THE PAPAL POSITION.

Save me from my friends! must be just now the aspiration of his Holiness the Pope. His Holiness’s friends seem bent on button-holing him whenever they’ve the chance, and telling him what they would do if they were in his shoes. Of course the doses they prescribe are most unpleasant ones to take, and every one advises him to do what he don’t like. The most general opinion, however, seems to be the one that friend Napoleon avows himself inclined to; namely, that his Holiness should give up earthly territory, and content himself with exercising spiritual sway. The more the Holy Father’s temporalities are lessened, the more will his authority in spirit be increased. Such is at least the view these friends of his have taken, but strange to say, his Holiness does not quite seem to see it.

The Pope’s, in fact, is the position of the Malade Imaginaire, whom Toinette can’t convince that if he will but have one eye out, he’ll see better with the other, and that looping off his right arm will invigorate his left. His Holiness is not to be persuaded by his friends that amputation of his provinces will increase his Papal power: and however strongly his friends may recommend it, his Wariness will doubtless abstain, until he’s forced to it, making the experiment.

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A Double Opening.- Parliament opens on the 23th, and, on the same day, Mr. Disraeli will, in all probability, open on – Ministers.

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