THE PASSION-FLOWER. 263 



most unpleasing to E., who, nevertheless, was 

 constrained to wear an aspect of submission, when 

 her hand was warmly seized by those spiritual 

 pastors. I can likewise remember, that the coun- 

 tenance of the foremost became most protentously 

 overcast, when his eye fell on me ; and that it was 

 the last time of my ever being permitted to con- 

 verse freely with the nun. In those days the the- 

 ological treasures of Dens had not been commu- 

 nicated to the laity ; but their recent disclosure 

 has furnished me with a key to many puzzling 

 recollections. 



Oh that I could so speak as to reach the hearts 

 and consciences of those parents who, while pro- 

 fessing the Protestant faith, can be so awfully 

 blinded to their sacred obligations, as to trust their 

 children within the blighting atmosphere of popish 

 lands, and popish seminaries ! They know not, 

 because they will not investigate, the perils of 

 such a situation : the vain and hollow acquisition 

 of accomplishments, which, when gained, only 

 prove so many ties to bind those youthful spirits 

 more fast to an ungodly world, becomes, through 

 Satan's devices, such a bait to them, that even the 

 life of the soul is overlooked in the computation, 

 and heaven itself cannot outweigh the importance 

 of artificial manners, and the fluent pronunciation 

 of a foreign tongue. The direst curse of old Ba- 

 bel seems to be reserved for this generation, de- 



