Hitherto engaged in the education of Mr. Cobbett's sons, and not allowed to say Mass in London, I returned to Ireland in the Summer of 1826, and wrote from the tavern in Cove to the Bishop, that I was yet most anxious to regain my station amongst the clergy, and ready to fulfil any conditions that might be enjoined by the Holy See. He sent to my lodging this laconic note in

reply.

'Dr. Coppinger will hold no intercourse, nor receive any communication by letter, or otherwise from Mr. O'Callaghan, until he shall have published an ample and contrite retraction of the calumnious charges which are inserted against his Bishop in his Treatise on Usury.

Cove, June 1, 1826.

WILL. COPPINGER.

As in the letter to Bishop Poynter, so in this note, no concessions are required but to publish an ample and contrite retraction of some calumnies in my book on usury. Nor is it specified here either, what these calumnies are, or in what page or corner of that book they may be found. The only conclusion that naturally flows from his note is this, that I was guilty of no crime or fault previous to the publication of that book on usury in America in 1824, and in London in 1826. Whereas I was suspended from my Clerical functions in the year 1819, that is five years prior to the commission of either crime or fault. A suspension, whether just or otherwise, involves the Priest in some loss of fame and property, in grief and anxiety. When an unjust wound is inflicted, the person that inflicts it, is bound in justice to repair all the losses of the wounded person. But, the Prelate made no compensation of any sort for his injustice to me-for having deprived me of home, and prevented me to fulfil at home and abroad my sacred vows to God. Nor did he, as far as I know, ever repent for his deadly wound upon the myriads of souls whom he had detached from the narrow path of Christ, into the broad way of usury, that had been reprobated in the diocese ever since the days of St. Patrick, until he (Dr. Coppinger,) assumed the mitre.

Some invisible influence, I know not what to call it, always irresistibly urged me into this question. Though being at all times friendless and moneyless, with thick clouds swelling from every side, all dangers, privations, and difficulties fled from my thoughts.

the very moment that an essay was to be made, or a journey undertaken against usury; youthful strength and vigor was felt in my whole frame from head to foot, by reflecting that I suffered with Christ, who suffered for us on the cross. No adversary however potent, no prospect even remote or lowering, nor journey though long or rugged could then dismay or deter me. that these motions were graces from Him who that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that MATT. X. 20.

A SECOND JOURNEY TO ROME,

May I piously hope said, It is not you speaketh in you:

Because this widow is troublesome to me I will avenge her, lest continually coming she weary me: LUKE xviii. I went up again to knock at the Vatican gate in hope that the Vicar of Christ would finally avenge me of my adversary: reached Rome the 30th April 1829, and departed thence on the 27th of July following: doomed, I suppose, never more to visit it. Although I asked, and sought, and knocked, sent petitions, and memorials almost daily for three months, no succor or protection, excepting some pecuniary aid whilst in the City, was offered me. My journey to Rome thus ending in failure and any more remonstrances appearing useless, my thoughts now turn upon Erin, though I had but thirty crowns in my possession, with no prospect of any more money from any quarter whatever. By reflecting that Providence amply provided for me on the same journey in 1825, when I had but thirteen crowns, it would appear impious, if I should despair of his mercy now when my travelling means were thirty. Fortified by such reflections, I engaged a seat in a vitura that was to start in four days for Turin, a city situated four or five hundred miles north from Rome, for seventeen dollars.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolations who comforteth us in all our tribulations; for as the sufferings of Christ abounded in me, so also my comfort in Christ abounded in that trying moment. Behold as I ascended the stairs of the Hotel del Orso, two days previous to our departure, I was accosted by my former pupil Mr. James P. Cobbett, third son of my best friend the celebrated

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William Cobbett, M. P. in these words. Father O'Callaghan, I am delighted to see you; my sister Anne and I arrived in the City yesterday from our southern tour, and are now going to see the Church of St. Peter: there she is in the barouch at the door : We would feel extremely happy if you could accompany us.' The pleasure which I felt for meeting my best friends, who were a few days before this time in Naples, could be better conceived than expressed. We took our seats in the carriage and dashed across the yellow Tyber' by the bridge of St. Angelo. That long summer day appeared not longer than an hour, so feasted were we with the view of that grand basilick upon which the arts and sciences seemed to have exhausted all their store; the dome, altars, Mosaic and statuary, even if taken in detail would beggar any description that could be given of them. Not before an awful gloom began to spread, and the porter announced that the doors were to be shut, did we bestow a thought upon the approach of night. We reluctantly resumed the coach. They brought me back to the Hotel del Orso, and handed me a card of invitation for the next morning.

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On my arrival the impressions that were made on our memory from the different parts of the great edifice were all taken in review; then our observations took in Rome and Italy in general. But they forget not to enquire about the affairs of Father O'Callaghan.' I replied that having turned during three months every stone in quest of redress, but in vain, I have preparations made to return home, though I dread that my means are not sufficient for the long journey. "How much money do you think would answer?' said the affectionate young gentleman. So much, said I. • You aught to expect more than that, he observed, from any of us, for we always consider you as one of our own family. And without the least reflection or hesitation he went to his drawer and handed me all the money that I wanted. A friend in need is a friend indeed. The son's friendship on that trying occasion was worthy of his father on a former emergency. How truly has the wise man written, ECCL. x. 2. And what manner of man the ruler of the City is, such also are they that dwell therein.

Had I not received that or some similar relief from heaven, it

is probable that I would never be able to reach my native land: for a severe headache, burning thirst and derangement of stomach seized me on the road and terminated in fever and ague by my arrival in Turin. Unwillingness to lie upon the bed of sickness so far from home made me continue my journey across the snow white Alps, Savoy and Lyons. My skeleton was the veriest picture of death coming into Paris. Here my health was soon restored through the abundant mercy of God by a few doses of quenine, and my purse replenished by the bounty of the Rev. Henry Power; who, when I began to apologize for his loan of 140 francs in the year 1825, answered 'that he never would expect or call for that money, if I could not conveniently spare it for in that case he would feel it an insult to offer it to him; and that I should accept more money now to carry me to London.' Behold a good Priest.

Usury always found, and will, doubtless, till the end of time, find, defenders strong and numerous: they will not openly discard the Christian religion; but by distinctions and sophistry weaken it down to nothing. In the absence of Scripture and Tradition, they seek shelter under profane and worldly reasoning. As some persons do already in Ireland, and others will perhaps in other places, in order to compose their deluded hearers, draw an argument from my apparent failures in Rome, saying could it be posible that Mr. O'Callaghan's journies and appeals to Rome would be fruitless, if the Holy See were adverse to usury,' it seems due of me, to posterity to put on record the causes of my apparent failure.

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When three things are known; first, the offers that were made by me secondly, the mode of defence adopted by my adversary ; and lastly, the parental reception given me by the supreme Pontiff no body will wonder that my appeals are frustrated, or infer, that interest is approbated in the eternal City. It may and must be tolerated, like the tares, until harvest time. In Rome as every where else, is the flesh at perpetual war against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh; the world against the gospel and the gospel against the world. In Rome as every where else, are found and will be found, till the last day, sinners in abundance. No threats or promises from the Vicar of Christ nor even from Christ himself, will reclaim or eradicate them. The pious Christian will not follow as his rule

the practices of sinners, but the sayings of Scripture and of the Church of Christ. All things whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do, but according to their works, do ye not.'

With regard to my offers in Rome, my appeal in the year 1822, which is hereafter inserted in the body of this book, speaks thus, 'Decide, if you please; I shall not dread to admit usury if Your Holiness order it.' But the Holy See ordered in a Rescript, dated 1823 and signed by the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation; that is by Cardinal Gonsalvi (which Rescript is also inserted in the body of this book) not to teach or inculcate, by word or writing, any thing contrary or foreign to the five Rules of Benedict XIV. which Rules, as it will be seen in the sequal, manifestly condemn usury or increase of all sorts. I handed, at my first visit to Rome in the year 1825, the same offer in writing through theirSecretary, Archbishop Caprano, now Cardinal, to the Sacred congregation. And lastly as Dr. Boylan superior of the Irish college assured me, on my second visit to Rome, in the year 1829, that if I would withdraw the accusation of my Bishop, he (Mr. Boylan) would at once settle my affair with the Cardinals.' Accordingly I handed him the following Declaration.

Whereas the S. Congregation would not entertain my charges against Bishop Coppinger, I shall not pursue them any longer; but shall, for the future, if the S. Congregation desire it, hold silence on that subject.

Moreover I shall allow my hearers to practice legal interest: that is to say, the interest allowed by the human laws for money loans, provided the Sacred Congregation say to me that I can with safe conscience do so. JEREMIAH O'CALLAGHAN.

Rome, 7th June 1829.

To the Rev. C. H. Boylan.

ANSWER.

My dear sir,

'I am just returned from the PROPAGANDA, after presenting the original and a translation of your paper. I was informed, in reply, that your case has been long since fully discussed; and that there was no disposition to recede from the decision already