcenglich befunden vuerde. Ob aber und wie vveit dergleichen stupratio
somno oppressae, und solches inscie atque invite admittentis pro violento zu
achten, geben wir denen Herren JCtis zu decidiren anheim. So viel aber die
andere Frage betr\jft, weil H. Act. fol. 41. b. selbst gestehet, dasz, da er impraeg-
natam auf dem Faullettgen fleischlich erkannt, er das Semen ins Hembde
gelassen, und also vveder affrictio noch aspersio seminis ad genitalia muliebria
vorgegangen, hat in demselben Congressu keine Conception und Foecundation
erfolgen kcennen. Leipzig den 12. Aug. 1669. vid. Joh. Frid. Zittmann.
Medicin. Forens. Cent. VI. Cas. 77. pag. 1642. seqq. it. Mich. Bernh. Valentini
l.a. p. 31. seqq.

syllepsilogia.

9
^plltpgllOgia Historico-Medica hoc est Conceptionis Mu-
liebris Consideratio Physico-Medico-Forensis qua Ejus-
dem Locus, Organa, Materia, Modus in Atretis seu
Imperforatis, item Signa et Impedimenta, deinde Didy-
motokia seu Gemellatio Superfoetatio et Embryotokia
et denique Varia de Graviditate Vera, Falsa, Occulta et
Diuturna nec non De Gravidarum Privileges Animique
Pathematis et Impressione Raris et Curiosis Observationi-
bus traduntur a D. Martino Schurigio, Physico
Dresdensi. Dresdae & Lipsiae, Sumtibus (sic) B.
Christoph. Hekelii Fil. mdccxxxi.

4to.; pp. 656, preceded by 4 pages of title and preface,
and followed by 20 pages of indices, unnumbered.

The title conveys but a faint notion, even to one of the
profession, of the amusing and curious information with which
the volume abounds. Here are a few of the most note-
worthy items:

Instance of a woman with child during twenty-five years
(p. 95); Examples of conception by old women (p. 116);
"Conceptio sine penis intromissione " (p. 131); Births of
several children at a time (p. 201); Remarkable instances of
superfetation (p. 278); " De gravidarum coitu" (p. 533);
Imagination in wdmen (p. 561). The ninth chapter of
section V. is full of extraordinary cases.

c

io

embryologia.

(Zfrnbrpologta Historico-Medica hoc est Infantis Hvmani
Consideratio Physico-Medico-Forensis, qva Ejvsdem in
Vtero Nvtritio, Formatio, Sangvinis Circvlatio, Vitalitas
sev Animatio, Respiratio, Vagitvs et Morbi, deinde Ipsivs
ex Vtero Egressvs praematvrvs et serotinvs, imprimis
partvs legitimvs et circa evndem occvrrentia, verbi gratia
Partvs Difficilis, Post Matris Mortem, nvmerosvs et
mvltiplex, tam pvellarvm, qvam vetvlarvm, item per
insolitas vias, et plane insolitvs, porro Varia Sympto-
mata, e.g. Vteri Prolapsvs ejvsqve Inversio et Resectio,
deniqve Partvs Caesarevs et Svpposititivs cvm Pverpe-
rarvm Tortvra raris observationibvs exhibentvr a D.
Martino Schvrigio, Physico Dresdensi. Dresdae
& Lipsiae Apvd Christoph. Hekelii B. Filivm,
m dcc xxx ii.

4to.; pp. 920, with 35 unnumbered of title, preface, index
and errata.

Every thing that can possibly be said upon gestation,
labour and childbirth, interwoven with curious anecdotes,
is given in this work, which is thoroughly interesting to one
unacquainted with the art of surgery. Here are a few only
of the curious items which the volume contains:

Abortions produced by various causes (p. 339); Time at
which conception can take place, with many strange instances
of juvenile fecundity (p. 590); If any fruit can result from

77 schurig's various works.

the connection of a man with an animal, or of an animal
with a woman (p. 689). In his consideration of the " partus
suppositus" (p. 892) the author adduces a vast number of
historical examples.

In addition to the works* noticed above, Schurig wrote:

JBtestrrtatto tie ^emoptpsfu lena, 1688. 4to.f

£>taloIogta Historico-Medica, h.e. Salivae Humanae Con-
sideratio Physico-Medico-Forensis, &c. Dresdae, Sump-
tibus Hjered. Miethii. 1723.

4to.; pp. 406, with 41 pages of title, preface, indices and
errata; title in red and black.

Cbplologt'a Historico-Medica h.e. Chyli Humani, sive Succi
Hominis Nutritii, Consideratio &c. Dresdae, Sumptibus
Joh. Christoph. Zimmermanni, & Joh. Nicolai
Gerlachii. Anno mdccxxv.

4to.; pp. 911, with 8 pages of title and preface, and 48
pages of indices, unnumbered; title in red and black. Con-
tains a curious dissertation " De Stercoris humani et Bru-
torum Usu Medico."

* Most of Schurig's books will be found in the libraries of the British
Museum and College of Surgeons, although neither institution possesses a
complete set.

t Sic- fltet. ttt la par Dezeimbris, vol. 4, p. 129.

12

schurig's various works.
^aematotogta Historico-Medica, hoc est Sangvinis Con-
sideratio Physico-Medico-Cvriosa, &c. Dresdae et Lip-
siae apud Fridericvm Hekel, mdccxliv.

4to.; pp. 408, with 4 pages of title and preface, and 18
pages of indices, unnumbered.

2,ttf)0togta Historico-Medica, hoc est Calcvli Hvmani Con-
sideratio Physico-Medico-Cvriosa, &c. Dresdae et Lipsiae
apvd Fridericvm Hekel, mdccxliv.

4to.; pp. 850, with 4 pages of title and preface, and 32
pages of indices, unnumbered.

9>lattofen ©efunbljeit,* obex &tn nut$It$et Tractat
vom ©djatfcocfe &c.;
Medicis unb Chirurgis ju Sanbe unb SBaffet jum bcflen in
*Rtebetlanbif($et ©^ta^c gef(^rie6cn toon Abraham Leon-
hard Vrolingh, Chirurgo gu SOBefcZaerdam, &c. tn8
£eutf<$e uberfefcet toon Martino Schurigen, M.D. &c.
£>refben, 1702.

Small 8vo.; pp. 378, with 46 pages unnumbered; title in
red and black.

auf?id)tige Slugen uitb 3 meau auS ben $tanfc&f. SDtefben. 1706. 8vo.f

In the Mlt. tit la Jfll&erilte par J. E. Dezeimeris,

* Not " Jtranffyeit," as is generally given by the bibliographers.

t 2lQg«meintg

notice on dr. m. schurig.



we read that Schurig has translated from Dutch into German
the CjrailUIl cbtrugtcum of Verbrugge. I have not met
with this book, nor do I find it mentioned by any other
bibliographer, and I am inclined to believe that the work
of Frolingh, above mentioned, is intended.

These works, having no special interest for the present
compilation, may be dismissed with the bare notice of
their titles.

No bibliographical work with which I am acquainted
contains a complete list of Schurig's works; the most
ample are those in the 3lttgemetne3 (Suropaifc^eS SBuc$et*Sertcon
of Georgi, and in the Ufa la iflctirtUtt, par

J. E. Dezeimeris, although neither of these is perfect.

Of the life of Martin Schurig little is known. He took
his diploma at Erfurt in 1688, and went from there to
Dresden, where he became physician, and died in 1733.*
Schurig has not received handsome treatment at the hands
of the French biographers, who, one and all, accuse him of
want of taste, and deficiency in judgment and criticism. It
is a great question whether his censors had ever read his
works. In the following animadversion, Eloy, while he
alludes to the macaronic style in which Schurig generally
indulges (a real charm to many readers),-f- ingenuously

* J8iograpf)ie ©hubmftlU (Michaud), vol. 38, p. 475.

t How flat, stale and unprofitable would be that most captivating of books,
Burton's Snatomg of fHtlancljolg, were every quotation translated and
levelled down into one language !

H

notice on dr. m. schurig.

implies his own inability fully to grasp his author. In
speaking of his works he observes :

On les liroit avec plus de plaisir & de fruit, s'il ne les avoit pas detigures
par une quantite de citations & de longs passages d'Auteurs qui ont 6crit
en Allemand, en Jtalien & en Hollandois. Comme tout le monde n'entend
pas ces Langues, le melange qu'il en fait avec le Latin, rend la lecture de ces
Ouvrages extremement rebutante.*

I am more inclined to endorse the opinion of Dezeimeris :

II a ecrit sur divers points de la medecine et de la chirurgie, mais princi-
palement sur tout ce qui se rattache & la g6neration et aux accouchements, une
serie de vastes monographies, dans lesquelles il a rassemble une masse con-
siderable d'observations, puisees de toutes parts, et oil il rappelle & peu pres
tout ce qui avait ete fait avant lui. Quoiqu' il n'ait pas toujours mis dans son
ceuvre toute la critique qu'on pourrait desirer, on ne peut contester neanmoins
H ces recueils une veritable utilite.f

Since Schurig's day medical science has made vast progress,
and many of his theories and notions have consequently
been long since exploded ; but his vast erudition cannot be
too much admired, nor can the value be underrated of the
numberless pertinent facts which he has amassed, and for
which he invariably gives his authorities.

* ©tc. fetJit. Be la iHeUectne, vol. 4, p. 231. The same passage is reproduced
in the JJtograpfjte ;fHeBtcale.
t Stf. fetJtt. Be la ffflrBerine, vol, 4, p. 129.

i)e Jfirst Crntbrp of £>cantialmis, iflaltjynaitt

ipri?3t3, Made and admitted into Benefices
by the Prelates, in whose hands the Ordina-
tion of Ministers and government of the Church
hath been. Or, A Narration of the Causes for which
the Parliament hath Ordered the Sequestration of
the Benefices of severall Ministers complained of
before them, for vitiousnesse of Life, errors in Doc-
trine, contrary to the Articles of our Religion, and
for practising and pressing superstitious Innovations
against Law, and for Malignancy against the Parliament.
It is Ordered this seventeenth day of November, 1643.
by the Committee of the House of Commons in Par-
liament concerning Printing, that this Booke Intitled,
[The First Century of Scandalous, Malignant Priests, &c.~]
be printed by George Miller. John White.
London, Printed by George Miller, dwelling in the
Black-Friers, m.dc.xliii.

Square 8vo.; pp. 8 unnumbered of title and "Epistle to
the Reader," and 51 numbered; in all 59 pages.

This remarkable volume, scarce as it is curious, was pub-

l6 scandalous, malignant priests.

lished by order of the Parliament, in the second year of the
great rebellion, whilst King Charles I. was holding court at
Oxford. It contains the names, residences, &c., in full, of
100 "scandalous and lewde ministers," together with minute
details of the misdemeanours on account of which the Par-
liament had sequestrated their benefices.

In his Epistle to the Reader John White, who signs
himself "him that desireth to spend himselfe and be spent
in the service of the King and Kingdome," sets forth under
six heads the objects and advantages of the book :

First, To open thine eyes and clearely convince and satisfie thee, that the
Parliament had good, and very great cause from hence, among many other
things, to declare and resolve, that the present Church Governement by Arch-
bishops, Bishops, their Chancellours, Commissaries, Deanes, Arch-deacons,
and other Ecclesiasticall Officers, depending upon the Hierarchie, is evill and
justly Offensive and burdensome to the Kingdome, a great Impediment to
Reformation and growth of Religion, and very prejudiciall to the State and
Governement of this Kingdome, and therefore to be taken away, &c.....

And in this Booke, thou shalt have an Assay of the Gall and Worme-wood
of the Episcopall Governement, taken out of London the Metropolis, and of
the Counties adjacent, that when thou seest what Vermine crawles upon, and
devoures the principall and vitall parts, thou maist reflect with a mournefull
heart upon the more miserable condition of Wales, and of the North, the
more remote parts of this Kingdome, where upon scrutiny will be easily
found, many for one as vile and abhominable as these. And if thou wouldest
have the people perish for want of vision or impoysoned with the destructive
Errours of Popery and Arminianisme, and the Land yet more defiled with
cursing, swearing, drunkennesse, whoredome, sodomie, then put thy shoulders
still to the support of the said Church-Governement and Governours, but if
thou be better minded (as in Charitie I hope thou art) then joyne heart and

scandalous, malignant priests.

17

hand with the Parliament, to purge out such Popish dreggs, and together with
them, pray for and endeavour a through Reformation, according to the Word
of God.

Secondly, Thou maist by perusall of this booke clearly see what manner
of persons those Cleargie-men be, that favour the present course of his
Majestie against his Parliament and people, and dislike and maligne the wayes
of the Parliament, they will appeare unto thee to be such as cannot endure the
purity, power and strictnesse of the true Religion, that hate Reforma-
tion, &c......

Thirdly, Thou maiest hereby discerne one principall ground and cause of
the generall ignorance and debauchery of the Gentry and people of this
Kingdome. Like Priest, like people: They cause the people to erre by their
lyes and by their lightnesse : &c.....

Fourthly, Behold with admiration, and acknowledge with love and thanke-
fulnesse the transcendent mercie of the Lord, to his poore people among us,
that whereas he hath infinite just cause to destroy these Priests and people
together, cloath them with desolation, and doe unto them after their waies,
and judge them according to their desert. He is graciously pleased to stirre
up a spirit of zeale and judgement in the Parliament to deliver the people
from the mouthes of these Shepheards, that feed not the flocke, but kill them
that are fed, eate the fat, and cloath themselves with the wool; &c.....

Fifthly, Behold with comfort and assured expectation ofj good from
Heaven, that as the Lord hath manifested his gracious purpose to reforme his
Church in this Land, and set up the Kingdome of Christ among us, in the
purity of Doctrine and Discipline, and hath for that purpose called this
Parliament, fixed it, set it upon that worke, and maintained it therein, and in
all these hath manifested his immediate hand and finger, &c.....

Sixthly, Whereas in severall Proclamations, Declarations and Pamphlets
set forth in his Majesties name, and otherwise sent us from Oxford, the
Parliament hath been exceedingly reproached and condemned (as in truth
D

scandalous, malignant priests. 18

they have been for all the good they have done for the Kingdome) for
Sequestring the Livings of Reverend Divines (as they stile them) thou mayest
by a serious perusall of this Booke, cleerely see what Divines the Authours
and publishers of the said Pamphlets doe so reverence and esteeme; And
from thence observe of what spirit these men are that side with, honour,
pleade for, and receive unto them such Priests of Baal, of Bacchus, of Priapus
Doth not their affection unto, and high esteeme of such uncleane beasts,
abundantly evince, that they serve and prostitute themselves unto the same
dung-hill idols and filthy lusts, and that they are all of the same Father ?
And note further, that these Libellers not only speake evill of Dignities, but
also of those things that they know not, they Censure the Supreme Court
of Judicature, themselves being Delinquents, deserving the severest judgement,
and that without hearing them, or informing themselves of what they have
done, notwithstanding all their acts and proceedings lie fairely of record in
their Journall bookes ; obvious to every man that desires to understand the
same. And that the Parliament may appeare just in their doings, and the
mouth of iniquity may be stopped, this Narrative of the crimes, and mis-
demeanours of those sons of the earth are here published, that all the world
may see, that the tongues of these that speake evill of the Parliament, are set
on fire of Hell, and lift up against Heaven, and that they hide themselves

under falsehood, and make lies their refuge.....

I know well that all we say or doe in this particular will be reproached by
some, but good services must not therefore be deserted because reproached.
When the fat Abbies were taken downe in Henry the eights time, the Friers
cried out that holy Church was destroyed, yet when the draughts and ponds
were searched, so many bones and skulls were found, which assured men

of practises distant enough from holinesse.....

When malice hath spoken its worst and done its utmost,,then shalt thou
cleerely understand what I daily see and certainely know, that the great
services and paines of the Parliament have no other scope but divine glory,
the Churches reformation, and the Kingdomes safety. Consider sadly and
seriously of these things, and the Lord give thee and me understanding of
these times, to know what Israeli ought to doe in the same j and let us
without feare of the hand of violence, or foote of pride, set hand and heart,
and shoulder and all, to the perfect cleansing of the house of the Lord, and

scandalous, malignant priests. 19

advancing his Sion to a perfection of beauty, and 'jetting up his Christ upon
his Throne, to rule over us in all things according to his own mind, and
then expect with fulnesse of assurance, that he will speedily make all his
enemies his foot-stoole, and ease himselfe and us of all his adversaries.

An alphabetical list of the ministers, whose benefices were
sequestered, and of the offences brought against them, may
be interesting, and useful.

j.— (90) * Allen. "The Benefice of Peter Allen, Vicar of the Parish
Church of Tolsbury in the county of Essex, is sequestred, for that he hath
lived incontinently a long time with severall women, that is to say with Mary
Tim, who went from his house with child by him, Frances Smith, by
whom he also had a bastard. And with Ann Cooper whom he hath kept
for the space of 7 yeers last past, and yet keepeth in his house, who miscarried
of a child begotten by him. And while the Railes were standing about the
Communion Table, he refused to administer the Sacrament to such as would
not come to them. And hath beene very negligent of his Cure, absenting
himselfe without any care taken for supply thereof a month together,
whereby the bodies of the dead have beene left unburied severall daies, and
hath expressed great malignancy against the Parliament."

2.—(72). Alsop, Samuel, Vicar of Acton in Suffolk, " for that he hath
attempted the chastity of divers married women, &c., and hath set up in his
chancell the Jesuits Badge in gold, in divers places thereof, and hath expressed
great malignancy against the Parliament, &c."

* The following Nos. 1 (90), 7 (48), 8 (2), 29 (3), 50 (59), 92 (61),
93 (io°)> 94 (1), 96(64), 99(36) I reproduce verbatim and in extenso; the
other notices I have condensed, taking care however to give in every case the
substance of the alleged misconduct, and as far as possible in the exact words
of the original. The numbers in parenthesises indicate the order in which the
notices occur in the book.

20

scandalous, malignant priests. 20

3.—(45). Alston, Edward, Parson of Pentloe in Essex, " for that he hath
attempted the chastity of some women, and hath used very unchast
demeanours towards other women, snatching a handkerchiefe from one, and
thrusting it into his breeches, and forcing her hand after it, and putting his
yard into her hand, pulling up the coates of another, and thrusting his hand
into the placket of another, &c.; and hath expressed great Malignancy against
the Parliament; &c. And did reade in his Church Declarations set out in his
Majesties name, but refused to reade any Declarations of Parliament. And
having appointed a Communion, and all things were ready for it, and the
Parishioners prepared, he turned his backe and went away, refusing to deliver
it, because the Surplice was not there. And falsly affirmed, That the Parlia-
ment gathered great summes oj money to enrich their owne purses."

4.—(93). Amnes, Iohn, Parson of Charleton in Kent, "a common
drunkard, hath kept a common Ale-house, and is a prophaner of the Sabbath
day, by common frequenting of Ale-houses thereon, and is a practiser of the
late Innovations, and would never preach himselfe, nor suffer others to preach
on the Sabbath-dayes in the after-noon, and hath attempted the chastity of
divers women, and used unchast behaviour towards them."

5.—(21). Andrewes, Nicholas, Rector of Guilford, and Vicar of Godal-
mine in Surrey, " negligent in preaching, enveighing in his Sermons against
long Sermons : And in delivering the Bread in the Sacrament, he elevateth
it, lookes upon it, and bowes low unto it, &c.; frequenteth Tavernes, and con-
sumes his time in sitting and tipling there : And hath refused to publish the
Order of Parliament, concerning the removall of superstitious and Idolatrous
pictures and Images, &c."

6—(70). Anherst, Ieoffrey, rector of Horsemauden, Kent, "refused to
administer the Sacrament to those that would not come up to the railes, &c.;
is a common swearer and haunter of Ale-houses, &c. 5 hath expressed great
malignity against the Parliament."

7.—(48). Ashburnham, Edward, Vicar of Tunbridge, Kent, " is a common
Ale-house haunter and Taverne haunter, and very often drunke, even upon the

scandalous, malignant priests.

21

Lords-days, and hath driven divers of his Parishioners with their families from
their dwellings, by pursuing them for not comming up to the Railes to receive
the Sacrament, and seldome preacheth upon the publike Fast-days, and made a
publick speech for the incouraging of the late Insurrection and Rebellion at
Tunbridge, and to contribute to the maintenance thereof."

8.—(2). Aymes, Iohn, Curate of Lowis, Kent, "a common drunkard and
swearer : and hath affirmed the Parliament to be a Round-headed Parliament,
and that their heads should le all shortly chopt off, and wished, that the King
might grind them in pieces like a Potters vessell, and for above 15. weekes
hath altogether deserted his Cure."

9.—(83). Batly, Thomas; Rector of Brasteed, Kent, for "false Doctrine.
And hath laboured by his preaching and otherwise to draw his people to auricular
confession, averring that he had power to absolve them, &c. That he turned
the communion-Table Altar-wise, railed it in, used frequent bowing before it,
&c. And hath expressed great malignity against the Parliament."

10.—(49). Bloxam, Nicholas, Parson of great Waldingfield, Sussex, "a
common drunkard and inticer of others to that beastly vice, a common swearer
by great and bloudy oaths ; and hath bin very carelesse and negligent of his
Cure, &c., hath carried himself very lasciviously towards severall women, and is
greatly suspected of Incontinency."

11.—(19). Bradshaw, Iames, Vicar of Chalfont, S. Peters, Bucks, "not
only a practiser and maintainer of all the late innovations, but hath also
preached in his sermons, That the Commissaries Courts were the suburbs of
Heaven, and the Commissaries and Officers of that Court, the very supremacies,
next to Arch-Angels, &c; and that to preach twice on the Lords day is a
damnable sinne, &c."

12.—(.30). Brewster, Edward, Rector of Lawshall, Suffolk, "hath refused
to administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to such of his Parishioners
as would not kneele at the railes, &c., compelled them to doe penance, &c., is a
common Ale-house haunter, &c., hath spoken very disgracefully of the Earle of
Essex, and hath expressed great malignancy against the Parliament, &rc."

22

scandalous, malignant priests. 22

13.—(86). Buck, Tames, Vicar of Stradbrocke, Suffolke, "hath preached
openly, That the Pope is the head of the Church, &c.; " a believer in Transmu-
tation, Auricular Confession, Adoration of the Virgin, and other Popish
doctrines.

34.—(6). Cherry, Edward, Rector of Much-holland, Essex, General
Popish practices, " hath published a very scandalous Libell against the Earle of
Essex, Earle of Warwick, and Earle of Holland, &c.; and is reputed to have
betaken himselfe to the Army raised against the Parliament."

—(92). Clapham, Paul, Vicar of Farnham, Surry, and Parson of Martin
Worthy, South-hampton, " hath lived in adultery with severall women, and
hath had divers bastards, &c. And hath called the Parliament and their
adherents, Rebels and Traitours, &c., and betaken himselfe to the Army of
Cavaleers about January last."

16.—(36). Clarke, Alexander, Vicar of Bredfield, Suffolk, "hath used
very frequent bowing to the Altar, &c., refused to let the Church-wardens
levell the ground where the Altar stood, &c., hath enveighed in his Sermons
against praying by the Spirit, &c., hath read the Booke of Sports on the
Lords, day, and incouraged his Parishoners to observe the same, &c., hath
publikely sported himselfe with his Parishioners on the Lords dayes at Barly-
breake, and hath taught to the people, that he hath absolute power to forgive
sinnes, &c., hath endeavoured to draw his Parishioners to the Forces raised
against the Parliament, &c.; And hath affirmed, that the Earle of Strafford did
die wrongfully, &c., and hath spoken reproachfully of the Earle of Pem-
brooke, &c."

17.—(154). Clarke, Iohn, Rector of S. Ethelburrough,' within Bishops-
gate, London, " hath endeavoured to corrupt his auditory with the leaven of
Popish doctrine, &c., is a common haunter of Tavernes and Ale-houses, and
useth to sit tipling there till he be drunke, and hath exprest great malignity
against the power and proceedings of Parliament, &c."

18.—(77). Clay, Matthew, Vicar of Chelsworth, Suffolk, "hath very

scandalous, malignant priests. 89

litttle resided upon his Parsonage-house, but letteth one live in it that tumeth
it to an Ale-house, in which there is very much disorder, even upon the
Lords dayes, &c., is a common swearer, a haunter of Ale-houses and Tavernes,
and hath been oft very drunk, &c.; and hath expressed great malignancy
against the Parliament, &c."

19— (20). Cotesford, Robert D.D., Rector of Hadleigh, and Munkes
Ely, Suffolke, a practiser of Popish doctrines, has deserted his cure, " hath been
often drunke, consuming his time in tipling and drinking, sometimes from
morning to night, and hath oft attempted the chastity of his maid-servant, &c.;
hath refused to reade the Declarations of Parliament, and especially that of the
22th. of October, 1643, concerning his Majesties Commissions granted to
Papists to raise forces, &c."

Dale, Curthbert, Rector of Kettleburrough, Suffolk, "a
constant observer of the late illegal Innovations in the Worship of God, &c.,
is a common swearer and curser, &c., hath read the Book of sports on the
Lords day, &c. And seeing a stranger in the Church put on his hat in sermon
time, he openly then called him, sawcy unmannerly Clowne, and bid the
Church-wardens take notice of him, and the next Lords daye tooke occasion in
his Sermon againe to speake of him being then absent, and to call him Loll-,
sawcy Goose, Idiot, a Wigeon, a Cuckoe, saying, he was a scabbed Sheepe, a
stragler, and none of his flock, and is a common Ale-house and Taverne
haunter, and hath been often drunke, and frequently in his Pulpit, upbraideth
his Parishioners, calling them Knaves, Devills, Raskalls, Rogues, and Fillaines,
&c., and in one of his Sermons affirmed, That he hoped the late Lord Cooke
was in Hell, for maintaining Prohibitions, and hath been very negligent of his
Cure, &c., leaving the same to very scandalous Curates, &c., and hath expressed
great Malignancy against the Parliament."

2i.—(63). Darnell, Thomas, Vicar of Thorpe, Essex, "an usuall pro-
phaner of the Lords day, by sports and playes, and by making cleane his Cow-
house and out-houses, and other like servile workes, and read the Book of
sports on the Lords day in the Church, with approbation thereof, and is a
common swearer and curser, and a notorious drunkard and Ale-house haunter,

24

scandalous, malignant priests. 24

even upon Fast-dayes, and is a common Gamester at unlawfull games, and
hath been convicted of incontinency and adultery before Doctor Warren and
others, Justices of peace, &c; and hath expressed great malignancy against the
Parliament."

22.—(28). Dausbw, Peter, Vicar of Camberwell, Surry, "a common
drunkard, and drunke at the times of officiating at Burials and Baptizingsj
and hath by his debaushed conversation, disabled himselfe from preaching,
and hath not preached for these 12. yeares and upwards, &c.; and hath
extorted undue and unreasonable fees from his Parishioners, and after the
administring of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, expended the money given
to the poore in Sack, and dranke it in the Church; And in delivering the
Sacrament to one Mistris Wilson, one of his Parishioners, cast the Bread upon
the ground, saying to her, take it there if thou wilt have it, and is a common
curser and swearer, and hath read in his Church his Majesties Declaration
against the Parliament, concerning Levies, &c."

23.—(79). Daves, Ioseph, Curate and Hospitler. of St. Thomas Hospitall
in Southwarke, " a common drunkard, &c ; and a common swearer, and hath
expressed great malignancy against the Parliament, &c."

24.—(8:). Dawes, Humphrey, Vicar of Mount-Nezing, Essex, "hath
discouraged his parishioners from assisting the present defensive War, &c j
hath read the Book of Sports, and incouraged his parishioners to prophane the
Sabbath and hath been often drunke, and came so drunke to Church on the
Lords day, as he bad his people sing a Chapter in the Hebrewes for a Psalme,
not knowing what he did."

25.—(42). Denn, Iohn, Vicar of Dartford, Kent, "commonly drunke,
and on Sabbath dayes, useth to sit till twelve of the clock at night, sending for
bottles of Wine, and clubbing, and in a Sermon, described a drunkard to le
only such an one as lies in the Cart-way, foaming at mouth, and not able to
remove from the Cart-wheels, and refuseth to preach on the Lords dayes, &c.,
and hath expressed great malignity against the Parliament, &c."

26.—(84). Duxon, Richard, D.D. Parson of St. Clement-Danes,.London,

scandalous, malignant priests. 91

irregularity in the management of his Church, &c.;" and hath betaken himselfe
to the Army of cavaleers, and was seene in Oxon since in a coloured hat
and coat."

27.—(52). Evans, William, Parson of Sandcroft, Suffolk, "a notorious
drunkard, and hath altogether neglected the publike Fast, even since the
Order of Parliament for the better observation thereof, and spent the same
dayes, or greater part of them in Ale-houses, &c., and in his Pulpit delivered,
That those that did give or lend to the Parliament, were accursed, &c."

28.—(18). Fairefax, William, D.D. Rector of S. Peters, in Cornhill,
London, and Vicar of East-Ham, Middlesex, " hath refused to deliver the
Sacrament to such of his Parishioners as refused to come up to the railes, &c. ;
useth to prophane the Sabbath-day, by playing at Cards, and hath been often
drunke in Ale-houses and other places, and usually seeketh and haunteth the
company of women, notoriously suspected of incontinency, and intrudes
himselfe into their company, and into the company of other women, walking
alone in the streetes in the darke and twi-light, and tempteth them to unclean-
nesse, leading them into darke placos, and into Tavernes, fit for such workes of
darknesse, and hath expressed great malignity against the Parliament, &c."

29.—(3). Forbench, Charles, Parson of Heny, Essex, " a common
swearer, oftentimes breaking forth into fearfull Oathes and Imprecations, and
very carelesse of his pastorall function, and wholy neglecteth the observing of
the monethly Fast, setting his men to plow, himselfe also working on those
dayes in the fields, and hath affirmed, that the Earle of Strafford was no
traitour, and that he was put to death wrongfully by the Parliament."

30.—(11). Fothersby, Francis, Vicar of S. Clements, Sandwich, and
Parson of Lingsteede, Kent, "a common drunkard, and common swearer
and curser, and hath expressed great malignancy against the Parliament, &c."

31.—(62). Geary, Thomas, Vicar of Beddingfield, Suffolke, "often
drunke even to vomit, and hath been and is a common swearer of bloody
oathes, and curser in a fearfull manner, as God damne me, the Devill damne

e

26

scandalous, malignant priests. 26

me, refused to preach for many Sabbath dayes together, and said, he thought
preaching would doe his Parishioners no good, and useth in his Sermons to
raile upon his Parishioners, calling them, sowded Piggs, Bursten Rammes, and
Speckled Frogs, and one of the chiefe women of the Parish, greatly grieved at
such miscarriages, and going out of the Church, the said Geary openly m his
Pulpit thereupon said, that if there were but one Whore in the Parish, she
would kick and fling, and never keepe her seate, and affirmed, that he had
absolute power to forgive sinnes, &c., and hath expressed great malignancy
against the Parliament."

32.—(58). Goadb, Thomas, of East-Hatley, County of Cambridge, " for
that he was for his scandalous life and misdemeanours, deprived of his Benefice
at Guningson in the County of Nottingham, about 20. yeares since, and hath
not since reformed his life, but is still a common frequenter of Ale-houses,
and very often drunke, and oft on the Lords day; And on Newyeares-day
was twelve-moneth, the Sacrament of the Lords Supper being to be admin-
istered in his Church, he came from an Ale-house where he had been all night,
and was so drunke, that he fell downe twice or thrice in the presence of the
Parishioners, who expected him at the Church-doore 5 &c. And hath oft sate
so long drinking, that he hath bepist himselfe, and sometimes the roome
where he sate, and is an outragious common swearer and curser, and in his
Tipling useth to say, Now Devill, doe thy worst, and caused his servants to
goe to their earthly laboures upon the Fast-dayes, and finding his neighbours
Hoggs trespassing, wished the plague of God in Hell might take her and her
Hoggs, and hath been a great practiser and presser of the late illegall Innova-
tions in the Worship of God , And because his Parishioners would not come
up to the railes to receive, caused the Parish-Clarke to carry away the ^ Bread
and Wine, and hath expressed great malignancy against the Parliament.

,» -(88). Goffe, Richard, Vicar of East-Greensteed, Sussex,« a common
haunter of Tavernes and Ale-houses, a common swearer of bloudy oathes and
singer of baudy songs and often drunke, and keepeth company with Papists
and scandalou J persons, and hath confessed, That he chiefly ^ed Popish
Authours, and highly commended Queene Maries time, and disparaged Queene
El b ths,as an enemy to learning, and hoped to *e the time aga.ne that

scandalous, malignant priests.

27

there should be no Bible in mens houses." A preacher of the doctrine
of transsubstantiation, &c., and an enemy of the Parliament.

34.—(8). Gordon, Iohn, Rector of Ockley, Sussex, "a common haunter
of Ale-houses and Tavernes, sitting and tipling there, night after night, and
hath spent the whole Sabbath there, so that no Service nor Sermon was in his
Church by reason thereof, &c., and hath published in his Church, all those to
be Traitours that lent to the Parliament, &c."

35-—(*3)- Gorsuch, Iohn, D.D. Rector of Walkerne, Hertford, " often
drunke; and oft sitteth gaming whole nights together, and is seldome in the
Pulpit, preaching scarce once a quarter; refused to administer the Sacrament
to such as would not come up to the railes, &c.; and hath published a wicked
Libell against the Parliament, &c."

36.—(71). Goultie, Miles, Vicar of Walton, Suffolk, "practiser of the
late illegal Innovations &c., and hath been often drunke, and hath expressed
great malignancy against the Parliament."

37-—(34)- Graunt, William, Vicar of Iselworth, Middlesex, " hath
called the singing Psalmes, Hopkins Iigges, And affirmed, That he had rather
heare a pair of Organs ten to one than the singing of them" Has read the
Declarations of the King and refused to read those of the Parliament, &c.,
" often drunke, and that many times in one weeke, &c."

38.—(35). Hancocks, Henrt, Vicar of Fornax-Pelham, Hertford, "hath
preached, That it is as laufull for a woman if she dislike her Husband, to
leave him, and take another, as for one to goe out of his Parish to heare
another Minister; &c.;" has in sermons slandered the Puritans, &c. j "is a
common tipler and haunter of Ale-houses, and a profane swearer of bloudy
oathes."

39'—(96). Hannington, Henry, Vicar of Hougham, Kent, "a common
and notorious drunkard, and oft, lying dead-drunke in high-wayes, and hath
continued so for the space of twenty yeares and upwards, and useth to sing in

28

scandalous, malignant priests. 28

his cupps in the Ale-house baudy songs, which he calleth Cathedrall Songs,
&c."; administered the Sacrament when drunkej" And when he read the
Book of Sports on the Lords day, there was Beere laid into his Barne, and
dancing and drinking there that day, and to give them the more time for it, he
dismissed the Congregation with a few prayers, and left off preaching in the
after-noonea promoter of late innovations, &c.; " and when young people
and servants have come to him to pay their offerings and be examined of their
fitnesse to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, his manner alwayes was,
to aske them, How many Piggs their Fathers and Masters had, and how many
Fowle they kept, and how many Lambes, and when they had fully m-
formed him thereof, admitted them to the Sacrament without any further
examination."

40.—(31). Hart, Richard, Rector of Hargrave, Suffolk, "a common
Ale-house haunter, and upholder of private Ale-houses, and commonly sitteth
drinking in them divers days together, and lately continued drinking and
tipling there, from Tewesday till Sunday-morning, and that morning being
come home, durst not come to Church, his face was so battered and beaten,
&c. And upon Whit-sunday last, though he had administered the Communion
in the fore-noone after Evening prayer read, he drew a man and his wife to a
private Ale house, and there kept them drinking till night, and after led them
to his owne house, and there made the man so drunke, as he fell asleepe, and
then enticed the mans wife up into his Chamber, where they were all night
suspitiously together, and drinking and taking tobacco, and hath expressed
great malignancy against the Parliament, &c."

41.—(98). Heard, Thomas, Vicar of West-Tukely, Essex, "a common
drunkard and companion of drunkards, and hath been so drunke, that he hath
tumbled into ditches and mire, and hath been oft drunke since he'was com-
plained of in Parliament, and in one of his drunken fitts, called for a fire to be
made, and vowed he would burne his Wife and children in it, and refused to
deliver the Sacrament to his Parishioners for not kneeling at the ledge of the
railes, &c. j and when the former Parliament brake up, said boastingly, That he
hoped then to live to see all Puritans hanged."

scandalous, malignant priests.

29

42.—(65). Hbny, Thomas, Vicar of Arundell, Sussex, a drunkard, and
swearer, seldom preaching himself except for special reward j " and hath
caused scandalous persons to be placed for schoolmasters in the said Towne
to corrupt the youth, and hath expressed great malignancie against the
Parliament."

43.—(16). Hiliard, Robbrt, Vicar of Ewell, Surry, "he said, The Parlia-
ment is a Parliament for the Devill, and the Devils Court, and that the
Petitions of the Parliament to the King, are like the Petitions of Jeroboam to
Rehoboam, commands not Petitions, &c.; is often drunke, and is a common
curser and swearer, &c."

44.—(78). Horsmanden, Daniel, DD. Parson of Vlcomb, Kent, "very
often exceeding drunke, and hath expressed great malignity against the
Parliament, &c."

45.—(67). Hugget, Anthony, Parson of Cliffe, Sussex, "hath sued
divers of his Parishioners for going to other Churches to heare Sermons, when
he preached not, and forced two of them to doe pennance for it, &c. j and
instead of a Sermon on the Lords day, did reade to his people the late new
Canons, and is greatly suspected of Incontinency, and hath had the French-
pox, and was cured thereof by one M. Abbll for 10. pound promised him.
And the said Huggets wife, asking him for a peece of gold, which he tooke
from her, and gave to a light woman, in furie he spurned her on the belly,
when shee was quicke with child, so that she was forced presently to take her
chamber, and was delivered of a dead child, notwithstanding wch he vowed he
would never have more children by her : And hath wholy deserted his Cure
for above 6 months from the time of the said sequestration, and hath been
seene in the Army of Cavaleers raised against the Parliament."

46. (91). Hurt, Iohn, Vicar of Horndon, Essex, "a common drunkard
and gbmester, a common swearer and curser, and hath beene convicted before
the Justice of peace for six oathes at a time, and then sware by God, he did
not sweare, and hath a very evill report of uncleannesse and abuse of women,
and hath spoken basely of the Parliament, &c."

3°

scandalous, malignant priests. 96

47.—(.32). Ienkinson, Edward, Parson of Panfield, Essex, " did set the
Communion Table Altar-wise, and railed it in, &c.; And he is an encourager
of prophaning the Lords-day, sending then for Cudgels for his people to play
withall; and being present himself at the Cudgell playing : And hath expressed
great malignancie against the Parliament."

48.—(23). Ieofkeris, —, D-D. Vicar -of Feversham and Ticehurst, Kent,
preached in favour of the King and against the Parliament, " and hath deserted
his said Cure, for the space of halfe a yeare now last past."

49.—(26). Kidd, Iohn, Curate of Egerton, Kent, irregularity in times of
his preaching, bowing to the Communion-Table, &c. j and, in administering
the Sacrament, he " asaulted one of the Communicants, and pulled him by
the haire of the head, and thrust him out of the Church and Congregation
without any just cause, See."

50.—(59). King, Nicholas, Vicar of Friston and Snape, Suffolk, " is a
common Ale-house haunter, and companion of scandalous persons, and men
of evill fame, and oft drunke, and attempted the chastity of Elizabeth
Scotchmer, who going to his house to pay him some moneyes, he inticed her
to lye with him, and did strive a long time with her to abuse her by force, and
would have corrupted her thereunto with moneyes, but she protesting unto
him she would not sell her soule to the Devill for money, he replied to her,
She was a foole, for God did forgive the greatest sinners, and hath expressed
great malignancy against the Parliament."

51.—(44). King, Thomas, Vicar of Chesillmagna, Essex, a drunkard and
Sabbath breaker, refused to deliver the Sacrament to such of his Parishioners as
would not come up to the rails, set up the Table Altar-wise, "and used bowing
and cringing to it, &c."

52.—(74). Kybert, Henry, Parson of S. Katherine-Coleman, London,
" got into the said parish indirectly, by meanes of a false Certificate, &c. •, And
the said Kybert is a common frequenter of Tavernes and Ale-houses, and
commonly frequents the company of a married woman of very ill fame, and

scandalous, malignant priests. 97

hath been seen to imbrace and kisse her very lasciviously, and hath been in a
very suspicious manner in private with her, and hath not been ashamed in
Divine-service, publikely to expresse unseemely gestures and behaviours towards
her in the Church; &c., and hath expressed great malignancy against the
Parliament, and hath deserted his said Cure, for more than foure Moneths last
past before the said sequestration."

53.—(66). Laud, Erasmus, Rector of Little-Tey, Essex, a drunkard, and
swearer, "and sitting drinking late on a Satur-day night, was demanded, who
should preach on the next day, he answered, Let the devill preach, give me
another cup of sacke, and hath used frequent superstitious cringing to the
Altar, and seldome preacheth to his Parishioners, not above once in five or six
weekes before the Parliament, and divers times through his neglect, his Church-
doores have beene shut up all day on the Lords-dayes and Fast-dayes, and at
those times set his servants to worke, and did work himself with them."

54.—(10). Leigh, Philip, Vicar of Redburne, Hertford, a drunkard,
"swearer and quarreller, and hath expressed much malignancy against the
Parliament."

55.—(51). Lowes, Nicholas, Vicar of Much-Bently, Essex, a drunkard,
" even on the Lords dayes, and hath expressed great malignancy against the
Parliament."

56.—(50). Man, Iohn, Curate of Stroode near Rochester, Kent, a drunk-
ard, swearer, and a "quarreller and fighter, and said, That he scorned the
Parliament, and that the Parliament-men were 7iot Gentlemen of quality, &c."

57.—(40). Manby, Iohn, D.D. Rector of Cottenham, Cambridge, a
practiser of Popish rites, " and a common swearer and curser, IVoundes and
Bloud, and Pox and Plague, and such like horrid oathes and curses doe com-
monly proceed out of his mouth, and did bragge, that he hath out-swome a
great swearer, and is a frequent Gamester, even upon the Lordes dayes, &c.;"
read in his church the King's proclamations, but refused to read those of the

scandalous, malignant priests. 98

Parliament, " or to contribute to the Parliament, or associate for the publike
defence."

58.—(85). Marten, Edward, DD. Parson of Houghton-Conquest, Bed-
ford, and of Dunnington, Cambridge, a practiser of Popish rites, and " illegall
Innovations, and he forced divers women that came to be churched to come
up to the Altar, and there to ducke and kneele unto it &c.; And that having
great yearely revenues, did notwithstanding upon the Sabbath-day steale
wheate- sheaves out of the field in harvest, and laid them to his tithe shock,
and hath not preached since he was parson of Houghton-Conquest in five
yeares, not above five Sermons there, &c.; And hath openly preached that the
Parliament goeth about in a factious way, to erect a new Religion," and confessed
that he lent money to the King.

—(73). Mattock, Walter, Parson of Storrington, Sussex, a practiser
of illegal Innovations, a swearer and gamester, a drunkard, has deserted his
cure, has " countenanced the reading of the Book of Sports in his Church to
prophane the Lords day, and hath sent his Armes to assist the illegall Com-
mission of Array, and to oppose the Forces of the Parliament, &c."

60.—(24). Mountford, Iames, Rector of Tewing, Hertford, a practiser of
Popish rites, " and hath published in his Church the Booke of Sports on the
Lords day, &c.; And hath preached, That if the King should set up flat
Idolatry, we ought to submit, and not to take up Armes, as some doe now;
and enveighed against the Parliament, for endeavouring to take away Epis-
copacy, &c."

61.—(29). Mountford, Iohn, D.D. Rector of Austie, Hertford, a
practiser of Popish rites, " and hath endeavoured to leaven his people to the
doctrines of Arminianisme, &c."

62.—(41). Muffet, William, Vicar of Edmonton, Middlesex, "a com-
mon swearer, curser and blasphemer, and is a common fighter and quarreller,
not sparing his Majesties Officers, and is commonly drunke, and scarcely

scandalous, malignant priests.

33

sober at all, but when he wanteth money to consume in drinke, and in his
drunkennesse, goeth up and downe the said Towne, breaking glasse windowes,
which hath cost him twenty shillings at a time to repaire, and is a common
drinker of healths, and forcer of others to doe the same, and hath expressed
great malignancy against the Parliament."

63.—(55) Nicholson, Richard, Parson of Stapleford Tawny, Essex, a
drunkard and swearer, " and had three wicked and scandalous Libells against
the Parliament found in his Study, and did sing one of them in an Ale-house."

64.—(80). Osbalston, Henry, D.D., Parson of Much-Parudon, Essex,
" in his absence, supplied his said Cure by scandalous and insufficient Curates,
and hath in his Sermons preached against frequent preaching, &c., and said to
one of his parishioners, that he could not abide him, because he stanke of two
Sermons a day ; and hath read in his said Church, the Booke of Sports on the
Lords-day, and encouraged men to Foot-ball and other like sports on that day ;
And being demanded to contribute to the association of the Counties for the
publike defence, said he would first have his throate cut before he would."

6$.—(25). Peckam, Iohn, Rector of Hosteede parva, Sussex, "very
negligent in his Cure, 8cc.; and is a common drunkard, and notorious adulterer
and uncleane person, having drawne divers women to commit uncleannesse
with him, and hath bragged, that he could lie with women, and never get them
with child, and hath used sordid and beastly carriages towards women, to intice
them to satisfie his, lust, not to be named among the Heathen, and hath
expressed great malignity against the Parliament and proceedings thereof, and
hath affirmed publikely, that a man might live in murther, adultery and other

grosse sinnes from day to day, and yet be a true penitent person."

»■

66.—(33). Plumm, Iosefh, Parson of Black Novelty, alias Notly, Essex, a
drunkard, " useth superstitious bowing at the Name Jesus, &c.; hath absented
himself from his said Cure, for the space of eighteene weekes last past, and is
reported to have betaken himselfe to the army of the Cavaleers, &c."

67.—(69). Ran new, Iohn, Parson of Kettlebaston, Suffolke, "much given
f

34

scandalous, malignant priests. 34

to tipling and drinking; hath preached, That Originall sinne is washed away in
baptisme: And read the booke of Sports on the Lords day, &c.; a zealous
practiser of the late illegall Innovations, and hath wholy deserted his Cure for
halfe a year and upwards."

68 ._(47). Reynolds, Iohn, Parson of Haughton, and Witton, Hunting-
ton, " a common Ale-house haunter and tipler therein, and swearer, and in-
stead of preaching did reade the Booke of Canons, condemned in Parliament,
to his people, &c. And hath altogether left his said Cure for foure months
last past."

69.—(27). Roberts, Griffith, Vicar of Ridge, Hertford, " a practiser of
the late Innovations, hath openly declared the Earle of Essex, and all his
followers, and Armies of the Parliament to be Traitours, &c.; and that the
said Roberts is a common drunkard and tipler in Ale-houses, and drinker of
healths, quarrelling with them that will not pledge him therein."

70.—(99). Scrivener, Samuel, Parson of Westhropp, Suffolk, "did
frequently bow towards the communion-Table, affirming, That there was an
inherent holinesse in that place, and hath committed adultery with Margaret
the Wife of George Woods, often drunke, and hath preached against this
present defensive war of the Parliament and Kingdome."

71.—(73). Senior, Robert, Vicar of Feering, Essex, "commonly drunke,
&c. j marries any manner of persons even without licence, and of the monethly
Fast said, he wondred who a pox devised it, and sware by his Maker, that he
would preach no more on it, and hath expressed great malignancy against the
Parliament, &c."

72.—(94). Shepard, Robert, of Hepworth, Suffolk, " a common drunk-
ard, and frequenter of Tavernes and Ale-houses, lying and continuing drunke
in the said houses divers nights, sometimes twice or thrice a weeke, and is
greatly suspected of incontinency, having had divers maid-servants depart from
his house great with child, none living in the house with them but himselfe,
and some of them have returned againe to live with him, and within a short

scandalous, malignant priests.

35

time have been with-child againe; And hath been a great practiser of the
Altar-worship, &c.; And in his Catechising and preaching, calls his parish-
ioners, Black-mouthed, hell-hounds, Limmes of the Devill, Fire-brands of Hell,
Plow joggers, Bawling doggs, IVeaverly lacks, and Church-Robbers, affirming,
that if he could terme them worse he would; And hath endeavoured to perswade
poore men to forsweare themselves for him, and hath affirmed, That the Par-
liament were but a company of factious spirits."

73-—(i5)- Snell, Robert, Vicar of Maching, Essex, an upholder of
Popish rites, " and hath expressed great Malignancy against the Parliament."

74.—(17). Soane, Ioseph, Vicar of Aldenham, Hertford, a gamester, a
drunkard, and a " quarreller, and hath called the Parliament Souldiers, under
the Command of his Excellency the Earle of Essex, Parliament doggs."

75—(97)- Sowthen, Samuel, Vicar of Malendine, Essex, "often drunke
even upon the Lords day, and is a common provoker of others to drinke
excessively, rejoicing when he had made them drunke; and is a common
swearer and curser," a practiser of Popish rites and late Innovations; "and
hath frequently enveighed against painfull Preachers and their hearers, com-
paring them to Pedlers and Ballad-singers, that have most company, when rich
Merchants have but few, &c.; hath expressed great malignity against the
Parliament, and is vehemently suspected of living incontinently, and in adultery
with Katherine Hayward, See."

76-—(S3)• Squire, Iohn, Vicar of Shorditch, Middlesex, "hath publikely
in his Sermons affirmed, the Papists to be the Kings best Subjects, for their
Loyalty, &c."

77.—(89). Staple, Thomas, Vicar of Mundon, Essex, a drunkard and
frequenter of " debaushed and malignant persons : And upon the first of June
in this instant yeare, 1643. being the next day after the Fast, invited to his house
a riotous company, to keepe a day of profanenesse by drinking of healths round
about a joyn'd-stoole, singing of prophane songs with hollowing and roaring,
and at the same time enforced such as came to him upon other occasions, to

36

scandalous, malignant priests. 36

drinke healths about the stoole with him, untill they were drunke." Has
neglected his cure, refused to attend sick persons, and preached heretical
doctrine.

78 ._(68). Sydall, Iohn, Vicar of Kensworth, Hertford, a drunkard, a

practiser of Popish rites, "hath neglected his Cure, and expressed great
malignancy against the Parliament."

79.—-(43). Tanton, Richa-rd, Parson of Ardingly, Sussex, "a common
drunkard, and in his Sermons hath wished, That every Knee might rot that
would not low at the name Iesus, &c.; and hath stirred up his Parishioners to
joyne with the Kings forces, &c."

80.—(82). Taylor, Richard, Parson of Buntingford, Westmill, and
Aspeden, Hertford, " hath not only used frequent bowing to the Communion-
Table set Altar-wise, but affirmed, That there was a more peculiar presence
of God there then in the Church, &c.; and urged some of the parish to make
auricular confession to him, affirming that he could forgive them, &c.; hath
affirmed the fourth Commandment, to be meerely ceremonw.ll, and accordingly
useth to hire servants, ride journeyes, buy wood, and send his Hopps to market
on the Lords day, and upon the dissolution of a late Parliament, he said, If he
were as the King, he would never have Parliament more, while he lived: And
affirmed, that the last Parliament was the weakest that ever sate, See.; and
charged this Parliament with doing great wrong in committing and executing
the Earle of Strafford, and would neither preach on the Sabbath daies in the
after-noone, nor suffer others to preach, &c."

81. (7). Thrall, Thomas, Vicar S. Mary Mount-thaw, London, "hath
neither Preached nor Catechized on the Lords day in the arfter-noone, &c., and
hath been often drunke, and not only read the Booke for Sports on the
Sabbath in his Church, but hath stirred up his Parishioners thereunto, and
countenanced them with his presence at Cudgells and the like other sports on
that day, and said, that the House of Commons in Parliament was an unjust
. Court; and doth ordinarily sweare and curse, and useth superstitious bowing
and cringing to the Communion Table."

scandalous, malignant priests.

37

8a.—(14). Thurman, Edward, Rector of Hallingbury,Essex, "a Common
drunkard, &c.; and hath affirmed, that he would drive away all the Puritans
out of his Parish, and enforced Ms Parishioners to come to the railes, and hath
wholy deserted his said Cure for the space of halfe a yeare now last past."

—(60). Turner, Edward, Parson of S. Lawrence, Essex, "a common
swearer, and common Ale-house haunter, and strong to beare strong drinke,
&c.; a common practiser and presser of the late illegall Innovations, and hath
deserted his Cure for the space of a yeare now last past."

84.—(1a). Tutivall, Daniel, Preacher of Suttons Hospitall, Middlesex,
commonly called Charter-house, " often drunke, and that on the Lords day,
and hath taught in his Sermons to the said House, that Moses and Aaron being
before them (meaning two Pictures set up in the Chappell) and the Organs
behind them (newly also set up there) they were a happy people, and what
greater comfort could mortall men have ? &c.; and procured scandalous and
Malignant Ministers to preach there to corrupt his people."

85.—(37). Tutsham, Zachary, Vicar of Dallington, Sussex, "a common
drunkard, and hath solicited the chastity of one Alice Thorpe, and is a
common quarreller, and did way-lay one Edmund Gore about mid-night,
and fell upon him, and beate him, and hath greatly neglected his Cure, &c. ;
and hath spoken very disgracefully of the Earle of Essex, and expressed great
malignity against the Parliament."

86.—(87). Vaughan, Thomas, Curate of Chatham, Kent, "a grate prac-
tiser of the late illegall superstitious Innovations &c., very negligent of his
Cure, &c. And is a common frequenter of tavernes, sitting a tipling there,
and hath been often drunke, and drew one to the taverne that had vowed not
to drink wine, and mingled wine and beere and drew him to drinke it, and
then clapt him on the shoulder and bad him make vowes no more, for he had
now broken it, &c.; And said upon the dissolution of the late Parliament,
that the Members of that Parliament were a company of logger headed
fellowes."

38

scandalous, malignant priests. 38

87.—(22). Vdall, Ephraim, Rector of S. Austins, London, "hath
affirmed, That the great reformers oj the Church now were Hypocrites; and
hath made, framed and published a Booke, intituled JJoli me tangere, without
Licence, Charging the Parliament with Sacriledge, in endeavouring to abolish
Episcopacy, &c.; and otherwise expressed great Malignancy against the
Parliament."

88.—(76). Vincent, Clement, Rector of Danbury, Essex, " a practiser of
the late illegall Innovations, and doth not only encourage sports and playing
on the Sabbath-day before his own doore, but hath also been a practiser
himselfe thereof, &c.; suffered on the Fast-day, Foot-ball playing in his own
ground, himselfe being a spectator thereof, and is a common drunkard, and
common swearer and curser, and hath expressed great malignancy against the
Parliament."

89.—(.1). Vty, Emanuel, D.D., Rector of Chigwell, Essex, affirmed, that
there hath beene no true Religion in England these forty yeares, and that he
loved the Pope with all his heart, &c. j and hath denied the Kings Supremacy,
and exalted the Power of Bishops above the Authority of the Prince, affirming
them to be the head of the Church j and blasphemously broached, That the
Command of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury was to be equally obeyed with the
Word of God, and hath declaimed against the Authority of Parliament, and
affirmed, that Parliament-men are Mechanicks and illiterate, and have nothing
to doe to intermeddle in matters of Religion."

90.—(9). Washington, Lawrence, Rectorof Purleigh, Essex," a common
frequenter of Ale-houses, not only himselfe sitting daily tipling there, but also
incouraging others in that beastly vice, and hath been oft, drunke, and hath
said, That the Parliament have more Papists belonging to them in their 4rmies,
then the King had about him or in his Army, &c. j And hath published them to
be Traitours, that lend to or assist the Parliament."

91.—(46). Webb, Christopher, Vicar of Sabridgworth, Hertford, "a
common drunkard, negligent of his Cure, &c.; and hath expressed much

scandalous, malignant priests.

39

malignity against the Parliament, affirming among other things, That he hoped
in God he should see the Confusion of the Parliament."

92 — (61). Wells, Iohn, Parson of Shimplyn, Suffolk, " for that he is a
common Ale-house haunter and common drunkard, and in his drunkennessse
hath layne abroad in the fields, lost his hat, fallen into ditches, and so bemired
himselfe, that he hath been faine to be washed, and hath attempted the
chastity of divers women, and sould his Calves for kisses with them, and
having lokt himselfe up in a chamber in an Inne with a lewd woman, after a
long time the doore was broken open upon him, upon his refusall to unlock
it, and he found in a very suspitious manner upon a bed with her, after which
he conveyed her secretly away, and sent guifts unto her ; And hath affirmed,
That the Land was governed by wicked men, and that the Papists were the
Kings best subjects, and is a common swearer of very great Oathes."

93.—(100). Westrop, Ambrose, Vicar of Much-Totham, Essex, "for
that he doth commonly prophane the ordinance of preaching, by venting in
the Pulpit, matters concerning the secrets of Women, to stir up his auditory to
laughter; And hath taught in his Sermons, That a man that useth carnall
copulation with his wife the night before the administration of the Sacrament of
the Lords Supper, unlesse his wife require him so to doe, ought not to come to the
Sacrament of the Lords Supper ; and that a woman that halh Moneth/y sick-
nesse, ought not to come to the Sacrament: That a Woman is worse then a Sow,
in two respects; First, Because a Sowes skinne is good to make a Cart-saddle,
and her Bristles good for a Sowter. Secondly, Because a Sow will runne away
if a man cry but Hoy, but a woman will not turne head, though beaten downe
with a Leaver ; and that all the difference betweene a Woman and a Sow, is in
the nape of the neck, where a Woman can bend upwards, but the Sow cannot,
and that a woman is respected by a man, onely for his uncleane lust, and that she
that is nursed with Sowes milke, will learne to wallow; and divers modest
women absenting from Church, because of such uncivill passages, he affirmed,
That all that were then absent from Church were whores: And having been a
sutor to a Widdow whom he called Black Besse, who rejected him and
married another, he observed in his Sermon out of one of the Psalmes, That
David prayed to God, not to Saint or Angell, nor yet to black Besse, who was

40

scandalous, malignant priests.

then in the Church before him; and that Jacob to deceive his brother of the
blessing, made lie upon lie, but when Esau came home and perceived it, he
flung away with a pox, and speaking against such as pleased him not in paying
the tithes, in the Pulpit he turned toward his brother in-law then in the
Church, and said, You brother Block-head will pay no tithe-Bushes neither, And
being angry with one whose name was Kent, he said thus in the Pulpit, they
say the Devill is in Harwich, but I am sure he is in Kent j And speaking of the
Parable of those that made excuses for not coming to the marriage, he observed,
That the married man had no excuse, but said in plaine termes, he could not come,
Nay said he, the married man cannot come, but must goe to Hell in his whore :
And at another time told a story in the Pulpit of two severall women, that in
their husbands absence had familiars, and said, that when it was night they
went up into the chamber together with a candle, and put out the candle, and
there is sport, heavenly sport, such sport as never was in little Heaven; and
when their husbands come home, they must enquire the way by Home-row,
and that Rahab was a whore, and kept an Ale-house at Jerico, and that so are
all Ale-wives whores and their husbands Cuckoulds; And being a sutor to one
Mistris Ellen Pratt a Widdow, he did write upon a peece of paper these
words, Bonny Nell, I lave thee well, and did pin it on his cloake, and ware it up
and downe a Market-Towne, which woman refusing him, he did for five or
six weekes after, utter little or nothing else in the Pulpit, but invectives against
Women; And being sutor to another woman, who failed to come to dinner
upon invitation to his house, he immediately roade to her house, and desiring
to speake with her, she coming to the doore, without speaking to her, he
pulled off her head-geere and rode away with it, and many other like passages
fall from him in his preaching, and were proved against him."

94.—(1). Wilson, Iohn, Vicar of Arlington, Sussex, "for that he in a
most beastly manner, divers times attempted to commit buggery with
Nathanibl Browne, Samuel Andrewes, and Robert Williams his
Parishioners, and by perswasions and violence, laboured to draw them to
that abhominable sinne, that (as he shamed not to professe) they might make
up his number eighteene; and hath professed, that he made choice to commit
that act with man-kind rather then with women, to avoide the shame and danger
that oft ensueth in begetting Bastards; and hath also attempted to commit

scandalous, malignant priests.

41

Buggery with a Mare, and at Baptizing of a Bastard child, blasphemously said,
openly in the Church, That our Saviour as he was in the Jlesh, was a Bastard ;
and usually preacheth, That Baptisme utterly taketh away originall sinne, and
that the sinnes committed after Baptisme, are only by imitation, and not by
naturall corruption ; and hath in his Sermons, much commended Images in
Churches, as good for edification, and that men should pray with Beades, and
hath openly said, that the Parliament were Rebels, and endeavoured to starve the
King, and that whatsoever the King commands, we are all bound to obey, whether
it be good or evill; and hath openly affirmed, that Buggery is no sinne, and
is a usuall frequenter of Ale-houses, and a great drinker."

95.—(4). Withers, Stephen, Parson of Kelvedon, Essex, "for that he
hath sollicited oftentimes the Wife of Philip Glascomb to commit adultery
with him, and divers other women, affirming it to be no sinne to lie with them.
And hath practised Altar-worship, &c., and in his Church read the Booke for
prophanation of the Sabbath by sports, &c., and hath expressed great malignity
against the Parliament."

96.—(64). Wood, Iohn, Vicar of Marden, Kent, "did reade the Booke
of sports upon the Lords day in his Parish Church, and did preach for
the maintenance thereof, and is notoriously infamous for sundry adul-
teries, a common Ale-house haunter, oft drunke, a common gamester
and quarreller in gaming, a great swearer, and was punished at a quarter
Sessions for adultery, committed with the Wife of one Prior of the
said Parish, and having contracted one Margarbt Parses his servant to
Thomas Maplesden, his own Wife happening to die, afterwards tooke to
Wife the said Margarct, against the will of the said Thomas Maplesden ;
And on the Fast-dayes, useth to sit drinking and tipling two or three houres
together in an Ale-house, in the company of other mens wives, by him seduced
thereunto, and hath said, That the Parliament hath no power to doe any thing in
the Kings absence, no more then a man without a head, and hath otherwise
expressed great malignity against the Parliament."

97.—(39). Woodcock, Iohn, Vicar of Elham, Kent, a drunkard and " com-
mon swearer, by Wounds, Bloud, and other like execrable Oathes, &c. j hath

G

42

scandalous, malignant priests.

deserted his Cure ever since the first of August last, and hath expressed great
Malignity against the Parliament and the proceedings thereof."

98.—(95). Woolhouse, Iohn, Vicar of West-Mersea, Essex, "a common
and excessive tipler and drinker both at home and abroad, &c. j a common
dicer and gamester for money, inticing his tipling companions thereunto, and
is a common curser and swearer, and hath tempted women to incontinency,
and hath expressed great malignancy against the Parliament."

99.—(56). Wright, Francis, Vicar of Witham, Essex, " fof that he hath
tempted divers women, both his servants and Parishioners, to uncleannesse,
and is a common haunter of Ale-houses and Tavernes, and a common
drunkard and prophaner of the Worship of God, by publike performing of the
same in his drunkennesse, and a common swearer, and common user of
corrupt communication, and hath not officiated in the said Cure for the space
of twelve Moneths last past before the sequestration."

100.—(38). Wright, Nicholas, Doctor in Divinity, Rector of Thoydon-
Garnon, Essex, " he hath not preached above twice or thrice a yeare to his
Parishioners, &c. j And hath procured the Communion-Table to be set Altar-
wise, with stepps to it, and railes about it, and constantly bowed towards it,
&c.; and read the Booke for Sports* on the Lords day, &c.; and hath deserted

* A note may not be out of place here concerning the Book of Sports so
frequently mentioned in the above notices. King James I, "in his returne
from Scotland, comming through Lancashire, found that his Subiects were
debarred from Lawful Recreations vpon Sundayes after Euening Prayers
ended, and vpon Holy dayes," he therefore published in 1618, Cf)t ftingtf
jftaicgtieg Declaration to guibtcctS, concerning lafofull dportd to be bget),
which was reissued by Charles I. in 1633. In this pamphlet, of 17 pages
ex title, it is declared : " That after the end of Diuine Seruice, Our good
people be not disturbed, letted, or discouraged from any lawful recreation,

scandalous, malignant priests.

43

his said Cure ever since Palme-Sunday last, and betaken himselfe to the Army
of the Cavaleeres, and is in actuall War against the Parliament and Kingdome.
And hath brought and continued long under him for his Curate, a drunken,
lewd and scandalous person, that hath been indited and found guilty at the
Sessions for a common drunkard."

The crimes of these 100 ministers are painfully monotonous,
the same, or almost the same, offences being imputed in
nearly every instance—popish practices, neglect of cure,
drunkenness, blasphemy, sabbath-breaking, swearing, some-
times incontinency, and in a few cases more heinous crimes.
One offence, however, predominates: it is hatred against
the parliament; and it would seem that for this misde-
meanour chiefly the priests in question were prosecuted.
The picture here afforded of England's spiritual teachers

Such as dauncing, either men or women, Archery for men, leaping, vaulting,
or any other such harmelesse Recreation, nor from hauing of May-Games,
Whitson Ales, and Morris-dances, and the setting vp of May-poles & other
sports therewith vsed, so as the same be had in due & conuenient time,
without impediment or neglect of Diuine Seruice : And that women shall
haue leaue to carry rushes to the Church for the decoring of it, according to
their old custome. But withall We doe here account still as prohibited all
vnlawfull games to bee vsed vpon Sundayes onely, as Beare and Bullbaitings,
Interludes, and at all times in the meaner sort of people by Law prohibited,
Bowling." These wholesome sports, from which the people were debarred
chiefly by "Puritanes and precise people," were calculated, the King sup-
posed, to prevent "filthy tiplings and discontented speeches in their Ale-
houses." A revival of King James's enactment would surely not be amiss m
the present day.

44

crimes of the clergy.

during the great revolution is certainly not a bright one,
and we may reasonably suppose that the i oo " scandalous,
malignant priests" here enumerated were not the only ones
who then existed; doubtless, some equally culpable were to
be found on the side of the parliament, but whose politi-
cal proclivities screened them from punishment.

Cfte Crime* of tl)e ClerffP, or the Pillars of Priest-Craft
Shaken; with An Appendix, entitled the £>rOUrgt Of
irtlaittl; And an Account of the Enormous Rewards
received by the Clergy, to induce them to do their
Duty to God and Man.

To the Bench of Bishops I dedicate this Book.

W. Benbow.

London: Benbow, Printer and Publisher, Byron's Head,
Castle-Street, Leicester-Square. 1823

Large 8vo. (counts 4); pp. bastard title and title page,
Address and Contents x, The Crimes 240, The Scourge, with
full title page and new paging, xvi and 60; an etching, in the
manner of Rowlandson, as frontispiece, subscribed " Pluralist
Benbow Publisher." The work appears to have been issued
in numbers, each sheet of The Crimes concluding with Ben-
bow's name and address, the last sheet however of The Scourge
terminates with: " Printed by R. Macdonald, 30, Great

crimes of the clergy.

45

Sutton Street, Clerkenwell." The volume complete sold for
7s. 6d. in boards.*

The Crimes of the Clergy is a very remarkable work, and if
the scandalous memoirs placed on record in it are not in-
variably accurate they are certainly true in the main, and
the book has consequently a proportionate historical value,
although it is without any literary merit. The publisher says:
" Pure and undefiled religion is an object of our admiration,
and to save religion by an exposure of those who try to ruin
it by their unhallowed ways, is the chief object of this
work." (p. 6).

The Scourge of Ireland consists of tabulated statistical mat-
ter concerning the church of that country, and has no special
interest for the present work.

I add an alphabetical synopsis of the persons mentioned
in The Crimes of the Clergy with the offences, &c., laid to their
charge:

Anderson, Parson, murder, about 1802. (p. 101).

Anson, The Hon. Parson, swindling, adultery, (p. 95).

Atherton, Bishop of Waterford, seduction and sodomy, executed at
Dublin, December 5, 1640. (p. 25).

Barrington, Shute, Bishop of Durham, general debauchery, (p. 8r).

Barton, Parson of Yallahs, Jamaica, fornication with Betsy Christian,
&c. (p. 211).

* The volume has been described in &otti anK <©umt«, 5th S., vii., 74.

4 6

crimes op the clergy.

Bateman, Rector of Farthingstone, Cumberland, exciting to murder, &c.
(pp. 147, 188).

Bates, Rev. Robert, of Whalton Northumberland, " odious and indecent
practices." (p. 225).

Beevor, Augustus, Rector of Berghapton, Norfolk, pugilism, (p. 84).

Blacow, Curate of St. Mark's, Liverpool, slander of a married woman and
of Queen Caroline, (p. 201).

Blake, of Twickenham, Methodist Parson, adultery, (p. 220).

Browne, Vicar of Little Clacton, convicted of defrauding Sir Colin Camp-
bell of £6,000. (p. 75).

Bucrner, Bishop of Chichester, " gallantry at the siege of Valenciennes."
(p. 224).

Bull, Miss Farly, gobetween, employed by Rev. Mr. Cooper, (p. 66).

Burcbss, Thomas, F.R.S., Minor Prebend of St. Paul's, &c., pugilism,
drunkenness, whoring, &c. (p. 192).

Byrne, James, convicted of falsely charging the Bishop of Clogher with an
unnatural crime, (p. 42).

Cadogan, Lady, adultery with the Rev. Mr. Cooper, (p. 65).

Campbell, Rev. Mr., violent conduct, (p. no).

Capel, William, Hon., Rector of Watford, Hertfordshire, irreligion, horse-
dealing, whoring, (p. 28).

Chandler, Rev. Robert, pugilism, adultery, &c. (p. 47).

Childe, John, Tithe Proctor, sodomy, hanged in 1640. (p. 25).

Chisholm, Parson of Hammersmith, seduction, adultery, (pp. 62, 109, 183).

Church, John, Minister at Dover Street, London, hypocrisy, drunkenness,
sodomy, (p. 19).

Clarke, Adam, hypocritical methodist preacher, (p. 158).

Cooper, alias Stewart, Rector of Ewhurst in Essex, sodomy, perverting
the minds of his pupils by showing them the plates of Fanny hill. (p. 118).

Cooper, Rev. Mr., son of Sir Grey Cooper, adultery with Lady Cadogan,
tried in 1794. (p. 65).

Courtney, Lord, sodomy, escaped to France, (p. 230).

Cox, Tom, brothel keeper in Covent Garden, friend of Rev. R. Chandler.
(p. 48).

Creswell, Rev., Parson of Nottingham, brutality, sleeping in church,
drunkenness, blasphemy, (p. 232).

Croft, Hbrbbrt, author of Love and Madness, (p. 54).

47 crimes of the clergy.



Cundall, Jonas, Methodist parson of No. 5, Low Street, St. Peter's, Leeds,
cruelty to a boy. (p. 161).

Curtis, Rector of St. Martin's, Birmingham, intemperance, robbing the
poor. (p. 196).

Davison, Parson, drunkenness, adultery, general depravity, (p. 150).

Day, Thomas, methodist preacher, condemned for bigamy at Bristol.

(P- 154)-

Db Brook, Lord. (p. 170).

Doxford, John, itinerant preacher, extortion, adultery, (p. 31).

Dudley, Sir Henry Bate, Bart., Dean of Ely, known as Parson Bate,
novel writer, &c. (p. 45).

Dyer, John, Curate of St. George's, Southwark, pilfering the church offer-
ings. (p. 14).

Ethelston, Rev. Mr., furious conduct at Manchester, (p. 23).

Evans, Rev. W. B., of Conbridge, South Wales, attempt to defraud his
creditors, (p. 174).

Eyre, Parson, tried at Aylesbury for violating a girl 11 years of age, ac-
quitted. (p. 112).

Fenwick, John, Vicar of Byall, Northumberland, rape, swindling, sodomy,
fled to Naples in 1797. (p. 8).

Fletcher, Rector of Berkhampstead, adultery, seduction, forgery, murder,
(p. 214).

Freer, Parson, of Mulberry Gardens, afterwards of Uxbridge, and of Cum-
berland Street, swindling, (p. 231).

Fullerton, Rector of St. Ann's, Jamaica, habitual drunkenness and forni-
cation. (p. 211).

Gordon, Rev. John, tried at Oxford for aiding his brother Lockhart to
commit a rape upon Mrs. Antonia Lee. (p. 57)-

Govett, Vicar of Staines, oppression, (p. 164).

Griffiths, Parson of Manchester, blasphemy and habitual drunkenness,
(p. 121).

Gurney, Rev. Dr., perjury, (p. 22).

Hackman, Parson of Gosport, shooting Miss Reay. (p. 54).

Hendrie, Parson of Lynn, Norfolk, betting and sleeping in church, attempt
to murder, (p. 16).

48

crimes of the clergy.

Hepfbl, T, travelled and preached, during 1793 and 1794, in the northern
counties, as Miss Jane Davison, and seduced and robbed several girls, trans-
ported for stealing dead bodies at York. (p. 35).

Hodgson, Rev. Septimus, Chaplain to the Orphan Asylum, Westminster
Road, violated an orphan 13 years old. (p. 27).

Hogarth, Henry, Curate of Perath, novelist and poet, adultery, attempted
murder, robbery, drunkenness, (p. 67).

Holland, John, alias Dr. Saunders, Methodist preacher, robbery, rape,
sodomy, (p. 124).

Horridgb, George, Parson of Newton, near Manchester, condemned to
two years' imprisonment for violating a child 11 years old. (p. 77).

Huntington, William, Minister of Providence Chapel, Gray's-Inn-Lane,
hypocrisy, imposture, &c. (pp. 176, 197, 227).

Jbphson, Rev. Thomas, Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, attempted
sodomy, fled from the country to escape punishment, (p. 239).

Jocelyn, Percy, Bishop of Clogher, sodomy with a soldier, Movelly, in
July, 1822. (p. 41).

Latton, Vicar of Woodham, &c., a verse writer, and contributor to the
magazines, drunkenness, adultery, riotous conduct, (p. 52).

Laud, Bishop, persecution of Rev. Dr. Leighton. (p. 85).

Leicester, Earl of, sodomy, fled the country, (p. 230).

Lindsby, Bishop of Kildare, covetousness. (p. 116).

Littlbhales, Rev. V. P., Prebendary of Southwell Cathedral, attempted
sodomy with a footman in 1812, fled to America, (p. 238).

Milles, Richard, Prebend of Exeter, &c., charged with an unnatural
offence, and fled from the country, (pp. 40, 138).

More, Kitty, prostitute, mistress of Parson Davison, (p. 151).

Morgan, Parson, cruelty to slaves in Jamaica, (p. 211).

Mouncey, Major, (pp. 148, 188).

Murray, Lord Charlbs, Dean of Bocking, Essex, sabbath-breaking, and
general irreligion. (p. 37).

Nicholl, Vicar of a parish in Northumberland, indecent preaching, &c.
(p. 168).

Orenshaw, Methodist preacher, seduction and robbery, (p. 46).

Parkins, W., sheriff, (pp. 148, 188).

49 crimes of the clergy.



Peat, Sir Robert, D.D., King's Chaplain, general dissipation, (pp. io<5,
127).

Percy, Hugh, Archdeacon, neglect of duty, &c. (p. 106).

Purdy, J., Curate of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate, drunkenness, blasphemy,
(p. 99).

Pusby, Philip, (p. 170).

Radford, Parson of Ebenezer Chapel, robbery, (p. 230).

Ratclifpe, alias Big Ben, Minor Canon of Canterbury, &c., adultery,
drunkenness, &c. (p. 100).

Rigsbye, Parson of Nottingham, cruelty to his wife, adultery, (p. 235).

Rivers, Rev. Sir Henry, neglect of duty. (p. 89).

Robson, Rector of St. Mary's, Whitechapel, drunkenness, seduction,
whoring, (p. 71).

Rob, Parson of Newbury, adultery with widow Greenway. (pp. 144, 162).

Rogers, Parson of Langadock, burnt in effigy, for which he brought an
action, at Shrewsbury, v. Lloyd, Lewis, and Williams, and recovered £10.
(P- 178).

Rowland, Rev. T., seduction and perjury, by which Mary Drury was
condemned to death, (p. 144).

Saddler, Jonathan, Methodist Parson, hypocrisy, seduction, procuring
abortion, (p. 216).

Sandelands, Rector of Five Fields Chapel, Chelsea, drunkenness, impos-
ture, swindling, whoring, "nameless offence," fled to France, (p. 223).

Saunders, Dr., Vicar of St Ann's, Blackfriars, neglect of duty. (p. 132).

Saunders, Dr., Methodist preacher, &c. See Holland.

Sawyer, Capt., condemned for "indecent familiarities with Mankind."
(P- 13)-

Sawyer, Rev. H., sodomy and debt. (p. 13).

Secomb, Rev. Francis, levity of conduct, (p. 38).

Snbyd, Curate of Hanbury, adultery with Mrs. Cecil, tried at Guildhall,
June 26, 1790. (p 33).

Southwood, Rev. W., fraud, (p. 174)-

Sydney, Rector of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, &c., natural son of the Marquis of
Granby, drunkenness, neglect of duty, cruelty to his wife, &c. (p. 181).

h

5°

crimes op the clergy.

Tomline, Prettyman, Bishop of Winchester, &c., author of The Life of
William Pitt, avarice, &c. (p. 15.3).

Vausb, Curate of Christchurch and Garston, Liverpool, adultery, whoring,
blasphemy, &c. (p. 171).

Vialls, Rev. Mr., injustice, gluttony, (p. 39).

Walker, Parson of Chichester, sodomy, fled to America, (p. 229).

Ward, Barnard, Parson of Springfield, See., drunkenness, adultery, swear-
ing. (p. 193).

Webb, Minor Canon of St. Paul's, &c., neglect of duty, &c. (p. 140).

Weslby, John. Tirade against, (p. 157).

Wilberforce. Tirade against, (pp. 135, 170).

Wildbore, Vicar of Tilton, drunkenness,singing obscene and blasphemous
songs, ridiculing religion, cheating his creditors, (p. 227).

Wright, Rev. Mr. (of Boughton under Blean in Kent), singing the
Athanasian Creed "to a fox-hunting tune " during divine service, (p. 234).

Wyldb. Parson of Nottingham, called " The Amorous High Priest," tried
for cruelty and oppression, (p. 206).

Besides the memoirs above noted, The Crimes of the Clergy
contains three articles: The Battle of the Students at Cambridge,
The Pluralist, and Reverend Conspirators against Freedom.

It may be readily supposed that such a publication would
get its author into trouble. W. Benbow was prosecuted by
what he is pleased to term "the Society for Spreading Vice."
His incarceration however did not daunt him, and he continued
to write from prison, where, he says, he is " siirrounded by
guilty and infamous parsons. On my right is a gambling
parson, on my left a drunkard; behind me an adulterer, and
before me victims of beastly sensuality and vices I dread to
think of, and dare not name." A second article is signed
W. B. King's Bench Prison, May 7, 1821.

ablllar iUlltbtbUS, Being a Narrative Of the late
Tryal of Mr. James Mitchel A Conventicle-
Preacher, Who was Executed on iSth of
January last, for an attempt which he made on the
Sacred Person of the Archbishop of St. Andrews. To
which is Annexed, An Account of the Tryal of that
most wicked Pharisee, Major Thomas Weir, who
was Executed for Adultery, Incest and Bestiality. In
which Are many Observable Passages, especially re-
lating to the present Affairs of Church and State. In
a Letter from a Scottish to an English Gentleman.
London, Printed by Henry Hills, 1678.

Small 4to.; pp. 78 in all. This small and curious
volume contains many particulars both useful and interest-
ing to a student of the controversies of the Scotch church.
With such matters, as well as with the trial of Mitchel,
which is here given in detail, together with many curious
documents connected with it, we are not now concerned.
I shall confine myself to the sketch given of the infamous
career of Major Thomas Weir.

trial op major thomas weir. 118

He was born, and bred in the Western parts of this Kingdom (Scotland).

.....There he was early prepossessed with the principles of Schism, and

Rebellion, which he shew'd upon all occasions, particularly in the beginning
of the late Rebellion, wherein he was a forward stickler, and by his extraordi-
nary zeal for the Cause, raised himself to a greater command in some Troop,
or Company, than Men of his mean Original use to arrive unto here. About
the year 1649. he had the great trust of the Guards of this City committed
unto him under the quality of Major, and from that time, to the day of his
Infamous Death, was always called by the Name of Major Weir. He behav'd
himself in this Office with great cruelty, and insolence towards the Loyal
party, being very active in discovering and apprehending the Cavaliers, and
bringing them to be arraign'd, and try'd for their Lives. He used to insult and
triumph over them in their miseries, and persecute them with all manner of
Sarcasms and Reproaches, when they were led out like Victims to publick
Execution ; as many yet alive can testifie to the World. In particular, the
barbarous Villian treated the Heroick Marquess of Montrosse, with all
imaginable insolence, and inhumanity, when he lay in Prison, making his very
calamities an Argument, that God, as well as Man, had forsaken him, and
calling him Dog, Atheist, Tray tor, Apostate, Excommunicate Wretch, and many
more such intolerable Names. This cruel manner after which he used to
outrage the poor Royalists, pass'd among the people for extraordinary zeal;
and made them consider him as a singular Worthy whom God had raised up
to support the Cause. He studyed the Art of Dissimulation, and Hypocrisie,
always affecting a formal gravity, and demureness in his looks, and deportment;
and employing a vast and tenacious memory, which God had given him, in
getting without Book such words, and phrases of the Holy Scriptures, as
might serve best in all companies to make him pass for an Holy and gifted
Man. He had acquir'd a particular gracefulness in whining and sighing, above
any of the sacred Clan, and had learn'd to deliver himself iipon all serious
occasions in a far more ravishing accent than any of their Ministers could
attain unto. By these and other Hypocritical Arts he had got such a name for
sanctity, and devotion, that happy was the Man with whom he would converse,

and blessed was the Family in which he would vouchsafe to pray.....

After this manner, and in this mighty reputation he lived till the Year
1670. which was the 70th. year of his Age. When like the Tyrant Tiberius,

trial op major thomas weir.

53

after so many Murthers, and sorts of unnatural Lusts, he was no longer able
to endure the remorse of his awakened conscience, but to ease the inquietudes
of his guilty mind, was forced to accuse himself; which he first of all did
among those of his own party, and desired them to bring him to publick
Justice to expiate for his abominable crimes. But they considering what a
confounding scandal, and dishonour the Hypocrisie of such an eminent Pro-
fessor would reflect upon the whole Sect, did with all possible care and industry
strive to conceal the Major's condition, which they did for several months;
till one of their own Ministers, whom they esteem'd more forward than
wise, revealed the secret to the Lord abbotshall,then Provost of Edinburgh,
who judging humane Nature uncapable of such horrid crimes, as the Minister
told him the Major had confessed, concluded he was fallen into a phrenzy, or
high degree of melancholy, and therefore courteously sent some Physicians of
his own perswasion and acquaintance to visit him, and Physic him for his dis-
tempered Brain. But the Physicians returning to the Provost, assured him,
that the Major was in good health, and that he was free from Hypocondriack
Distempers, and had as sound intellectuals as ever he had had, and that they
believed his Distemper was only an exulcerated Conscience, which could not
be eas'd till he was brought to condign punishment, as with cryings, and
roarings he desir'd to be. Afterwards the Provost for his further satisfaction
sent some Conventicle-Ministers, to enquire into his condition, and make a
report thereof; who finding it impossible to disguise the matter, which now
was Town-talk, told his Lordship that the Major was not affected with
melancholy ; but that the terrours of God which were upon his Soul, urg'd
him to confess, and accuse himself. The Provost thereupon began to con-
clude, that he had good grounds to take publick notice of this affair; and
therefore without further enquiry sent the guards of the City to seize upon the
Major, and his Sister, who was involv'd in his confessions, and carry them
both to the publick Goal. There they were visited by Persons of all Sorts and
Qualities, Clergy-men, Lay-men, Physicians, Lawyers, Conforming, and Non-
conforming Ministers, who all flocked thither to see this Monster, and
discourse with him about his horrible crimes.

They had not been long in Prison before they were brought to Tryal, which
was on the ninth day of April, in the aforesaid year, 1670. They were try'd
before that Learned Civilian Mr. William Murray, and Mr. John

54

trial op major thomas weir. 54

Prestoune Advocates, who were made Judges by Commission for that
time. They were pursued by his Majesty's last Advocate, Sir John Nisbett,
and the Jury by which they were try'd, was Gideon Shaw, Stationer; James
Penderer, Vintner; James Thomson, Felt-maker; Robert Brown, Sta-
tioner; James Brown, Felt-maker; Robert Johnston, Skinner; John
Clighorn, Merchant; with many more sufficient Citizens of Edinburgh;
most of which, together with the greater part of the Witnesses hereafter men-
tioned, are yet alive.

The Court being set, the Majors Libel was read, the sum of which was
contain'd in these four particulars.

Primo, That he entised and attempted to defile his German Sister, Jane
Weir, when she was but ten years old, or thereabout, and that he lay with
her when she was sixteen years old, while they both dwelt in Family with
their Father; and afterwards had frequent carnal dealing with her in the House
of Wicket-Shaw in her younger years ; and lastly, that after she was 40. years
old, he liv'd in a state of Incest with her, in his house at Edinburgh, where
they dwelt together many years.

Secundo, That he committed Incest with Margaret Bourdon, daughter to
Mein, his Deceased Wife.

Tertio, That he committed frequent Adulteries, during the Life of his said
Wife, both with married, and unmarried Women, and particularly with
Bessy Weems, his Servant Maid, whom he kept in his House for the space of
twenty years, during which time he lay with her as familiarily as if she had
been his Wife.

Quarto, That to his Fornications, Adulteries, and Incests, he proceeded to
add the unnatural Sin of Beastiality in lying with Mares, and Cows; par-
ticularly in polluting himself with a Mare, upon which he rode into the West
Country, near New Mills. All which crimes particulariz'd in manner afore-
said, he acknowledg'd judicially at the Bar......

They then proceeded to swear the Witnesses,.....

Master John Sinclair, a Conventicle-Minister depon'd, that the day before
his Tryal he freely confessed unto him, that he was guilty of Adultery, Incest,
and Bestiality, and that his Sister had often been taken out of Bed from him :
whereupon asking him if he had ever seen the Devil, he answered, that he had
felt him in the dark. But as to his conversation with the Devil, the Deponent

trial op major thomas weir.

55

might have declared more; for he had confessed to him and many others, par-
ticularly to the Lord Bishop of Galloway, then Minister of Edinburgh, that he
had lain with the Devil in the shape of a beautiful Woman.

Margaret Weir, Wife to Alexander Weir, Bookseller in Edinburgh,
testify'd, that when she was of the age of 27. years, or thereabouts, she found
the Major her Brother, and her Sister Jane, lying together in the Barn at
Wicket-Shaw, and that they were both naked in the bed together, and that she
was above him, and that the Bed did shake, and that she heard some scanda-
lous Language between them in particular, that her Sister said, she was confi -
dent she should prove with Child. Furthermore, she Deponed that
Catherine Cooper a Servant of the Majors, told her, that he had layn
with Margaret Bourdon his Wives Daughter, so that she would stay no
longer in the House.

Anne Wife to James Simpsom, Book-binder in Edinburgh, declared, That
on Monday preceding, and that day in the morning, that he confessed to* her
he had committed Incest with his Sister Jane, and Margaret Bourdon his
Wives Daughter ; as likewise bestiality with a Mare in the West Country, and
that he had carnally conversed with his Maid-servant Bessy Webms for two
and twenty years.

Mr. Archibald Nisbett, Writer to the Signet, declared, That in the year
51 or 52. it was reported in the Country, that the Pannel had committed
Bestiality with a Mare near New Mills, and that he heard it reported the same
day, in which it was said he did the Fact. Mr. John Alexander of Leith
deponed the same, and said he was then but half a mile from the place.
After these depositions, the Major being examined about his act of Bestiality ;
declared, That a Gentleman having given him a Mare, he rode upon her into
the West Country to see some Friends, and dealt carnally with her near New
Mills, and that a Woman saw him in the Act, and complained of him to Mr.
John Nave the Minister of New Mills ; at whose instance he was brought
back to the place by some Soldiers, but was there dismissed for want of
further probation. And further being asked about the time, he answered,
That to the best of his remembrance it was when the Lords, Gentlemen, and
Heritors were taken by the English at Elliot......

The Process being thus ended, the Jury did unanimously find the Major
guilty of Incest with his Sister, and Bestiality with a Mare, and a Cow, and

56

trial op major thomas weir. 56

found him guilty of Adultery, and Fornication by a plurality of Votes. They
also unanimously brought in Jane guilty of Incest with her Brother; where-
upon the Deputed Judges Sentenced him to be strangled at a Stake betwixt
Edinburgh and Leith, on Monday following, the nth of April, and his Body
to be burnt to Ashes ; and condemned her to be hanged on the Tuesday follow-
ing in the Grass-market of Edinburgh.

Thas far have I given you a juridical Account of the detestable crimes of
this Hypocritical Monstrous Man; I now proceed to acquaint you with other
particulars, no less surprizing than the former; which upon strict enquiry I
have reason to believe to be as true, as those that are judicially prov'd.

When they were seized, she desired the Guards to keep him from laying
hold on a certain Staff, which, she said, if he chanc'd to get into his hand, he
would certainly drive them all out of doors, notwithstanding all the resistance
they could make. This Magical Staff was all of one piece, with a crooked
head of Thorn-wood, she said he received it of the Devil, and did many
wonderful things with it; particularly that he used to lean upon it in his
Hypocritical prayers, and after they were committed, she still desired it might
be kept from him; because if he were once Master of it again, he would
certainly grow obdurate, and retract the Confessions which he had so publickly
made. Apollonius Thyaneus had such a Magical Staff as this, which I
believe was a Sacramental Symbol which the Devil gave to the Major, and the
Court had some such apprehensions of it, for it was ordered by the Judges to
be burnt with his Body.

She also confessed in Prison, that she and her Brother had made a Compact
with the Devil; and that on the 7th of Septemb. 1648. they were both
Transported from Edinburgh to Musselborough, and back again, in a Coach
and Six Horses, which seemed all of fire, and that the Devil then told the
Major of the defeat of our Army at Preston in England ; which he confidently
reported in most of its circumstances several days before the hews had arrived
here. This Prediction did much increase the high opinion the People began to
have of him, and served him to make them believe, that like Moses, he had
been with God in the Mount, and had a Spirit of Prophecy, as well as of
Prayer. But as for her self, she said, she never received any other benefit by
her Commerce with the Devil, than a constant supply of an extraordinary

trial op major thomas weir.

57

quantity of yarn, which she was sure (she said) to find ready for her upon the
Spindle, what ever business she had been about.

Besides the Bestialities which the Major judicially acknowledged he had
committed with the Mare, and Cow, he confessed he had done the same
Abominations with three Species more; and the Woman that delated him for
the Fact near New Mills, was by order of the Magistrates of Lanerk whipped
through the Town by the hand of the Common Hangman, as a slanderer of
such an eminent Holy man.

The Fornications, and Adulteries which this a\oytv6n€vos (as Buggerers
are called by the Council of Ancyra) (Can. 16) Committed with the most
Sanctimonious, and Zealous Women of the Sect, are too numerous to be
related here. He had got himself the Priviledge, under a pretence of Praying
and Exhortation, to go to their Houses, and into their Bed-chambers when he
pleased ; and it was his practise to visit married Women at such times especi-
ally as their Husbands were from home : One especially, who lived in the
Street called the West-bow in Edinburgh, he had several times sollicited in her
Husbands absence to gratifie his unclean desires; till at last wearied out with his
importunity, she told him how much she abhorred his design, and charged him
never to come more to her House. Upon this he forbore to visit her for some
time, till one night, when she was undressed and ready to step into Bed, the
Major suddenly appears standing by her, at which she was so extreemly
frighted, that she fell into a swoun; she had no sooner recovered, but the
Major endeavoured to comfort, and assure her, and confirm her against that
strange surprize j and renewing his addresses, he Tempted her with many
Arguments, and filthy Speeches, and Gesticulations, telling her he had taken
that marvelous way of appearing in private with her, on purpose to secure her
Reputation; that he would go out of her House in a manner as invisible as he
came in. But she by this time having recovered her usual courage and strength,
pushed him off with violence, and cry'd out for help to her Maid, upon which
he immediately disappeared. The Windows, and Doors were all close shut;
and I make little doubt, but his Coachman to the fiery Coach conveighed him
in and out through the Chimney, or perhaps by the Door, which the cursed
Familiar might open and shut again, as well as the Angel of the Lord did
unlock, and lock the Prison Door, wherein the Apostles were put.

I

58

trial op major thomas weir. 58

All the while he was in Prison, he lay under violent apprehension of the
heavy Wrath of God, which put him into that which is properly called
Despair ; a Despair which made him hate God, and desist from Duty to him,
and with which the Damned Souls in Hell are reasonably supposed to be con-
stantly affected. In this sence he was desperate, and therefore would admit
neither Church, nor Conventicle-ministers to pray for him, or discourse with him
about the infinite mercy of God, and the possibility of the forgiveness of his
Sins. Much less could he endure to be exhorted to repent, or be brought to
entertain any thoughts of Repentance, telling all the World, that he had sinned
himself beyond all possibility of Repentance, and Pardon; that he was
already damn'd, that he was sure his Condemnation to Eternal burnings was
already pronounced in Heaven, and that the united Prayers of all the Saints
in Heaven, and Earth would be vain, and insignificant, if they were
offered to God in his behalf. So that when some charitable Ministers of
the City, by name the present Bishop of Galloway, and present Dean of
Edinburgh, were resolved to Pray before him for his Repentance, and Pardon,
against his consent, he was with much difficulty withheld from interrupting
of them in their devotions, and the posture he put himself in when they began
to pray, was to lye upon his Bed in a most stupid manner, with his Mouth
wide open ; and when Prayers were ended, being ask'd if he had heard them
and attended to them, he told them, They were very troublesome, and cruel to him,
and that he neither heard their devotion, nor cared for it, nor could be the better for
all the Prayers that Men or Angels could offer up to Heaven upon his account.

It was his Interest to believe there was no God; and therefore to ease the
torments of his mind, he attempted now and then to comfort, and flatter up
himself into this absurd belief. For he was sometimes observ'd to speak very
doubtfully about his existence; in particular to say, that if it were not for the
terrors which he found tormenting him within, he should scarce believe there

was a God......

I have been told by very credible Persons, that the Body of this unclean
Beast gave manifest tokens of its impurity, as soon as it began to be heated by
the Flames, &c.

I have been induced to quote thus at length, because no
paraphrase of mine could have conveyed so forcibly as the

6o trial op major thomas weir.

126

words of the author do a notion of the career of this " most
prodigious sinner that ever was extant of humane race,"
and also for the sake of the light thrown upon the feelings
with which his crimes and atheism were then regarded.
Between Mitchel and Weir there was an "intimate Famili-
arity," and I cannot refrain from yet transcribing the follow-
ing curious and rabid satire To the Memory of Mr. James
Mitchel, in which they are associated, and which shows the
rancour then raging between the sects:

O-y-es O-y-es Covenanters

Filthy, Cruel, lying Ranters

Come here, and see your murdering Martyr

Sent to Hell i' th' Hangmans Garter j

Your sealing Witnesses we hear

Are Mr. James Mitchel, and Major Weir:

One with his hand, but had no pith,

Th' other your Wives know well wherewith,

Which makes them sigh, and sighing say,

Welsh can but Preach, but Weir could pray.

It's this that all Religion shames,

To give Hells Vices Heavenly names.

Then Devils, then cast off your Masks,

Murder, and Whoredom are your Tasks,

Which you to all the World proclame,

Boasting, and glorying in your shame,

And say your Covenant doth allow

This, Maugre your Baptismal vow,*

* You see the Poet upbraids their_ Baptismal Vow with the Covenant; not,
as I conceive, upon the common account, as another Poet may do, but because

6o

trial op major thomas weir. 126

And that the holy Oath doth bind you
To leave such holy Seed behind you.
For at, and after your long prayers,
You lye together pairs by pairs,
And every private Meeting-place,
Is a Bawdy-house of Grace;
You shew it is your loving Natures,
To be sweet fellow-feeling Creatures.
But to prophane your Holy Order
With Incest, Buggery, and Murder,
Is plainly to proclame you Devils,
And horrid Crimes to be no evils.
Mas James Mitchel lay four year
In Giffald's house with Major Weir,
And from his Ghostly Father learns
To lye with Women, and get no Barns,
The Mystery of the Tribe, a Trick
Makes all the Women mad Fanatick,
And now they both in Hell are met,
Where for your Company they wait.
Then fill your measure, and post on
To your deserv'd Damnation.
Go Whore, and Bugger, Kill and Pray,
Till every Dog shall have his day j
Or go together to Hell in Troops,
Else strive for new Grass-market-loops.*
He that Whores best, and Murders most,

'tis the frequent practise of our Whig-preachers to Baptize the Children of
their Disciples into the Solemn League and Covenant, as well as into the
Covenant of Grace. Same work, p. S9-

* Halters. It will have been observed that Jane Weir was condemned to

be hanged in the Grass-market.

trial of major thomas weir.

6l

Of him the Sect shall always boast.
And put him, as they've put Mas James
Among their Saints, and Martyrs Names.

Major Weir occupied a house in the Bow, Edinburgh, « on
the right hand coming up from the Grass Market," " a wood-
cut of it is given in 'Chambers' JHutOr CraMtum* of
(ffiriltfwrgf), 1833," where it is shown as within a courtyard,
approached from the Bow by a narrow covered entrance, still
standing, and which forms the subject of a vignette in ' Mr.
Wilsons ifflemortate Of Edinburgh, 1848.'" After Weir's execution, his house was
looked upon as haunted, and for one hundred and thirty years
no one ventured to inhabit it. "Modern improvements in
the neighbourhood of the West Bow, Edinburgh, 'near the
castle' have swept away all vestiges of the ' haunted' and
dark abode of this notorious individual, and the site is
covered by a building belonging to the Secession Church."*

Weir is mentioned at p. 332, Vol. 2, of Chambers'
Bomesrttc annate of &rotIan&, and in Scott's letters on
Bemonoloffp aittl 02aitrf)traft (p. 329), a frontispiece to the
latter work also represents the Major's house.

* i!Wui$trfIa» of tfje $cottt£if) ©ortlrr, 1810, Vol. 2, p. 48, Note; and
JJottti anil Quen'rt, 5 S., II., p. 273.

ggraSoANNis Caspari settler Jit &t]rtum JBfralog;i
|||jjlj prarreptum, In Conjugum Obligations, et
Quaedam Matrimonium Spectantia, Praelectiones.
Ex ejusdem Theologid morali universa excerpsit, notis
et novis quaesitis amplificavit ac denuo typis mandari
curavit P. J. Rousselot, SS. Theologiae in Seminario
Gratianopolitano Professor. In Gratiam Neo-confes-
sariorum et Discipulorum. Gratianopoli, Prostat apud
Augustum Carus, bibliopolam et editorem, Via Vulgo
Brocheri, No. 16. 1840.

8vo. (counts 4); pp. 192 in all; small circular fleuron on
title page. On the verso of the bastard title is printed:
" Cet ouvrage, comme propriete, est place sous la garantie
des lois. Tous les exemplaires non revetus de ma signature
seront reputes contrefaits." Signed with the pen, "Carus
Auguste."

There is a later issue, size, pagination, and title page
identical, with omission of the fleuron, addition of " Editio
altera," and alteration of No. 16 into No. 8, and the date
into 1844.

129 j. c. settler in sextum decalogi pr.sceptum.

As indicated on the title page, this volume forms part of
the greater work by the same author, published at Gre-
noble in 5 vols, 8vo., or rather it forms a supplement to
that work.*

Few, if any of the Romish casuists have gone deeper
into matters connected with the sexes, or have given more
scabrous details than Saettler. I extract from the table of
contents a few only of the impure questions considered
in this remarkable volume:

Quid de incestu Confessarii cum poenitente, parochi cum parochiana.
Quid sit locus sacer; qaenam seminis effusio locum polluat, aut non polluat,
licet sit sacrilega. An et in quo casu liceat copulam abrumpere. An liceat
semen conceptum ejicere. Quandbnam pollutio censeatur voluntaria in sua
causa, et quando ac quomodb sit culpabilis. An et qualia peccata sint
pollutiones nocturnae. An sacram communionem impedire debeant i° Muli-
erum menstrua. 2° Pollutio seu voluntaria seu involuntaria. 30 Actus
conjugalis. An et quandd interrogandum circa bestialitatem. Quid de
concubitu cum muliere mortusk. Quid de modis coeundi innaturali-
bus. Quid et quale peccatum sit lenocinium. An quid teneantur parentes
qui prolem in xenodochio exposuerunt. Quid sit impedimentum im-
potentiae. Quae conjugibus incumbat obligatio petendi et reddendi
debitum. Quomodo conjuges ulteriils adhuc peccare possint in usu matri-
monii. Quid sit dicendum de obscenis tactibus, aspectibus, osculis inter
conjuges. An peccet conjugatus, qui in absentia compartis seipsum im-
pudice tangit, vel delectatur de copula habits vel habendL An peccent
soluti, ipsique adeo sponsi qui de copull habendS, vel vidui qui de
copula habita delectantur. Quid agere debeat Confessarius erga uxorem
cujus maritus onanista est. Quid sit abortus et an liceat eum procurare.

* £a fctttcrature dfrancattfe, vol. 6, p. 388.

64 J. c. settler in sextum decalogi pr.sceptum.

An baptizari possit fetus, in quo nullum signum vitae advertitur. An,
si fetus in lucem edi nequeat, liceat facere operationem, ut vocant, caesaream.
In matre mortu&. In matre adh&c viv&. An mulier sit ad subeundam opera-
tionem caesaream adigenda. An baptizari possint ac debeant monstra. Dis-
ciplina ecclesiae circa Clericos sollicitantes aut turpiter viventes.

To show how each of the above points is treated in
detail, how each abomination is probed to the quick, would
be undoubtedly interesting, but would exceed the limits of
a simple bibliographical compilation. I cannot, however,
refuse space for the enumeration of one or two of the
subtle obscenities which Saettler and his commentator,
Rousselot, consider necessary for the enlightenment of their
priests and confessors:

Jam vero, cum puellae sint capaces seminationis ante pubertatis annos, et
etiam in sexto aetatis anno, citibs possunt irreparabiliter amittere virginita-
tem, qu&m masculi impuberes. Si mulier vi aut metu copulam ab adolescente
extorserit, haec extorsio etiam est stuprum, &c. Liceret tamen in fornicationis
actu copulam abrumpere, ex odio et displicenti& peccati, quamvis quasi neces-
sarib tunc semen effunderetur extra vas. Inter Doctores disputatur, an qui in
vase praepostero cognovit virginem, virginitatis circumstantiam declarare
debeat. Expedit . . . k mulieribus et etiam & puellis, quaerere utriim cum
bestid aliquid inhoneste egerint, v.g., bestiam in lectum intromittendo seque ab
eh lambente tangj procurando. Ipsa mulier interrogetur niim -semen, complete
copula, ejicere conata sit ? Puella libere stuprum passa, non est de virginitate
interroganda. Inveniuntur et puellae, sed non itd raro, quae quamvis non
nubiles, jam & (decennio, imo & septennio voluptatem carnalem venereosqve
motus sibi per tactus, situm corporis, femorum compressionem, tibiarum
extensionem procurant. Probabiliis etiam excusantur, qui moderate frictione
pruritum molestissimum extinguendi caus& sese tangunt, . . . ; nec obstat,

131 J. c. SETTLER IN SEXTUM DECALOGI PR.scEPTUM.

qubd fortd possit exinde suboriri pollutio, &c. Puellae quae turgentes sibi
addunt mammas . . . peccant venialiter, &c.

The conduct of the wedded pair is most minutely defined.
Time when copulation may be permitted: " licitd dum mulier
lactat infantem—si mulier fluxu sanguinis innaturali veluti
morbo quasi continuo laboret, quand6 habet fluxum men-
struum, aut in puerperd post partum continuatur fluxus
sanguinis, multi existimant actum conjugalem tali tempore
exercitum esse culpam venialem—tempore quo mulier gravida
est, actus conjugalis est graviter illicitus, si exerceatur cum
probabili aborttis periculo;" place: "in loco profano et secreto
—graviter peccant ilium exercentes in loco sacro, in loco
publico et coram aliis etiam infantibus," &c.; frequency : " ter
quaterve in eddem nocte;" posture: " ut jaceant conjuges, et
vir muliebri incumbat—graviter peccant conjuges, si stantes rem
habeant, vel mulier viro incumbat, aut vir k tergo accedat,"
&c.; manner : " graviter peccant in vase non naturali consum-
mantes, vel inchoantes etiam cum intentione eum consummandi
in vase naturali, vir seminationem ante copulam inchoando, vel
h£c habitd se retrahendo, antequ&m seminaverit," &c.; are all
specified. In fact, every contingency which could present
itself to the most vivid of perverted imaginations is considered
in every possible detail.

Many of the questions above cited are due to Saettler's
commentator, Rousselot, and as each is initialed in the volume
itself, I have not-thought it necessary to make any distinction
in reproducing them. The fourth chapter is De Abortu et
Embryologia Sacra, the most curious items of which are
included in my extracts.

K

66

MOECHIALOGIE.

iwoecln'alogte ou Traite des Peches contre Les Sixieme et
Neuvieme Commandements du Decalogue, et de toutes
les Questions Matrimoniales qui s'y. rattachent, directe-
ment et indirectement; suivi dun Abrege Pratique
D'Embryologie Sacree. Ouvrage mis a la hauteur des
sciences physiologiques, naturelles, medicales et de la
legislation moderne. II est exclusivement destine au
clerge. Par P.- J.- C.- Debreyne, Docteur en Medecine
de la Faculte de Paris, Professeur particulier de Medecine
pratique, Pretre et Religieux de la Grande-Trappe (Orne.)
Ecce, hoc ut investigavimus, ita est;
quod auditum, mente pertrcta (sic).

Job, 5, 27.

Deuxieme Edition. Bruxelles. Imprimerie—Librairie
de H. Goemaere, Rue de la Montagne, 52. 1853

Large i2mo. (counts 6); pp. viii and 404 ex titles. There
are two other editions, of 1846 and 1865* The work bears
the sanction of the vicar general, and although "exclusive-
ment destine au clerge," could be purchased but a short
time since of any bookseller at Brussels for 3 francs.

Moechialogie is a treatise for the use of priests in the con-
fessional ; in it every crime which can possibly be embraced
under the 6th and 9th commandments is considered in all
its bearings. The author explains his purpose as follows:

* Cat. ©tntral He la Htbratrte dfrantat

67 MOECHIALOGIE.



Le but de ce travail est de prendre l'homme seulement par son cote charnel
et animal; de le considerer dans cet etat de servitude et d'abjection oil
1'enchaine inexorablement l'empire tyrannique de ses sens; dele contemner
enfin avec un sentiment de douloureuse compassion dans I'etat de degradation
morale oii l'ont reduit de brutales et d'avilissantes passions.

Nous suivrons done l'humanite dans la route fangeuse du vice honteux de
la chair; nous marcherons dans cette voie sombre et mephitique de la mort, en
portant toujours devant nous le flambeau des sciences physiologiques et
medicales.

Being a physician as well as a theologian, Dr. Debreyne
is able to handle his subject with as much success
physically as morally; and no writer with whose works I
am acquainted, not even Sanchez, has amassed more filthy
details, manipulated them more thoroughly, or argued upon
them with more morbid and pertinacious subtlety than the
author of Moechialogie. Father Chiniciuy* writes: "I do
not know that the world has ever seen anything comparable
to the filthy and infamous details of that book."

The latter part of the volume is occupied by a Traite
pratique cTEmbryologie sacre'e ou the'ologique,-f that is, the

* €f)e JJrieat, tfje UHoman, anK tf)e Confessional, to be noticed more fully
presently.

t Few of the Romish casuits have omitted to notice, more or less fully,
this strange and scabrous subject. The most thorough treatise which I have
met with is by Francesco Emmanuele Cangiamila : (fmbrpologta |*>acra
overo dell uffixio de' sacerdoti, medici e superiori circa I'eterna salute dei lamlini
racchiusi nelV utero, tsfc. Milano, 1751, which he afterwards rendered into
Latin as: &acra <£mbvgologia sive de officio sacerdotum &c. It is replete with

68

MOECHIALOGIE.

proper treatment of the foetus, or still born infant, with
regard to baptism. But Dr. Debreyne extends his researches
and instructions much further; and considers, inter alia, the
various causes of abortion, the conduct to be observed
towards a woman who dies during pregnancy, the cesarean
operation performed upon a woman either dead or alive, the
obstacles to parturition, the baptism of monsters, &c.

The volume we are considering forms a sequel to an earlier
work by the same author: *ur la CltfOlOffte i*U)raIf,

conside're'e dans ses rapports avec la Pkysiologie et la Medecine.
In this work the same subjects are treated as in Moechiabgie,
but not so minutely, or with so many nauseous details.

Pierre-Jean-Corneille Debreyne was born at Quoedy-
pre, November 7, 1786. After studying medicine at Paris
he took his diploma in 1814, and became doctor to the
convent of La Trappe, near Mortagne. In 1840 he joined
the order. He is the author of numerous medico-theological

romarkahlp. instances of child birth, of which the most difficult and perverse

works.*

1791-92, 2 vols., ovo., inio rreiiuu, --------- -

JSanuel Uu Kibxaixt, vol. 6, art. 7402, fca dframe fctUctatw, vol.

LLAVB DE ORO.

69

ilabe lie $ro, o Serie de Reflexiones que, para abrir
el corazon cerrado de los probres pecadores, ofrece a
los confesores nuevos el Excmo. e Ilmo. Sr. D. An-
tonio Maria Claret, Arzobispo de Cuba, seguida
del Apparatus et Praxis Formae pro Doctrina Sacra in
Concione Proponenda, Auctore R. P. Richardo
Arsdekin, Societatis Jesu. Con aprobacion del Ordi-
nario. Libreria Religiosa Imprenta de Pablo Riera,
calle del Robador, n°- 24 y 26. i860.

Small 8vo.; pp. Llave 143, Apparatus 288, in all. On the
verso of the title page we read: " Varios Prelados de Espana
han concedido 2,400 dias de indulgencia para todas las pub-
licaciones de la Libreria Religiosa."

It is a painful task to wade through the crass superstition
and nauseous puerility with which the Llave de Oro abounds—
a book for the propagation of which 2,400 days of indul-
gence are offered.

Archbishop Claret invents miraculous stories to be told to
adult sinners, generally too childish and foolish to be worthy
of any special notice. Here is a passage however which
must be given as it stands: " Algunos autores dicen que
Nuestro Sefior Jesucristo tiene tanto horror a ese delito
(sodomy), que la noche que nacio en Belen mato a todos
los sodomitas." (p. 91). No authorities are given.

7°

LLAVE DE ORO.

Here are the archbishop's experiences respecting young
girls. They are, he says, " mas faciles en cometer impurezas
que los nifios, mientras son pequefiitas; pero cuando son
mayores va enteramente al reves, pues mas son los mozos y
hombres lascivos que las muchachas y mujeres. La razon de
esto k mi ver es la misma naturaleza de la mujer; pues que
cuando pequena luego se ve inclinada a formar munecas,
etc., y estas cosas le sirven de juguete en su infancia. Si se
reune con otras nifias o ninos, juegan a veces a padres y
madres, que dicen, y quizas a parir, etc., etc." (p. 139).

The following are the points upon which confessors are
to question their youthful female penitents. I leave them in
the language in which they are given:

1. " Pollutionem facientes, aspicientes et tangentes seipsas (1). Palm&
manus, tangendo leviter super vas (2). Digito tangendo se leviter intra vas in
clitori, etc. (.3). Mittendo digitum intra vaginam (4). Mittendo fustum.
etc., intra vas (5). Applicans se contra vas in mensa, pariete, etc., sedens in
sedia applicando se contra ipsam sediam. Sedens in terra applicando se contra
ipsum pedem suum. Aliquando jungens crura et opprimens ipsum vas,
movendo leniter seipsam, etc." Todas estas maneras son de una misma
especie, ni hay necesidad que expliquen si fue de esta manera o de otra, porque
a mas de no ser de ninguna necesidad, como se ha dicho, se exponen a que por
vergiienza no digan la verdad, y quedar despues con el remordimiento de haber
hecho mala confesion por esta causa.

2. " Tangendo se turpiter cum una, vel cum aliquibus puellis. Faciendo
sodomitice cum puellis; aliquando cum sororibus maximd in eodem lecto per
noctem, jam applicans vas unius cum pede, crura, etc., alterius, et sic se
polluendo."

3. " Tangendo se mutub cum puero in 'pudendis. Aliquando copulans se,
quamquam imperfecte."

4. "Bestialitas (1) applicans vas suum cum aliqua bestia (2), aliquando
mittens ostrum pulli vel gallinae intra vas. Aliquando ponens salivam aut

LES mystIires du conpessionnal.

71

panem in vas et cogens canem ut lambat. Aliquando cogens canem et
mittendo pudenda canis in vas suum." (p. 140).

" Horreur, abomination! (exclaims M. Maurice Lachatre)
Apr£s avoir pris connaissance des monstruosites decrites par le
docte archeveque, les lecteurs pourront comprendre mieux que
par les raisonnements, les dangers du Confessionnal."

That part of the Llave de Oro which has reference to the
sixth commandment has been done into French, and anno-
tated by M. Lachatre, as, CIt tlM^r, and added to his
i2mo. edition of the iHaituel tied ColtfrSteeurSu* The
passages given above in the original Latin are there trans-
lated.

The Apparatus has no special interest for the present work.

iftpsteres fcu Confestetomtal par Monseigneur Bouvier
EvSque du Mans.

Illustrated title page, on the verso of which we read :
ittanuel iiea eonfmturg ou Les Diaconales Dissertation
sur le Sixieme Commandement & Supplement au Traite du
Mariage JBlfiftfrtatfo in £>fjrtUm Bfcalogt Prceceptum
& Supplementum ad Tractatum De Matrimonio Auctore J.- B.
Bouvier, Episcopo Cenomanensi; there is a second title page:
iflpstmei &c. par Le Cure X*** Imprimeur-Editeur :
E.- J. Carlier, Rue de VEscalier, 14, Bruxelles &c.

* See next article.

72

LES MYST^RES DU CONFESSIONNAL.

4to.; pp. 157 and 1 page unnumbered of Table; double
columns; price 3 frcs. There are numerous illustrations on
the page which have no special reference to the text.

This work, by M. Maurice Lachatre, is a translation,
with annotations, of the work of Bishop Bouvier, of
which the title is given above.

The Manuel des Confesseurs (M. Lachatre informs us) " en
est a sa aome edition, dans le texte latin; Deux Cent Mille
Exemplaires sont actuellement repandus dans le clerge et en
tous pays.

"C'est pour la premiere fois que ce livre est traduit en
franqais. La traduction a 6te faite sur la dixi£me edition, la
dernidre qui ait ete revue et corrigee par Tauteur avant sa mort.

" On a publie depuis le deces de Monseigneur Bouvier, dix
autres editions sur lesquelles certains changements ont ete
operes. Notre traduction est placee en regard du texte latin
dans une speciale edition," (that which heads this notice).

The contents of the volume are as follows: Prologue; The
work of M. Bouvier; Abrege dEmbryologie; Origine de la
Confession; Le Confessionnal ordinaire et le Confessionnal particur-
lierement secret; Le Confessionnal, fleau de Fenfance &c.; Con-
fesseurs et Congreganistes devant la Justice, Outrages aux Mceurs
&c.; Abbesses Confesseuses ; LAumonier du Couvent; Catt-
chisme a lusage des Jesuites ; Guide des Ames; Le Sceau de la
Confession ; Les Drames du Confessionnal, La Signora Virginie
de Leyva; * Le Confessionnal, fleau du pretre chaste; Le

* The history of Virginie de Leyva is one of the most terrible and
dramatic on record, and presents a vivid picture of the laxity of convent life,
the venality of the priests, and the general depravity which pervaded Italy
during the 17th century. M. Philar!:tb Chasles, basing his labour upon

MANUEL DES CONPESSEURS.

73

Syllabus, Doctrine religieuse enseignee dans le Confessionnal;
Encyclique; Derniers Conseils.

Another edition was published in 1876: iftaittiel
Coitffsfcfurs ou Les Diaconales Dissertation sur le Sixieme
Commandement et Supplement au Traite du Mariage par Mgr.
Bouvier, Eveque du Mans Librairie du Progres Louis Linc£,
Libraire-Editeur 67, Rue Crapaurue, 67 Verviers (Belgique)*
Large i2mo. (counts 6); pp. 396 in all; a second illus-
trated title page, with Imprimerie E.-J, Carlier, A Brux-
elles &c.; the outer wrapper gives the title more in detail,
and the price 2 frcs.; there are a few illustrations which
have no reference to the text. From this edition the Latin
text has been omitted, but it contains in addition, with full
title page: CIt JD'^r, ou Serie d"Exhortations destinees a
ouvrir le coeur ferme des pauvres pecheurs offerte aux nouveaux
conjesseurs par Le tres excellent et tres illustre seigneur don
Antonio Maria Claret, &c. This is an annotated

that of Dandolo, has worked the proceedings instituted against the Signora
di Monza into a pleasant and attractive tale : ©trgtnte lit Htpba ou Jnterieur
d'un Couvent de Femmes en Italie au commencement du dix-septieme siecte
d'apres les documents originaux i*fc. Paris 1861. A portrait of the heroine,
printed by Delatre, should be added to the volume

* For this edition it was intended to make an illustrated wrapper represent-
ing a cathedral, &c., and a frontispiece with a confessional, 8rc. The designs
for both exist, but were never engraved. The former is by M. Poteau, the
latter by F. L. See InKtj: Etbrorum $rof)tbttorum, London, 1877, p. 17a.

l

MANUEL DES CONFESSEURS. 140

translation of that part of the ilabe lit $10* which
relates to the sixth commandment.

The Dissertatio in Sextum Decalogi Prceceptum,\ which was
intended by its author exclusively for the use of priests, is
one of the most esteemed works of the Romish Church.
The number of editions through which it has passed has been
already shown. It is to a great extent a resume of the various
opinions of former casuists, which bishop Bouvier confronts
and passes his opinion upon. This it is which makes the
book specially valuable to the young priest. The author
treats most exhaustively the subject of the relation of the
sexes, from the first regards and thoughts of the young
engaged couple to the kinds of embraces which may be
permitted between married people, from the times when the
act should be granted or denied to the performance of the
cesarian operation and the christening of the stillborn, or even
unborn foetus.

Here are a few of the most curious subjects discussed :
Masturbation before the statue of the Virgin; If a doctor sins
by spending while handling the private parts of a woman in the
pursuit of his calling; Commerce with a demon under the
form of a man, a woman, or an animal; Corpse-profanation;

* Noticed at p. 69, ante.

t In the JJoubtlU Btojjrap&u ©tntrali (vol. 7, col. 147) two editions are
given, viz.: " Cenomani, 1827, 1 vol. in-12," and " 12* 6dit., Paris, 1850."
Lorenz notes another edition, " 1861, in-12." Cat. ©rntral, vol. 1, p. 355.

MANUEL DES CONFESSEURS.

75

The German walse is strictly forbidden ; Absolution is not to
be granted to actors or actresses, even when on the point of
death, unless they promise to renounce their calling; Impo-
tence, either on the part of the man or woman, is frequently
caused by the malice of the devil; Whether copulation may be
performed when the woman is with child, or during the time
of menstruation ; The cesarian operation is most minutely
described, and every circumstance connected with it fully
discussed.

M. Lachatre does not perhaps speak too strongly when he
exclaims :

Quel code d'immoralites! Quel recueil de turpitudes dans cette elucubra-
tion 6piscopale!

Quelle boue infecte remuee dans tous les sens, et comme & plaisir, par un
vieux ribaud, un satyre mitre! Rien n'est oublie dans cette oeuvre, depuis
l'origine d'une pensee sensuelle jusqu'& Taction la plus degradante ; depuis un
simple desir jusqu'au plus mauvais acte de bestialite, accompli avec l'animal
le plus vil, ou sur une femme dejil morte, ou avec un demon de l'un ou de
1'autre sexe ayant pris une forme sensible.

Les abominations etalees dans ce livre, depassent les obsc6nites des soupers
de la regence sous le due d'Orleans, les turpitudes du Pare aux Cerfs de
Louis XV, et sont de nature H faire rougir les plus ehontees messalines, £ faire
bouillir le sang du plus austere des anachoretes. (iamo. edit. p. 9).

Nous devons egalement faire mention (adds M. Lachatre) d'un chapitre
curieux qui a ete ajoute au Manuel des Confesseurs, dans la Edition, par le
successeur de Mgr Bouvier au siege du Mans, lequel chapitre ne se trouve pas
dans notre traduction qui est faite sur le texte de la iome edition. Le nouvel
6vfeque du Mans tenait & honneur de completer l'ceuvre de son devancier et de
remplir une lacune importante qu'il y avait decouverte. En effet, Mgr Bouvier
avait omis de parler de certains engins de lubricite qui sont en usage dans les
bordels, dans certains lieux encore pius infimes, et dans les couvents de
femmes. Le prelat a done repare l'omission volontaire ou involontaire de
1'auteur du Manuel des Confesseurs. Les jeunes diacres, les seminaristes, les
confesseurs ont alors reiju le complement de leur Education religieuse. On

7 6

MANUEL DES CONFESSEURS-

leur explique que le condom—est une sorte de fourreau en baudruche dont on
couvre le menibre viril—pour pratiquer le coi't ononastice ou condomistice, pour
6viter de procreer des enfants, ou pour introduce le membre dans l'anus, ou
pour se preserver des maladies contagieuses veneriennes. Le prelat vise encore
dans ce chapitre, les instruments de lubricite de pays de Sodome et de
Gomorhe, en usage dans les lupanars et particulierement dans les couvents de
femmes, objets etranges qui servent aux debauches contre nature et qui
tiennent lieu du sexe absent. Schoking (sic) ! honte ! abomination !

Ce curieux chapitre a ete reproduit en latin dans le savant ouvrage 1' Examen
du Christianisme, par Morin, imprime h Geneve.

.... Coeunt ononastice vel condomistice id est intendo nejario instrumento
quod vulgo dicitur condom. Manuel des Confesseurs, I4mc edition, p. 137.
Ceux qui coi'tent & la maniere d'Onan ou avec le membre viril enferme
dans un fourreau de baudruche, c'est-Ek-dire en se servant d'un instrument
defendu qu'on appelle condom.

Quels enseignements ! quelle education pour les seminaristes, les diacres,les
confesseurs jeunes et vieux! (iamo. edit. p. 275).

Such a publication as the Manuel des Confesseurs could not
fail to arouse the anger and resentment of the powerful
Catholic party in Belgium. M. Lachatre was prosecuted and
condemned, and many copies of his work destroyed.

Jean-Baptiste Bouvier was born January 17, 1783, " au
hameau de la Crote, commune de Saint-Charles-la-Foret
(Mayenne)," and died at Rome, December 29, 1854.* He
became bishop of Mans (Sarthe) in 1834.

M. A. Rispal has given a brief analysis of the bishop's
labours, which he says: "jouissent d'une grande autorite."-f-

* E'fintfrmtUtaire, vol. io, col. 190.
t fioubclle &iograpf)tt ©fittralt, vol. 7, col. 147.

DE LA DlSMONIALITlS. yy

Be la Bemom'allte et des Animaux Incubes et Succubes
oil Ton prouve qu'il existe sur terre des creatures rai-
sonnables autres que l'homme, ayant comme lui un corps
et une Ame, naissant et mourant comme lui, rachetees
par N.-S. Jesus-Christ et capables de salut ou de dam-
nation. Par le R. P. Louis Marie Sinistrari d'Ameno
de l'Ordre des Mineurs Reformes de letroite Observance
de Saint-Francis (17® si£cle) Ouvrage Inedit publie
d'apr£s le Manuscrit original et traduit du Latin par
Isidore Liseux.

J3e Barmomalltate et Incubis et Succubis Auctore
A. R. P. Ludovico Maria Sinistrari de Ameno
Riparuc S. Julii, Dicrcesis Novariensis, Ordinis Minorum
Strictioris Observantiae S. Francisci Reformatorum.
Opus ducentis abhinc annis conscriptum, et nunc
primum e MS. Codice nuper reperto in lucem editum
Paris Isidore Liseux, 5, Rue Scribe 1875

8vo. (counts 4); pp. xvi and 224 in all; title page in red
and black, with publisher's fleuron; issue 598 copies num-
bered ; the original text and the translation are en regard
throughout the volume ; published at frcs. 10.

This is a very curious and carefully done book, both as
regards the author and the translator-editor. The title suffi-
ciently explains its object, and the propositions set forth are
argued out with logical closeness. Although the author under-

DE LA DlSMONIALITlS. yy

takes to prove both by authority and from his own experience
that Incubi and Succubi exist and perform the act of copula-
tion,* yet he handles the subject as a tenet fully recognised by
the church. He even enumerates several great men who owe
their existence to such commerce, among whom we find
Romulus and Remus, Servius Tullius, Plato, Alexander
the great, Seleucus King of Syria, Scipio the African,
Augustus ciesar, Aristomenes. " Ajoutousencore (he con-
cludes) l'Anglais Merlin ou Melchin, ne d'un Incube et
d'une fille de Charles le Grand; et enfin, comme l'ecrit
Cocleus, cite par Maluenda, ce damne Heresiarque, qui a
nom Martin Luther." (p. 5It is affirmed that Incubi
are:

doues de sens, et consequemment qu'ils ont un corps; consequemment
aussi, qu'ils sont des animaux parfaits. II y a plus : portes et fenetres closes,
ils entrent partout & leur fantaisie; done leur corps est subtil; enfin ils con-
naissent et annoncent l'avenir, ils composent et ils divisent, toutes operations
qui sont le propre d'une ime raisonnable : done ils sont doues d'une ame
raisonnable, et ce sont bien, en realite, des animaux raisonnables. (p. 115) •

Ici se place une observation; lorsque ces Incubes s'unissent charnellement
aux femmes dans leur corps propre et naturel, sans metamorphose ni artifice,

* Several anecdotes are given in the Sutionnatre infernal, the Duttonnatre
Be la dTolie ft Be la l&ateon, fctetoire Betf Jfantome* et Be* Sfiiton*, Ea
dorctrrc, Ctirio$i'tr« Be I'fetatotrt Bed CrouanceS ftapulatre* au IBlopen 9ge.
Consult jHalleuji jHaleficaruin J. Sprengeri, Ha Qrmonomame Bed &orctera,
par J. Bodin, &c.

t I have cited the translation rather .than the original, in order that my
readers may judge how ably M. Liseux has performed his task.

DE LA D£MONIALITl5.

79

les femmes ne les voient pas, ou, si elles les voient, e'est comme une ombre
presque incertaine et k peine sensible : ***. Quand, au contraire, les galants
veulent se rendre visibles k leurs roai tresses, atque ipsis delectationem in
congressu carnali afferre, alors ils revetent une enveloppe visible, et leur corps
devient palpable. Par quel art, ceci est leur secret. Notre philosophie k courte
vue est impuistante k le decouvrir. (p. 197).

It was held formerly that Incubi borrowed their seed from
some man, but Sinistrari is of opinion that they really do
emit semen of their own. They do not restrict themselves
to women, but have connection with animals as well.

The author has of course an equal faith in evil spirits,
sorcerers and witches of the ordinary kind, with which how
ever these curious beings must not be confounded. The
former can be got rid of by holy incantations, whereas Incubi
are deaf to the voice of the priest.

Enfin, chose prodigieuse et presque incomprehensible, ces Incubes, qu'on
appelle en Italien Folletti, en Espagnol Duendes, en Fran^ais Follets, n'obeis-
sent pas aux exorcistes, n'ont aucune peur des exorcismes, aucune veneration
pour les objets sacres, k 1'approche desquels ils ne manifestent pas la moindre
frayeur: bien differents en cela des Demons qui tourmentent les possedes;
car, si obstines que soient ces malins Esprits, si retifs qu'ils se niontrent it
l'injonction de l'exorciste qui lenr commande de deloger du corps du possede,
il suffit pourtant de prononcer le tres-saint nom de J6sus ou de Marie ou
quelqUes versets des Saintes EcritUres, d'imposer des Reliques, principalement
le Bois de la Sainte Croix, ou d'approcher les Saintes Images, pour qu'aussitot
on les entende rugir k la bouche du possede, et qu'on les voie grincer des dents,
s'agiter, fremir, montrer, en un mot, tous les signes de la crainte et de l'horreur.
Mais ces coquins de Follets, rien de tout cela n'a d'effet sur eux : s'ils dis-
continued leurs vexations, ce n'est qu'apr&s longtemps et quand ils le veulent
bien. De ceci je suis t£moin oculaire, &c. (p. 31).

8o

DE LA DlSMONIALITlS. yy

Copulation between a demon and a witch is naturally graver
than bestiality, and is indeed "le plus grand de tous les p€ch6s."
The question is reasoned out with casuistic minuteness:

Quant au commerce avec l'incube, oil ne se rencontre aucun element, si
faible soit-il, d'offense contre la Religion, il est difficile de voir pourquoi ce
delit serait plus grave que la Bestialit6 et la Sodomie. * * * L'incube, du chef
de son esprit raisonnable et immortel, est l'6gal & l'homme ; du chef de son
corps plus noble et plus subtil, il est plus parfait et plus digne que l'homme.
Consequemment, l'homme qui s'unit & l'incube n'avilit pas sa nature, il la
dignifie plutot; &c. (p. 201).

The volume terminates with a brief Notice Biographique,
from which I extract the following particulars:—

Sinistrari was born at Ameno, 26 February, 1622, and
died, March 6, 1701. He studied at Pavia, where in 1647
he entered the order of the Franciscans. He was a man of
great talents and attianments. At Rome he occupied the post
of " Consulteur au Tribunal supreme de la Sainte Inquisition,"
was during two years vicar-general of the archbishop of
Avignon, and afterwards theologian attached to the archbishop
of Milan. In 1688 he was requested to compile the statutes
of his order, which he did in his $mttta trfatfaaltt
ifttnorum (Uustrata. His collected works were published
at Rome in 3 vols., folio, 1753-1754»* of which however
De Dcemonialitate does not form part.

* Consult also fiutJrjr fctbrorum ^roljtbttorum, Romae, mdccclxxvi,
P- 3°3-

immaculate conception op the virgin mary. 81

5llu$trattons on tbe Jncarnation anti Jmmaculate Con-
ception Of t&e tffrffUt iHarp and the Miraculous
and Mysterious Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, by
Dr Edmund Skiers, M.D., Of the Faculty of Paris,
London and Edinburgh, Author of a Treatise, on the
Croup,—a Sketch on Stomacal affections, Diarrhoea,
Dysentery, Sporadic and Asiatic Cholera, etc., etc.
Paris, Printed by E. BriIire and Co, Rue Sainte-
Anne, 55. 1854

8vo.; pp. 16 in all. This is one of the most curious
pamphlets which I have ever met with. Whether the author
is in earnest, or whether his intention is to mystify his readers,
my knowledge of medicine or theology is not sufficient to
enable me to determine. I once saw a small volume written to
show that the world was flat, and Archbishop Whately wrote
a book the object of which was to prove that Napoleon I.
never lived. The work before me may perhaps be classed
in the same category with such productions. Dr. Skiers,
however, appears to be serious, and undertakes to show
that there is nothing supernatural or difficult to believe in
the immaculate conception, but that it may be accounted
for by the foetal kyst theory. If it be allowed for one of
the greatest casuists* to enquire whether the virgin spent

* Thomas Sanchez. J0t dancto ^Hatrimontt Sacramento.

m

8a IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OP THE VIRGIN MARY.

during copulation with the Holy Ghost, " utrum virgo Maria
semen emiserit in copulatione cum Spiritu Sancto," surely a
medical man of the same faith may be permitted to take
a step further back and enquire into the virgin Mary's con-
ception. Here are the doctor's own words:

" The stumlling block " to the Faith, and to convincing teaching, lie at the
very origin of our Christian religion j here, with every sense of deep humility
and strict feeling, I will allow myself to enter familiarly into explanation.

To arrive at the unknown we must interrogate intimately the well known.
What is strenuously our object here, is it not to inquire into the " Immaculate
conception of the Virgin Mary?" Conception! we take the term "in
extenso," its evident sense implies, beside the power of imagination, " to
conceive," "to admit into the womb;" conception again, might be "extra
uterine;"* conception might also be a pregnancy of a double nature " in ovo,"
ab ovo " from the very origin of the germ, the developement of which is the
product of a fostal kyst j a fcetal kyst, is an abscess, borne by the indi-
vidual, and independently of the will of the bearer, and is not known to, nor
conceived by the bearer ; a foetal kyst is an abscess containing an embryo, a foetus
in it;—this foetal kyst might happen to, and be borne by, either a male or a

* This question has occupied the attention of several writers. One of the
most curious disputes will be found noticed at p. 261 of the itiatf fctbrorum
Srofjibitorum, London, mdccclxvii. In his witty and erudite little volume
upon the " Fille de Turcoing," the Abbe Valmont writes: " Mais vous qui
voulez absolument des explications, voudriez-vous bien m'expliquer comment
ce Louis Roossel de Vlasloo, aupres Dixmude, accoucha d'un enfant par la
cuisse. Ne vous moquez pas de moi, s'il vous plait. C est un grave Theo-
logien, qui l'a dit, et qui a fait sur cela seul un traite fort singulier; c'est
le R. P. Loth, Dominician, Resolutions Theohg. tract. i$." EifSSertation lit iJHaltfi'trt, &c., Lille, 1862, p. 82.

8a IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OP THE VIRGIN MARY.

female;—it may be hidden internally in the body,—or it appears externally as
a tumour, or it may appear externally as a monstruosity, having appending the
limbs of a foetus, attached to the body of the person born so, without any
envelope—but the continuous skin;—and this foetal external appendix might
have, or might not have movement given to it, by any excitement on its skin j
the phenomenon of this foetal kystal appendix might be, with the body of this
grafted foetus, more or less perfect; this graft too, might nearly equal the size
of its parent;—and again this monstruosity might be equal in size, and have a
life, even to that of a separate alimentary system for taking food;—and again
in addition to which, a separate and complete and perfect locomotive existence,
to be, and feel, as if separate bodies, save in their bond of union ; the two indi-
viduals being only separate in head and limbs.—It is therefore well known,
that foetal kysts and monstruosities are as common in animals, as incidental to
the human species; we have only to examine the exhibitions at fairs to find
living specimens of some curious cases, whilst museums of comparative and
human anatomy have shelves full of the most curious varieties, obtained some
from post mortem examination, others abortive products, and others after having
been born alive and have lived for some moments, or minutes, hours, days,
months, or years.—These foetal graftings, from a double conception, human as
animal, are therefore consistent in nature, and the published, depicted, and
preserved varieties in the various museum collections are great and startling for
the senses to contemplate; the chain of causes being occult, the strained imagi-
nation can only depict vaguely, to conceive the effect, origin, and wonderful
secret combinations of nature ; therefore, the links of organic matter connect-
ing insensibly the transition of the animal to the vegetable, the terrestrial
animal to the aquatic, the terrestrial to the aerial, the terrestrial to the terres-
trial, not even taking the extremes, that is, from the elephant to the mouse, or
the man from the monkey, etc., without entering into the minuter wonders and
greater intricacies of the insect, or the marvellous microscopic creation, or the
organic vegetable, to the inorganic mineral combination, in the which, our
blindness shews the wisdom of God, and the limit to man's.

Resuming then, with regard to the animal, as the human species, from what
is known, as to extra uterine faetation, gestation, it cannot be difficult to
imagine a foetal kyst " sine conculitu " that is a germ (C) finding its way into
the cavity of the uterus of a fcbtus (M), at what period God only can know,

8a IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OP THE VIRGIN MARY.

but its presence there will be that of its forming a kyst, and finding a natural
nidus ; the imagination can le helped when we consider that a foetal kyst, " sine
conculitu " does find its way into the cavity of other muscular organs, therein,
to form its nidus, and from finding in primis, a more or less vital force of
organic life in that part, the kyst would receive an impulse, a motor, for
developement to advance more or less the growth of its parts, partially, or the
whole of the foetal formation} so, on the contrary, in secundo, where the graft
of the foetal kyst does not find that natural congenial organic vital vascular
nidus, a check, or an arrest of growth, from want of ample nutrition from that
part would, as a natural consequence, blight, derange its developement, so as
either to disease or kill it, so that none, or little, of an organic trace of a
foetal formation might be found remaining, except those parts the most
resisting and imperishable, consisting and constituting the bones, the teeth, the
hair of the foetus, the which would give a data of its existence ; also, the
external growth of the foetal kyst, its vascular, and its membranous parts,
would depend on the nature of the tissue it is grafted into, as well as its means
for furnishing nutriment for active, or passive circulation, expansion and
developement of parts held and inclosed in it.

Then, allowing to picture to the imagination a double conception or impreg-
nation (A) to have taken place " a priori " that is " ah origine " in the maternal
uterus (A) of Anne ? the mother of the Virgin Mary; from the knowledge
already of the foetal kyst, the imagination here, might vividly depict that a
birth might be given to a foetus (M) which might contain " a posteriori " in its
body, a tumour! and that tumour a foetal kyst (C) and this foetal kyst (C), with
its vital and tenaceous embryo germ egg (C) might be found imbedded,
grafted in the cavity of a muscle endowed with a mucous membranous lining
of a very vascular character, and that muscular cavity with its mucous mem-
branous vascular lining a uterus; and why not this, as well as any other
muscular cavity ?—as this indication by chance attractions, might, all in all,
through God's will, be ordained from the commencement of the " ab originate
nature of the double conception (A), when, the two germ eggs (M C) detached
as of one conception " primo;" combining to form "secundo" the two germ
eggs (M C) united, at the same time having, each, an innate separate force of
vivifaction ; both, having also, as is well known, whether the conception is
single or double, its own separate and proper protecting amniotic albumenous

8a IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OP THE VIRGIN MARY.

membrane, and this too, whether the " ovum " germ egg is impregnated in the
uterus, near or at a distance, that is, in the Fallopian tule near to the ovarium
or egg reservoir; the presumption being that the two germ eggs (M C) are
preserved j the outer coating of the amniotic membrane forming the high
vascular membrane of the chorion, the grafting of this chorion of the one germ
egg (C), taking place on the highly vascular chorion of the other germ egg (M) j
from this immediate contact of the two impregnated germ eggs (M C), from
their intimate contiguity, and grafting, the one (M) might at last entirely
envelope the other (C) ; from (M) having a greater inherent vital organic
activity and force of developement j so that the germ egg (M) most forward in
developement will become the enveloping maternal and absorbing one, from its
greatest vital activity j the other germ egg (C) impressed on, will become the
imbedded, the enveloped germ; and, not losing its vitality it has only a check
given to its vital power of growth, but not destroying its vitality; because,
this germ egg (C) finding in this graft a " nidus " a nestling place, at this stage
of its life in (M), of a similar nature of resource of tissue to that of its own,
though, depassing it in power, with rapidity of progress, as to change, and
formation into organic vitality, offering (C) at the same time maternal
resources for its perfect rest, and nidification, and growth, though comparatively,
with an abeyance, and suspense, from the germ egg (M), being itself drawn on
for accommodation and nutriment, but the life of loth germ eggs (M) and
(C) will be maintained by the superior absorption of nutriment of the germ egg
(M) the one most fully advanced, so that the metamorphoses of both germ eggs
might progress, and harmonize together from this one source, with the envelop-
ing embryo maternal germ (M), now rapidly increasing over the enveloped germ
(C), whilst this latter embryo germ (C) is impelled by an imperceptible
nascent force of change, insensibly to yield, and to fall inducted into the
channel of a cavity, a " nidus " oj an intestinal formation of the emlryo germ
(M) where, by after maturing nature, from the attraction and congregation of
molecules, by the early and rapid embryotic changes, evolutions, and meta-
morphoses taking place, it happens, normally, to form, and to become, the
rudiment of that organ in the embryo (M) which, by nature, is destined, ultimately,
to be an important organ, the very natural foetal uterus ;—hence fortuitously,
accidently, through the will of God!—the included, nucleated, enveloped, " a
priori" separate and distinct germ egg (C) of the " ab origine " double con-

8a IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OP THE VIRGIN MARY.

ception (A) finds itself abducted, attracted to be imbedded and nidified, nestled,
with its original preservative amniotic albumenous membrane, to be preserved,
nourished "a posteriori," and protected, to develope in a deeply seated vital
uterine organ of the germ egg (M) its companion " ab origine " ovum, egg, of
the double " a priori" or "ab origine " conception (A). In the which vital foetal
uterine organ (M) the natural agencies and accomodations, and sympathies of
which, is that constituting all, and exclusively, and professedly, the only normal
nidus for an embryo egg, viz the Uterus! where, its vascular fibrous and
expansive functions are all for the reception, protection, warmth, accommoda-
tion and preservation ; the supply of nutriment being most ample and special
for, and in accordance with the need, on the rapid growth and full development of
the foetal germ " in utero."

The foetal germ (C) however intricately, wonderfully and miraculously intro-
duced into the foetal womb of the germ (M) and there incarnated to be im-
bedded after the " a priori " and " ab origine " germ fecundation and double
conception (A) is beyond demonstration, but not beyond credence, and the force of
imagination, for as a truth it is most possible, and can be illustrated from what
we see, in other things marvellous in nature, subject to the creative will of God ;
and if we question this, we question and deny that power, which pervades all
things, and which presides with soothing and watchful care over us, even
when, poor mortals, we look up in distress to God and cry aloud to Him,
for help.

Thus a miraculous uterine graft of a foetal kyst (C), " sine concubitu " can be
well imagined as conceived; and it would not stagger and surprise a feeling, if
such another miraculous uterine graft (C), should again occur, to be accidentally
detected, and demonstrated, as a possibility, to offer astonishment to the world;
not that another Christ should be born, but a birth from a virgin uterine
conception "sine concubitu," to strengthen the faith in God, the belief in Jesus
Christ, and the almighty wonders in creation.

From the above extract my readers will be able to judge for
themselves in how far Dr. Skiers has succeeded in proving
his point, and will probably agree with me that his pamphlet
is at any rate fit to be placed among the curiosities of
literature.

ompenirium Cofct lies Sfomtes; d'apres plus de 300
ouvrages des casuistes-jesuites. Complement
indispensable aux QEuvres de MM. Michelet
et O.uinet. 9e edition, populaire augment£e d'une
preface et de notes. Paris Edmond Albert, iSditeur.
Rue du Hasard-Richelieu, N° 3. 1846

i2mo. (counts 6); pp. 109. First published in 1845.*
This little volume, as its title indicates, contains extracts
from various Roman Catholic writers, sanctioning crimes of
every description. In his preface the author, Georges
Dairnvjell, informs us that: " La censure s'est vertueuse-
ment indignee et la cour de Rome a mis notre livre k l'index.
Nous ne sommes cependant que copiste et nous defions nos
adversaires de nous prouver la moindre alteration de texte.
Si ce livre n'avait contenu que des calomnies, huit editions
n'auraient pas ete vendues en six mois." The extracts are
in French, except a few relating to unnatural crimes, which
are left in the original Latin.

* Uuttonnatrt Betf anongmei, vol. 1, col. 625.

88

FRAMMENTO INEDITO.

jframmento finefctto di Pietko Giohdani.

8vo.; pp. 29; printed privately, in 1862, by R. Clay,
Bread Street Hill, London ; a second half title bears, $1 fmatO

Jmposstble 1838.

This pamphlet is an answer to the CaSl BeSerbatt (written
as the author observes in " latino diabolico") and more par-
ticularly to an article therein (Tavola 2a, Articolo 6°): Con-
cubitus cum dcemone: qui quamvis non sit ejusdem speciei cum
ho mine, tamen assumit formam hominis, sive viri sive mulieris.—
«il peccato impossible" in fact. Giordani adduces several
instances of men and women, who having refused to comply
with the monks' wishes, were punished as sorcerers and witches.
A wider field is then taken, and the church at large and par-
ticularly the confessional are severely criticised. The subject
is treated seriously, and the pamphlet is ably written.

Cfoe Confessional ©nmasfeeb, or the Curiosities of Romish
Devotion.

This is the name by which the tract I am about to notice
is generally known, and that which forms the half title of
most of the various editions issued by the " Protestant Evan-
gelical and Electoral Union." The wording on the outer
wrappers differs however materially. I note three different

ioo THE CONFESSIONAL UNMASKED.



editions at present before me: €f)t ConfeSSl'onal 2HnmaSfeetl:

showing the Depravity of the Romish Priesthood, the Iniquity of
the Confessional and the Questions put to Females in Confession,
&c., buff wrapper, 8vo., pp. iv and 76; the half title reads
(fcjrtrartjs, etc., published about 1871; Christian Cestimonp
against $apal £2}hrketmf$s bp ©nmaeikmg tbe Confes'-
sional; &c., 8vo., pp. 98, buff wrapper; C&e iHorali'tp of
ftonrisf) Bebotion, or the Confessional Unmasked: &c., 8vo.,
pp. 116 and 8 unnumbered, begins with A Report of the Trial
of Mr. George Machey, At the Winchester Quarter Sessions,
18th and 19th October, 1870, green wrapper.

The tract was not originally published by the " Protestant
Evangelical Union," but had been issued four times at least
before that society took it in hand. The "Union" has
published three (if not more) pamphlets concerning it:

Cf)t ^istorp of "€i)e Confessional ®nmasfeetr," 8vo.,
pp. 40; €i)t injure an& Condemnation of "llje Con--
fessional," 8vo., pp. 32; "CJn Confessional ©nmasfeetiu"

A Military as well as a Moral Plea for abolishing the Confes-
sional. By Lieut-Col. H. J. Brockman, 8vo., pp. 15. From
the former work I gather the chief part of the particulars
given in this notice:

The first publication of the Pamphlet is surrounded with somewhat of
obscurity. The compilers, translators, and publishers appear to have been
anxious to inform the public upon questions of such deep importance as those
we have noticed; but they thought it prudent to remain unknown.

N

ioo THE CONFESSIONAL UNMASKED.

However, David Bryce, publisher, Paternoster Row, who
died suddenly, May i, 1875, was the reputed translator*
The "Union" continues:

We have before us a copy of the Second Edition, published in Dublin, 1836.

The title page is as follows:—

Bmtt Cftcolop. Extracts from Peter Dens on the Nature of Confession
and the Obligation of the Seal. " Whatsoever ye have spoken m darkness
shall be heard in the light: and that which ye have spoken m the ear in closets
shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." Second Edition. Dublin: O Neill,

pTlfltCT 1836

The Pamphlet consists of Extracts, taken exclusively from Dens' Theology,
with a few comments by the Compiler. It does not appear to have been
published in the ordinary way of trade, or with any motive less worthythan
that of admonishing innocent men of the hordes of Rom.sh marauders-con-
spirators against the morality and liberty of the people, wh.ch the Government

of the country had patronized and let loose upon Society.

In subsequent editions of the Pamphlet now under consideration, several
extracts were taken from Liguori and other « guides and masters used in the
Royal College" for the education of Romish Priests. The Pamph et was
then entitled "Maynooth and its Teaching." It was published in London
n the ordinary wa/of trade. The following is the title-page of the Pamphle
when it came into the possession of "The Protestant Electoral

UiHagno^ anU tt« €tacf,mS. The Confessional Unmasked: showing the
Depravity of the Priesthood, the Immorality of the Confessional, and the
Qwstions put to Females in Confession, etc., etc Being Extracts fromth*
theological works used in Maynooth College, and sanctioned by the Sacred
Congregation of Rites." With Notes, By C. B.

* See C|)t Uookutlltr, June 3,1875. No- aI1' P-

ioo the confessional unmasked.

" For 'tis a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."

(Eph. v. ia.)

(Act III., Scene i.—A Confesiional).

Prior. Within this chair I sit, and hold the keys
That open realms no conqueror can subdue,
And where the monarchs of the earth must fain
Solicit to be subjects.

Alar. O, holy father I my soul is burdened with a crime.

Prior. My son, the Church awaits thy sin.

Alar. It is a sin most black and terrible;
Prepare thine ear for what must make it tremble.

Prior. Thou dost speak to power above all passion, not to man.

Alarcos, by the Author of" Vivian Grey."

London: W. Strange, 3, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row.

The way in which the Pamphlet came to be the property of " The Pro-
testant Electoral Union " was as follows:—

An ex-Sheriff of London, and a member of the Protestant Electoral Union,
went, in 1865, to the House of Commons to hear a debate on some Protestant
question. The House on that occasion resembled a " Bear-Garden," and the
Protestant speakers could not obtain a hearing. This patriot thought that the
misconduct of the House arose from its ignorance of what Popery was, and
he resolved to inform them of its true character by bringing under their notice
its teachings and practices, as declared ly Romanists themselves. He ertered
into arrangements with " The Christian Book Society " for printing an edition
of the Pamphlet, which he called

" Cfje UeprabttD of ti)e ftoman CatfjoKc $matf)ootf and the Immorality
of the Confessional."

With reference to this edition we ought to say that some of the most
disgusting enquiries and instructions by the Priest were omitted. A copy
of the Pamphlet was sent to each member of both Houses of Parliament,
and the copies remaining were presented to the Society.

The Pamphlet sold by Mr. Strange, Paternoster Row, was printed from
stereo plates, which he expressed a readiness to sell; and as the Com-
mittee of the "Protestant Evangelical Mission and Electoral Union" had
found the pamphlet to be a most formidable weapon of defence against
the priestly assailants of the purity and liberty of this Protestant Kingdom,
they purchased the plates with the pamphlets Mr. Strange had in stock.
For some time the Committee printed from these plates. They changed the

g2 the confessional unmasked.

cover, however, giving the opinions of several eminent men as to the evils of

the Confessional. .

The Committee would at once have made several changes m the pam-
phlet, such as they afterwards did make in the New Edition, but their
funds were so limited that for years the Treasurer never received ten pounds
that was not appropriated to defray some very necessary expense already

incurred. ««tv.»

The first internal change made was the expurgation of a song, ine
Fryar and the Nun," p. 37> showing "The Progress of the Confessional

This was replaced by two descriptions of a "Confessing Priest, one of
which was by Mr. Hogan.

We come now to a point which invests The Confessional
Unmasked with an interest which its literary merits would not
entitle it to. I mean the legal proceedings to which it has
given rise, and which now form a precedent in English law.
The first prosecution took place at Wolverhampton in 1867,
when, after some lectures by William Murphy, the "Watch
Committee" obtained a warrant under Lord Campbells Act
to search the premises of H. Scott, where the objectionable
pamphlet was being sold. A seizure of " a quantity of books "
was made at Scott's house on the 18th March, upon which
the magistrates delivered the following decision :

" We consider that the book produced before us is an obscene book within
the meaning of the Act, and calculated to contaminate the public morals, and
of such a character that the publication of it becomes a misdemeanour The
sale and distribution have been sufficiently proved before us, and we hereby

order the books to be destroyed." .

The case was taken to the Quarter Sessions, and the verdict of the Mag.s-

ioo the confessional unmasked.



trates was quashed by the Recorder, he giving authority for his judgment.
The Popish party appealed from the verdict of the Recorder to the Queen's
Bench. That court said it did not believe the evidence put forth by the book,
and and added new matter to the case submitted to it for judgment; and upon
the ground of the matter added, and for other reasons, reversed the decision of
the Recorder ! ! (The Queen v. Hicklin, April, 1868).

This judgment is very ably dealt with in a Pamphlet, " Printed for private
circulation," and generally considered to be by Mr. Powell, the Recorder of
Wolverhampton.

The Committee, desirous of keeping within the Law, even when so grossly
perverted, remodelled the entire work, and entitled it The Morality of Romish
Devotion; or, The Confessional Unmasked, omitting much of the lewd in-
quisitiveness of the Priests contained in the former work, but enough to show
the nature and tendency of the Confessional, and to justify Protestants in
seeking its utter destruction. This new work was brought under judgment in
the followay way:—

Mr. George Mackby having been invited to Lymington, Hants, hired the
Town Hall, for a course of five lectures, and after having delivered three of
these lectures, during the week ending August 27, 1870, he was prevented by
the Mayor and police from giving the last two lectures of the course advertised.
He was then summoned before the Mayor, James Corbin. Mr. Mackey
was confined as a Felon in Winchester Jail for fifteen months! For a full
report of his trial, or Condemnation rather, see pamphlet entitled The
Lord's Prisoner, published by The Protestant Evangelical Mission,
price 6d.

The Committee feeling assured that Mr. Mackey was prosecuted out of
malice, and that he was unjustly condemned by an unsworn jury, to which he
objected, printed a Report of the first trial at Winchester. This included the
pamphlet with the sale of which he was charged, and which was taken as read
in Court. This Report was seized by the Police, under a warrant signed by
Sir Thomas Henry, in the Offices of the Protestant Evangelical Mission and
Electoral Union, on January 26th, 1871. Mr. Steele, the Secretary of the
Society, who was indicted for publishing the work, gives his reasons in full
for doing so in the Monthly Record of the Society for March and November,
1871. The case of Mr. Steele was heard in the Court of Common Pleas,

ioo

the confessional unmasked.

Westminster, before Chief Justice Bovill, April 29, and 30, 1872. A full
report of the trial is given in the Monthly Record for June, 1872.

In this Case, Steele v. Brannan, Justices Keating, Brett,
and Groves were on the bench with the Chief Justice, Mr.
Samuel Kydd was for the appellant, and the Attorney
General for the respondent. Judgment was given without
reserve against Mr. Steele. In delivering judgment Chief
Justice Bovill said: " I entirely agree in the decision of
the Queen's Bench in the case of the Queen v. Hicklin,
and I think the present case falls quite within that deci-
sion." Justice Keating was of opinion that: 44 these
extracts, if correctly reported, do contain obscenity to an
extent from which the mind of every right-minded man

will absolutely revolt."

The Confessional Unmasked,, it will have been observed, is
chiefly composed of extracts from the works of Dens, to
which were afterwards added specimens of the teaching of
Liguori. As the works of neither of these writers are other-
where noticed in the present volume, I propose to extract
a few passages from the pamphlet before me, adding the
translation and observations there given.

on just causes for permitting motions of sbnsuality.

Hujusmodi justae causae sunt auditio Just causes of this sort are, the
confessionum, lectio casuum consci- hearing of confessions, the reading of
entiae pro Confessario, servitium ne- cases of conscience drawn up for a

the confessional unmasked.

95

Confessor, necessary or useful attend-
ance on an invalid.

The effect of a just cause is such,
that anything from which motions
arise may be not only lawfully begun,
but also lawfully continued: and so
the Confessor receiving those motions
from the hearing of confessions,
ought not on that account to abstain
from hearing them, but has a just
cause for persevering, providing, how •
ever, that they always displease him,
and there arise not therefrom the
proximate danger of consent.—Dens,
v. i, pp. 299, 300.

Thus it appears to be a matter of course, that hearing confessions is a just
cause for entertaining sensual motions. Dens explains "sensual motions " to
be, "sharp tingling sensations of sensual delight shooting through the body,
and exciting to corporeal pleasures."

Now, if a lady appears modest, the Confessor is instructed that " that
modesty of hers must be overcome, or else he is authorized to deny her abso-
lution." " Pudorem ilium superandum esse, et nolenti denegandam esse
absolutionem."—De la Hogue de paen., p. 68.

Attendance upon invalids is also a just cause for sensual motions. After
reading this, who would marry a woman who frequents the confessional ?
Think of allowing a wife or daughter to go alone to confession to such corrupt
sensualists, or of permitting such loathsome Priests to enter their sick cham-
ber, especially when they are recovering !

on refusing or denying marriage duty.

In omni peccato carnali circumstan- In every carnal sin let the circum-

tia conjugii sit exprimenda in con- vtance of marriage be expressed in

fessione. confession.

An aliquando interrogandi sunt con- Are the married to be at any time

cessarium vel utile praestitum infirmo.

Justa causa facere potest ut opus
aliquod, ex quo motus oriuntur, non
tantum licite inchoetur sed etiam
licite continuetur : et ita Confessarius
ex auditione confessionis eos percipi-
ens, non ideo ab auditione abstinere
debet, sed justam habet perseverandi
rationem, modo tamen ipsi motus illi
semper displiceant, nec inde oriatur
proximum periculum consensus.—
Dens, torn. 1, pp. 299, 300.

ioo

the confessional unmasked.

jugati in confessione circa negationem
debiti ?

R. Affirmative: presertim mulieres,
quae ex ignorantia vel prae pudore pec-
catum istud quandoque reticent: ve-
rum non abrupto, sed prudenter est
interrogatio instituenda: v. g. an cum
marito rixatae sint, quae hujusmodi
rixarum causa; num propter talem
occasionem maritis debitum negarint:
quod si deliquisse fateantur, caste in-
terrogari debent, an nihil secutum
fuerit continentiae conjugali contrari-
um, v. g. pollutio, &c.—Dens, v. 7,
p. 149.

Hinc uxor se accusans in confes-
sione quod negaverit debitum interro-
getur, an maritus ex pleno rigore juris

asked in confession about denying the
marriage duty ?

Answer. Yes: particularly the
WOMEN, who, through ignorance or
modesty, are sometimes silent on that
sin ; but the question is not to be put
abruptly, but to be framed prudently :
for instance, whether they have quar-
relled with their husbands—what was
the cause of these quarrels—whether
they did upon such occasion deny
their husbands the marriage duty ;
but if they acknowledge they have
transgressed, they ought to be asked
chastely whether anything followed
contrary to conjugal continence,
namely, pollution,* &c.—Dens, v.
7, p. 149.

Hence let the wife, accusing herself
in confession of having denied the
marriage duty, be asked whether the

* The following is a tolerably mi
author was sworn to celibacy from ear
Notatur, quod pollutio in mulieribus
quandoque possit perfici, ita ut semen
earum non effluat extra membrum
genitalej indicium istius allegat Bil -
luart, si scillicet sentiat seminis reso-
lutionem cum magno voluptatis sensu,
qua completa passio satiatur.—Dens,
torn. 4, p, 380.

ite description, considering that the
youth :—

It is remarked that women may be
sometimes guilty of imperfect pollu-
tion, even without 'a flow of their
semen to the outside of the genital
member (the passage) of which Bil-
luart alleges a proof :—If, for instance,
the woman feels a loosening of the
semen, with a great sense of pleasure,
which being completed, her passion is
satiated.—Dens, v. 4, p. 380.

ioo the confessional unmasked.



sui id petiverit: idque colligetur ex eo,
quod petiverit instanter, quod graviter
fuerit offensus, quod aversionis vel
alia mala sint secuta, de quibus etiam
se accusare debet, quia fuit eorum
causa: contra si confiteatur rixas vel
aversiones adversus maritum interro-
gari potest; an debitum negaverit ?—
Dens, torn. 7, p. 150.

husband demanded it with the full
rigour of his right; and that shall be
inferred from his having demanded it
instantly, from his having been grie-
vously offended, or from aversion or
any other evils having followed, of
which she ought also to accuse her-
self, because she was the cause of
them. On the other hand, if she
confess that there exist quarrels and
aversions between her and her hus-
band, she may be asked whether she
has denied the marriage duty.—Dens,
v. 7, p. 150.

In this manner the Confessor not only ferrets out the most secret acts of the
married, but also ascertains, whenever he chooses, what is the peculiar mettle
of the husband and disposition of the wife. Indeed, under direction of these
Priests, in case the husband is inclined to heresy, the wife is obliged to refuse

•-as long as the husband is contumacious. But if she has "longings," she

is solicited to go to the Priest. We have two cases in point before our mind
while we write.—See Western Daily Mercury, Aug. 31, 1866.

ON THE CARNAL SINS WHICH MAN AND WIFE COMMIT WITH ONE
ANOTHER.

Certum est, conjuges inter se pec-
care posse, etiam graviter contra vir-
tutem castitatis, sive continentiae,
ratione quarundam circumstantiarum :
in particulari autem definire, quae sunt
mortales, quae solum veniales, perob-
scilrum est, nec eadem omnium sen-
tentia ; ut vel ideo solicite persuaden-
dum sit conjugatis, ut recordentur se
esse filios Sanctorum, quos decet in
o

It is certain that man and wife
may sin grievously against the virtue
of chastity, or continence, with re-
gard to certain circumstances relating
to the use of their bodies; but tb
define particularly what are mortal,
what only venial, is a matter of very
great difficulty; nor are all writers of
one opinion on the subject; so that,
even on that account, the married

ioo

the confessional unmasked.

sanctitate conjugali filios procreare.
Quidam auctores circumstantias circa
actum conjugalem praecipue observan-
das, exprimunt his versibus :—

" Sit modus, et finis, sine damno,
solve, cohaere.

Sit locus et tempus, tactus, nec
spernito votum."
Ergo debet servari modus, sive situs,
qui dupliciter invertitur, imo. ut non
servetur debitum vas, sed copula ha-
beatur in vase praepostero, vel quo-
cumque alio non naturali: quod sem-
per mortale est spectans ad sodomiam
minorem, seu imperfectam, idque
tenendum contra quosdam laxistas,
sive copula ibi consummetur, sive
tantum incohetur consummanda in
vase naturali.

Modus sive situs invertitur, ut ser-
vetur debitum vas ad copulam a natura
ordinatum, v. g. si fiat accedendo a
praepostero, a latere, stando, sedendo,
vel si vir sit succubus. Modus is
mortalis est, si inde suboriatur pericu-
lum pollutions respectu alterius, sive
quando periculum est, ne semen per-

ought to recollect that they are the
children of the saints, and should
therefore beget children in conjugal
sanctity. The circumstances which
are chiefly to be observed in the con-
jugal act, some authors express in the
following words :—

[These investigations conducted by
priests with married men and women
are much too filthy for translation.
It is sufficient to say that we are told,
in another part of the same volume,
that the wicked wretch who invades
his father's bed, and commits incest
with his step-mother, is not so guilty
in the eyes of the Church as the man
who circulates the Bible. The latter
" is excommunicated with an excom-
munication reserved to the Supreme
Pontiff; whilst the offence of the
former does not constitute even a
reserved case. —" Incestus privigni
cum noverca non reservatur. (Vol.
6 p. 287.) Nothing is so " atrocious "
as Protestantism—neither incest nor
sodomy. What say our Judges and
Magistrates to this ?]

Manner or posture is inverted,
though the connection takes place in
the vessel appointed by nature for
that purpose ; for instance, if it be
done from behind, or when the parties
are on their sides, or standing, or
sitting, or when the husband lies
underneath. This method of doing

ioo the confessional unmasked.



datur, prout saepe accidit, dum actus
exercetur stando, sedendo, aut viro
succumbente; si absit et sufficienter
praecaveatur istud periculum, ex com-
muni sententia id non est mortale:
est autem veniale ex gravioribus, cum
sit inversio ordinis naturae ; estque
generatim modus ille sine causS tali-
ter coeundi graviter a Confessariis
reprehendendus : si tamen ob justam
rationem situm naturalem conjuges
immutent, secludaturque dictum peri-
culum, nullum est peccatum, ut dic-
tum est in numero 48.

Minuitur periculum perdendi se-
men, si verum sit,quod dicunt Sanchez,
Billuart, et Preinguez, scilicet quod in
matrice sit naturalis vis attractiva
seminis, ut in stomacho respectu cibi.

Debet finis esse legitimus; de quo
et quomodo ratione finis peccari pos-
sit, dictum est Num. 51 et sequenti-
bus.

it is a mortal sin, if there should there-
from arise to either party a. danger of
pollution, or of losing the seed, a
thing which often happens* when
the act is performed standing, or sit-
ting, or the husband lying under-
neath; but if that danger be suffi-
ciently guarded against, it is not, in
the common opinion of Divines, a
mortal sin; yet it is one of the
weightier sort of venial sins, since it
is an inversion of the order of nature ;
and in general, that method of thus
coming to coition must, when with-
out sufficient cause, be severely cen-
sured by the Confessors. If, however,
man and wife, for some just reason,
change the natural posture, and if the
aforesaid danger (of losing the seed)
be avoided, there will be no sin, as
has been said in number 48.

The danger of losing the seed is
lessened, if that be true, which is said
by Sanchez and others, to wit, that
the womb has a natural power of
attraction with respect to the seed, as
the stomach has with respect to meat.

The " end" ought to be legi-
timate ; concerning which, and
in what manner the parties may
commit sin with regard to the end,

* Often happens ! How do these purient " Divines " know ?

ioo

the confessional unmasked.

we have treated in No. 51, and those
following it.

The words "without loss" import
that care must be taken that no in-
jury be done to an offspring already
conceived, or about to be conceived,
or to the parties themselves meeting
in the act of coition, concerning
which we have treated in No. 47.

The word "pay" imports the ne-
cessity of paying the debt when legi-
timately asked, concerning which we
have treated in No. 46, and those fol-
lowing it.

By the word "cohere'.' is under-
stood the necessity of coherence (or
sticking close) till the act of copula-
tion is perfected, or until the parties
spend completely; so that it is of it-
self a mortal sin abruptly to break off >
when copulation has been once be-
gun.— Dens, vol. 7, p. 166-7.

Our bachelor Saint now expatiates upon various delicate matters.

If it (copulation) takes place in an
improper manner ; as, for example,—
1 st, if the natural vessel be not kept,
which many teach to be real sodomy ;

Per particulam " sine damno " im-
portatur cavendum esse damnum turn
prolis conceptae et concipiendae, turn
ipsorum congredientium, de quibus

egimus Num. 47.

Verbum " solve " importat obliga-
tionem solvendi sive reddendi debitum
legitime petitum, de qua obligatione
diximus Num. 46 et sequentibus.

Per verbum "cohaere " intelligitur
cohaerentia usque ad perfectam copu-
lam, seu seminationem perfectam, ita
ut per se mortale sit, inchoatam, copu-
lam abrumpere.—Dens, torn. 7, pp.

166-7.

VI. Si fiat modo indebito, verbi
gratia—1. Si nonservetur vas naturale :
quod multi docent esse veram sodo-
miam, alii esse grave peccatum contra
naturam. Vide 6 praeceptum.—2.
Si sine justa causa situs sit innatura-
lis, praeposterus, etc. quod aliqui dicunt
esse mortale, alii, secluso periculo effu-
sionis seminis, veniale tantum, etsi
grave, et graviter increpandum, Dian.
pte. 3, t. 4, res. 204. 3- Si alter con-

others that it is a real sin against na-
ture. See 6th com. 2ndly, if with-
out just cause the position be un-
natural, from behind, &c., which some
maintain to be mortal sin; others,
danger of spilling seed being avoided,
that it is only a venial sin, although

ioo the confessional unmasked.



jugum ex morositate, vel alia ratione
seminationem cohibeat quod quidam
generatim dicunt esse mortale, quia
finis actus conjugalis, scilicet genera-
tio, impediturj quidam tamen, ut
Praepositi et Sanchez dicunt in femina
nullum esse. Vid. Bonac. p. 6, n. 15
et p. 1 .—Lig. t. 6, n. 915.

Quaeritur I. An peccet mortaliter
vir inchoando copulam in vase prae-
postero, ut postea in vase debito, earn
consummet. Negant Navarr. 1. 5.
Consil, de Poenit. cons. 7, ac Angel,
Zerola, Graff. Zenard et Gambac.
apud Dian, p. 2, tract 17, r. 37, modo
absit periculum pollutionis; quia alias,
ut aiunt, omnes tactus etiam venerei
non sunt graviter illiciti inter conju-
gates. Sed comm. et verius affirmant
Sanchez, 1. 1, d. 17, num. 5, Pont
lib. 10, c. 11. n. 5, Pal. p 4 § a. n. 6.
Bonac. p. 11, n. 12. Spor. n. 497.
Ratio, quia ipse hujosmodi coitus (etsi
absque seminatione) est vera sodomia,
quamvis non consummata, sicut ipsa
copula in vase naturali mulieris alienae
est vera fornicatio, licet non adsit
seminatio. An autem sit mortale viro
perfricare virilia circa vas proepos-
terum uxoris ? Negant Sanchez num.
$, et Boss. n. 175, cum Fill, et Perez,
quia tangere os vasis praeposteri non
est ordinatum ad copulam sodomiti-

grievous and severely to be repre-
hended. Dian, &c. 3. If one of the
married parties, either from sulkiness
or other reason, refrain from spend-
ing, which some generally maintain to
be mortal sin, because the end of the
conjugal act, viz., generation, is im-
peded some, however, with Sanchez,
say it is no sin in the female.—Lig.
vol. 6, n. 915.

It is asked, 1st, does a man sin
mortally by commencing the act of
copulation in the hinder vessel, that
he may afterwards finish it in the
proper vessel ? This is denied by
Navarr., &c., provided there be no
danger of pollution; because other-
wise, as they say, all touches, even
venereal, are not grievously illicit
among married persons. But it is
commonly and more truly affirmed
by Sanchez, &c. The reason is, be-
cause the very act of copulation after
this manner (even without spending)
is real sodomy, although not consum-
mated, just as copulation itself in the
natural vessel of a strange woman is
real fornication, though there may be
no spending.—Lig, vol 6, n. 916.

[This loathsome nastiness we leave
in Latin for the special edification of
those learned and virtuous personages,
who do not believe that such filthy
talk can take place, and who, in ig-

102

the confessional unmasked.

cam. Sed verius pnriter affirmant
Pontius loco citato, Pal. n. 6. Atque
Tambur, n. 32. (qui testatur ex ali-
quibus codicibus sententiam Tbomae
Sanch. esse deletam; imo Moyas
asserit ipsum Sanchez se retractasse
in editione Antuerpiensi anno 1614.)
Ratio est, qui saltern talis tactus non
potest moraliter fieri sine affectu sodo-
mitico. Lig. torn. 6, n. 916.

Quaerit. II. An et quomodo pec-
cent conjuges coeundo situ innaturali.
Situs naturalis est, ut mulier sit suc-
cuba, et vir incubus ; hie enim modus
aptior est effusioni seminis virilis, et
receptioni in vas femineum ad prolem
procreandam. Situs autem innaturalis
est, si coitus aliter fiat, nempe sedendo,
stando, de latere, vel praepostere more
pecudum, vel si vir sit succubus, et
mulier incuba. Coitum hunc, praeter
situm naturalem, alii apud Sanchez,
1. 9, d. 16, num. 2 generice damnant
de mortali; alii vero dicunt esse mor-
tale ultimos duos modos, dicentes ab
his ipsam naturam abhorrere. Sed
communiter dicunt alii omnes istos
modos non excedere culpam veni-
alem. Ratio, quia ex un& parte, licet
adsit aliqua inordinatio, ipsa tamen
non est tanta, ut pertingat ad mortale,
cum solum versetur circa accidentalia
copulae; ex alii parte, mutatio situs

norance, we trust, persecute us for
endeavouring to warn Society against
the baneful influence of such lewd
conversation between lustful priests,
and the wives and daughters of honest
men. Lord Chief Justice Cockburn
declared in the open court he did not
believe in such things. A strange
foregone conclusion for an English
judge. " I don't believe the accused
did the deed," rather suits the courts
of Spain or Portugal.]

[This also we leave in the Latin of
" Holy Church." It is a repetition of
the same nasty talk between the priest
and the first Lady in the land, whose
husband or parents will allow a young
wifeless confessor such access to her.
In England, these things are talked of
in ladies' chambers, and if the hus-
band know the priest is there, by his
shoes being left against the door, it is
presumed bad manners for him to in-
trude. Once let Roman Catholics
submit to .this indignity, and they are
completely at the mercy of their priest
ever afterwards.]

Note.—In the early editions of
The Confessional Unmasked, notably in
that first mentioned at p. 19 ante, the

ioo the confessional unmasked.

generationem non impedit, cum semen
viri non recipiatur in matricem muli-
eris per infusionem, seu descensum,
sed per attractionem, dum matrix ex
se naturaliter virile semen attrahit.
Ita. S. Anton, 3 p, tit 2, c. 2. § 3. in
fine, cum Alb. M. Nav. c. 16, n. 42.
Pont. 1. 10, c.i 1, num. 1. Petrocor,
t. 4, p, 445, v. Tertius casus, Salam. c.
15. n. 73. Boss. c. 7, n. 68. Hoi. n.
458. Sporer, n. 493. Rone. p. 184,
<3. 4» —Lig. t. 6, n. 9x7.

foregoing passages are fully translated.
I have thought it more interesting to
reproduce instead the editorial re-
marks which occur in the later issues.

TOUCHES, LOOKS, AND FILTHY WORDS.

We now give a few extracts on the above subjects, which the ingenuity of
very fiends could not surpass. Yet it is for this nasty teaching that Maynooth
College receives a Parliamentary Grant of £30,000 a year. We hope the days
of that iniquitous grant are numbered.

Quaeres an, et quando liceant tac-
tus, aspectus, et verba turpia inter
conjuges.

R. Tales actus per se iis licent:
quia cui licitus est finis, etiam licent
media; et cui licet consummatio,
etiam licet inchoatio. Unde licite
talibus naturam excitant ad copulam.
Quod si vero separatim, et sine ordine
ad copulam, v. g. voluptatis causa
tantum fiant j sunt venialia peccata,
eo quod ratione status, quia illos actus
cohonestat, habeant jus ad illos : nisi
tamen, ut saepe contingit, sint con-

You will ask, whether, and at
what times, touches, looks, and lewd
words are permitted among married
persons.

Ans. Such acts are in themselves
lawful to them, because, to whom the
end is lawful, the means are also law-
ful ; and to whom the consummation
is lawful, so also is the beginning:
consequently, they lawfully excite
nature to copulation by such acts.
But, if these acts are performed sepa-
rately and without order to copula-
tion, as, for example, for the purpose
of pleasure alone, they are venial sins,

170

the confessional unmasked.

juncti cum periculo pollutionis; aut
conjuges habeant votum castitatis,
tunc enim sunt mortalia, ut dictum
supra 1, 3. t. 4. c. 2. d, 4. Dian. p. 3.
t. 4. r. 204, et 216.—Lig. t. 6, n. 932.

because, in respect of the state which
renders those acts honourable, they
have a right to them; unless, however,
as often happens, they are joined with
danger of pollution, or the married
parties have a vow of chastity, for in
that case they are mortal sins, as has
been said above.—Lig. vol. 6, n. 932.

Unde Resolves.

I.—Conjux venialiter tantum pec-
cat—1. Tangendo seipsum ex volup-
tate, et tactum non ita expresse refer-
endo ad copulam, ut contra Vasquez
et alios probabiliter docet Sanch. 1. 9.
d. 44. 2. Oblectando se venerea sine
periculo pollutionis de actu conjugali
cogitato, dum abest compars, vel
actus exerceri non potest. Fill. Lay-
mann. Tann. Maider cum Dian. p. 3.
t. 4. res. 224. contra Nav. Azor. etc.

II.—1. Peccat graviter vidua, quae
se venered oblectat de copula olim
habita; quia est illi illicita per statum.
2. Bigamus, qui in actu conjugali,
cum secundo exercito, repraesentat
sibi priorem, et de ea carnaliter delec-
tatur, quia est permixtio cum aliena,
Laym. 1. 1. t. 9. n. 3.

Quaerit II. quid, si conjuges ex his

Whence it will le resolved.

I.—A husband commits only venial
sin—1st. By touching himself from
pleasure, and by not referring the
touch so expressly to copulation, as
Sanchez more probably teaches, in'op-
position to Vasquez and others.
2ndly, In pleasing himself venereally
without danger of pollution, in think-
ing of the conjugal act, whilst the
partner is absent, or the act itself can-
not be exercised.

II.—1st. A widow sins grievously
when she derives venereal pleasure
from amorous reminiscences, because
such is unlawful to her, in conse-
quence of her state. 2ndly. Also a
person married a second time, who,
during the conjugal act, had with the
second wife, represents to himself the
first, and derives carnal pleasure there-
by, because it is permixture with
another woman.

It is asked—II., If married persons,

171 the confessional unmasked.

turpibus actibus praevideant pollutio-
nem secuturam in se vel in altero.
Plures adsunt sententiae. Prima sen-
tentia, quam tenent Sanch. lib. 9. d.
45. ex n. 34. Fill, tract. 3. c. 9. n.
356. Viva q. 7. art. 4. n 4. Escob.
1. 26. n. 207. Elb. n. 393. cum He-
rinex, et Spor. n. 500. id excusat ab
omni culpa etiam in petente, si pollu-
tio non intendatur, nec adsit periculum
consensus in earn, et modo tactus non
sit adeo turpis, ut judicetur inchoata
pollutio (prout esset digitum morose
admovere intra vas femineum); ac
praeterea adsit aliqua gravis causa
talem tactum adhibendi, nempe ad se
praeparandum ad copulam, vel ad
fovendum mutuum amorem. Ratio,
quia tunc justa ilia causa tales actus
cohonestat, qui alioquin non sunt
illicit! inter conjugesj et si pollutio
obvenit, hoc erit per accidens. Dici-
tur si adsit gravis causa ; nam, si non
adsit, praedicti actus non excusantur
a mortali. Secunda sententia, quam
tenent Pal. p. 4. § a. n. a. Boss. cap.
7. n. a 13. et Salm. cap. 15. num. 86.
cum Soto, Caject. Dec. Hurt. Aversa,
et communi ut asseru nt, distinguit et
dicit esse mortalia tactus impudicos,
si praevideatur pollutio ex eis proven-
tura; quia, cum hi proxime influant
ad pollutionem, et non sint per se
instituti ad fovendum affectum con-
jugalem, censentur voluntarii in causa :

from these filthy acts, foresee pollution
about to follow, either in themselves
or their companion ? There exist
many opinions. The Jirst opinion,
which is maintained by Sanchez, ex-
empts that from all sin, even in the
person demanding, if pollution be not
intended, and there be no danger of
consenting to it, and provided the
touches be not so lewd that they ought
to be considered as begun pollution
(such as would be to move the fin-
ger morosely within the female vessel);
and besides there might be some grave
cause of applying such touches, viz.,
for the purpose of preparing one's self
for copulation, or for promoting mu-
tual love. The reason is, because in
that case the just cause renders such
acts honourable, which are not other-
wise unlawful among married persons,
and if pollution ensues, this will be
by accident. It is said, if there Le
grave cause for it; if there be not, the
fore-mentioned acts are not excused
from mortal sin. The second opinion,
maintained by Pal. &c., distinguishes
and affirms, that unchaste toyings are
a mortal sin, if pollution is foreseen
to proceed from them, because since
these proximately lead to pollution,
and are not of themselves instituted
to promote conjugal affection, they
are considered voluntary in effect;
otherwise if they are chaste, such as

P

ioo

the confessional unmasked.

secus, si sint pudici, ut oscula et am-
plexus, quia actus isti per se inter
conjuges sunt liciti, cum per se apti
sint ad fovendum conjugalem amorem.
Tertia sententia, quam tenet Diana,
p. 6, tr. 7. r. 65. cum Praepos. et
Vill. dicit tactus tam impudicos quam
pudicos esse mortalia, si praevideatur
periculum pollutionis. Ratio, quia
ideo tactus licent inter conjuges, in
quantum quaeruntur intra limites ma-
trimonii, in quantum nihil sequitur
repuguans fini et institutioni seminis :
cum autem praevidetur seminis dis-
persio, licet non intendatur, quales-
cumque tactus sunt illicit!.

An autem sit semper mortale, si
vir immittat pudenda in os uxoris ?

Negant Sanch. lib. 9. 17- 5- et
Boss. cap. 7. n. 175. et 193. cum
Fill, ac Perez, modo absit periculum
pollutionis. Sed verius affirmant
Spor. de Matrim. n. 498. Tamb. lib.
7- c. 3. § 5. n. 33. et Diana p. 6. tract
7. r. 7. cum Fagund. turn quia in hoc
actu ob calorem oris adest proximum
periculum pollutionis, turn quia hsc
per se videtur nova species luxuriae
contra naturam (dicta ab aliquibus
irrumatio) : semper enim ac quaeritur
a viro aliud vas, praeter vas naturale
ad copulam institutum, videtur nova

kisses and embraces, because such
acts are of themselves lawful among
married parties, since they are natur-
ally calculated to cherish conjugal
love. The third opinion, maintained
by Dian. &c., affirms that touches,
both the unchaste and the chaste, are
mortal sin, if danger of pollution be
foreseen. The reason is, because
touches are therefore lawful among
married people, in so far as they are
sought within the limits of matri-
mony, or in so far as nothing follows
repugnant to the end and the institu-
tion of seed ; but when the dispersion
of seed is foreseen, although not in-
tended, touches of whatsoever nature
are unlawful.

But is it always a mortal sin, if the
husband introduces his — into the
mouth of his wife ?

It is denied by Sanchez and others,
provided there be no danger of pollu-
tion. But it is more truly affirmed by
Spor. de Matrim. and others, both be-
cause in this case, owing to the
heat of the mouth, there is proxi-
mate danger of pollution, and be-
cause this appears of itself a new
species of luxury, repugnant to na-
ture (called by some, Irrumation),
for as often as another vessel than the
natural vessel ordained for copulation,
is sought by the man, it seems a new
species of luxury. However, Spor.

ioo the confessional unmasked.



species luxuriae. Excipit tamen
Sporer 1. c. cum. Fill, et Marchant.
si id obiter fiat; et hoc revera sentire
videtur etiam Sanch. dum excusat
actum ilium a mortali, si cesset omne
periculum pollutionis. Excipit etiam
Pal. p. 4. § 2. num. 6. si vir hoc
faceret, ut se excitet ad copulam na-
turalem. Sed ex praedictis neutrum
admittendum puto. Eodem autem
modo Sanchez loc. cit. n. 32 in fin.
damnat virum de mortal i, qui in actu
copulae immiteret digitum in vas prae-
posterum uxoris, quia (ut ait) in hoc
actu adest affectus ad sodomiam.
Ego autem censeo posse quidem re-
periri talem effectum in actu ; sed per
per se loquendo hunc effectum non
agnosco in tali actu insitum. Ceter-
um, graviter semper increpandos dico
conjuges hujusmodi foedum actum ex-
ercentes.—Lig. torn. 6. n. 935.

Quaer. IV. An sit mortalis delecta-
tio morosa in conjuge de copula habita
vel habenda, quae tamen non possit
haberi de praesenti. Adsunt tres sen-
tentiae. Prima sententia affirmat j et
hanc tenent Pont. lib. 10, c. 16, n. 21,
Wigandt. tr. 4, n. 59, Sylv. ac Vega,
Rodriq. et Die. apud Salm. c. 15, n.
88. qui probabilem vocant. Ratio,
quia talis delectatio est quasi inchoata
pollutio, quae, cum eo tempore non

and others make an exception, if that
be done casually; and in truth, San-
chez seems to be of this opinion,
whilst he excuses that act from mortal
sin, should all danger of pollution
cease. Pal., also, makes an excep-
tion, "if the husband does this to
excite himself for natural copulation."
But, from what has been said before,
I think neither ought to be admitted.
In the same manner, Sanchez con-
demns a man of mortal sin, who, in
the act of copulation, introduces his
finger into the hinder vessel of the
wife, because (he says) in this act
there is a disposition to sodomy.
But I am of opinion that such effect
may be found in the act j but, speak-
ing of itself, I do not acknow-
ledge this effect natural in the act.
But I say that husbands practising a
foul act of this nature, ought always
to be severely rebuked.—Lig. vol. 6,

935-

It is asked, Does morose gratifica-
tion in a married party, respecting
copulation had or to be had which yet
cannot be had for the present, amount
to mortal sin ?—There are three
opinions. The first opinion affirms
itj and this is maintained by Pont.
&c., who call it probable mortal sin.
The reason is, because such gratifica-
tion is, as it were, begun pollution,
for since it cannot be had at that

174

the confessional unmasked.

possit haberi modo debito, omnino fit
illicita. Secunda vero sententia com-
munior negat; eamque tenent Pont,
p. 4, q. 8, n. 12. Spor. n. 505. Croix
n. 337, cum Suar, et Sanchez, 1. 9, d.
44. n. 3, cum S. Anton. Palud Cajet,
Viguer. et communi, ut asserit, utque
fatetur etiam Pontius, item Conick.,
&c., qui etiam probabilem putant.
Haec sententia dicit talem delectatio-
nem non esse mortalem, si absit peri-
culum pollutionis, sed tantum venia-
lem. Est venialis, quia ipsa caret
debito fine, cum non possit ordinari
ad copulam praesentem. Non est
autem mortalis, quia delectatio sumit
suam bonitatem vel malitiam ab ob-
jectoj et cum copula sit licita con-
jugatis, non potest esse eis graviter
illicita illius delectatio. Et huic ex-
presse favet id quod ait D. Thom. de
Malo, q. 15, art. 2, ad. 17, ubi ? Sicut
carnal is commixtio non est peccatum
mortale Conjugato, non potest esse
gravius peccatum consensus in delec-
tationem, quam consenus in actum.
Idque admittit Spor. etiamsi habeatur
delectatio venerea orta ex commotione
spirituum. Tertia demum sententia,
quam tenent Salm. d. c. 15, n. 90,
distinguit et dicit, quod, si delectatio
sit absque commotione spirituum non
erit mortalis j secus, si cum commo-
tione et titillatione partium. Ego
meum judicium proferam. Si delec-

time in a lawful manner, it is alto-
gether illicit. But the second opinion,
more common, denies this; and this
opinion is maintained by Pont, &c.
This opinion says that such gratifica-
tion is not a mortal sin, if there be no
danger of pollution, but it is only a
venial sin. It is venial, because it
wants the due end, since it cannot be
ordained for present copulation. But
it is not mortal sin, since gratification
derives its good or bad qualities from
the object; and since copulation is
lawful for married persons, its gratifi-
cation cannot be grievously unlawful
to them. And this is expressly fa-
voured by what St. Thomas says,—
" As carnal intercourse is not a mortal
sin to a married person, the consent
to gratification cannot be a greater sin
than the consent to the act." And
this is admitted by Spor. although the
venereal gratification arising from the
moving of the passions be bad.
Lastly, the third opinion, maintained
by Salm. distinguishes and says, that
if the gratification be without moving
of the passions, it will not be mortal
—otherwise, if accompanied by the
moving and titillation of the parts.
I will proffer my own opinion : If the
gratification be had not only with the
moving of the passions, but also with
titillation, or venereal pleasure, I am
of opinion that that cannot be excused

175 the confessional unmasked.



tatio habeatur non solum cum com-
motione spirituum, sed etiam cum
titillatione seu voluptate venerea,
sentio cum Cone. p. 408, n. 10,
(contra Sporer ut supra) earn non
posse excusari a mortali, quia talis
delectatio est proxime conjuncta cum
periculo pollutionis. Secus vero puto
dicendum, si absit ilia voluptuosa
titillatio, quia tunc non est delecta-
tioni proxime adnexum periculum pol-
lutionis, etiamsi adsit commotio spiri-
tuum j et sic reverb sentit Sanchez, 1.
c. n. 4, cum Vasque, cum ibi non
excuset delectationem cum voluptate
venerei, sed tantum, ut ait, cum com-
motione et alteratione partium absque
pollutionis periculo. At quia talis
commotio propinqua est illi titillationi
voluptuosae, ideo maxime hortandi
sunt conjuges, ut abstineant ab hujus-
modi delectatione moros&. Item ad-
vertendum earn esse omnio illicitam
in conjuge, qui esset obstrictus voto
castitatis, ut dicunt communiter San-
chez, d. d. 44, n. 26, et Boss. c. 7, n.
201, cum Vasq. Fill, el aliis.—Lig.
t. 6, n. 937.

from mortal sin, because such gratifi-
cation is proximately allied to danger
of pollution. I think that the contrary
should be said, if it be not attended
with that voluptuous titillation, because
then danger of pollution is not proxi-
mately annexed to the gratification,
although it may be attended with the
moving of the passions} and so, in
truth, think Sanchez, &c., since there
he does not excuse the gratification
with venereal pleasure, but only, as
he says, with the excitement and
moving of the parts without danger
of pollution. But since such moving
is nearly allied to that voluptuous
titillation, therefore married couples
are to be especially exhorted to abstain
from morose gratification of this na-
ture. It is also to be observed that this
is altogether illicit in a husband, who
is bound by a vow of chastity, as is
commonly said by Sanchez and others.
—Lig, v. 6, n. 937.

12

Petrus Dens was born at Boom near Antwerp, September
1690, and died 15 February, 1775, at Mechlin, in the
cathedral and college of which city he held office. His life
appears to have been chaste, laborious, and uneventful.*

* Cfjtolojjiae Curtfu* Complttua, vol. 7, p. 1582.

no

notice op petrus dens.

Although generally left unnoticed by both biographers and
bibliographers, his works, concerning which there has been
much controversy, are authoritative, and have been used as
the ground work for the text books of Maynooth College.
The most complete edition is: Cfreoloffta iHoralfe et 2B0JJ*
mat(ca Reverendi et Eruditissimi Domini Petri Dens, &c.
Editio Nova, et Absolutissima, &c. Dublini: Ex Typ.
Richardi Coyne, &c. mdcccxxxii. i2mo. (counts 6),
8 vols. There is also an edition of Mechlin, 1828, 7 vols.

Alphonsus Maria di Liguori was born at Naples, Sep-
tember 26, 1696, and died at Nocera-de'-Pagani, August 1,
1787. Educated for the bar, he practised that calling for
some time at Naples, but quitted it for the church, and
was ordained August 31, 1722. He founded a society of
missionaries, and became a bishop. In 1816 he was canon-
ized. His life was one of great purity.* His numerous
works will be found noticed by the leading biographers.-f-
In his ittamtel ties Cmtfesteieurg, Mgr Gaume has embodied
Liguori's Pratique des Confesseurs, and added a brief but
eulogistic sketch of his career. On the other hand, M. Fred.
Busch, basing his observations upon the Compendium theo-
logice moralisy &c. ex B. Liguorio excerpsit J. P. Moullet,

* Stograpljtt dntberatlle, (Michaud), vol. 24, p. 533.
t Ha ^Trance HtUrratre, vol. 5, p. 308 j iHamultiu lUbratrt, vol. 3, col. 1078.

notice op a. m. di liguori.

ill

&c. Friburgi 1834, has, in his JBefOUbertfS tTtm
Ifopfoflt, pointed out many of the immoral and obscene
points in Liguori's teaching. M. Busch submits to the
judgment of his readers: "si des livres importes de letranger
et renfermant une confusion perpetuelle de toutes les notions
du bien et du mal, du juste et de l'injuste, enseignant des
principles subversifs, inf&mes, peuvent s'appeler des Trails
de morale; si des livres, encore plus coupables que ceux
que nos anciens parlements faisaient brftler par la main du
bourreau, doivent continuer k corrompre l'elite de notre
jeunesse, et si les hommes qui cherchent k les propager ou
k les soutenir, m6ritent le nom de chr6tiens."

I cannot conclude this notice with more appropriate words
than the following of M. Libri :* " A quoi bon tous ces cas,
toutes ces distinctions subtiles, sinon k former des demi-hon-
netes gens ? Sont-ils done si rares aujourd'hui ? Pourquoi
examiner si curieusement les exc&s de la depravation ? Croit-
on que les jeunes gens auxquels on enseigne ces choses seront
tous k l'abri de la tentation, et ne sait-on pas que pour certaines
matures la meilleure mani&re d'€viter, e'est d'ignorer ?"

* lettreff *ur U CUrflt, p. 10a.

gff iHa0ttr--&tp to Poperp, Containing

I. A Discovery of the most Secret Practices
of the Secular, and Regular Romish Priests in
their Auricular Confession.

II. A true Copy of the Pope's yearly Bull of Indi-
gencies and Pardon of Sins, to all those that serve in the
War against the Enemies of the Romish Religion. The
Explanation of the Bull, with some Remarks upon it.

III. An Account of their Masses, privileg'd Altars,
Transubstantiation, and Purgatory, and of the Means,
the Priests make use of, to delude the People.

IV. Of Inquisitors, and their Practices in several Instances.

V. Of their Prayers, Adoration of Images, and Relicks.
Written by D. Antonio Gavin, born and educated in
Spain, some Years secular Priest in the Church of
Rome, and since 1715, Minister of the Church of
England. Dublin: Printed by George Grierson, at
the Two Bibles, in Essex-Street. 1724.

8vo. (counts 4); pp. xxiii of title, dedication and preface,
vii names of subscribers, and 366. This is the original
edition, not generally mentioned by the bibliographers.

ii4 a master-key to popery.

The work was reissued in 3 vols, i2mo.: The Second
Edition, carefully corrected from the Errors of the First, with
large Additions. London: Printed for J. Stephens, &c.:
vol. 1. 1725, In Five Parts, title and contents virtually
the same as the first edition which heads this notice, pp.
xii of Preface, 259, with 4 unnumbered of Proposals For
printing by Subscription, and Dedication to the Princess oj
Wales; vol. 2. 1726, In Two Parts, contains: I. The
Lives and Transactions of several Bishops of Rome, their
Doctrine and Authority. II. The Lives and abominable In-
trigues of several Priests and Fryers of the Church of Rome.
pp. 8 unnumbered of Dedication to Lord Carteret, and To
the Reader, 4 of Summary of the Bishops of Rome contained
in this Treatise, and 297, with a list of books sold by
J. Stephens, and errata; Vol. 3, mdccxxvi, contains: I.
The Damages which the Mass causeth, &c. II. A Cata-
logue of Miracles wrought by the Consecrated Wafer. III.
The Miracles of many living Persons. IV. The Revelations
of three Nuns. V. The Life of the good Primate, and Metro-
politan of Aragon, &c. omitted in the Second Volume, pp.
viii of title, Dedication to the Archbishop of Armagh, and To
the Readier, and 244.

The Dublin edition, or the first volume only of the
London edition, has been published in an abridged form
n America.*

* Together with another work as follows: Cfje ^Hi>tftmr«l of $opm>
a

ii4

a master-key to popery.

The work has been translated into French by Fr.-Mich.
JAN190N as: ^astee-partout lie I'eQli&t romatne, ou histoire
des tromperies des pretres et des moines en Espagne, traduit
de Fanglais. Londres, 1726. in-12, 3 vols.-j- From the
French it has been rendered into Dutch : ^tStortt ban lie

asrtiriegerpnt tor ^riesrtera, m itttomtifeeit m &>panj?n.

Door Antony Gavin, Voorheenen Wereltlyke Priester van de
Roomsche Kerk te Saragosse, en izedert het Jaar 1715. Pre-
dihant van de Engelsche Kerk. Uyt het Frans vertaalt door

JEnbctlrtl, in the Unparalleled Sufferings of John Coustos, at the Inquisition
of Lisbon. To which is added, The Origin of the Inquisition, and its Establish-
ment in Various Countries; and the flJaSter &t£ to Soperp. By Anthony
Gavin. One of the Roman Catholic Priests oj Saragossa. The whole con-
cluded with a Chronological Sketch of the Lives of the Popes. Hartford:
Printed for the Publisher. W. S. Marsh .... Printer. 1820. i2mo.
(counts 6)} pp. 300 in all; 5 engravings to illustrate the sufferings of Coustos,
representing his arrest, and the tortures he underwent in the inquisition.
The narrative of Coustos gives a harrowing, and apparently a truthful picture
of the cruelties of the inquisition, but possesses no special feature of interest
which might warrant its being more fully noticed in the present work. The
original edition is of London, 1746, 8vo., with portrait. See Lowndes's
JStbliograpfjtr'a ^flanual, and Allibone's Crit. Stc. y

f. Sic. Uca tttbrea contoammtiJ au ftu, vol. 2, p. 219 j fcadfranre Eitaratre,
vol. 4, 204. Brunet gives 1728, the date probably of one of the vols., the 3
vols, not being all issued in the same year, see ifianutl tm Htbratre, vol. 2,
col. 1510. Querard has erroneously confounded the work of Gavin with that
of Emiliane, see fca Jfrance ittttraiie, vol. 3, P- *94> and fHatuul Uu Etbraire,
vol. 2, col. 968.

a msster-key to popery.

"5

J. Schoolhouder. Te Amsterdam. By Abraham Strander,
Boekverkoper in de Beurstraat. 1732.* Small 8vo.; 3 vols;
title pages in red and black, with fleurons, but all three
different; pp. vol. 1, 30 unnumbered and 418, vol. 2, 24
unnumbered and 454, vol. 3, 16 unnumbered and 454, in
all; 23 (?) well executed engravings, 4 each in the first
and second, and 3 (?) in the third volume.

The Master-Key to Popery is in every respect a remark-
able work, and thoroughly entertaining to one not specially
interested in the subject. It is full of anecdotes and curious
information concerning the church of Rome, for the most
part from personal knowledge, and is on this account the
more valuable. Many details are given about the Inquisi-
tion, and a few trials are narrated. The prisons of that
institution at Aragon were, in 1706, thrown open by De
Legal during the occupation of the country by the French,
under the Duke of Orleans,^ when " the Wickednesses of

* The dates of the respective vols, in the set before me (the only one I
have seen) are: vol. 1, 173a, vol. a, 1734, vol. 3, 1728 j but they must belong
to different edits., and the first vol. at least was no doubt originally issued in
1726, the translator's dedication in that vol. being dated Sept. 30, 1726, and
that in the second vol., May 28, 1727.

f See note of Prosper Marchand in his Stc. fetetoriqiu, vol. a, p. 279,
cit. 48.

ii4 A MASTER-KEY TO POPERY.

the Inquisitors were detected, for four hundred Prisoners got
Liberty that Day, and among them sixty young Women
were found very well drest, who were in all human Appear-
ance, the number of the three Inquisitors Seraglio, as some
of them did own afterwards." One of these women passed
into France with the officer who had taken charge of her,
and Gavin, meeting her afterwards at Rotchfort, learned from
her lips the tale of her seduction by one of the inquisitors,
and the account of the internal arrangements of the estab-
lishment. The narrative is a remarkable one, but too lengthy
to be given here. The seraglio of the holy fathers varied in
numbers, from fifty to seventy girls. "We lose every Year
six or eight, but we do not know where they are sent; but
at the same Time we get new ones. All our continual Torment
is to think, and with great Reason, that when the holy
Fathers are tir'd of one, they put her to Death; for they
never will run the Hazard of being discover'd in these
Misdemeanours, by sending out of the House any of our
Companions." (Vol. i, p. 204). After reading such facts,
the orgies and cruelties in consecrated places introduced into
his fictions by the Marquis de Sade appear no' longer in-
credible.

In accordance with my system I will add a few extracts.
In the first the evil consequences of the Confessional, against
which Gavin does not cease to inveigh, are exemplified :

ii4 a master-key to popery.



To the Discovery of the mortal Sins the Father Confessor doth very much
help the Penitent; for he sometimes out of pure Zeal, but most commonly
out of Curiosity, asks'em many Questions to know whether they do remember
all their Sins, or not ? By these and the like Questions, the Confessors do
more mischief than good, especially to the ignorant People and Young
Women j for perhaps they do not know what simple Fornication is ? What
Voluntary or Involuntary Pollution ? What impure Desire ? What Sinful
Motion of our Hearts ? What Relapse, Reincidence, or Reiteration of Sins ?
and the like; and then by the Confessor's indiscreet Questions, the Penitents
do learn things of which they never had dreamed before j and when they come
to that Tribunal with a sincere ignorant Heart, to receive Advice and Instruc-
tion, they go home with Light, Knowledge, and an Idea of Sins unknown to
them before.......

I saw in the City of Lisbon in Portugal a Girl of ten Years of Age coming
from Church, ask her Mother what devouring was ? For the Father Con-
fessor had ask'd her whether she was defloured or not ? And the Mother
more discreet than the Confessor, told the Girl, that the meaning was,
whether she took Delight in smelling Flowers or not ? and so she stopped the
Child' s Curiosity. (Vol. i, p. 5)-

Here is a remarkable picture of the state of morality in a
Spanish town, produced chiefly by the dissolute conduct and
teaching of its minister :

The Magistrates of the Town came to desire me to go and preach on the
15th of August, which was the Virgin s Assumption Day, and it was the
principal Festival of that Town : There was but the Parish-Priest in it, the
People were glad to have a Stranger to confess their Sins to, being ashamed
to discover them to their Parish-Priest so I had that Morning Business
enough for four Hours in the Confessionary j but it was a surprizing Thing
to me, to observe that almost all the Women came to me, and the Men to
the Vicar of the Parish j if I say that I did confess 60 Women, I shall not lie,
tho' I do not remember positively the certain Number. This I remember,

ii4

a master-key to popery.

that among them very few were free from the Sin with their Priest: He was
a dull, dark -temper'd Man, and so strong and lusty, that he used to beat his
Parishioners sadly, especially those whose Wives he had a Fancy for.

Some Women that were not married, and their Familiarity with the Vicar
came to light, confessed that by his Help, it was destroyed before-hand with a
certain Herb that he gave them, whose Name I could not learn. His own
Niece .was one of the Number, and tho' she lived with him as his House-
keeper, she could not hinder him from other Diversions, and was obliged to
call those whom he had a Fancy for. To colour his wicked Deeds, he used
to preach some Sundays against the Ignorance of his Parishioners, especially
concerning the Catechism, and shewing a great Zeal for the Good of their
Souls, he used to send in the Afternoon for some of his Parishioners to teach
them the Catechism, that is, to some of the youngest Women, that were more
ignorant than the old Ones.

I remember one Case that a young Woman did confess, viz. That the
Vicar having sent for her to his own House to chatechise her, and having
declared to her his Design, she refused the Accomplishment of it; and that he
flying in a Passion, went and open'd a Silver Cup, took out of it a white
Wafer, and told her, By this consecrated Host, which is the real Body of
Jesus Christ, I excommunicate you, and will send your Soul to Hell this very
Night, if you do not obey my Commands, and keep it secret while you live.
O wicked Man ! and O poor ignorant Woman ! She out of Ignorance believed
every Thing, and thought the Wafer to be consecrated, and the Priest's Fulmi-
nation of divine Efficacy : So falling on her Knees, she promised to do what-
ever Thing he would desire, rather than to incur so frightful an Excomuni-
cation: And I believe by this very Means he brought many of his Flock
into the same Course of Life. (vol. a, p. 211)-

The following account of the morality and teaching of a
priest will speak for itself:

The principal Crimes alledged against him were printed and dispersed
among the Clergy, and tho' this Thing happen'd long before I was put in
Orders, one of these Papers came to my Hands j and to the best of my Memory,

notice op antonio gavin.

ii9

First, it was alledged against him, That in the very Act of Confession he used
to teach his spiritual Daughters the Maids, That it was not forbidden by the
ten Commandments to covet them, &c. for their ninth Commandment says only,
Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbour's Wife, leaving out the rest of the Com-
mandment j and that only Adultery was forbidden by the Law of God. By
which Doctrine he had ruin'd many and many Maids: Secondly, That he
used to teach to the married Women, That there was no Sin without Intention;
and, That it was lawful for them, Carnali copula cum qffusione seminis extra
vassa. Quod tactus impudici ad polutionem, were very necessary to stop the
Course of impure Thoughts: And that by this Doctrine he brought many
ignorant Women to practice it, not only with him but with many others also:
Thirdly, That in acta Confessionis habuit tactus impudicos cum penitente, cum
reciproca {ffiisione seminis: Fourthly, That he made the Women with Child
believe, that if they had the Stola tied round ventrem per ipsum solum, they
would have safe Deliverance ; and that he had made use of many Stola's for that
Purpose, and to serve his Ends and Turns by that abominable Means, (vol. 2,
p. 220).

The history of a « Musician-Priest," an eunuch, and
cathedral chorister, related in vol. 2, p. 213, is very curious,
but too long to admit of insertion. Knowing that no com-
promising results could follow from a liaison with such a
man, the highest ladies in the city sought his services; and
he further got access to the monasteries, and distributed his
favours among the nuns.

Antonio Gavin was born at Saragossa about 1680, and
after having studied at Huesca, was ordained a priest.*

* Stograpfju CJmbcrftlU (Michaud), vol. 16, p. 65.

120

notice of antonio gavin.

Little more is known concerning him than what he has
told us in his own book. Disgusted by the abuses and
immoralities of the church of Rome, he determined to quit
its fold.

After I left my country, (he writes) I went to France drest in an Officer's
Cloaths, and so I was known by some at Paris, under the Name of the
Spanish Officer. My Design was to come to England, but the Treaty of
Utrecht being not concluded, I could not attempt to come from Calais to
Dover without a Pass. I was perfectly a Stranger in Paris, and without any
Acquaintance, only one French Priest, who had studied in Spain, and could
speak Spanish perfectly well, which was a great Satisfaction to me, for at that
time I could not speak French. The Priest (to whom I made some Presents,)
was Interpreter of the Spanish Letters to the King's Confessor Father le
Telier, to whom he inrtoduc'd me ; I spoke to him in Latin, and told him I
had got a great Fortune by the Death of an Uncle in London, and that I should
be very much oblig'd to his Reverence, if by his Influence, I could obtain a Pass.
The Priest had told him that I was a Captain, which the Father did believe;
and my Brother having been a Captain, (tho' at that time he was dead) it was
an easy Thing to pass for him : The first Visit was favourable to me, for the
Father Confessor did promise me to get me a Pass, and bad me call for it two
or three Days after, which I did j bat I found the Reverend very inquisitive,
asking me several Questions in Divinity : But I answer'd to all, that I
had study'd only a little Latin : He then told me, there was no Possibility of
obtaining a Pass for England, and that if I had committed any irregular Thing
in the Army, he would give me a Letter for the King of Spain, to obtain my
Pardon, and make my Peace with him again, (vol. 1, p. 161).

The wily jesuit Letellier was not to be so easily deceived,
and Gavin at once made his way back to St. Sebastian,
where he waited in secrecy until he was able to embark on
a merchant vessel for Lisbon, and thence to London. Arrived

notice op f-m. JANI90N.

121

in England his troubles were at an end. He had been pre-
sented to Earl Stanhope already in Saragossa, and his lord-
ship received him "most civilly," gave him a "certificate"
to the bishop of London, who received his recantation, and
in 1715 ordained him a minister of the Church of England*
Gavin's first sermon had some success; it was dedicated " to
my Lord Stanhope, and was printed by Mr. William
Bowyer, and was sold afterward, by Mr. Denoyer, a
French bookseller, at Erasmus s Head in the Strand." After
preaching two years and eight months in London, Gavin
was appointed chaplain to the Preston man of war. He
then passed over to Ireland, had the "Curacy of Gourran
almost eleven months," served some time at Cork, and
preached in the "Parish Church of Shandon." His book,
it will have been remarked, was first published at Dublin.
Gavin appears to have died in Ireland, somewhat forgotten,
for I have been unable to discover any record of the date
of his death.

Fran£ois-Michel JAN190N, Gavin's translator, was born at
Paris, December 24, 1674, and died at The Hague, on the
19th or 21 st of August, 1730. Having studied at Dublin he
was master of the English language, and well qualified for the

* See the title of his book, p. 112 ante.

r

122 frauds of romish monks and priests.

task he undertook. The Master-Key to Popery was not the
only work which he rendered from English into French *

Ct)t jfraute of ftomteb ittonfes anto Set forth

in Eight Letters. Vol i. The Fifth Edition. Lately
Written By a Gentleman, in his Journey into Italy.
And publish'd for the Benefit of the Publick. London,
Printed for R. Wilkin, D. Midwinter, A. Bet-
tesworth, B. Motte, and J. Lacy, mdccxxv.

12m.; pp. 360, preceded by 12 pages of title, dedication,
epistle, and contents, unnumbered. The second volume has

for title: ©bserbatfoita on a Sourmp to Naples*

Wherein The Frauds of Romish Monks and Priests are
further discover d. By the Author of a late Book, EntituTd,
The Frauds of Romish Monks and Priests. The Fourth
Edition. London, Printed for R. Wilkin, D. Midwinter, A.
Bettesworth, B. Motte, and J. Lacy. mdccxxv. pp. vii,
252, with 14 unnumbered pages of epistle and contents,
ex title. The title pages of both volumes are enclosed in
double lines. The work was first published ii) 1691, and
has passed through several editions.-f*

* fiaubellt 33tograpi)tt ©eiuralt, vol. 26, col. 329; Sioffrapljie ©mbtratlU
(Michaud), vol. 20, p. 546.
t 33tblu>grapf)er'0 jfftanual, vol. 2, p. 737.

frauds of romish monks and priests. 123

It has been translated into French as: ^tetflfo lieS trom-
peries Uesf pvetres et lies motnes, ou ron decouvre les

artifices dont ils se servent. pour tenir les peuples dans Terreur.
Rotterdam, 1693. 2 vols, in 1; small 8vo* Another edi-
tion, Rotterdam, 1710-1712.-^ And again: &USeS et JfOUX-
bertes lies ^rhres et lies iBotlteS par Gabriel D'Smi-
liane. Nouvelle Edition revue, corrige'e, et augmented dune
introduction historique, de notes et de commentaires par Un
Catholique du xix'mt Siecle. Leipzig, 1845. Leopold Mi-
chelsen. Paris, Jules Renouard et Comp. Rue de Tour-
non, 6. 8vo.; pp. 364 ex title, with 1 unnumbered page of
Table.

The work of Emillianne is not so forcible or pungent
as that of Gavin, which I have just noticed. It is however
well worthy of attention. As Gavin censures the clerical
vices of Spain, so Emillianne lashes those of Italy. The two
works may not inappropriately be placed side by side. Here
are a few extracts. The first concerns that greatest of all
instruments of clerical influence, the confessional:

Indeed Auricular and Secret Confession, is the most commodious way the

* fHanurl Bu fcibratre, vol. 2, col. 968. Querard has erroneously con-
founded the translation of Emillianne's book with that of Gavin. See ante
p. 114, note.

t JStbltotytque Be* i&omana, p. 265; fitbliotfjeca Erttanmca, vol. 1,
col. 336.

190 frauds of romish monks and priests.

Priests have to lodge their Game; 'Tis there they put Women to the Question,
and by this means accustoming them (by little and little) from their Youth
up to speak with confidence of their secret Sins, they make them at length
lose that Natural Shamefacedness, which otherwise they would be sensible of,
in making the least mention of such filthiness. Being therefore by this means
inform'd of their Inclinations and Weak-side, if they find them to be of an
Amorous Complection, it is an easie thing for them to speak for themselves,
and to insinuate their own Passion. It is notoriously evident, that commonly
none but Women go to Confession} for as for Men, they seldom use it more
then once a year, and that towards Easter. The Reason whereof having been
once ask'd in my Presence, a Person of very good Sense return'd this Answer,
That the Reason why none but Women were seen to confess, was, because Men
were Confessors; but, that if Women were once possest of the Chair of Confession,
we should soon find the contrary, and that none but Men wiuld appear before them.
The Reason is because Women for the most part take pleasure in their
Confessing, being well assured, that their Confessors will put such Questions
to them, as cannot much displease them; and knowing, that how openly
soever they may declare their Sins, the Seal of Confession will always put
them out of danger of running any Risque thereby: Yet, there are not
wanting a vast Number of those, who relying upon the Secrecy of this
Tribunal, and encouraged by the Exhortations of their Priests, of hiding
nothing from them, no not so much as their impure Thoughts, make no
difficulty ingenuously to declare, that they love them; that they can neither Day
nor Night rid their Spirit from running out after them; and their Amorous
Temptations are so violent, that except God be pleased to restrain them, or to
take some compassion on them, it will make them infallibly go Mad and
Distracted. (Vol. I, p. 332).

In the following citation we have the author's personal ex-
perience of the state of morality of the Romish clergy in
his time :

1 could furnish you here with an infinite number of curious Stories, con-
cerning the Amours and Intriegues of Monks and Priests, if I were not per-

191 frauds of romish monks and priests.

suaded, that it is the Duty of every honest Man, not to speak, but with great
Moderation of a Vice, whereof the Discovery is equally dangerous, to him that
makes it, and to those to whom it is made. And therefore shall only tell you,
that I may cut short here, That I never in my life convers'd with any one
Monk or Priest of the Church of Rome, for so long a time as was sufficient to
penetrate a little into their Manner and Course of Life; but that I found at
last, that they had secret Commerce with Women, or, which is worse, and
what I would not willingly name, viz. That they were addicted to the abomi-
nable Sin of Sodomy. And yet many of those were meer Saints to outward
appearance, all their Discourse was of the Blessed Virgin, and of Purgatory ;
and the only Reason why I desir'd their friendship, was because at first I took
them to be very good and honest Men j but some time after I found to my
great Regret, that I had been deceived by my too favourable Opinion of them,
(vol. i, p. 349).

The animadversions which I am about to extract concerning
the depravity of the nuns are very striking, and were there
not abundant evidence from other sources that such dissolute
practices have existed, one would be inclined to accuse Emil-
lianne of Exaggeration:

The Reverend Dr. Burnet, now Lord Bishop of Salisbury, did not exaggerate
the matter, when he saith, That He had seen some of them that were not over
modest. They make no difficulty in representing in their Plays, Venus's and
Lucretia's wholly to the Life; they Sing profane Songs and altogether unworthy V

and unbecoming Persons consecrated to God j they act Dances and Postures that
are extream Lascivious, and all that they speak in them, is commonly conceiv'd
in Terms admitting a double signification, whereof one sense is always
either impious or wanton. They commonly have very excellent Voices,
and understand Musick perfectly well j but if there be any impure or
lascivious Air, that is that which pleaseth them best, and which they
make choice of, to entertain the Company with. That which is the most

126 frauds of romish monks and priests.

enormous thing of all, is, that not only in these their Comedies, but also (O
unheard of Profanation !) in their Divine Offices for Sundays and festivals, they
intermix these filthy Songs, which they blasphemously pretend to be made in
imitation of the Song of Solomon. All the Debauched Youths of the City,
about this time, flock'd to the Church of the Caelestines at Milan, where
these Nuns equally tickled their Ears and Fancies by the sweetness and las-
civiousness of their Songs. The Scandal grew at last to that Excess, that the
Cardinal sent his Orders to have their Church shut up, and absolutely forbad
them to sing Musick any more.

Tis the Custom in the World, for Men to Court Women ; but in these
Religious Orders, on the contrary, the Nuns Court the Men; they write
Amorous Notes to them ; they send, to entreat them to come and see them;
and there are few Nuns, who have not two or three, to whom they are more
particularly linked in Affection ; and they are so well skill'd in disposing
their Times, that they never meet together in the Parlour. They are
very Jealous of them, and should they once understand, that any one of
their Lovers had discours'd with any other Nun, besides themselves, they
would immediately quit them, and would find a time to be revenged
on them. I take them to be very unhappy in this, That they desire so
strongly, what is so difficult for them to enjoy. Some amongst them do so
far enflame their Imaginations about their Amours, that they run Distracted ;
and others are so immoveably determin'd to what they long for, that they
actually apply themselves to the inventing of Means, that may bring them to
the possession of what they desire: Of these, some give themselves to the
Devil; and to this purpose they tell a Story, That upon a time, a Nun being
resolved to give her self to the Devil, He plainly told her, He would not have
her, because she was more Devil than himself, 'lis for this Reason that we are
told so many Stories of Nuns, that are Possessed. Others endeavour for
Mony to corrupt the Turn-Keys and Maid-Servants, that have the Care of the
Outward-Gates, to admit their Gallants at Night by the Tower. Some have
pluck'd away whole Grates from the Parlours; others have broke through the
Walls, or have made Passages underground; and it happens frequently
enough, that by their Cunning, they get the Keys of the Great Gale of the
Monastery from under the Lady Abbess's Pillow ; or that they are so happy to

127 frauds of romish monks and priests.

meet with one key or other, that can unlock it. There is also another
Little Gate in the Vestries, by which the Priests enter, to go and carry the
Holy Sacrament and Extream Unction to those that are Sick, and by which
they convey the Ornaments of the Altar : Now, to get the possession of this
Door, they need only to gain her who is over the Vestry. But the most sure
way to obtain their desires, is, when a whole Community of Females agree
together, to take their Pleasures. Of this there hapned (sic) a most infamous
Instance, about seven or eight Years since, amongst the Nuns of Bresse, which
made a great deal of Noise in Italy.

These Religious finding themselves quite weary of keeping their Vow of
Chastity, agreed amongst themselves to admit their Lovers into the Monastery,
and having all bound themselves in an Oath of Secrecy, they wrought hard,
to make a Passage Under ground, under the Walls of their Enclosure, and
which was to the end in the House of a young Gentleman, who was one of the
Plot. Their Undertaking had so good success, that the Nuns enjoyed the
Gallants as often as they pleased. In the mean time, there was observed a
great change in these Recluses; they became more modest in the Parlour, and
more assiduous in the Quire than ever they had been before. Their Confes-
sor, who was a very Aged Man, being incapable of taking part in their
Amours, was not thought fit to be admitted to the Secret. They informed
him in their Confessions and secret Conferences, that they felt from time to
time such Ravishments and Internal Joys, as they could no way express;
without telling him, whether they belonged to the Soul or Body. And this good
Man, who took all in the best sense, and who also attributed in part this their
Conversion, to his own good Prayers for them, went to the Bishop of Bresse,
and made his Report to him; telling him, That his Nuns were all of them
become Saints to that degree, as to suffer Exstasies and Ravishments. The great
Opinion the World had conceived of their Sanctity still increased more and
more, when the greatest part of these Nuns undertook to observe a Six Months
Retirement in the Inner part of their Monaster)-; making a Vow, That during
all that time they would never come to the Grate : This was to hide their Big-
bellies and Child bearing, (vol. a, p. 131).

I cannot, in concluding my extracts, refrain from citing

128 frauds of romish monks and priests.

one passage from the observations made by Emillianne
during a visit paid by him to the monastery of Fontevrault:

I had a great desire to go and see the Monks Dine in the Common
Refectory : but they told me I must stay till next Sunday, for that it was not
permitted to be there any other Day of the Week, because of the Trials they
made of the Novices. My uncle informed me what these Trials were, viz. to
make some of them to carry a piece of Wood, or Gag in their Mouths j others
were commanded, to go and kiss the Monks Shoes; others, to continue upon
their Knees, with their Arms across ; others again, to eat their Meals on the
Ground, without either Table-Cloth or Napkin, and an hundred other such like
Fooleries. The highest Trial of all, is the Discipline, and they observe a
Nasty manner in the giving of it; for whereas in all other Religious Orders,
they ordinarily give it on their Shoulders, at Fontevrault they always give it
beneath. It was not long since, that two Novices went to complain to the
Abbess, That the Prior handled them with too great Severity; but the Abbess
having made them come into her Chamber, gave 'em as much more, to make
'em forbear their Complaints to another. 'Tis in these Fooleries they make
Vertue to consist, and they never teach their Religious, what it is to be
VertuoUs indeed, viz. to mortifie, as they ought, their Appetites, and to be meek
and lowly of heart. This is that which makes these young Men when they
are past their Novitiate, and have run through the Course of their Studies, to
have their Passions as head-strong as ever, and to lead a scandalous Life with
the Nuns, whose Directors they are. (vol. a, p. 146).

I know of but one other work by the same author, which,
as it is upon the same subject, and almost serial with the
two volumes above noticed, may be placed by their side:
3 £>ftort ^fetorp of iBonastiral $rtrers, In which the
Primitive Institution of Monks, Their Tempers, Habits, Rules,
and The Condition they are in at Present, are Treated of.

auricular confession and nunneries.

129

By Gabriel d'Emillianne. London, Printed by S. Roy-
croft, for W. Bentley, in Russel-street, Covent-Garden.
1693. 8vo.; pp. 312, with 38 unnumbered pages of title,
preface and contents. The information given in this volume
is superficial and incomplete; the book cannot be recom-
mended as a work of reference.

auricular Confession anti gunneries* By William
Hogan, Esq., barrister-at-law; Who was for Twenty-
five Years a Confessing Priest. Fifteenth Thousand.

" Hear the just laws, the judgment of the skies!
He that hates truth shall be the dupe of lies;
And he that will be cheated to the last,
Delusions, strong as hell, shall bind him fast."—Cowper.

London: Protestant Evangelical Mission & Electoral
Union, 5, Racquet Court, Fleet Street, E.C. May be
had of all Booksellers.

8vo.; pp. 136 in all; price one shilling.

This is a violent and badly written tirade against the church
of Rome and her priests, made by a seceder from the faith,
in a style suitable to the uneducated classes of America,
where it was first published. The volume is put together
without order or arrangement, and the author displays ig-
norance of the literature of his subject.

Mr. Hogan informs us that he was ordained a priest in
s

196 auricular confession and nunneries.

Ireland; that he went over to America, where he visited
many important towns; officiated at St. Marys Church,
Philadelphia ; and was finally excommunicated by the Romish

bishop of that city.

He has written another book against his former church,
about which and himself he speaks in the following arrogant
terms:

With a clear and full view of my duty, I have recently written a work
entitled " A Synopsis of Popery as it was, and as it is." It has been well
received; it awakened Americans to a proper sense of their duty. Until then
they saw not, they felt not, they dreamed not of the dangers which threatened
their religion and their civil rights, from the stealthy movements of the Church
of Rome, and her priests and bishops in this country. Americans have now
a steady and watchful eye upon thom. This was necessary, and so far I have
done my duty. The Popish presses, which until then, had lulled Americans
into fatal repose by their misrepresentations, have been, in a measure, silenced.
No one, before me, dared to encounter their scurrilous abuse. I resolved to
silence them; and I have done so. (Introduction).

The bulk of Auricular Confession consists of what has
been frequently said before, and in better words than those
of Mr. Hogan. He frequently speaks of Eugene Sues Wan-
dering Jew in a manner which would lead to the supposition
that he considered it a real history rather than a fiction. I
make room nevertheless for one or two of Mr. Hogan's
personal experiences. Some eighteen months after his ordi-
nation, and while yet in Ireland, he was sent for by a beautiful

197 auricular confession and nunneries.

young lady, with whom he was friendly in former days, but
who had since taken the veil:

" I have sent for you, my friend (she said) to see you once more before my
death. I have insulted my God, and disgraced my family; I am in the family
way, and I must die." After a good deal of conversation, which it is needless
to repeat, I discovered from her confession the parent of this pregnancy, and
that the Moth er Alless of the convent advised her to take medicine which
would effect abortion ; but that she knew from the lay sister who delivered me
the note, and who was a confidential servant in the convent, that the medicine
which the mother abbess would give her should contain Poison, and that the
procuring abortion was a mere pretext. I gave her such advice as I could in
the capacity of a Romish priest. I advised her to send for the bishop and
consult him. " I cannot do it," she said, " my destroyer is my confessor."
I was silent. I had no more to say. I was bound by oath to be true to him.
The sentiment of the noble Pagan, a sentiment sanctioned by inspiration,
" Fiat justitia, ruat caelum "—Let justice be done even if the heavens were to
fall—occurred to my mind in vain. It fled from me as smoke before the
wind. I was one of the priests of the infallible church, and what was honor,
what was honesty to me, where the honour of the infallible church was con-
cerned ? They were of no account; not worthy the consideration of a Romish
Priest for a second. I retired, leaving my friend to her fate; but promising,
at her request, to return in a fortnight.

According to promise, I did return in a fortnight, but the foul deed was
done. She was no more. The cold clay contained in its dread embrace all
that now remained of that being which but a few months before, lived and
moved in all the beauty and symmetry of proportion ; and that soul once pure
and spotless as the dew-drop of heaven, ere its contact with the impurities of
earth, which a fond mother confided to the care of Jesuit nuns, had been
driven in its guilt and pollution into the presence of a just but merciful God.
All, all the work of Jesuits and Nuns ! (p. 13).

Speaking of the nuns, Mr. Hogan says:

These ladies, when properly disciplined by Jesuits and priests, become the

132

auricular confession and nunneries.

best teachers. But before they are allowed to teach, there is no art, no craft,
no species of cunning, no refinement in private personal indulgencies, or no
modes or means of seduction, in which they are not thoroughly initiated; and
I may say with safety, and from my own personal knowledge through the con-
fessional, that there is scarcely one of them who has not been herself debauched
by her confessor. The reader will understand that every nun has a confessor j
and here I may as well add, for the truth must be told at once, that every con-
fessor has a concubine, and there are very few of them who have not several!!
Let any American mother imagine her young daughter among these semi-
reverend crones, called nuns, and she will have no difficulty in seeing the
possibility of her immediate ruin. (p. 17).

Here is the author's testimony as to the state of priestly
morality in America, and the pernicious effects of the con-
fessional :

The Roman Catholics of Albany had, during about two years previous to my
arrival among them, three Irish priests alternately with them, occasionally
preaching, but always hearing confessions. I know the names of these men:
one of them is dead, the other two living, and now in full communion in the
Romish Church, still saying mass and hearing confessions. As soon as I got
settled in Albany, I had of course to attend to the duty of Auricular Confession,
and in less than two months found that those three priests, during the time
they were there, were the fathers of between sixty and one hundred children,
besides having debauched many who had left the place previous to their con-
finement. Many of these children were by married women, who were among
the most zealous supporters of these vagabond priests, and whose brothers and
relatives were ready to wade, if necessary, knee deep in blood for the holy,

immaculate, infallible, Church of Rome. (p. 29).

The iniquity of Romish priests in the confessional can scarcely be imagined.
There is nothing else like it j it is a thing by itself: there is a chasm between
itself and other crimes, which human depravity cannot pass. Could I state
them all, as I have known them, my readers would feel themselves most

auricular confession and nunneries. 199

insulted : an ocean and a sea of wonders, and waters of grief and sadness for
fallen humanity, would ebb and flow around them. Just fancy an innocent
female on her knees before an artful, unbelieving priest! But why is she
there ? Why does not instinct warn her off ? Why does not conscious inno-
cence tell her to fly from him ? &c. (p. 43).

Married women who have no children, and never had any, are taught by
Romish priests that, in case they have no children, The Church has the
power of giving them fecundity, and thus enabling them to " comply with the
great object of their creation," viz., to " increase and multiply." The holy
church, in her wisdom, or rather in her craft and deep knowledge of human
nature, knows full well that married ladies, especially those who have pro-
perty, are often unhappy because they have no children; and the priests looking
upon this as a fine opportunity not only to indulge their own passions, but to
make money, tell such women in the confessional that they have the power
specially delegated to them from Almighty God, of giving them those children
for which they are so anxious. J well recollect an instance of this Romish
infatuation—this worse than hellish belief. It proved a source of much
trouble to myself in after life, and I believe I may partly trace to it the very
origin of my difficulties with the Popish priests in this country, (p. 48).

The instance above mentioned is as follows: A lady,
unblessed with children, applied to Mr. Hogan, then a
priest, for the aid of the church in her difficulty. Mr.
Hogan told her that the church had no power in such
matters. The lady was not satisfied, and addressed herself
to a Franciscan friar, who helped her to a family, and de-
nounced Mr. Hogan as a heretic.

I have given this volume more space than its intrinsic
merits warrant; but it must serve as a specimen—and a very
fair one—of the numerous similar tracts issued by the same

auricular confession and nunneries. 200

society.* One or two more of their most important publi-
cations will be found noticed in this work; but they are
generally of too trivial and insignificant a nature to justify a
special notice.

It may not be unworthy the consideration of the promoters
of this society, whether, according to their own standard of
morality, they are not falling into the very error which they
condemn in their adversaries, and by publishing, and spread-
ing broad-cast books which contain abominations and inde-
cencies, they are not themselves practising the Jesuitical
doctrine of the end justifying the means, or doing evil that
good may come.

One of their publications at least has been pronounced by
the law courts an outrage to morality .-j-

* I extract from the society's catalogue the titles of a few of the most
curious, which may perhaps be found not altogether uninteresting to the
collectors of anti-Romish literature; especially as many of them are now out of
print: ILftter to ti)t ©Bomm of (gnglanlJ on tl)t Conftaatonal,—ftattg anl
fjrit&tsTransubstantiation,—fcriaf) JJrietfts anB tf)t ConftSjJtonal,—Cfje Con.
futftonal—di)all tot Stoopt it ?,—Confaaion—OHfjat xi it ?,—®f)e S>outf)'g
jfionitor (a Catechism for SchoolsJ,—€Wat\\ti antr tfje ConftMtonal, by Rev.
H. Seymour,—Visiter ILutx>'4 Stecloaurea of J^tfo Sail Conbtnt,—Cf)t Con*
ftMtonal muat bt iEinmaabrtl, by Dr. Armstrong,—ifUadontf for tfje Castration
of J&otnial) fJruata,—Conbent ©Ducatton ani ^unnern Victims,—Ettttr to tf)t
goung ©iris of <£nglantf, by C. G.,—JBonusttic MibcS anti Mcligiou* listers,
—JHca for {nspection or Suppression of flunnerieS,—fJrieStS, ®&omen, anB
dfamflie*, by Michelet, &c.

t CJ)t Confessional ©nmasfeelf, p. 88, ante.

discipline, education and theology of maynooth. i35

a Succinct anti accurate account of tfce System of JBtsi-
ripltne, education, anfc Cfteologp, afcoptefc anti pur-
sued m tfje $opijrt) College of iHapootln By
Eugene Francis O'Beirne, late Student of Maynooth
College. Hereford: W. H. Vale ; London: Simpkin
and Marshall ; Dublin: Carson, 92, Grafton Street.
1840.

Large 8vo. (counts 4) ; pp. vi, 214, and 1 unnumbered page
of Contents; printed by " Gooch, Printer, Hereford."

This is a severe, but not intemperate censure on the
doctrines taught at the Irish College of Maynooth. Ex-
tracts are given from the Maynooth class-books in the original
Latin, accompanied, when not too gross, with literal trans-
lations. The object of the work is to show the pernicious and
immoral doctrines there taught, and the vile interrogatories
which it is held necessary for confessors to put to their
penitents, both male and female. As these questions are
identical with those propounded by the various casuists fully
recognised by the Romish Church, which have already been
copiously treated in this work, it is superfluous to dilate
further upon them here. Quotations are also given from
books, pamphlets, &c., by modern reformed Romish priests,
such as Rev. L. J. Nolan, Rev. David O'Croly, Rev.
Blanco White, &c., all bearing upon the iniquity of
the confessional, and the immorality of the priesthood.