dence of the annual indemnity act it was unnecessary for him to remark. He concluded by moving for leave to bring in a bill to amend the laws regulating the tests and qualifications for the admission to, and enjoyment of, offices and franchises, as far as they affect Roman Catholics in England. Mr. Stuart Wortley seconded the motion. Mr. Wetherell suggested doubts as to the measure, but should reserve himself till the bill was printed. Mr. W. Bankes said the admission of English Roman Catholics to the magistracy might, under due limitations, be desirable; but he could never give his consent to the extending the elective franchise to that body. Mr. Peel said he had on a former occasion expressed himself not unwil ling to consent to a measure for taking into consideration the propriety of placing the Roman Catholics of England on the same footing as those of Ireland. He was willing to admit the English Catholics to the elective franchise; and he admitted it might be advisable to associate them with Protestants on the magisterial bench; but with regard to offices he should reserve his opinion for the present. Mr. Bankes said the elective franchise ought never to have been granted to the Catholics of Ireland, and he could never consent to grant it to those of England. The measure of the noble lord went too far. If the admission of the Catholics of England to the magistracy could be effected without danger would be a desirable thing. Mr. W. Smith was glad to find that no privileges were to be conceded to the Catholics of England which were refused to Protestant Dissenters. Sir J. Mackintosh said, the opposition to the general measure, was owing to the most obstinate infatuation; and might, if persisted in, be regarded as one of the presages of the down. fal of the empire. Lord Nugent said a few words in reply; and the question was put and carried without a division. From the Sydney Gazette, and New South Wales Advertiser, of Saturday, Nov. 3, 1821. On Monday last the first stone of the first Roman Catholic chapel, in this part of the world, was laid in the presence of a vast assemblage of respectable persons, who were anxious to witness so important and interesting erection of this edifice, which is ina ceremony. The site chosen for the tended to be spacious as well as handsome, lies to the east of Hyde park, the front of the chapel facing the town. The spot in every way appears extremely eligible; and there can hardly be a doubt entertained but that the structure, when completed, will join with the other superb buildings in that attractive end of the town, in afford ing additional and consistent beauty to the rapidly improving Australian capital. His excellency the governor performed the grateful ceremony; for which purpose a very handsome silver trowel had been presented by Mr. Clayton, which was adorned with an appropriate inscription. "St. Mary's Chapel" was the designation which this intended place of worship receiv ed from his excellency. The reve rend Mr. Therry's address on the oc casion, and his excellency's answer, have been transmitted to us for inser tion, and are subjoined for the information of the public. The Rev. Mr. Therry's Address. "In presenting to your excellency this humble instrument (which, undervalued as it may be by the supercilious and unscientific, will not be contemned by any who have studied and patronised, as your excellency has done, the sciences and useful arts), We, the Catholics of this colony, cannot refrain, on so auspicious an occasion, from expressing our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to your excellency, for having designed to honour us, by personally laying the first stone of the first Roman Catholic chapel attempted to be erected in this territory. "As a worthy representative of a benevolent king, you, by this act of condescension, give an illustrious example, which will prove to be not less beneficial to society than meritorious to your excellency. You will have the merit of laying the firm foundation of a moral edifice of unanimity, mutual confidence, and fraternal love, and of more strongly cementing the respect and affection of all persua sions and parties, in the country, to our sovereign, to yourself, and to each other. "In the temple which you now commence, prayers shall be frequently offered to the throne of God, to invoke upon yourself, and your amiable family, the richest blessings of Heaven; and we venture to predict, that, whilst it shall continue to be appropriated to the sacred use for which it is intended, neither the name, nor the virtues of your excellency, shall at any time be forgotten. JOHN JOSEPH THERRY, "I receive from your hands, with much pleasure, in your own name, and that of your Roman Catholic brethren of New South Wales, the very handsome silver trowel now presented to me; and I feel myself much honoured in having been thus selected to make use of this instrument in laying the first stone of the first Roman Catholic chapel attempted to be erected in Australia. "The sentiments you have addressed to me are congenial with my own, in the beneficial result to be derived from the erection of the proposed edifice. "It has been a great gratification to me to witness and assist at the ceremony now performed ;-and I have every hope, that the consideration of the British government, in supplying the Roman Catholics of this colony with established clergymen, will be the means of strengthening and augmenting (if that be possible) the attachment of the Catholics of New South Wales to the British government, and will prove an inducement to them to continue, as I have ever found them to be, loyal and faithful subjects to the crown. "I beg you will accept of my best acknowledgments for the sentiments of friendly regard, and kind good wishes, you have been pleased to express for myself, and my family. LACHLAN MACQUARIE. 66 MARRIED. Lately, W. Cusack, esq. of Berner-street, Middlesex hospital, to Miss Denison, daughter of Dr. Denison. OBITUARY. DIED-At Versailles on the 21st of April, the right hon. Robert Plunkett, only surviving brother of the earl of Fingall. At his house in Rutland. square. on Sunday morning the 11th of May, the most rev. Dr. J. T. Troy Catholic archbishop of Dublin, and metropolitan of Ireland. This venerable prelate, who occupied a larger space even in the politics of the country than any Catholic bishop since the revolution, was in the 84th year of his age. He was in the Irish hierarchy 47 years, and filled the metropolitan see 37 years of that period with great prudence and propriety. Troy was born in 1749, appointed bishop in September 1777, and transferred to the archdiocess of Dublin in 1786. As a mark of respect to his memory, the citizens of Dublin, including those belonging to different persuasions, resolved, that his funeral should be a public one. Dr. At an early hour on Wednesday morning the 14th inst. the coffin containing the deceased prelate was brought from Cavendish-row to the new metropolitan chapel in Malborough-street, where it was placed upon a tressel in the centre of the chapel. The stole, crosier, and mitre of the deceased were placed upon the coffin. The office for the dead was celebrated between eleven and twelve o'clock by the most rev. Dr. Curtis, the most rev. Dr. Murray, the right rev. Dr. Marum, the right rev. Dr. Doyle, the right rev. Dr. Baynes, and the rev. Dr. French, Roman Catholic warden of Galway; the clergymen of the different chapels in Dublin joined in the solemn ceremony; at the conclusion of the office, the rev. Mr. Keogh delivered a funeral oration, after which, the most rev. Dr. Curtis celebrated a solemn high mass. At one o'clock the coffin was placed in the hearse, and the procession moved in the order agreed upon at the meeting of citizens. About 1200 citizens of all persuasions, in scarfs and hat bands, followed the remains of the venerable prelate, and were succeeded by about 120 carriages, chiefly private. During the day, the shipping in the river had their colours raised half mast high. A party of horse patrole attended, and although the streets were crowded to excess, no accident occurred. About three o'clock the remains of Dr. Troy were deposited in the vault of George's-hill convent. "On the 22th inst. at Coughton, the seat of sir George Throckmorton, the rev. Thos. Barr, O. S. B. AMBROSE CUDDON, 2, Carthusian-street, Aldersgate-street. Mr. EDITOR,-No Catholic can read "The Memoirs of the Missionary Priests," by the late bishop Challoner, without being sensibly moved with admiration of those invincible champions of his religion. They are indeed beyond all human praise ; and we are proud of belonging to a faith which produced such magnanimous souls, men so glorious in their generation as not to suffer in the comparison with the primitive martyrs, But whilst we cherish and venerate their memories, we must acknowledge our profound obligations to the illustrious prelate who so diligently and faithfully collected their histories. He was a worthy penman of their lives and sufferings. He was a stranger to preju, dice; and every line proves that he was animated with zeal to promote the honour and glory of his God. 4 In his preface the pious author laments that he was left in the dark with regard to several of those heroes of Catholic faith; and he invites such as have memoirs relating to their suf ferings, to contribute their assistance. Having had the good fortune to meet with several records of those eventful times, I yave digested them with care, to serve as illustrations and notes or portions of this standard work. If you think them useful and calculated to give edification, they are very much at your service. With every good wish for the success of your valuable Miscellany, I remain, your humble servant, S. N. P. CUTHBERT MAINE.-1577. THIS holy martyr had been a pupil of F. Campion. The news of his happy death was forwarded to F. Campions at Prague by his dear friend Gregory Martin. In his reply, dated July 17, 1579, the father thus expresses himself. "Valdè te amo de martyrio Cuthberti, vel amamus pòtiùs; multis enim illa narratio divinam attulit voluptatem. Me miserum, quem ille Novitius tam longè à tergo reliquerit! Sit propitius Amico veteri et Præceptori; horum enim nominum gloriolâ perfruar nunc ambitiosiùs quam unquam anteà." The skull of this blessed martyr is kept with due respect at Lanherne-place, Cornwall. Hoker states, in his MS. History of Exeter, p. 358, "at the assizes kept at Launceston, Sept. 16, 1577, one Tregian and Thomas Harrys, schoolmaster, were condemned in a premunire for their popish religion. Also Cuthbert Mayne, a popish priest, was attainted of high treason, for having of one Agnus Dei and the other like trash." He adds, "after his hanging, there was found in his bosom a book dedicated to the pope, in which was his confession of his horrible....and of the pope's pardon for the same." This bigotted historian has forgotten to say, who put that book in the martyr's bosom. The gentleman who had harboured this protomartyr of the missionary priests, was Francis Tregian, not Thomas. The latter was the christian name of his father. He was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, but after twenty-eight years close confinement, was discharged by king James, in 1605. Mr. Dodd, p. 171, vol. ii. Ch. Hist. says, that he visited Douay college in July 1606, after which he loses sight of him. the fact is, he retired to Lisbon, where he died, Sept. 25, 1608. The following letter, never yet published, throws considerable light on his history. It was written from Lisbon, by F. Ignatius Stafford, April 26, 1625, to F. Francis Forcer, in Madrid. But "Reverend Father, I will rehearse unto you the sequent case which happened yesterday, the 25th of this present, by reason of a certain grave was then opened, wherein an English knight had been formerly buried, as in the book of the præfect of the church is found briefly set down as followeth, Nesta cava esta enterrado Don Franciso Tregian, Cavallero Ingles, 6 qui estuve preso em Inglaterra por la Sancta Fe, 28 anos, sendo Snor principal des muitos vasallos, con ches tomarem toda sua fazenda : em fim desterrado de Inglaterra neo para esta Ciudad de Lisboa, com entretenimento que o Rey che deo de 60 cruzados cada mes, e sendo da idade de 60 anos e levado a nosto senr. em Paraiso, 25 de Setembro, 1608."* This is verbatim that which is found in the prefect's book, which some three weeks agone I read by chance finding the book open in the same place, and then understood what this gentleman was, and found in the house, by fathers that knew him, great testimonies of his sanctity. His grave being yesterday opened, his body was found incorrupt and entire, without corruption in any part, so much as in nose, ears, or stomach, or any other part most subject unto corruption, yea even his bowels were whole, neither did any evil savour or smell proceed from it. His hair is upon his head and beard, his nails upon his hands and feet; and, as I said, all whole and entire; his flesh soft, and being pressed down, riseth up again; his arms, fingers, and legs flexible. Finally, all that have resorted hither, physicians and others, judge the matter to be miraculous, for it is seventeen years since he was buried; and some five years ago, there was buried in the same grave a young youth (though not laid so deep as this body) which is altogether consumed. Moreover in this our church we find by experience, that all such persons as are buried therein, are soon corrupted. Some have confessed they endeavoured to pull off his fingers and nails, but could not. Also another particular circumstance happened to be found, and was, that all the Franciscan habit, wherein he was buried, was consumed, save only so much as was sufficient to cover his members, about a span length and breadth, which was found entire. This is the present case briefly (hereafter we shall have more to write) which hath so sounded in this city, that although we do not shew the body in public, until the matter be juridically In this vault is buried Mr. Francis Tregian, an English gentleman, who was a prisoner in England for the holy faith for twenty-eight years. Lord in chief of many vassals, he was robbed of them with the rest of his property: at ast, banished from England, he sailed for the city of Lisbon, and was allowed a pension by the king of sixty cruzados monthly. At the age of 60 he went to our Lord in Paradise, Sept. 25, 1608. |