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project of reuniting the protestants to the church; spoke, with 

 great pleasure, of having persuaded them, on occasion of the 

 general thanksgiving for the establishment of liberty, to return 

 thanks to God and sing the Te Deum in the catholic church, in 

 common as brethren, which, from confidence in his character, 

 they did. His is firmly persuaded that, by both parties giving 

 way a little, and softening or retrenching reciprocally somewhat 

 in points that are disagreeable, they may be brought together. 

 The idea is so liberal that I question it for the multitude, who are 

 never governed by reason, but by trifles and ceremonies, — and 

 who are usually attached to their religion in proportion to the 

 absurdities it abounds with. I have not the least doubt but the 

 mob in England would be much more scandalised at parting 

 with the creed of St. Athanasius than the whole bench of 

 bishops, whose illumination would perhaps reflect correctly 

 that of the throne. Monsieur I'Abbe Berenger has prepared a 

 memorial, which is ready to be presented to the National 

 Assembly, proposing and explaining this ideal union of the two 

 religions ; and he had the plan of adding a clause, proposing that 

 the clergy should have permission to marry. He was convinced 

 that it would be for the interest of morals and much for that of 

 the nation that the clergy should not be an insulated body, but 

 holding by the same interests and connections as other people. 

 He remarked that the life of a cure, and especially in the country, 

 is melancholy; and, knowing my passion, observed, that a man 

 never could be so good a farmer, on any possession he might have, 

 excluded from being succeeded by his children. He showed me 

 his memoir, and I was pleased to find that there is a present 

 great harmony between the two religions, owing certainly to such 

 good cures. The number of protestants is very considerable in 

 this neighbourhood. I strenuously contended for the insertion 

 of the clause respecting marriage; assured him, that at such a 

 moment as this, it would do all who were concerned in this 

 memorial the greatest credit; and that they ought to consider 

 it as a demand of the rights of humanity, violently, injuriously, 

 and, relative to the nation, impolitically withheld. Yesterday, 

 in going with Monsieur Faujas, we passed a congregation of pro- 

 testants assembled, Druid-like, under five or six spreading oaks, 

 to offer their thanksgiving to the great Parent of their happiness 

 and hope. — In such a climate as this, is it not a worthier temple, 

 built by the great hand they revere, than one of brick and 

 mortar? — This was one of the richest days I have enjoyed in 

 France; we had a long and truly farming dinner; drank a 



