Of all our present sects the _Jews_ and the _Catholics_ seem to claim the precedence in point of antiquity. The former composed a part of the population of Lynn at a pretty remote period; and the treatment they here experienced ought to be spoken of only in terms of the utmost reprobation. They were pillaged and massacred in the most brutal manner, and had their very habitations burnt and destroyed, as has been related in a former part of this work. {1103} There are still some Jewish families resident here; and we believe they have always had a synagogue in the town. It was for many years in Tower Street; but that has been lately pulled down, being part of the premises which the _Methodists_ have purchased for the purpose of erecting there their intended magnificent and capacious temple. We have not learnt that the Jews have yet been able to procure another synagogue; but we may suppose that they will not be long without it. At present they probably meet in some private apartment fitted up for the purpose, till a more suitable place can be obtained. As to the CATHOLICS, they were formerly our predominant sect, and constituted the established church of England and of Lynn, for near a thousand years. They have long been reduced here to a small society, and are not at present likely to become more numerous or considerable. They have generally a priest stationed among them. Their present chapel is a small room in Ferry Street, and those who attend are, of course, but few in number. The present minister is a French emigrant, of fair character, and very well respected in this town, to whom many of our townsmen are indebted for the proficiency they have made in the knowledge of the French language. The Roman Catholic religion being no longer the religion of the state, it has ceased to be oppressive or formidable to our other religious communities; and it is supposed to have lost (at least in these kingdoms) much of that intolerant and sanguinary character which distinguished its professors in former times. By many the Catholics in these realms, and especially in Ireland, are thought an oppressed people; and it is much to be wished that every just reason for such an opinion might entirely be done away.