The authenticity of a letter addressed, or assuming to be
addressed, by M. Thiers to the Popo on the difficulties which would embar- rass any attempt of the Holy Father to find an asylum in France has been formally denied by M. Jules Fevre, but without seriously
affecting the general belief in France that the letter is genuine. Possibly M. Jules Fevre may have chosen to deny that it was ad- dressed to the Pope by the Chief of the Executive as such, with- out absolutely denying that it was addressed by M. A. Thiers to Pio Mono. The letter is, indeed, of a somewhat private kind, congratulating the Popo on his haying fulfilled the twenty-five years of St. Peter, and reminding him that, except the Queen of England, he is now the oldest sovereign in Europe. But its bur- den and drift are to dissuade the Pope from opening " an abyss " between himself and the Italian nation, to remind him that warmly as he would be received, personally, in France, he could not have there the status of a Sovereign, but would be under the com- mon law,' and delicately to hint to him that the jealousy which would be excited in Italy by his flight to France would " increase difficulties which press ou my unhappy country." What renders it still more likely that this leiter, or one very like it, from M. Thiers really reached the Pope is, that in a recent Consistory the Popo is declared to have said, " Yes, venerable brethren, we are abandoned by all, and there is no power we can reckon upon. Perhaps you will say that we must hope in France, but France has just emerged from a terrible crisis, and will have to undergo trials still more severe. Therefore let us unite more than over in prayer to God, since, unless a miracle happens, all is lost." What is lost? Certainly not the spiritual power ; and if, in the Pope's estimation, " all" can be lost while that remains, he is hardly the gallant old shepherd of his sheep that we had supposed him.
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