NOTICES OF PERU. 



327 



guage, but the description given by Butler of the fanatics of 

 his time, is quite applicable to Peru. 



(They) ** could turn the covenant, and translate 

 The Gospel into spoons and plate ; 

 Expound upon all merchants' cashes, 

 And open the intricatest places ; 

 Could catechize a money-box, 

 And prove all pouches orthodox." 



They beg every day through the streets, under the pretence of 

 some pious purpose, but devote the greater part of their collec- 

 tions to the support of their mistresses, illegitimate children, 

 and numerous vices. 



Unfortunately for the cause of religion in all ages, the faults 

 and vicious habits of its teachers have been charged against 

 the purity of Christianity itself. And, however we may differ 

 in opinion with the Roman Catholic clergy, it is our duty to 

 give their arguments an honest consideration ; for amongst 

 those above alluded to, we meet, even in Lima, men of most 

 exemplary piety and austere virtue, such as the venerable 

 Padre Arrieta and others. One reason for the degraded state 

 of the clergy is, that since the revolution, many priests, by the 

 suppression of the convents and monastic property, have em- 

 braced the privilege of the law of secularization, or leaving the 

 cloister. This has cast upon the world men who are destitute of 

 means or professions by which to support themselves in society. 

 These men, too, are not entitled to the privileges of citizenship, 

 and they must beg or starve. 



According to the Constitution of 1828, the religion of the 

 Republic is *^the Roman Catholic Apostolic. The nation pro- 

 tects it by all the means that conform to the spirit of the Evan- 

 gelist ; and will not permit the exercise of any other."* A simi- 

 lar article is found in the Chilian Constitution, of May, 1833. 



In both countries, the question of religious toleration gave 

 rise to very considerable discussion of an animated character. 

 The arguments against toleration were, that it gives rise to a 

 multiplicity of religious sects ; that these give rise to Deism and 



Constitucion del Peru. 



