ral Protestants on the other, and is shunned as dangerous on account of his supposed heresy. It is a trying and difficult position. But none of these things move him, and he is not depressed in spirit. Very refreshing to his mind and heart, he said, it was to meet a brother who could enter into his views; and certainly nothing has given me greater pleasure during my journey than my brief visit to him, and the opportunity thus afforded me of speaking a few words of encouragement and sympathy to one of whom I shall often think with respect and affection. I have engaged to correspond with M. A. Bert; and I cannot but hope that it may lead by and by, through the agency of the Committee of your Association, to a regular communication with him, and with others in Italy who, if not in name, are yet in all essential particulars in accordance with the Unitarian body in England.

At Florence I was favoured with introductions to several persons whose long residence in the city and peculiar aptitudes and habits have given them an extensive knowledge of the state of the people. I heard much on this subject, and fear that amongst the young men and the better-informed part of the community, there is the saddest unconcern with reference to religion. Disgusted with the superstition, falsehood and oppression, to which they have been accustomed under the name of Christianity, they have too hastily concluded that it is altogether unworthy of regard. They do not go to church, and have too often become reckless and careless in relation to moral and spiritual things,Deists of the lowest style, and even Atheists. If ever they are to be brought to a belief in God and Christ, it must be, I am persuaded, by the exhibition of Christ and Christianity as they are set forth in the Gospels.

Naples, whilst I was in it, was full of the excitement incident to the presence of Garibaldi and his army, to the joy of deliverance from the Bourbon despotism, and to the delight awakened by the hope of a national kingdom. Battles and politics were the common topics of conversation. But even in this city, where priests and monks almost without number have been encouraged, and where one might have supposed them to be very powerful, I saw and heard enough to convince me that the Church of Rome has but little hold of the mind of the nation, and that faith in her ritual and attendance on her services have, as far as those who think and reason are concerned, well-nigh ceased. Father Gavazzi, who lectured frequently in England on the corruptions of Popery, has, I was informed, petitioned for a church of the Jesuits, who have been expelled from Naples, in which to exercise his ministry. He was asked on one occasion, I know, what doctrines he would teach; and his reply was, "Simply those of the Apostles' Creed." These, he was reminded, were not in harmony with Trinitarianism. He answered, that to him they appeared to be most in unison with the Christian Scriptures. If his request be granted, he will be sure to collect a large congre

gation, on account of his eloquence as a speaker. And if he be a good man, we must surely wish him success in his mission; for the Creed called the Apostles', even as it now stands, has not in it much to which a Unitarian believer could not yield entire approval.

Rome, from which I write, is, as you will suppose, at this moment outwardly free from all opposition to existing ecclesiastical institutions. But even here, and under the shadow of the throne of him who is designated the infallible successor of St. Peter, there are not wanting proofs of a desire for religious reformation. If there is no avowed dissent from the Church of the Pope, there is assuredly a want of sympathy in many minds with it, and numbers, far greater than may be imagined, are alienated from its faith and ordinances. No direct attempt would be permitted to shew the people a "better way." But "the hour" may be near when the obstacles which are now opposed to progress and change will be removed; and then may "the man" be found, whose heart is on fire with the love of truth and of God, to labour with a holy purpose and a resolute will to diffuse the light and love of the gospel as it came from Christ and his apostles! I have been to no Italian preaching in Rome. But at Naples I heard a Dominican friar, called "Father Joseph," who was much persecuted by the late government on account of his independence of mind, and who is exceedingly popular because of his remarkable eloquence. His discourse bore immediately upon passing events, and produced a striking effect upon the crowded congregation. As he proceeded, there were frequent indications of approval; and as I looked round upon the thousands who filled the sacred edifice, and listened to their expressions of admiration, my thoughts were carried back to the ancient times of the Church when all this was more frequent. Father Joseph appeared to be about thirty years old, and is evidently a man of power. His sermon was intensely earnest. He spoke of Christ as the friend of liberty, declared that his religion was opposed to tyranny and wrong in every shape, and urged upon all the importance of carrying its blessed spirit into their various relations as men and as citizens. This is the only service I have attended in a Roman Catholic church since I left England that has conveyed to me the impression of spiritual life, and afforded me anything that I could appropriate. Even amidst all the outward beauty and attraction of St. Peter's, there is an apparent unreality, and a formalism about priests and ritual, which are very painful to my mind; and I go from the place, glorious as it is, sad and dissatisfied, and longing for the more simple worship of our own humble sanctuaries.

Before I left Bristol, I obtained from a Roman Catholic clergyman there a letter of introduction to Monsignor Talbot, who resides at the Vatican, and has some high official employment near the Pope's person. He has been most obliging in his attentions to

me, and of great assistance in many ways. Through him I had an audience of the Pope, for which last Wednesday was appointed. I was allowed to take with me Mr. Gangooly and my other young travelling companion, and we went very quietly to the palace in the morning at eleven o'clock. There we saw cardinals in their showy robes, and ministers of state and others, as they passed in and out, to and from the presence of the Pontiff. An hour had elapsed before I was summoned. I had previously ascertained that, as Protestants, there would be no special marks of reverence required from us on this occasion, and we paid the same tokens of respect which we should have done had we attended the Court at home. We found the Pope seated at a table, in the plain white ecclesiastical dress which he always wears in private, and with a calm and benignant countenance, expressive of amiability and gentleness, rather than force of character or mental vigour. He seemed to me a man about seventy years of age; and his features have not on them the traces of care and anxiety which I expected would be visible, from all he has recently had to do and to bear. Nothing could exceed the kindliness of manner with which he received me. There was not the slightest exhibition of haughtiness or coldness in word or action. He spoke naturally of what arose out of the circumstances in which we stood before him. I had been introduced as a Socinian minister from Bristol. And I ventured to say that this was a mistake; that I was not a follower of Socinus, not agreeing with him in some of his religious conclusions; that I belonged to a church which refused to be called by the name of any man, however accomplished and excellent; and that I was a Unitarian Christian. Hearing this, the Pope reminded me that Socinus was an Italian, and then asked if I knew anything of the history and writings of Ochinus, who was also an Italian, of the Capuchin order, but renounced the doctrines of the Catholic Church and became an Antitrinitarian. I replied that I was familiar with the life and the Antitrinitarian opinions of this singularly gifted man, and with his fame as a pulpit orator, and that he had likewise exercised his functions as a preacher in England. I might have told him that Ochinus sought a refuge from persecution there, and that he would probably have spent the remainder of his life in my native country, but for the death of the young king Edward, and the sad change which took place with the accession of Mary and the re-establishment of Romish doctrines. But this of course would have been rude and improper, and nothing further was said on the subject. The Pope then turned to the Brahmin, and was informed that he was soon going to Calcutta, as a Christian missionary to his native Hindoos, having renounced heathenism and embraced Unitarian views of the gospel. He did not forget the English youth who was with me, and was told that he was of the Independent denomination. This led him to make some remarks on the diversity of thought and speculation which

prevailed in the world on the subject of religion. And turning to me, he remarked, "My daily prayer is, that amid the divisions and controversies of Christendom, all may be brought to know the truth and to do it." Of course I felt that "the truth," as he understood it, must be the system of which he is the head and representative. But his words brought to my mind the prayer of Jesus, "Sanctify them by thy truth: thy word is truth," and I said to the Pope that his petition was mine also, and that it was one in which all good Christians must cordially unite.

Thus ended our interview with a man whose name is now prominently before the world in connection with the mighty revolution which is taking place in Italy, and whose temporal rule seems destined soon to be brought to an end,-a consummation which is indeed to be greatly desired, not only for his own sake, but on account of the interests of freedom and humanity. Whatever may be the issue of the conflict, I shall always look back with pleasure on this visit to the palace of the Vatican, and feel that it was a gracious act in one occupying the high position of the Pope, and burdened with so many and such weighty cares and responsibilities, to receive a Unitarian minister, who had no claim upon his time or notice, in such a manner.

My mind is full of thoughts in relation both to politics and theology, concerning which I should like to write; but my letter, I fear, is already too long, and I must bring it to a close. On some future occasion, however, if I am permitted to resume my work at home, I must urge upon you and other brethren and friends the duty which appears to me to devolve upon us as Unitarians in relation to those in Italy who are already prepared to welcome our sympathy, and especially to those, a vast multitude, who, I believe, would be grateful for our aid. The harvest there is truly plenteous, but the labourers, alas! are few. May God raise up able, devoted and faithful servants of Christ, and send them forth into this field of labour! Italy regenerated politically will soon be ready for, and she deeply needs, a purer system of religion, a more reasonable and a loftier form of Christianity. Believe me, yours faithfully,

WILLIAM JAMES.

THE LATE REV. PHILIP LE BRETON.

It is with sincere regret that we record the death of the Rev. PHILIP LE BRETON, which took place at his residence in the Avenue Road, Regent's Park, on the evening of the 5th of November. Though, from his comparatively retired life, he may not have been much known beyond the immediate circle in which he moved, his society would have been valued and enjoyed by all who have any regard for simplicity, fidelity and truth. He was the son of the Very Rev. Francis Le Breton, Dean of Jersey

and Rector of St. Saviour's in that island, and was born at the rectory-house of that parish on the 7th of March, 1779. He received his early education first at a private school in Yorkshire, and next at the grammar-schools of Abingdon and Exeter, of which, in turn, Dr. Lemprière, author of the Classical Dictionary, was at that time the Head Master. At the proper age he was entered at Pembroke College, Oxford, but afterward removed to Exeter College, in the same University, where he took his degree. He was ordained by Dr. North, Bishop of Winchester; and before he obtained the living to which he was subsequently presented, he was for a short period curate of Farringdon, in Berkshire. On the decease of his father, he was appointed by the Crown to succeed him in the rectory of St. Saviour's. Here, as we are informed and may well believe, he endeared himself to his parishioners by the zealous and affectionate manner in which he fulfilled his pastoral duties; and to this day he is remembered by those of them who survive with feelings of gratitude and esteem. By judicious advice and the kindness of his nature, he was greatly successful in promoting harmony and reconciling differences.

The rectors of the parishes in Jersey are, by virtue of their office, members of the states or local legislature of the island: in this character he directed his attention to the treatment of the inmates of the prison and of the pauper lunatics, who up to that time had been shamefully neglected, and was, by his efforts, the means of bettering their condition. Before the year 1814, he began to feel doubts on the subject of the Trinity and some other doctrines of the Church of England. Whether from having come to the knowledge of this circumstance, or as an act of courtesy, a lady, the sister-in-law of the late Archbishop Magee, presented him with a copy of a work of this Prelate, written in support of the orthodox creed. Instead, however, of removing his doubts, the perusal of this book tended rather to confirm them; and at length becoming convinced in his own mind of the unscriptural nature of the doctrines referred to, he resolved upon resigning his living, with all its various comforts and advantages. He was one of a large family, with limited means, and had a wife and children dependent upon him. And though on two occasions he was offered the Deanery of the island, an office not only of dignity but of considerable emolument, he was not to be moved from his purpose, and refused to accept anything that would compromise his honour and his principles. He now removed with his family to France, intending to settle at Nancy, but was prevented from doing so by the return of Napoleon Bonaparte from Elba, who ordered all the English to leave the country immediately. He then, after suffering on this account great inconvenience and loss, came to London, where he soon made acquaintance with the Rev. T. Belsham and the Rev. R.