46 Mr. Young, and [Jan- 
remarkable absence of almost every virtue. I am inclined to ascribe it chiefly 
to fear: those demons never fail to excommunicate all those who are rash 
enough to dispute their infallibility. I feel fully assured of being within 
bounds, when I assert that more than three-fourths of the regular and irregular 
clergy of Portugal are men capable of conniving at, or practising every vice 
that disgraces human nature. 
“T shall not take upon me to investigate the influence which these men 
must exercise over the female mind. It woukd tear asunder the veil which ought 
always to be preserved over female character, were I to repeat here all that 
has been related to me during my social intercourse with a very large circle 
of the more respectable Portuguese. 
« But I must be permitted to state my perfect conviction, that no guarantee 
whatever can exist as to female honour or female purity, in a state of society 
where, under the mask of religious duties, females of every class are subjected 
to the contamination of such men as the great majority of the Portuguese 
clergy ; to the abominable farce of confession, required by the Catholic dis- 
pensation—a confession of offences, to whom? to men who are incomparably 
more immoral than all the other portions of the community !—Whether it can 
be possible that female innocence should remain uncontaminated by such a 
moral pestilence, I shall leave such of my readers to answer, as may be either 
parents or guardians of British youth. 
«These men, who envelop themselves in the exterior garb of sanctity, can 
scarcely be said to entertain any common feeling or sympathy with the rest of 
mankind. This, no doubt, is to be ascribed in a great measure to their edu- 
cation, and to the abominable discipline of their church, which forbids con- 
tracts in marriage with the opposite sex. 
“ The violation of both religious and moral duties by these men, would often: 
consign them to that tribunal of justice which would serve as a warning to. 
others among the community, but for the shield which is invariably thrown 
over their atrocities by their colleagues, with the view of protecting their fra- 
ternity from the gaze of the public eye.” 
This is “ the excellent Roman Catholic’s” outhne. We add a few 
details :— 
Portuguese Sermonizing, and other Sketches. 
“ Nearly all sermons in Portugal are preached by friars, or at least ninety 
out of a hundred. 
“J heard a noted preacher, at a festival at Santerem, preach a sermon at 
this period, in which he made use of many curious expressions. The following 
I distinctly heard. 
“* This political priest said that—‘ He would grasp the sword till his nails 
should grow through the palms of his hands, to defend Don Miguel, and 
deliver the earth from the Freemasons: a set of men who had hair growing: 
upon their hearts, since their souls had left them ; that to kill a Freemason was. - 
an act of charity to God.’ And he concluded his discourse (which lasted 
three-quarters of an hour), saying, ‘he begged of the congregation three 
Hail Marias (a short prayer to the Virgin Mary) ;—one for all the enemies to 
Freemasons ;—one for those who wore the same coat they did on the 30th of 
April ;—and one for the House of Braganza !!! 
*T cannot refrain from mentioning these things, in order to shew the com- 
plete influence these men exercise over the people. Certainly many did not 
approve of this exhortation ; but they were obliged to be silent. The lower 
po ae believed all they heard, and wished for an opportunity to shew their 
zeal. 
**T shall add farther facts, to exhibit the true character of the priests and 
friars in general: there are exceptions, but not many. A friar, whom I knew 
very well, and often met in different parties, and who was considered an excel- 
lent preacher, had, for several successive years, preached the sermons in Lent 
at Leiria. 
oe. Oe 
