unjustly in their intercourse with protestants, from the ancient and exclusive articles of their own church which they themselves neither profess nor believe. If they will only intimate to their protestant friends, that they renounce the exclusive principle, and that they profess the religion of the Bible, no more seems requisite to form with such persons the sincerest friendship on Christain principles.

At the present time we see the Romish religion in Europe without dominion; and hence it is viewed by the mere philosopher with indifference or contempt. He is pleased to see, that the "seven heads and the ten horns" are taken away; and thinks nothing of the "names of blasphemy." But in the following pages, the author will have occasion to shew what Rome is, as having dominion; and possessing it too within the boundaries of the British empire. In passing through the Romish provinces in the east, though the author had before heard much of the papil corruptions, he certainly did not expect to see christianity in the degraded state in which he found it. Of the priests it may truly be said, that they are, in general, better acquainted with the Veda of Brahma than the gospel of Christ. In some places the doctrines of both are blended. At Aughoor, situated between Tritchinopoly and Madura, he witnessed (in October 1806) the tower of Juggernaut employed to solemnize a Christian festival. The old priest Josephus accompanied him, when he surveyed the idolatrous car and its painted figures, and gave him a particular account of the various ceremonies which are performed, seemingly unconscious himself of any impropriety in them. The author went with him afterwards into the church, and seeing a book lying on the altar opened it; but the reader may judge of his surprise, when he found it was a Syriac volume, and was informed that the priest himself was a descendant of the Syrian Christians, and be. longed to what is now called the Syro-Roman church,

the whole service of which is in Syriac. Thus, by the intervention of the papal power, are the ceremonies of Molock consecrated in a manner by the sacred Syriac language. What a heavy responsibility lies on Rome, for having thus corrupted and degraded that pure and ancient church!

While the author viewed these Christian corruptions in different places, and in different forms, he was always referred to the inquisition at Goa, as the fountain-head. He had long cherished the hope, that he should be able to visit Goa before he left India. His chief objects were the following:

1. To ascertain whether the inquisition actually refused to recognize the Bible, among the Romish chruches in British India.

2. To inquire into the state and jurisdiction of the inquisition, particularly as it affected British subjects.

3. To learn what was the system of education for the priesthood; and

4. To examine the ancient church-libraries in Goa, which were said to contain all the books of the first printing.

He will select from his journal, in this place, chiefly what relates to the inquisition. He had learnt from every quarter, that this tribunal, formerly so well known for its frequent burnings, was still in operation, though under some restiction as to the publicity of its proceedings; and that its power extended to the extreme boundary in Hindostan. That, in the present civilized state of Christian nations, in Europe an inquisition should exist at all under their authority, appeared strange, but that a papal tribunal of this character should exist under the implied toleration and countenance of the British government; that Christians being subjects to the British empire, and inhabiting the British territories, should be amenable to its power and jurisdiction, was a statement which seemed to be scarcely credible; but, if true,, a

fact which demanded the most public and solemn representation.

"Goa; Convent of the Augustinians,

Jan. 23, 1808.

"On my arrival at Goa, I was received into the house of captain Schuyer, the British resident. The British force here is commanded by colonel Adams, of his majesty's seventy-eighth regiment, with whom I was formerly well acquainted in Bengal.* Next day I was introduced by these gentlemen to the viceroy of Goa, the count de Cabral. I intimated to his excellency my wish to sail up the river to old Goa,† (where the inquisition is,)to which he politely acceded. Major Pareira, of the Portuguese establishment, who was present, and to whom I had letters of introduction from Bengal, offered to accompany me to the city, and to introduce me to the archbishop of Goa, the primate of the Orient.

"I had communicated to colonel Adams, and to the British resident, my purpose of inquiring into the state of the inquisition. These gentlemen informed me, that I should not be able to accomplish my design without difficulty; since every thing relating to the inquisition was conducted in a very secret manner, the most respectable of the lay Portuguese themselves being ignorant of its proceedings; and that, if the priests were to discover my object, their excessive jealousy and alarm would prevent their communicating with me, or satisfying my inquiries on any subject.

"On receiving this intelligence, I perceived that it would be necessary to proceed with caution. I was

The forts in the harbor of Goa were then occupied by the British troops 4two kings's regiments, and two regiments of native infantry) to prevent its falling into the hands of the French.

There is old and new Goa. The old city is about eight miles up the river. The Vice-Roy and the chief Portuguese inhabitants reside at new Goa, which is at the mouth of the river, within the forts of the harbor. The old city, where the inquisition and the churches are, is now almost entirely deserted by the sebular Portuguese, and is inhabited by the priests alone. The unhealthiness of the place, and the ascendancy of the priests, are the causes assigned for abandon.. ing the ancient city.

in fact, about to visit a republic of priests; whose dominion had existed for nearly three centuries: whose province it was to prosecute heretics, and particularly the teachers of heresey; and from whose authority and sentence there was no appeal in India.*

"It happened that lieutenant Kempthorne, commander of his majesty's brig Diana, a distant connexion of my own, was at this time in the harbor. On his learning that I meant to visit old Goa, he offered to accompany me; as did captain Stirling, of his majesty's eighty-fourth regiment, whic his now stationed at the forts.

"We proceeded up the river in the British resident's barge, accompanied by major Pariera, who was well qualified, by a thirty years' residence, to give infor. mation concerning local circumstances From him I learned that there were upwards of two hundred churches and chapels in the province of Goa, and upwards of two thousand priests.

“On our arrival at the city, it was past twelve o'clock; all the churches were shut, and we were told that they would not be opened again till two o'clock. I mentioned to major Pareira, that I intended to stay at old Goa some days; and that I should be obliged to him to find me a place to sleep in. He seemed surprised at this intimation, and observed that it would be difficult for me to obtain a reception in of the churches or convents, and that there were no private houses into which I could

any

I was informed that the vice-roy of Goa has no authority over the inquisition, and that he himself is liable so its censure. Were the British government for instance, to prefer a complaint against the inquisition to the Portuguese government at Goa, it could obtain no redress. By the very constitution of the inquisition, there is no power in India which can invade its jurisdiction, or even put a question to it on any subject.

+ We entered the city by the palace gate, over which is the statue of Vasco de Gama, who first opened India to the view of Europe. I had seen at Calicut a few weeks before, the ruins of the Samorin's palace, in which Vasco de Gama was first received. The Samorin was the first native prince against whom the Europeans made war. The empire of the Samorin has passed away; and the empire of his conquerors has passed away: and now imperial Britain exercises dominion. May imperial Britain be prepared to give a good account of her stewardship, when it shall be said unto her "Thou mayest be no longer steward,"

be admitted. I said I could sleep any where; I had two servants with me, and a travelling bed. When he perceived that I was serious in my purpose, he gave directions to a civil officer in that place, to clear out a room in a building which had been long uninhabited, and which was then used as a warehouse for goods. Matters at this time presented a very gloomy appearance; and I had thoughts of returning with my companions from this inhospitable place. In the mean time we sat down in the room I have just mentioned, to take some refreshment, while major Pareira went to call on some of his friends. During this interval, I communicated to lieutenant Kempthorne the object of my visit. I had in my pocket 'Dellon's account of the inquisition at Goa;'t and I mentioned some particulars. While we were conversing on the subject, the great bell of the cathedral began to toll; the same which Dellon observes always tolls before day-light, on the morning of the Auto da Fe. I did not myself ask any questions of the people concerning the inquisition; but Mr. Kempthorne made inquiries for me: and he soon found out that the Santa Casa, or holy office, was close to the house where we were then setting. The gentlemen went to the window to view the horrid mansion; and I could see the indignation of free and enlightened men arise in the countenances of the two British officers, while they contemplated a place where formerly their own countrymen were condemned to the flames, and into which they themselves might now suddenly be thrown, without the possibility of rescue.

"At two o'clock we went out to view the churches, which were now open for the afternoon service; for there are regular daily masses; and the bells began to assail the ear in every quarter.

+ Monsieur Dellon, a physician, was imprisoned in the dungeon of the inquisition at Goa for two years, and witnessed an Auto da fe, when some hereties were burned; at which time he walked barefoot. After his release he wrote. the history of his confinement. His descriptions are in general very accurate.