UNCHANGEABLE CHARACTER OF ROME.

On the 19th ult. the town of Barletta was the scene of horrible outrages, arising from a savage reaction promoted by the clerical party, with the object of destroying some inoffensive Protestants. Three of these unfortunate persons were burned alive, together with their own household goods; others were thrown out of the windows, and others were butchered in cold blood. The offices of the sub-prefecture were also attacked by the mob, and all letters and furniture they contained destroyed. The sub-prefect was maltreated, and only saved his life by escaping to a place of concealment. One of the guards of public security was killed, and the delegate wounded. Two houses were also burned, and many others sacked. The number of persons murdered by the rioters amounts to thirteen. A detachment of soldiers was ordered with all haste from Trani, and by their assistance order was restored. Many arrests have been made, including several priests and monks. M. Meyer, the evangelical pastor of Barletta, has addressed the following letter to the Corriere delle Marche of Ancona :-" Barletta, March 20.-Yesterday our ordinary hall of conference was assailed by a swarm of modern Pharisees, led by a priest named Ruggiero Tostiglione, who, for several days past, had been exciting the populace to excesses against the Protestants. The whole building was set on fire. Four of our brethren were killed, or, I should say, two of our brethren and two persons who came to their assistance. One of our ministers saved himself by a miracle. I myself escaped over the roofs of the houses. The house of D. C., the wine merchant, was completely burned down. He himself escaped. I write to you still concealed in a cellar of my house."

The correspondent of the Temps at Naples supplies some additional

particulars respecting this deplorable affair. The evangelists of Barletta (he says) amounts to seventy or eighty in number, amongst whom are ten or twelve foreigners. They were peaceable, and hired a house for the purpose of religious worship. From all that I have heard, they certainly gave no provocation for the attack which was made upon them. During the whole winter the priests thundered against them; they were called from the pulpits "pests and plagues of heaven." It is pretty clear that a formal conspiracy was organised some days before the 19th of March, the Feast of St Joseph, and it is quite certain the authorities were told on the previous day, Sunday the 18th, and on the morning of Monday, "that something would happen to the Protestants." The authorities, however, seem to have taken no precautionary steps, and the National Guard were not called out. On St Joseph's day several sermons were preached, in which the "pests" were referred to, Canon Postiglione appearing to be foremost in stimulating the fanaticism of his hearers. On leaving the churches about half-past one an excited crowd proceeded to the house where the evangelicals were assembled. They sacked the house and killed three persons, amongst whom was a monk who had become a Protestant. A fire was kindled in the street with the furniture of the house, and the three dead bodies were brought out and flung into the flames. The infuriated crowd then directed themselves upon other points, and five more persons are reported as killed. The cries of the mob were most discordant-"Long live Jesus!" "Long live the Faith!" "Long live Garibaldi!" "Down with the sub-prefect!" "Down with taxes!" The sub-prefect saved himself with difficulty by getting on the roof of his own house. The following letters throw some additional light on this deplorable affair :

THE BARLETTA MASSACRE.

SIR-I am not sure that it is generally understood that Mr Meyer, who escaped with difficulty from the infuriated priestly mob at Barletta,* on the 19th March, is the Rev. Theodore Meyer, the respected Missionary of the Free Church of Scotland to the Jews, who has been stationed for some time at Ancona, and who has been of much use to the Italian evangelical inquirers. Among other places he had visited Barletta in July 1864, and held a numerously attended evangelical meeting. He was again there when the outbreak took place, and he had a narrow escape for his life. Nothing daunted, you will see by the enclosed letter, which I have translated from an Italian newspaper just received, he returned again to encourage the terrified evangelicals, and vindicate liberty of worship.

This noble act met, you will see, with entire success, and entitles Mr Meyer to the gratitude of all friends of the cause of religious liberty and truth.

Perhaps you could find a place for his letter in your paper to-morrow. I am, &c., THOMAS CLEGHORN.

26 Queen Street, Edinburgh, April 6, 1866.

Having just returned from Barletta, I hasten to give you some notice of the present state of that city, which has made for itself so sad a reputation. Order after being restored had not again been disturbed; the authorities were anxiously prosecuting the work of discovering and imprisoning the guilty parties. The judicial inquiry will bring to light whether religious fanaticism alone was the cause of the riots, or if there were also political motives and ends. However that may be, no one can see the people who, day after day, are carried away to the prisons of Trani, without feeling indignation against their instigators and seducers, and compassion towards these misguided creatures.

The principal object of my visit was to comfort and encourage my brethren in the faith, and to vindicate anew our right to freedom of worship. On my arrival at

* Sheriff Cleghorn corrects this impression afterwards.

Barletta, I found the evangelicals so discouraged and terrified that they scarcely dared to go out of their houses, while the departure of the evangelist, which was by no means his voluntary act, seemed to ensure a complete victory to the enemies of liberty. These were, therefore, disconcerted by my arrival. Two deputations, and not of the lower class of people, waited on the sub-prefect to request my expulsion, and such was the excitement produced by my presence that the sub prefect considered additional troops necessary, and the prefect of Basi, whom he consulted by telegram, ordered him to send me away. All this the sub-prefect told me himself. He did not, however, dare, nor did he wish to execute the order thus received; but 1 was not contented only with being allowed to remain at Barletta as long as I pleased, but I insisted also on the right granted by the statute to my co-religionists of meeting peaceably and unarmed "to worship God according to our conscience." This right the sub-prefect persisted in refusing to us. For more than an hour I disputed and discussed with him; all the arguments I adduced were fruitless. But while we were still discussing the matter, a Government despatch arrived from Florence, which seemed to have a magical effect upon him. Having deciphered it all, his difficulties and objections disappeared in a moment, and permission was given to hold the meeting.

It took place on the evening of Sunday, without the least approach to disturbance. This meeting was certainly the most extraordinary I ever conducted. The place of worship was a coffee-house, the counter serving as a pulpit. The congregation numbered about eighty, a great number being obliged to leave for want of room. There was not one eye without tears. The impression made was precisely what I had expected. The evangelists felt themselves comforted and encouraged; the friends of liberty rejoiced that the sacred principles of religious freedom had been again vindicated, while all the enemies of light and liberty might see that their machinations had proved vain and useless, that all they could do was to disturb public tranquillity for a moment and destroy the happiness and peace of numerous families, but that against a Government such as ours, firm in its determination to preserve liberty and rights, they could do nothing, and that, therefore, a temporary victory is the certain precursor of a terrible defeat.-I am, &c.,

ANCONA, March 29, 1866.

THEODORE MEYER.

PROTESTANT INSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND.

WE beg to call the special attention of our readers to the following interesting outline of the operations of this important Institute for the past year.

The following classes were conducted during the session, in connexion with the Protestant Institute of Scotland, viz.:—

I. STUDENTS' CLASSES.

EDINBURGH.In the hall of the Protestant Institute, 17 George IV. Bridge, conducted by the Rev. Dr Wylie, every Saturday, at twelve o'clock. The introductory lecture was delivered on the second Saturday of November, at twelve o'clock. The session was closed on the evening of 28th March 1866. The number of students enrolled was 46; the average attendance 30 to 35.

GLASGOW. In the class-room, Athenæum, Ingram Street, conducted by the Rev. Dr Wylie, every Saturday, at seven o'clock P.M. The introductory lecture was delivered on the second Saturday of November, at seven o'clock P.M. The session was closed on Saturday, 31st March 1866. The number of students enrolled was 70; average attendance from 48 to 50.

ABERDEEN.-In the Music Hall Buildings, conducted by the Rev. Dr M Gilvray. The introductory lecture was delivered on Tuesday, the 14th November, at eight o'clock P.M, and the class was continued on the evenings of the first and last Tuesdays of the month, at eight o'clock P.M. Number enrolled 28. The attendance, including the general public, good.

These classes were open gratuitously to students in Arts, Law, Medicine, or Divinity, and of all religious denominations, on being enrolled in the class registers.

Certificates or Diplomas are given to those students who have been regular in attendance.

II-POPULAR CLASS.

EDINBURGH.—In the hall of the Protestant Institute, 17 George IV. Bridge, con. ducted by the Rev. Dr Wylie, every Friday evening, at a quarter-past eight o'clockThe introductory lecture was delivered on the third Friday of November, at a quarterpast eight o'clock. This class was especially instituted for young men in banks, offices, shops, warehouses, manufactories, &c. The class is likewise free. Dr Wylie went over the chief historical events connected with the planting of Christianity in Britain, and the Reformation and subsequent struggles against Romanism, especially in Scotland. The number enrolled, 50; the average attendance, 30 to 35. PRIZES.

1. Prizes of £5, £3, and £2, were offered to students in each of the students' classes above specified.

2. A prize of £10, from a Glasgow merchant, was also offered to the student who should stand the best examination on the course of lectures delivered in the class in Glasgow during the session.

The following are the names of the successful competitors who obtained prizes:1. EDINBURGH.-First Prize-Robert M'Gregor, second year divinity, Free Church College. Second Prize James Spence, first year divinity, Original Secession Church. Third Prize-Alexander Robertson, second year, University, Free Church. Honourable Mention-Samuel Fraser, first year divinity, Free Church College. T. H. Burkitt, third year divinity, Irish Presbyterian Church. Jacob Primmer, second year, University, Church of Scotland.

2. GLASGOW.-First Prize (10)-James M'Kenzie, third year, University, English Presbyterian. Prize (4) John Wylie, third year divinity, Reformed Presbyterian Church. Prize (£4)-John Dunlop, second year divinity, Free Church. Prize (£3)-Robert Auchterlonie, second year, University, Congregational Church. 3. ABERDEEN.-First Prize-Mr George F. Brown, Keith, Free Church. Second Prize-Mr George M. Rae, Aberdeen, Free Church. Third Prize-Mr James Gage, Rubislaw, Free Church. Honourable Mention-Mr William M Gregor, Hutcheon Street, Aberdeen.

3. A prize of £5 for the best examination, conducted in writing, on the Rev. Dr M'Lauchlan's " History of the Early Scottish Church." This prize was open to members of all the students' classes in connexion with the Protestant Institute in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. The examinations took place simultaneously in the respective places on the third Saturday of March, at two o'clock. The Rev. Dr M'Lauchlan was adjudicator. The successful competitor was Robert M'Gregor, Edinburgh, second year divinity, Free Church. Honourable Mention-T. H. Burkitt, Edinburgh, Irish Presbyterian Church; John Wylie, Glasgow, Reformed Presbyterian Church; John Rainnel, Aberdeen, divinity student.

4. Prizes of £3, £2, and £1 were offered to the members of the popular class who should stand the best examination on the subjects treated of during the session. First Prize-John Jackson, student; Second Prize-John F. Wilson, compositor; Third Prize-James Murdoch, clerk. Honourable Mention-William Boal, student

and teacher; John Baird; Alexander Smith, clerk.

5. Prizes of £3, £2, and £1 were offered by a member of committee of the Scottish Reformation Society, to parties residing in Leith, who should stand the best examination on Dr Begg's "Handbook of Popery." This examination took place in the Hall of the Protestant Institute, on the evening of the first Saturday of March 1866, at seven o'clock. The Rev. Dr Wylie was adjudicator. First PrizeJohn Wilson, student; Second Prize-Jacob Primmer, student; Third PrizeJohn Lindsay, compositor. Honourable Mention-Archibald Thomson, joiner; Andrew Reid, ironmonger.

6. Two prizes of Sixteen and Seven Guineas, respectively, for the two best essays on "The persecuting principles and proceedings of the Church of Rome." The competition was restricted to parties residing within the counties of Stirling and Linlithgow; also, two other prizes of five and two guineas, respectively, for the best two essays on the same subject, to be written exclusively by working men, residing in the said two counties. Working men could also compete for the two larger prizes. The essays, accompanied with a sealed envelope containing the author's name

and address, with a motto on the outside corresponding to a motto on the essays, were lodged with the Rev. G. R. Badenoch, Secretary of the Scottish Reformation Society, 17 George IV. Bridge, Edinburgh, on or before the 28th of February 1866. The following clergymen in Edinburgh act as adjudicators of the prizes, viz. :—the Rev. D. T. K. Drummond (English Episcopal Church); Rev. W. Robertson (Established Church); Rev. Dr Thomson (U. P. Church); Rev. Dr Wylie (Protestant Institute of Scotland). The successful competitors will afterwards be announced.

7. Prizes of ten, six, and four guineas for the three best essays on "Monastic and Conventual Institutions-the rise of the principle in the early ages-its development into regular Monasteries in the Middle Ages-their opposition to the Word of God, and the evils which have resulted from them to Society and to Civil Liberty, as exbibited in the History of the Middle Ages, and at the time of the Reformation in England and Scotland, and at the present day abroad, especially in Italy, and in our own country." These prizes were offered to parties residing in Dundee.

The essays, accompanied with a sealed envelope, containing the author's name and address, with a motto on the outside corresponding to a motto on the essays, were lodged with Mr Badenoch on or before the 28th February 1866. The following clergymen in Dundee act as adjudicators of the prizes, viz. :-Rev. A. Taylor, (Estab.), Rev. Thos. Hill (Free), Rev. James Wilson (U. P.), Rev. R. T. Irvine, M. A. (Cong.), Rev. John Riddell, B.A. (Ref. Pres.), Rev. Wm. Robertson (Orig. Sec.) The successful competitors will afterwards be announced.

8. Prizes of three, two, and one guineas to the members of the class in Dundee, conducted in connexion with the Dundee Branch of the Scottish Reformation Society, who may stand the best examination on the subjects treated of in said class.

9. Prizes of £5, £3, and £2 to parties residing in Hawick, who would stand the best examination on Dr Begg's "Handbook of Popery." This examination took place on the 26th February 1866, in St Mary's Parish School-room, at eight o'clock. The following ministers in Hawick acted as adjudicators, viz. :-Rev. J. Thomson, Rev. J. Macgregor, and Rev. J. M'Ewan. First Prize-James Davidson, draper; Second Prize-Thomas Hunter, clerk; Third Prize-Robert Brodie Wilson, wool sorter.

10. Prize of £2, 2s., by a Leith merchant, for the best essay on "Scotland of the Sixteenth Century as compared with Scotland of the Nineteenth Century." Offered to the members of the Edinburgh and Leith Young Men's Protestant Associations. Adjudicator-Rev. J. M. Porteous. Successful competitor-Jacob Primmer, second year student Established Church of Scotland.

Subscriptions for prizes or for the ordinary purposes of the Institute may be sent to Peter Robertson, Esq., Treasurer, Commercial Bank, South Bridge, Edinburgh; or to the Rev. Dr Begg, Edinburgh.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of the Scottish Reformation Society was held on Wednesday the 28th March, in the large hall of the Protestant Institute of Scotland, Edinburgh; John Miller, Esq. of Leithen, in the chair. There was a large attendance. Amongst those present were the Rev. Dr Wylie, Rev. Messrs M'Naughton of Belfast, A. E. Rate of Falkirk, Gemmell and Smellie, Edinburgh; Rev. G. Macaulay, Glasgow; J. Macdonald, Esq. of Rossie; Colonel Davidson, H. Craigie, Esq. of Falconhall; James Nichol, Esq., J. Gibson Greig, Esq., John Gibson, jun., Esq., W.S.; W. G. Cassels, Esq., James Blackadder, Esq., A. E. Macknight, Esq., advocate; George Barbour, Esq. of Bonskeid; James Johnston, Esq. of Larchhill; and others. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. R. Gemmell. Excellent addresses were delivered by the chairman, Rev. Mr Macaulay, Rev. Mr M Naughton, and the Rev. Dr Wylie. An admirable letter was read from Mr Newdegate, M.P.