was imitated so successfully by this gentleman in presence of the public authorities, and a large number of the most eminent scientific men of the country, that not a doubt could remain in the mind of the most devoted believer in the miraculous powers of our heroine, that she was an impostor, particularly when it was proved that she invariably insisted on being allowed to pass some time in solitary prayer in the chapel, previous to performing the miracle, when no doubt she took care to saturate those portions of the painting necessary for her purpose with the sanguinous fluid.

The cheat having once become generally known such a storm of public indignation was raised in the country as compelled the authorities to have the impostor arrested and tried as such at Carpentras, the chief town of the district, but here the jury, we presume influenced in their decision by a superior power, declared themselves incompetent to pronounce a verdict. This made bad worse, and the

authorities, fearing some outburst of popular discontent, the affair was transferred to the assizes at Nismes, where about the middle of November, 1851, after a long and patient investigation, aided by the laborious efforts of counsel on both sides, the saint was pronounced guilty of escroquerie et outrage à la morale publique et religieuse, and condemned to six months imprisonment, with a fine of five hundred francs and costs.

CHAPTER V.

State of religion in the south of France-Infidelity and superstition - Appearance of the Virgin Mary on

Mount Salette - Romantic details of the miracle

Connivance of the Government and the superior clergy in the imposture — Indignant expression of public opinion-Schism in the Gallic Church-New religious sect of the Saint Esprit Brotherhood-Some accounts of their tenets-Character of the founderNew dogma of the divinity of the Virgin Mary— Its adoption by the Romish Church-Observations on the character, influence, opinions, and conduct of the clergy of the Gallic Church-Louis Napoleon and the Parti Prétre.

THE South of France may indeed be termed the land of romance and wonder. In our last

chapter we made our readers acquainted with

the history of the village saint of the Vaucluse mountains, we will now inquire into the details of a similar attempt made at Salette, a few years since, and to which another high dignitary of the Church, the Bishop of Grenoble, lent his countenance and assistance. It was no unusual thing in various parts of France to hear of medals of the Virgin Mary performing miracles, nor that paintings of her should be seen shedding real tears, on witnessing the growing infidelity of mankind. But these repeated manifestations not producing the desired effect, the Queen of Heaven herself was induced to leave her throne, and come to earth in propria persona, to warn the French people of their danger. She was first seen and spoken with by two children, on the top of a high mountain, to whom she revealed the most extraordinary mysteries. This was succeeded by strange signs in the heavens, and unaccountable voices in the air and on the mountain top, as if the place was inhabited by celestial beings!

The little village near which this marvellous event took place, is situated in a romantic mountain district, a spur of the Alps, ten or twelve leagues distant from Grenoble, notorious for the ignorance and superstition of the inhabitants. With a view of rendering the imposition more easily credited by the simple mountaineers, two children, of different parents, a boy and a girl, about thirteen or fourteen years of age, were selected as the instruments; and when tending their flocks and herds, by some means best known to the actor who took upon himself the representation; they were mystified into the belief that they had seen a vision of the Queen of Heaven!

According to the official report of the government, it appears that our tiny shepherds, on a fine summer's day, in the year 1846, while watching their charge on Mount Salette, happened to fall asleep, and on awaking beheld a beautiful being seated before them on a pinnacle of the rock, dressed in the most gorgeous robes,