Page:An Index of Prohibited Books (1840).djvu/94

 of Papal Rome. It has its Prefect, with his associated Cardinals, its Secretary, and Consultors, to a considerable number. The celebrated Dr. Nicholas Wiseman is one of the last. The state of heretical countries, and particularly the British, more especially when his holiness honoured the meeting with his presence, would come under very deliberate, anxious, and minute examination. All the circumstances of this kingdom are as familiarly and accurately known to the political rulers of the Church of Rone as if those rulers were resident in London. Agents, whether official or voluntary, are watchfully and actively employed in obtaining and transmitting all such intelligence as may be essential or useful for furthering the advancement and aggrandisement of the faith and power of Rome; or for crippling, as she cannot yet hope to destroy, the faith and power of a heretical community. It must have been peculiarly annoying to Rome and her friends, to know how much her scientific reputation suffered, particularly in England; and no wonder that some expedient should be thought of, as indeed had incipiently