Observations on the State of Religion and Literature in SpainBowring, John
Religion
Observations on the State of Religion and Literature in Spain
Bowring, John
Catholic Church -- Spain; Spain -- Description and travel; Spain -- Religion; Spanish literature -- 19th century -- History and criticism
Of himself: “Mi conducta me granjeó el favor de todos los buenos de
Galicia, que me mirában como una columna del partido servil. El
consejo de Castilla me honró confiándome la censura de varios papeles
qui califiqué de sediciosos, subersivos é injuriosos á la soberania
de S. M. El primer nombrado por la Junta de Obispos por la censura
de todos los escritos revolucionarios é impios fué el Padre Martinez
_nemine discrepante_. El ayuntamiento de Santiago me comisionó que
diere gracias á S. M. por el reestablecimiento de la Inquisicion
pidiendo á S. M. por los P.P. Jesuitas. ‘El Rey en atencion al
distinguido merito y servicios del Padre Martinez’ me nombra su
predicador supernumerario: y despues, ‘S. M. en consideracion á la
solida literatura de V. S. y á los servicios hechos á su real
persona, la religion y al estado,’ le nombra Consexero de la Suprema
de la Inquisicion!”
Of the above sermon: “Hablé con la ligereza y superficialidad de un
orador que habla de lo que no entiende. Era poco instruido en el
derécho publico Español. Hablé constitucional y por conseqüente
disparatadamente. Sermon de adornos, flores, y exâgerados
hiperboles, sedicioso, subersivo é injurioso á la soberania de S. M.”
Another disgraceful example may be quoted in that of Father Velez, the
present Bishop of Ceuta, who has lately published a book, entitled
Defensa del Altar y del Trono, so infamous, so full of outrages, insults,
and shameless mendacity, that the very Inquisition refused to license its
impression; and our mitred libeller delivered a copy to the king, whose
taste it so admirably suited, that he issued an immediate mandate, signed
by his royal hand, ordering its instant publication. I believe it is the
only book which has been printed for years without the Inquisition’s
authority.
{12} The title of _Ingrato_ is, in fact, the Spanish despot’s right _par
excellence_. A few more such examples would dissolve the spell which
holds so many slaves in bondage, and lead them to doubt whether
“_Such divinity_ as doth hedge a king,”
can really be of celestial origin.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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