NEWS FROM EUROPE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 November 1873, Page 7

NEWS FROM EUROPE.

In Europe society is profoundly moved, and great changes are impending. In Germany the insane persecution of the Church continues, and consequently the very foundations of the new Empire are being undermined. The government there is industriously preparing the instruments of its own destruction. Persecution cannot destroy the Church, but it can weaken the State, and by a just retribution precipitate the ruin of its authors ; and this is likely to be the case before long with the German persecutors. The position of France is critical, and deeply interesting The long suffering, patience and hopes, of genuine Frenchmenj seem at length on the po'nt of being rewarded. Notwithstanding her many and disastrous revolutions, France is still a great Catholic nation. As a chastisement revolution has been permitted to run riot over her for three quarters of a century ; and an audacious and violent minority has been permitted to wield her political power. But the days of trial appear to be hastening to an end, and it is probable that before long a scion of her ancient race of kings will ascend the throne of his ancestors, amidst the congratulations and joy of a loyal and enthusiastic nation. Such an event has been long prayed for and expected ; holy persons have prophe sied it. The mocking, unfeeling world has of course waxed witty and profane over these prophecies, but the faithful have hopefully looked forward to their realization ; it is not unlikely that their complete fulfilment may be seen before very long, in the coronation of Henry V and" the restoration of the Patrimony of St. Peter to the Holy Father. The Italian, or rather the sub-Alpine Government, is evidently very uneasy; and the rvolutionary party is now agitatiug for the neutrality of Italy. They desire an European gaurantee tLat Italy shall be as Switzerland— neutral territory. This betrays their sense of insecurity, and their conviction that the end of the reign of anarchy and spoliation is last approaching. Spain is still in the agony of a deadly faction fight, but the party of Don Carlos, which is that of order, legitimacy and lehgion, is not only holding its own, but gainSig in resources and influence. Here too the revolution has been met and checked. Oa the whole the prospects of society, and good government in Europe seem to be brightening The secret societies have been used as insturments to chastise nations tor their enmes ; but the day of these sectaries seems to be fast approaching its end. Have we nothing to say about Jlreland ? Well, not very much just now. The harvest promised to be a plentiful one and wages of all sorts were good; but the people are still flying from the land m tens of thousands. Those who remain seem, however, to be prospering. Politically there is not much agitation ; still nothing is clearer than that the people

are unanimously determined on having Home Rule. In the Province of Ulster several large meetings lately passed resolutions in favor of this measure. At one of these, held in the County Cavan, not less than ten thousand men were assembled. It is pretty certain that at the next general election one hundred out of the one hundred and five members returned to the Imperial Parliament, will be pledged to support a measure of Home Rule for Ireland. Every lover oi Ireland and justice will rejoice at all this ; the old land can never expect full justice from an Imperial Parliament, nor can her recources ever be developed unless under the fostering care of an Irish Parliament. It seems strange that England, which grants Home Rule to her most insignificent Dependencies, and has forced responsible government on some of them, should persevere in endeavouring to keep her foot upon the neck of Ireland.