authorised, in consequence, to practise all the ceremonies used in similar circumstances. However, before com

mencing the exorcisms, the relations of the pretended possessed person wished to know what sum he claimed; and, on his demand, they counted out to him a certain number of five-franc pieces, on which the exorcist observed, "That in truth the number of pieces was sufficient, but that being replaced by a similar number of queen's crown pieces, he would act more efficaciously, those crown pieces bearing the stamp of a cross, the very aspect of which frightens the devil." You must know that these crown pieces have a value of sixty cents more than the five-franc pieces. The sum having been counted down, the exorcist began his operations; but their result, often repeated, did not, as you may suppose, change any thing in the condition of the patient, whose health is neither better nor worse than it was before. As this affair resembles many others which have been hushed up, and to which it would be unnecessary to revert, as the only dupe has been an imbecile peasant, and as no legal complaint has been brought before the administrative authority, the latter, when informed of the facts, did not believe, and perhaps rightly, that it ought for this time to follow up this piece of swindling; which probably will, ere long, be renewed with circumstances more grave, and which will put the judicial authority under the necessity of prosecuting.-French Paper.

RELICS AT ST. DENYS.

Evelyn, in 1643, noticed at St. Denys the following relics :-A nail from our Saviour's Cross; a crucifix of the true wood of the cross, carved by Pope Clement III., a box, in which is some of the Virgin's hair, some of the linen in which our Saviour was wrapped at his nativity; and, in a huge reliquary, some of our Saviour's blood; hair, clothes, linen with which he wiped the Apostle's feet; one of the thorns of our Saviour, set in the crown of St. Lewis; a morsel of one of the water-pots, in which our Saviour did his first miracle; a cup, in which Solomon was used to drink ; and Judas's brass lantern, full of crystals.-Evelyn's Memoirs.

IRISH PROTESTANTS SAVED.

The following singular narrative is to be found among the papers of Sir James Ware :-Queen Mary having dealt severely with the Protestants in England, about the latter end of her reign, signed a commission to pursue the same course with those in Ireland; and, to execute the same with greater force, she nominated Dr. Cole one of the Commissioners. The Doctor coming with the commission to Chester on his journey, the mayor of that city, on hearing that her Majesty was sending a message into Ireland, he, being a churchman, waited on the doctor, who, in a discourse with the

mayor, taketh out of a cloak-bag a leather box, saying unto him," Here is a commission that shall lash the heretics of Ireland" (calling the Protestants by that name). The good woman of the house, being wellaffected to the Protestant religion, and having a brother also, named John Edmonds, of the same, then a citizen in Dublin, was much troubled at the doctor's words; but watching her convenient time, while the mayor took his leave, and the doctor complimented him down the stairs, she opens the box, takes the commission out, and places in lieu thereof a sheet of paper, with a pack of cards wrapped up therein, the knave of clubs being faced uppermost. The doctor came up to his chamber, and suspecting nothing of what had been done, put up the box as formerly. The next day, going to the water-side, the wind and weather serving him, he sailed toward Ireland, where he landed the 7th of October, 1558, at Dublin. Then coming to the Castle, the Lord Fitzwilliam, being Lord Deputy, sent for him, to come before him and the privy council; who, coming in after he had made a speech, relating upon what account he came over, he presents the box unto the Lord Deputy, who, causing it to be opened, that the secretary might read the commission, there was nothing save a pack of cards, with the knave of clubs uppermost; which not only startled the Lord Deputy and council, but the doctor, who assured he had a commission, but knew not how it was gone: then the Lord Deputy made answer, "Let us have another commission, and we will shuffle the cards in the mean

while." The doctor, being troubled in his mind, went away, and returned into England; and, coming to the court, obtained another commission: but staying for a wind on the water-side, news came to him that the Queen was dead. Thus God preserved the Protestants of Ireland.

Queen Elizabeth was so delighted with this story, which was told her by Lord Fitzwilliam on his return to England, that she gave Elizabeth Edmonds (whose husband's name was Maltershed) a pension of 401. during her life-time.-Cox's Hibernia, Vol. II.; Harleian Miscellanies, Vol. V.

EMPEROR OF THE HOLY GHOST.

In Southey's Travels in Spain we are furnished with an account of the following superstitious and blasphemous Portuguese custom :-" Easter Sunday is the Accession Day of the Emperor of the Holy Ghost. This great personage is a little boy: his reign lasts only till Trinity, but his privileges are for life, and singular ones they are; for he is allowed to commit any crime he likes, without incurring the punishment of death, excepting high treason; for that he may be beheaded. On most eminences his standard is erected (a high pole, with a flag bearing a dove); his retinue parade the streets with similar flags, proffering them to all good Catholics to kiss, and receiving money in return, which is expended on a feast on Whit Sunday, at

which the Emperor presides in person. There is an Emperor in every parish, where any families choose privileges so dearly purchased for their son-for the expense is considerable. Good Catholics give ducks, fowls, pies, rabbits, &c., dressed out with ribbon, as offerings to his infantine and imperial holiness. These are sold, and regularly purchased, at a high price, as being consecrated. The money goes to the Emperor's treasury; each Emperor dines without his parish church, in public, under an awning, with music playing, and abundance of rockets flying in the face of the sun.”

COMMANDING THE ANGELS.

Pope Clement V., in the year 1309, with true pontifical authority, charged and commanded the angels that they should take the souls of all such, as coming in pilgrimage towards Rome, did die by the way, and forthwith carry them into heaven, without any delay or tarrying, or without letting them for once smell the fire of purgatory-as appeareth by his bulls, granted and made, whereof divers lie at Vienne, Limoges, and Poictiers, among the archives of the town.

THE DEVIL OF THE INQUISITION. A piece of very curious and valuble workmanship, which is worthy of being placed beside the most celebrated Egyptian Idols, was, in the year 1797, sold