the purpose of forming a Catholic burying ground. A Committee was afterwards appointed with powers to carry this resolution into effect, and a very favourable report has already been drawn up and published.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. On Sunday the second of November, a Pontifical high mass was celebrated at the Catholic Chapel, London Road, St. George's Fields, by the Right Rev. Doctor J. Y. Bramstone, when a very impressive discourse was delivered by the Right Reverend Dootor Poynter, in aid of the funds of the said chapel, and on the following Sunday, Nov. 9th, the Right Reverend J. Y. Bramstone again celebrated a Pontifical high mass at the chapel in Virginia-street, and the cause of some hundreds of little ones educated under the auspices of the East London Catholic Institution, was warmly advocated by the Right Reverend Doctor Poynter, in a most pesuasive and eloquent address. There is besides in that neighbourhood a society of Charitable Sisters, (for the relief of destitute and distressed females) to whom his Lordship took occasion to pay a well-deserved and grateful compliment. Indeed, seeing the great good effected by the exertions of these truly charitable ladies, we have often been surprised that similar societies have not beenestablished in other parts of the metropolis.

Immediately after mass on Sunday the sixteenth of November, several gentlemen of the congregation, attached to the Catholic chapel in St. George's Fields, held a meeting at the chapelhouse James Langdale, esq. in the chair. When it was unanimously resolved, that a chalice, a paten, cruets and stand, of the value of not less than fifty pounds, be presented to the Right Rev. Dr. James Yorke Bramstone, as a tribute of grateful remembrance from his late flock. And that a subscription towards defraying the expense of the same be immediately entered into.

It

was also resolved, that no donation of more than two pounds be received from any one individual. Very near the amount of the sum required was made up in the room before the meeting dispersed.

To the Catholic Public.

On surveying the wants of the Midland District, the Right Rev. Vicar Apostolic has found no part of his extensive charge so destitute of places of worship, as that part which extends to the East of Warwick, through Northamptonshire, onward to the Coast; and accordingly, he has judged it essential to the interests of religion, to establish a regular Mission at Northampton:

The number (about 80) of Catholics in that town, their distamce from a Catholic Chapel, about 14 miles, and that Chapel not in the District, and not a public one; the vicinity of Weedon Barracks, where are sometimes stationed 300 (at present 200) Irish Catholic Soldiers, who, at the forbidding distance of 20 miles from any Chapel, find themselves in a state of complete Spiritual destitution, as was feelingly urged in a petition from that place, lately forwarded to the Bishop, on this subject; the fact too, that there is not a single Public Chapel in the whole county, are considerations which appear amply to justify the general measure, as well as the preference in particular, of the town of Northampton.

For the execution, therefore, of so salutary a plan, it having pleased the Bishop of the Midland District to make choice of the Rev. Wm. Foley, of St. Mary's College, Oscott, and to appoint him the future Pastor of the place; he feels himself compelled, in the absence of other resources, to appeal to the Generosity and Charity of the Catholic Public. He is aware of the many calls that are almost daily made upon the patience and charity of Catholics; but believing that these virtues are not

exhausted among them, he ventures to present to them this additional Petition. Perhaps too, he may be permitted to remind them, that the solicitations of Charity are not to be rejected, precisely because they are frequent; for that Charity was formed to be co-extensive with want, and that want will exist, till the arrival of that hour when the former things shall have passed away,

The object of this Petition, is to procure the means of erecting a Chapel in the Town of Northampton, and a House for the Priest.

CONTRIBUTIONS for these purposes will be thankfully received by the Rev. WM. FOLEY, by the Rev. T. WALSH, of St. Mary's College, Oscott, and by MESSRS. WRIGHT, & Co.

VESTMENTS, Tabernacle, Crucifix, Altar-Piece, any article of Church Furniture, however humble, will be gratefully accepted.

Sep. 10th, 1823.

WM. FOLEY,
St. Mary's, Oscott.

NEW CATHOLIC CHAPELS. We have this month again a duty to perform which always affords us the utmost pleasure-announcing to the public the opening of new catholic chapels. The catholics of Warrington, in Lancashire, having by the blessing of God upon the labours of their zealous pastor, much encreased in numbers, and their former chapel being both too small and inconvenient, it was thought necessary to rebuild it. This by the incredible exertions of their pastor, has been effected in a space of time scarcely exceeding 6 months, and now instead of an obscure dark and damp place of worship, the catholics of Warrington have a most capacious and elegant chapel, which will be an ornament to the town, and it is hoped will serve to raise a little

the catholics in the estimation of their neighbours, and thus bring their protestant brethren one step nearer the truth by removing that opprobrium under which it too often unjustly lies. This ceremony took place on the 13th instant. The chapel had been blessed the previous evening by the Rt. Rev. P. Baines, Coadjutor of the Western District, whom the Bishop of this diocese had authorised to perform all the episcopal functions necessary for the occasion. The same evening and early the next morning the clergy began to arrive from all parts of the neighbourhood to assist in the solemn pontifical mass, which was going to be celebrated. At the time of serIvice it was found that no fewer than thirty-four priests had assembled, perhaps a greater number than ever were assembled before in this country on such an occasion. These being all habited in their cassocks and surplices, and each bearing a lighted taper in his hand, followed the cross-bearer from the vestry to the bottom of the left aisle in procession, the bishop with his attendants, coming last, and giving his benediction to the assembled multitude. The procession returned up the middle, and the clergy arranging themselves right and left out-side the altar rails, the bishop and his attendants entered within the sanctuary, and took their seats, he and his Presbyter on the right, the Deacon and Subdeacon on the left, on a level with the highest step, and three Priests on each side below the steps of the altar, but within the rails, to serve as Acolytes, Thurifers, Crosier-bearer, &c. &c. The whole of these offices were performed by Priests, to add more dignity, and avoid confusion, which always destroys that religious impression, which such awful ceremonies are calculated to make. On the present occasion, owing to the arrangements which had been entered into by his Lordship, the Chaplin, and Master of Ceremonies, every

part was filled in the most appropriate manner. Nor do we ever remember to have witnessed a service performed with such calm and dignified regularity. At the Elevation, every Priest lighted again the taper he bore, and bowing in profound adoration, expressed his lively faith in the real presence of their Saviour and Redeemer. In the mean time, instead of the little bell, which is usually tinkled, a large bell hung outside the Chapel was tolled. This had a particularly grand effect-all within being silence and adoration.

Surely such awful ceremonies as these must strike the beholder, however thoughtless or profane, and if they do not lead them to adopt our faith, they cannot but make them respect our religion, which teaches us to express our adoration in such an exalted manner. How poor and cold must every reformed worship appear, when contrasted with the animated and glowing pomp of such a service! The whole was accompanied by a select choir, which added to the solemnity by the excellency of their performance. After mass, his Lordship preached a sermon, of the eloquence of which we despair of conveying to the reader, even a faint idea. It was the most impressive discourse we have ever heard, and many of the hearers, both clergyand laity, after being overpowered by the vehemence of the reasoning, were melted into tears by the irresistable feeling expressed in the pathetic description. The object of it was to prove the necessity of religion for the happiness of society, as well as for individual comfort. In the former part he shewed the inefficacy of all human laws for the prevention of crime. They may extinguish the individual transgressor, but cannot stop the progress of crime. The human passions are too strong to be subdued by such means; they require a stronger curb, which nothing but religion can give. Religion alone

can civilize nations, and of brutes make men brothers. In the second part, his Lordship gave us a most brilliant description of the unhappiness of a great man of this world-abounding in honors, wealth, and pleasures, yet unhappy for want of something, which perhaps he himself cannot express, and if he can is still something less substantial than smoke. Yet the possession of all the rest does not compensate for the want of this one; and because he cannot obtain this trifling something, his life is miserable, and he puts an end to his existence. Compared with this, how calm, how happy the feelings of a virtuous man, even amidst the severest distresses-happy this life-but in the moments of death, cheered by the pleasures of hope and resignation, which could no where else be found. The pathos of this part was so great as to subdue the stoutest heart, and make the libertine even for once wish that he were a virtuous man. He then bestowed a merited compliment on the Pastor of the congregation, who by his energy had raised, as it were by magic, so convenient and large an edifice; so short had been the time of its erection ! He concluded by praying a blessing upon that chapel, upon the congregation, and all present &c. The collection made that day exceeded £140. It was indeed a proud day for the Catholic religion in that neighbourhood, and long will be remembered by the protestants, many of whom, in retiring from the chapel, made observations which shewed how much they had felt, and what a proper influence it had had upon their minds. Indeed we cannot better conclude this account, than by wishing it may have this effect on many of them, to make them examine into the real tenets of that religion, which is so beautiful, or as our controversial poet expresses it,

has such a face and such a mien, As to be lov'd, needs only to be seen.

On

On the 28th ultimo, a new chapel at Ashley, in Staffordshire, was opened with a grand high mass, sung by the Rev. Mr. Price, of Stafford, and astistants. The choir from Cobridge conducted the music with much taste and credit to themselves and satisfaction to others, it being throughout performed with that solemn dignity and chaste strains, which, while it pleases the ear, it irresistably raises the mind to the contemplation and desire of heaven. The sermons, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, were both delivered by that most indefatigable and zealous missioner, the Rev. Francis Martyn of Bloxwich, and Walsal. both and each of which places he serves every Sunday, morning, afternoon, and evening: this is a duty, perhaps greater than is imposed on any other missioner in the kingdom. the present occasion, his usual and easy flow of eloquence was perhaps the more persuasive by the extremely interesting cause he had to plead. The collections amounted to £18. which was considerably more than could be expected from so poor a congregation. Indeed, every circumstance connected with this undertaking, serves in a particular manner to recommend it to the charitable consideration of every friend to religion. For many years past, this place had been without a priest, without an altar, without a sacrifice--Thus destitute of the many great advantages, and comforts which our holy religion so abundantly bestows, the poor Catholics of Ashley, and its neighbourhood, have united each their mite from their narrow pittance and hard earnings, to the erection of the present very neat and commodious edifice, which well calculated to advance the sacred cause of religious truth, both to the comfort and happiness of those who are happily under its benign influence, as well as for the instruction of others who have been educated in error and prejudice.

To aid an undertaking, in which

every shilling employed is productive of so much good, is, we trust, sufficient apology on our part, for this appeal to our readers and to the public in general, which we make at the request of the worthy pastor of the place, and we hope it will not be made in vain. The common argument of the frequency of such appeals, we think, should not operate in the slightest degree to the rejection of them. When we view the progress of religion, and contemplate the noble and great designs undertaken by such men as the Rev. Mr. Molyneux, at Warrington, the Rev. Mr Foley, at Northampton, the Rev. Mr. Gerard, at Cobridge and at Ashley, we cannot but wish they may every month and every day increase. And for us not to aid such praiseworthy and most charitable exertions by every means in our power, would we conceive be the same as endeavouring to extinguish that fire which Christ himself came down from heaven, to cast upon the earth, and which he so earnestly desired to see enkindled in the hearts of all and every one of his disciples.

Subscriptions in aid of the Ashley Chapel and Mission, will be thankfully received by the Rt. Rev. Dr, Milner, Wolverhampton; the Rev. G. Bricknall, Yoxall; the Rev. Francis Martyn, Bloxwich; the Rev. J. Price, Stafford; the Rev. Lewis Gerard, Cobridge; and by the Editor hereof.

BIRTH.

On Sunday, 23d of November, at Kensington, the lady of R. Walmsley, Esq. of a son.

OBITUARY,

Died, on Wednesday, 5th November, Sir Pyers Mostyn, Bart.

On Sunday, 23d November, Mrs. Teresa Gibson, aged 74 years. Relict of the late Mr. George Gibson, of Ratcliff Highway.

REQUIESCANT IN PACE.