MR. MILLS has prepared a work on Irish Tithes and Temporals, which Mr. Cobbett says (Register, Vol. 42, p. 250) he hopes the public is soon to have in their possession. It presents a picture, he adds, which, if it could but be once seen by every man in the kingdom, would cause the immediate, the instant abolition of the monstrous original, the equal of which has never been seen before in any country under the sun.

PROFESSOR CHENEVIERE, of Geneva, has in the press a French Translation of Marsh's Michaelis, with many additional notes. Scriptural criticism has been so much neglected among the French and Swiss Protestants, that the publication of a version of this admirable work becomes an important fact; and it is doubly so at a moment when authority pretends to decide all subjects of doubt, and refuses to the judgment and to the conviction their honest exercise. The Professor will attack the supposed errors of the English Prelate, and give, we have reason to believe, a high tone of liberal feeling to the volumes.

Letter from Lord Byron to Mr. MurCain." ray, the Bookseller, on his

ATTACKS upon me were to be expected; but I perceive one upon you in the papers, which I confess I did not expect. How, or in what manner, you can be considered responsible for what I publish, I am at a loss to conceive. If "Cain" be "blasphemous," Paradise Lost is blasphemous; and the words of the Oxford gentleman, Evil, be thou my good," are from that very poem, from the mouth of Satan; and is there any thing more in that of Lucifer in the Mystery? Cain is nothing more than a drama, not a piece of argument. If Lucifer and Cain speak as the first murderer and the first rebel may be supposed to speak, surely all the rest of the personages talk also according to their characters; and the stronger passions have ever been permitted to the drama. I have even avoided introducing the Deity, as in Scripture (though Mil ton does, and not very wisely either); but have adopted his angel, as sent to Cain, instead, on purpose to avoid shocking any feelings on the subject, by falling short of what all uninspired men must fall short in, viz. giving an adequate no

tion of the effect of the presence of Jehovah. The old Mysteries introduced hims liberally enough, and all this is avoided in the new one.

The attempt to bully you, because they think it will not succeed with me, seems to me as atrocious an attempt as ever disgraced the times. What! when Gibbon's, Hume's, Priestley's and Drummond's publishers have been allowed to rest in peace for seventy years, are you to be singled out for a work of fiction, not of history or argument? There must be something at the bottom of thissome private enemy of your own: it is otherwise incredible.

I can only say, "Me-me adsum qui feci," that any proceedings directed against you, I beg may be transferred to me, who am willing, and ought to endure them all; that if you have lost money by the publication, I will refund any, or all, of the copyright; that I desire you will say, that both you and Mr. Gifford remonstrated against the publication, as also Mr. Hobhouse; that I alone occasioned it, and I alone am the person who either legally or otherwise should bear the burden. If they prosecute, I will come to England; that is, if by meeting it in my own person, I can save yours. Let me know-you sha'nt suffer for me, if I can help it. Make any use of this letter which you please.

Yours ever,

Slave Trade.

BYRON.

It is distressing to learn that the nefarious commerce in human beings is still largely carried on. The profits of the abominable traffic are so great, that it is not likely to be finally crushed, until all the civilized states shall engage by treaty to employ an adequate naval force on the African coasts, for the protection of humanity. England has, to the honour of her government, done much in this philanthropic work; the United States of America, more. The latter country has employed armed vessels on the shores of Africa for the suppression of the piracy (as it is now regarded) of making and transporting slaves. Many wretched cargoes have been seized by the American navy, and the poor negroes carried to the United States' colony, set on foot in Africa for their civilization. A committee of the Senate was appointed some time ago for the suppression of the Slave Trade, and they have made a report in which they recommend the continuance of the exertions already made, with some improvements as to the construction of the vessels employed and their comple

ment of seamen, and to urge the neces sity of a treaty with the maritime powers of Europe for allowing the reciprocal right of search, under certain modifica tions, with a view to prevent the fraudulent exercise of the accursed traffic. The committee allege that the horrid trade has been chiefly carried on of late under the French flag, though they seem willing to allow that Frenchmen may not be privy to the guilt. There are, no doubt, in all countries wretches whom the lust of gold will draw into any crimes how ever monstrous. All the world exclaims against the characters of such monsters; but will they not abound of necessity, while bloodshedding under the name of war is accounted honourable, and robbery on the high seas justifiable?

Tithes chargeable with Poor's Rates,

AT the last Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held at Norwich, on Wednesday the 17th of April, the Court came to a most important decision on the Poor Laws, on an appeal by the Rev. Dr. Bulwer, Rector of Cawston, against the Poor Rates for that parish. The Doctor had been rated at 5501. for his tithes, against which he appealed, upon the ground that it exceeded a fourth of the assessment upon the titheable property in the parish, which he contended was the proportion, at which tithes should be assessed to the Poor Rate. The Court dismissed the appeal, being unanimously of opinion, that there was no rule in law for affixing a proportional assessment on tithes compared with land, and that the only principle was, to assess all real property according to the productive value or profit which it yielded. This determination is important, as it recognizes a principle, the general application of which, at the present time, will necessarily be attended with the most serious results, both to the farmer and the clergy; upon the latter of whom the chief burden of the poor will now, as in former times, be thrown. According to this principle it is evident that, at present prices, the assessment upon land ought to be merely nominal, and that the tithes should be assessed to their full amount, it being notorious that no profit whatever is now afforded from land in general, and that which the landlord receives in the name of rent, is, in fact, a payment out of the farmer's capital; while tithes, being taken clear of taxes and all other expenses attending the raising of the crop, are nearly all profit. This decision has, we understand, excited a great sensation in Norfolk, and the farmers, in many places, have already insisted upon a reduction

of their assessments, and upon rating the parsons to the full amount of their tithes, as well where they are compounded for as when taken in kind. Let the farmers generally adopt this plan, and they will not only obtain immediate and considerable relief, but, in a few months, they will see the clergy as clamorous for Reform as the most devoted radical; for nothing short of Reform, any alteration in the law being wholly out of the question, can now prevent the tithes from being wholly swallowed up in Poor Rates. The above principle was acknowledged, in its full extent, a short time since in the Court of King's Bench: Mr. Justice Holroyd having expressly declared, that rate on land is, in effect, a rate on the profits on land; for, where there are no profits, there is no beneficial occupation.

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, APRIL 30. Admission of Catholic Peers to the House of Lords.

MR. CANNING brought forward his mo tion for allowing Catholic Peers to sit in the Upper House. His speech was eloquent and impressive; but the less interesting as it proceeded on narrow grounds of policy rather than enlarged principles of freedom. The principal antagonist of the measure was Mr. PEEL, who vindicated the intolerant side of the question with great gravity, little reason and not more bigotry than his argument absolutely required. The motion in favour of the Catholic Peers was carried by a majority of four. The Bill thus brought in, was read a second time, May 10th, when another division took place, the majority in behalf of the measure being now increased to twelve. On the third reading, May 17th, the Bill was allowed to pass the Commous without a division. It will now go to the House of Lords, where its reception will depend upon the temper of the Court. We fear that it will be thrown out.

Various petitions have been presented to both Houses by the Unitarians throughout the country, praying for relief from the Marriage Service, as far as it implies Trinitarian worship. One counter petition was presented to the House of Commons, May 17th, by Sir WM. LEMON, from several Clergymen in the neighbourhood of Bodmin, in Cornwall, " praying that no alteration might be made in the Marriage Act in favour of Unitarian Dissenters.' Sir William had previously presented an Unitarian petition from Falmouth.

No. CXCVIII.]

G

ALEAZZO CARACCIOLI, whose name stands connected with the history of the Reformation in Italy and in Switzerland, was born at Naples in Jan. 1517. He was descended from an ancient and honourable family, who held large territorial possessions in the vicinity of Capua. His father, Calantonio Caraccioli, had distinguished himself in the service of the Emperor Charles V., who, in testimony of his friendship and confidence, had created him Marquis of Vico, and associated him with the Viceroy in the government of his Italian dominions. On his mother's side he was connected by blood with the family of Caraffi, which gave a Pontiff to the See of Rome. At the age of twenty, the young Caraccioli formed an alliance with another of the noble houses of Italy by marrying Victoria, the daughter of the Duke of Nuceria, with whom he received a munificent portion. The influence of his father had obtained for him an honourable appointment at Court, where his superior mental endowments, his personal accomplishments, his elegant and engaging manners, rendered him a general favourite, and recommended him to the especial esteem of the Emperor.

Such were the circumstances in which he stood at the time when Val

The Life of Galeazzo Caraccioli was written in Italian by Nicholas Balbini, minister of the Italian Church at Geneva. This was afterwards translated into Latin by Beza, and subsequently, "for the benefit of our people, put into English" by William Crawshay, and published under the following title: "The Italian Convert: News from Italy of a Second Moses; or, the Life of Galeacius Caracciolus, the Noble Marquis of Vico," &c. &c. From this work the chief facts of the following Memoir have been taken. VOL. XVII.

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[Vol. XVII.

desso was endeavouring to disseminate at Naples the principles of the Reformation; and it must be confessed, that, basking as he then was in the sun-shine of the royal favour, already possessed of noble rank and ample revenues, and having the fairest prospects of Court promotion to gratify his youthful ambition, nothing could be thought more unlikely than his secession to the unpopular cause of the Reformers; and his conversion must be regarded as a singular triumph of integrity over every consideration of worldly interest and fame.

The change in his religious sentiments is said to have been effected, in the first instance, through the instrumentality of John Francis Caserta, a near relation of his, and one of Valdesso's earliest disciples. Having himself warmly embraced the reformed doctrine, Caserta availed himself of the opportunities afforded him by their frequent and familiar intercourse, to explain and recommend them to his young friend. His first endeavours in this way do not appear to have been followed by the desired success; but he so far prevailed as to induce Galeazzo to accompany him to hear the lectures which Peter Martyr was then delivering to a select audience on the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. To the observations of the lecturer he listened with the deepest attention. They struck him equally by their novelty and their impressive force; they awakened within him a spirit of religious inquiry; and determined him to satisfy his own mind by a careful perusal of the Scriptures,

loved, to abandon a faith which he had newly embraced under an imperative sense of duty. The difficulties and the dangers of his situation presented themselves at once to his mind in their utinost force. He clearly saw that whilst he remained in the bosom of his family he should be exposed to strong temptations to give up a profession which he observed to be to them the occasion of so much grief. There appeared to him to be but one course which he could safely follow, it was to sever himself from the objects of his affection, and go into voluntary exile. When he had resolved upon this step he communicated his intention to a few confidential friends, who had joined the Reformed party, and obtained their promise to accompany him; but when the time fixed for their departure arrived, their courage failed, and they broke their engagement. Nothing daunted by this disappointment, he collected some property which he had inherited from his mother, and quitted Naples in March, 1551. In order the better to conceal his real purpose, he went, in the first place, as he had been accustomed to do, into Germany, and joined the Emperor's Court at Augsburg, where he remained till the middle of May. He then took his leave, under pretence of going into the Low Countries, but pursued the route of Geneva, where he arrived in safety on the 8th of June following.

When the intelligence reached Naples that he had taken up his residence among the Reformers in Switzerland, his family were filled with astonishment and dismay. His father instantly dispatched to Geneva a near relation

attend the emperor's court. See "The Italian Convert," &c., pp. 28-30, it is observable that the Author, in the above passage, distinguishes between the Ariaus and Anabaptists, and the Waldesians, as he calls them, or the disciples of Valdesso. He seems to exonerate the latter from the Arian heresy, and confines himself to the reprobation of their temporising policy in endeavouring to keep upon good terms with their Popish neighbours, and with the church by occasional conformity; that is, by countenancing, by their presence, the faith and worship of a church which in their conscience they believed to be false and idolatrous.

to represent to him the calamitous consequences to which his conduct was likely to lead, and the affliction in which he had plunged his wife and children. But though the young Marquis received his friend with great kindness, none of the arguments he advanced, powerfully as they might have affected his feelings, could in the least shake his determination to remain where he was.

Shortly after the return of this messenger, a royal edict was published, in which Galeazzo was denounced as a traitor, the property which he had inherited from his mother, declared to be confiscated, and himself and his children proclaimed incapable of succeeding to the family honours and possessions.

The extremities to which measures were carried by this severe instrument induced the old Marquis to renew his endeavours to bring him back to the Roman Church. Having resolved upon a journey into Germany to petition in person for the revocation, or for some modification of the sentence, he wrote to his son to meet him at Verona, transmitting to him at the same time a safe conduct to relieve him from all apprehensions of being forcibly detained in the territories of Venice. Galeazzo augured no good from this interview. He determined, however, to comply with his father's injunctions, and to proceed to the place he had appointed. The conference which followed ended by leaving the parties just where they were at its commencement. Galeazzo would immediately have taken his departure, but his father prevailed upon him to remain at Verona till he should return. When he came back he informed him that he had succeeded with the Emperor so far as to obtain the remission of that part of the sentence which related to Galeazzo's children, and the appointment of his eldest son to be the heir to the family titles and estates.

Galeazzo now returned to Geneva, but he had scarcely reached the city when a fresh attempt was made to and the Reformers. prevail upon him to quit Switzerland The recent elevation to the Papal throne of Paul the Fourth, who was his mother's brother, having opened to the family new prospects of aggrandisement and political influence, his father thought that a