M. Gfarnier Pages thus describes the Jesuits : — " In every

Italian town, as in every European nation, there was, during 1848, a general rising against the Company of Jesus, whose interference in the domain of politics has never ceased to be of the most active kind. In the eyes of the people they exist wherever despotism exists, and disappear wherever liberty appears. Auxiliaries of absolute kings, they are the adversaries of all pro- gress. They maintain ignorance, and oppose light. Devoted to the past, they are the enemies of the future ; so much so, that were it possible, they would even prevent time from advancing. They know but one law, one faith, and one morality ; and that law, faith, and morality, they call authority. To a superior they submit life and conscience. To their Order they sacrifice individuality. They are neither French, Italians, Germans, nor Spaniards. They are not citizens of any country. They are Jesuits only. They have but one family, one fortune, and one end, and all three are included in the word Com- munity."*
In England,, and other countries, the Jesuits exist under differ- ent names, such as the " Adorers of Jesus," " Redemptorists"
* Quoted in the Moriiiinj St«r. April la, 1861.
136
"Brothers of the Christian Doctrine," "Brothers of the Congrega- tion of the Holy Virgin,"* " Fathers of the Faith" " St. Vincent de Pmd,"-f etc. The Jesuit has adapted himself to the customs, habits, and even religion of the people of a country in order to promote the object of his society. " In a Protestant country he is a Protestant ; in a Catholic country he is a Catholic ; and in a Mussulman country he is a Mussulman."^:
One of the most powerful and dangerous of these affiliated Jesuitical Societies is that of St. Vincent de Paul ; it has its branches in all parts of the world, and is computed to comprise 700,000 members.^ Its object is ostensibly to benefit the poor ; but it is, in fact, a religio -political organization. It has its local, central, and general councils ; quarterly meetings, conferences, fetes, and pilgrimages ; it has passports and circular letters for its members. [| It adapts itself to all classes and conditions — addresses itself to the scholar, the soldier, the mechanic, the apprentice, the labourer, to the mother and the daughter, for all of whom it issues a suitable publication.^
This body, which has proved to be dangerous to the well-being of every State in Europe, is putting forth prodigious efforts in this country, and, notwithstanding the law forbids the residence of Jesuits in England,** numerous affiliated societies, together with a provincial of the order, exist here in defiance of the law.
* Startling Facts, p. 5, published at the " Express Office," Galway.
f Lea Jesidtes, by Charles Habeiieck, Paris, 1860, p. 22. J Ibid, p. 7. § Ibid, p. 30. || Ibid, p. 28.
^ Ibid, p. 27. ** 9 Geo. iv. c. 7.
137
FREDERICK THE GREAT OF PRUSSIA AND THE
JESUITS.
[Extracted from the History of the Jesuits, by Gr. B. NICOLINI.— H. G. Bohn, London, 1854.]