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Leader (1850-1860), 12th February 1853, Edition 1 of 1, Page 153, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      BOMAtf-CATHOLICISM AND THE PBOG&ESS OF SCIENCE . An unusual event happened , last week , at Leeds . There is in that town a Roman-Catholic literary society * and its annual celebration was attended by Cardinal Wiseman . Attired in his scarlet robes , and wearing the orthodox head-gear , the cardinal delivered a most remarkable address . He took as the subject of his discourse the following sentiment : — " That science has nowhere flourished more , or originated more sublime or useful discoveries , than when it has been pursued under the influence of the Catholic religion /* In the course of his very lengthened observations on this theme , his Eminence said : — " In considering how this proposition may be proved and illustrated , my mind naturally turns itself towards the south—towards that bright andfair country of Italy , in which the influence of the Catholic Church has been the most uninterrupted and the most unthwarted ; and I must be supposed naturally to turn towards it for another reason , because , having , in order to treat of this subject , to revive reminiscences which , through a long course of years , had become faint , and to return to the consideration of topics which , perhaps , more proper and more serious studies may have in * some respects made dimmer in my mind , that mind has travelled back over many yearsover years of very busy and active pursuits—over years of

      many consolations and of sorrows , to that bright , that fair , and , I will add , that sacred period of youth , when beneath the shadows of the venerable College of Rome I received an education which if it had any limits as to the depth and extent of the science I learnt ) those limits were in the deficiency of my own intellect , and not in the restrictions the church put on me ( loud cheering ) , or in the imperfection , or want of deep and varied knowledge in those who communicated to us science . ( Hear , hear . ) ' You are mistaken , ' perhaps some will say ; ' you have not understood the proposition or sentiment proposed to you . WVare not talking of the arts or literature—we are talking of science . ' I know , my brethren , that were we to come here

      to tell you that Italy has been the nursery of arts—that she has filled her own churches , and halls , and palaces with magnificent productions of the chisel and the pencil , until her riches have overflowed and gone to fill the collections of every other part of the world ; to tell you that Italy was the happy country that gave birth to Dante , and Petrarch , and Muraton , and other profound antiquariea of the last and preceding centuries , you would say , ' You are come only to repeat what we all know . We know that Italy is the country of painting and art , and even of depths in learning , but science belongs to the children of the north . It is we who have produced and have fostered a Newton and a Watt—that have given to the world a Davy and a Faraday . It is we that have first invented and put into execution the mighty projects , whether of the body or of the mind . What has Italy to do

      with scientific discovery ? What has it to do with tho highest regions of science ? ' I only ask you to listen to me with favour and also with indulgence ; for , having undertaken a subject of this sort , I feel myself called upon to do it justice , and I feel it cannot be done except at some considerable length . " ( Loud cheers . ) His Eminence then proceeded to trace the progress of Italian discovery down to the present time , and , in tho course of his observations , adverted to tho subject of Galileo ' s persecution by the church in the following terms : — " Galileo was 70 years of age before what is called ' his persecution' commencedbefore that he was in no way condemned . In those 70 years he had given to the world every one of his discoveries ;

      and for not ono of those discoveries was ho ever called to account , but , on the contrary , bo went freoly to Home , showed the wonders of bis telescope there , was honoured b y all the great in tho Church ; and Cardinal Barberini , afterwards Pope and a poet , wrote copies of versos in bis honour in tho most aifectionato and eulogistic strain . Gah'leo was never thwarted in tho course of Ins discoveries . Then , with regard to what has been said of his imprisonment , and as to his being persecuted , I refer you to Dr . Whowoll in bis History of the Inductive Sciences , who puts this chargo on one side , and says tho only question in , « What right has tho church to interfere at all in a philosophical question or a matter of scionco P' But as to perho in

      secution and harsh treatment , gives up as a mero invention ; and another of our boat mathematicians has defondod tho church on this head , and shown that the supposed cruelty and imprisonment of Galileo is not truo . Now , you boo ho far that in all Galileo did for acionco bo never was molested ; and , then , what was tho question P Galiloo taught a doctrine which had beon taught by Copernicus and Cardinal Nicholas Cusa , which had boon tolerated and allowed , and which ho was allowed to teach , until ho ohoso , in an evil hour , to mako it a theological question . When ho came forward , not with a discovery of bis own , or any result of his scientific research , but with a theory which ho had adopted , ami which ho thought lie had proved , but which it is now agreed was not proved , aud ho could not prove—when ho came forward with this

      * ih exactly tho only truo theory , and insiuted that others h 1 » ouI ( I be condemned , aud that his should ho reconciled with tho Scripturo ; the moment bo began by letters , which bo published , to mako it a theological subject , thon , and thon oolyj tho church interfered and insitttod , although told he miglit maintain and bold it as a mathematician and uh a philoHophor , that ho must not treat it untrue theory ; it must 1 ) 0 treated as a theory , and nothing more . Thoro was no demonstration of tho Copornican nyHtom ; it was not until experiments mado in South America with the pendulum that tlio Oopornican Hy » t « in woh demonstrated , and moreover Galileo put forward a theory of tides an the bunis of t , hin Bystom which in acknowledged to bo f ' utilo . lie waH inuiHtiug' on the church adopting or professing a Hyntem which was not demonstrated , winch wan , according to all fooling aud opinion of tho tjmo , contradictory to tho word . *)

      of Scripture , and he would have the words of Scripture bend to his theory rather than have his theory bend to Scripture . Bacon rejected the whole theory , as well as many of tbo ecclesiastic authorities of Borne , and therefore it is no wonder , when a person came forward as acknowledging that his theory , which was contrary to the words of Scripture , and not demonstrable , was to bo adopted , that then the church interfered , and imposed on-him silence —; on him personally , and not upon science . But in a way unpar donable , and in a spirit most obstinate and foolish , ana contrary to the recommendation of hia friends , he -wrote some most sarcastic letters on the subject . Then sentence was pronounced upon him—then bis theory was condem ned , but only was it condemned because it came into collision with theology . It was , however , taught then , and is taught to this day in Some , and at the very time it when

      was said that the theory would be admissible proper proofs could be brought of the truth of it . Therefore Galileo was never imprisoned for any of bis discoveries , or anything he did for science , but for thrusting a theory , not proved , upon the church . " He thus summed up the argument of bis discourse : — " When we have our thesis to support , that ' science has nowhere flourished more , or originated more sublime and useful discoveries , than where it has been pursued under the influence of the Catholic religion , ' — when to see that Italy , where it has its greatest influence , produced the telescope , the microscope , the barometer , the thermometer , canal locks , the best theory of the practice of canals , the correction of the calendar , the best catalogue of stars ,

      electricity , and , I may add , clocks , which began to be used in monasteries first in Italy—when I add also the compass , which was adap ted to navigation by a Neapolitan , after being brought from China ; when I add the whole ot your banking and commercial system , of which the very name of Lombard-street leaves us yet a monument ( applause ) , I think I really may say that Italy bas done its full share—has discharged well its duty towards sciencehas contributed , in fact , as much as any country in Europe to great and important , sublime and practical discoveries and inventions . (' Hear , bear , ' and applause . ) Gentlemen , I think humility is a social and national virtue , quite as much as it is an individual one . I have observed that when the people are addressed , they are spoken of as wonders of creation in the prog ress they have made in science . oeiore

      The great discoveries of this country are put mem as things which elevate them in the scale of existence far above the poor , grovelling inhabitants of other lands ; and , if the very name of Italy or Spain is mentioned as connected with anything great or scientific , it produces only a cheer or a sneer . I nave observed those addresses , and seen with pain how this superiority of our country is continually brought forward in popular addresses ; but I think we may safely say that always and everywhere true genius is ever modest , real superiority is always generous and solid science is always just . ( Applause . ) We should make ourselves acquainted with what others have done , that we may give them due measure of praise , and keep ourselves in useful and wholesome rivalry , —not assuming superiority , but aiming at it ; and in this way I think we shall keep that moral progress advancing band in hand with our scientific pursuits . " After speaking for two hours and a half on this theme , the Cardinal , loudly applauded , sat down . Speeches were made during the evening by Mr . Joseph Holdforth , tho Rev . John Walker , the Hon . Charles Langdale , and Sir W . Lawson , in exp lanation of the objects of tho society , and in support of the following sentiments : — " That nothing tends more to raise , tbo character of tbo people , and to advance their truo social vvolfare , than tho diffusion of sound knowledge , regulated and ennobled by tho control and connexion of moral and religious instruction . . " That this allianeo between scionco and religion , which has over formed tho principle of Catholic education , gives on the ono hand to scionco a sacred character , by making ifc lead the intelligence and tho heart to tho admiration and lovo of tho Supremo Being , while on tho other it lends tho powerful aid of scientific and intellectual pursuits to the illustration nnd indication of revealed truth . " That Catholics , consequently , will ever see with dolight tho formation and pronperity of such institutions an the Leeds Catholic Literary Institute , whore every opportunity is afforded to the middle and -working classes of acquiring knowledge —scientific and literary—well knowing that , in tbo cordial encouragement and co-operation which they receive from their venerable- clergy , they have not only tho highest Hanction of their undertaking , but tho surest guarantee of tho happy union of religion with secular learning . "

      Untitled Article

      AMEIUCAN AP FA I US . Tun striking topic before the Somite of tho United States is the discussion on the alleged colonization of Central America by Great Britain on tho Cuss resolutions re-affirming tbo Monroe doctrine . In 182 !* , the South American colonies were in full revolt against the parent ; Government of Spain ; and the United States were the fjrst to recognise their independence ; nnd Mr . Monroe , their president , declared that no kind of intervention of tin ; European powers with the view of restoring tho d / nininion of Spain hIiouUI be permitted at the rink of war . in thin ho was supported by Mr . Cunning ; uu < I tho menaces of the Holy Alliance- wero frustrated , and the conjoint attitude of the British and American statesmen , but . especially of the former , put an end to it . Lust , summer England set up tho colony of the Bay of islands , oil' British Honduras . This m taken to bo a violation of tho Clayton and Bulwor tronty , guaranteeing tho neutralit y of tho territory of

      Central America ; and a fair opportunity of meeting the alleged attempt at colonization , against which nil admit—at least , that Monroe protested by re-affirming his doctrine—that no re-colonization of the American continent by any European power should be permitted . General Cass accordingly presented those resolutions which we have heretofore printed ; and for some weeks , as occasion serves , the Monroe doctrine ,, the acquisition of Cuba , and the foreign policy of the Union generally , has been debated in the Senate . The next mail may brin * - the conclusion of the debate which , at the last date 27 th of January , stood adjourned . The position of the question at present is , that the Whigs desire to limit the declaration of Monroe to the period when it was propounded ; while the Democrats consider it a fundamental axiom of national policy .

      The Seminole Indians in Florida are in revolt , refusing to emigrate . A war of extermination is threatened . The journals publish the following story , which affords us a glimpse of a Washington " interior , " and of an exceedingly troublesome Frenchman . " The affair which occurred between M . Sartiges , the French Minister , and Mr . Biggs , on the occasion of a dinner given by tho banker at his own house a few days ago still excites considerable remark among the elite . It seems , according to further development , that the conduct of the French Minister was even more reprehensible than the first accounts made it . Mr . Biggs did not send the

      choleric Frenchman to the dinner-table without a lady , as was stated . On the contrary , he invited him to escort to the dining-room one of the most estimable and engaging of the single ladies present . M . Sartiges , in reply , asked to see a list of the guests . Overlooking the rudeness ot the request , the hospitable host complied . The Frenchman scanned the list leisurely , as though it were a bill ot fare ( fair )— hia host the while waiting to lead the way to dinner—and , handing it back , remarked that if he ( Mr . Kiggs ) bad been acquainted with the rules of European etiquette , the Minister of France would not have been so titled nobleman ladof

      treated—moaning that , as a , a y rank , the wife of a secretary or of a Minister Plenipotentiary , should have been assigned him . Mr . Eiggs cheerfully acknowledged bis ignorance of European Court etiquette ; reminded his guest that he was an American ; and that no distinctions of rank and titles are known here ; and politely suggested to him that he ( Mr . Eiggs ) must be supposed to understand what was proper or becoming in his own house . At the same time he observed that if M . Sartiges was not satisfied with the company assigned him , any other gentleman in the room would undoubtedly be very glad to accommodate him with an exchange . ''

      M . Sartiges has a talent this way . Some short time ago he wa s involved in a similar quarrel with John Van Buren , if we remember rightly . Robert Dale Owen has been lecturing on " Progress " at Indianopolis .

      Untitled Article

      THE CRYSTAL PALACE . It is pleasant to notice how prosperously the combined movement of the metropolitan working men in favour of opening the Crystal Palace on Sunday goes on . The meeting , adjourned last Wednesday from St . Martin ' s Hall , reassembled on Wednesday , in old Drury ; which was crowded by artisans and labourers . Behind tho speakers was a fine piece of . scone-painting , representing the Palace and grounds as they will be . Mr . Mayhcw being unable to attend , the chair was occupied by Mr . Prideaux , a cabinetmaker , who discharged tho duties thereof very effectively , and maintained excellent order . Mr . Webster , a carpenter , proposed the first resolution , which expressed an earnest hope that the Legislature would Hanction tlio opening of tho Crystal Palace on Sundays , the only day on which it was possible for the working man to obtain recreation , and would thus enable him to obtain a higher , purer , and more intelligent and moral amusement than was now available to him . Tlio speaker attributed the opposition which bad arisen entirely to tho class of persona who composed the Lord's-dny Preservation Society , who had tried to shut , up railroads and the Post-olhce , and were endeavouring to deprive tho working classes of a source of innocent enjoyment at length happily placed within their reach . Mr . BaimsH , a bruslnnaker , seconded the resolution . Tho question was entirely a working man ' s question , and that of his family , and therefore he was delighted to wo ladies present . Was it n desecration of the Sabfmth for tlio

      bund to play in front of tho pnlnee , or for tho military to fire a mil ' iilo ? They wore told that if the Crystal Palace wiw open the Hritish Museum and the National ( iallery must bo open also . Well , he saw no greater objection in that than in visiting the Painted Hall at ( jlreunwic . li , or the works of art at St . Paul ' s and Westminster Abbey , as could be done at present on SundnyR . Those who talked of Sunday labour should consider tho labour employed nt the churches . People could go Micro without , tho bellringer , for he supped it wan

      no ( Icswriflion for the < : li : ck to mark time on Sunday . Tho pew-opener mid the organist , might also be dispensed with , and he did not even know that it wuh necessary to employ the minister to rend tho funeral

      Untitled Article

      FsUftuAftY 12 , 1853 . J THE LEADER . 153 ___ ^ ' ¦¦ " ¦¦ ' ¦ ' - ' — ¦" ' i i—¦ ¦ ' — - ¦ _ ' __^^^^^—^ M ^ M ^^ M ^^^* 1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 12, 1853, page 153, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1973/page/9/