‘1. I trust that wise measures will be taken for diminishing the large number of religionists of both sexes, who are depopulating the State to people monasteries, and that mankind will at last be persuaded of the preferableness of serving their King and country, to becoming voluntary eunuchs, unserviceable to the world, and frequently useless in the cause of religion. ‘2. It is entirely repugnant to common sense, to the Word of God, and to custom in the primitive church, that public prayers should be offered up in public places, in a tongue not understood by those assembled for prayer. ‘3. Were every priest, every confessor, an angel upon earth, I should advise everybody to confess; but as the greater number are demons, and men-wolves disguised in lamb-skins, I do not recommend men to do so—still less women—and still less again, young girls. Let all read the gospels, and especially the epistles of St. Paul; let them retire into their innermost chamber, let them confess their sins to God, abase themselves before Him, repair their faults, and exhort themselves to lead a better life. ‘4. In Catholic countries, priests and apothecaries alike tease the sick. ‘5. I see in the Church of Rome a chronological succession of the apostles of Jesus Christ, but I do not see the hereditary succession to their virtues. If Catholic priests are the precious depositaries of faith, it is to be found on their lips rather than in their hearts, or else they conceal the treasure so effectually that it is impossible to discover it in their conduct. Thus their faith, as well as their charity, is dead rather than living. ‘6. Did religion not exist, independently of priests and monks, it would have been annihilated long since. ‘7. Although he is the head of the Church, the Pope will soon be obliged to remain satisfied with his spiritual power, and renounce all temporal power so incompatible with the maxims of Christ. ‘8. Ecclesiastics have no difficulty in reminding themselves that they are but men, and thus forget they are priests.