I will now state what happened to me on leaving Rome in 1835, as well as what took place after my departure from Italy, in 1842. All which will fully explain the complete history of my conversion; which, while it has been to me the most fortunate event of my whole life, will also, I hope, prove the commencement of an era in the history of Italy which my fellow-countrymen have been expecting and looking for during the last 300 years. I look upon this circumstance as the first link of a long chain, that is one day to be completed. My individual conversion and reformation will, it is to be hoped, be the means of effecting that of many others; how or in what manner, I am unable to judge; certainly not as calculated upon in the popish sanhedrin, but according to the secret arrangements of the Most High. I read in this conversion of mine a most extraordinary event: Rome did all she could to retain me as her defender, as a theologian qualified in every respect to serve her purposes; and I, on the contrary, against the inclination of the natural man, did all in my power to show how much I despised her service, and her flattering offers,--indifferent alike to her honours and her gifts; drawing down upon myself her eternal odium and vengeance. Still I must acknowledge, that it was not myself, but a secret spirit within me, that resisted; overruling my natural inclinations, and preventing my being led away by the proffered allurements of ambition and wealth. I began to look without apprehension on my position with respect to the Church, and my duties connected with it. The dormant idea of Hierarchy had faded from my mind, and that of Community occupied its place. I required not the assistance of the pope to understand the Bible; I looked to the Saviour alone to elevate my soul towards God. It had now become impossible for me to remain any longer under so vile a subjection. Higher aspirations came over me; I was led into other paths, through the adorable dispositions of that Providence by whom the destinies of all men are ordained; the same which, after having permitted for all-wise ends the abomination of popery to dominate during so many ages in Italy, seems now to will its destruction. So may it be. Amen. FOOTNOTES: [39] Rom. xiv. 17. [40] St. John vi. 63. [41] Acts x. 13. [42] Christ-eater. [43] Matt. vi. 7. [44] Matt. xv. 7-9. [45] Matt. xv. 10, 11. [46] 1 John i. 8, 9, 10, c. v. 16. [47] Luke xvii. 3. [48] This is the famous Bullicame of Viterbo, a thermal spring, which existed many years before this famous Madonna. Dante makes mention of it. [49] Every town in Italy has its patron saint, besides several subordinate ones. Naples has its St. Januarius, and about fifty subalterns. [50] _Ad majorem Dei gloriam_, is the motto of the Jesuits. [51] A class of heretics so called. [52] _Beata_ is a degree below Saint, as Bachelor of Arts is below Master. [53] Mark xiv. 27. [54] Matt. xxvi. 34. CHAPTER X. MY FAREWELL TO ROME.