GENERAL OF tHE jESUITa, 11% 



When the bull of abrogation was read to him, he 

 turned pale, like a man on whom fome unexpected ca- 

 lamity fuddenly falls ; at the fame time faying, that in- 

 deed he had looked for a reform, but that he never 

 could imagine that the total demolition of the order 

 was ferioufly intended. There was however much rea- 

 fon to doubt of the truth of this declaration. How 

 could he have looked for a reform, which he had fo 

 inflexibly refilled ? And is it indeed to be fuppoied, 

 that an order fo widely extended, and poffefTed of fd 

 much power, whofe influence pervaded all the claiTes 

 and ranks of mankind, whofe maxims were indelibly 

 impreffed on the hearts of its members, wherein each 

 individual ftood bound for all, and all for each indivi- 

 dual, was capable of a reform, unlefs it were volunta- 

 ry Hoick out by the fuperior of it, to whom every 

 member had fworn implicit obedience, and which re- 

 form was required to be effectual and fincere ? The 

 deadly pallor which feized the general, on receiving 

 the warrant of his fate, feems rather an indication of 

 inward agony and defpair at the fudden demolition of 

 his boundlefs and haughty dominion. He faw himfelf 

 hurled in one moment from the pinnacle of a defpotical 

 fway which was felt in every part of the world, and 

 plunged into the depths of abafement. He, who fet 

 the proudeft monarchs at defiance, and gave law to fo 

 many thoufands of pietifts and bigots, fevered from 

 that powerful body, and in the hands of the civil au- 

 thority, which till now ftood in awe both of him and his 

 order ! For bearing fuch a reverfe without feeling his 

 whole foul in convulfion^ he was by much too feeble. 



7 Compelled, 



