.fiively Catholic, and exclusively Protestant^
in their religion. In the first I found the in-
habitants, from the nobles down to their
peasants, actuated by the same spirit of
peace, unity, and order, enjoying the same
holy consolations, entitled to the same re-
ligious privileges, and all acknowled^ng the
^Bame spiritual authority. A benign influence
seemed to pervade all classes, while th6
«pirit of die reUgion they professed recon-
ciled each one to the various duties of his
«tate. Cheerfulness, contentment, and mod-
esty, are the characteristics of the lower
orders, while those who occupy a more ele-
vated position in society, filled with that
charity which is only found on the broad ba-
sis of the Catholic religion, regard all their
privileges and wants with piatemal care.'*

"Truly," said Corinne, smiling, "you
would have one believe that the Catholic
religion creates a Utopia wherever it is dif-
fused — ^but go on."

"Tize Catholic religion, my dear coosini"



THE SISTER OF CHARITY. 167

he replied, " is the only one which possesses
those three divine quaUties, faith, unity, and
<iharity, which are so essential to a religion
which claims the eternal God as its origin ;
and which can alone bring heaven to earth
under its holy influences. All that is holy,
all that is benevolent or sublime, are fostered
beneath its sacred influences ; it alters the
lion soul of man to such meek patience and
humble love, that it forgets its tyrant-na-
ture — ^and reposes in peace with the lamb.
