ANTI-CATHOLIC

Theodore Hoppen, in his 'The Mid-Victorian Generation', refers to a 'growing band of anti-Catholic lecturers who toured Britain in the 1850s and 1860s', adding that most 'were rogues like the former Dominican, Giacinto Achilli, and the soi-disant Baron de Camin. Almost all depended financially upon admission fees. Their lurid handbills advertised travesties of the mass, "the secrets of the confessional", and "wafer Gods" to be "sold at 1d. each at the doors".' See also Paul Colman Mulkern, 'Irish immigrants and public disorder in mid-Victorian Britain, 1830-80'.

On one side of a piece of wove paper, 15.5 x 9.5 cm. In fair condition, on aged paper, with one creased corner and a small nick at the head. The drop-head title is in capitals, with the second line having only the opening quotation marks (before the initial word 'BEWARE'). The poem is 29 lines long, with three seven-line stanzas followed by an eight-line one. At the foot of the poem: 'Albury. Mary Frances Tupper.' The first stanza reads 'The stamp of Rome is on their heart, | Take care! take care! | They play the Jesuits' crafty part, | Beware! beware!

Folio: ii + 21 pp. After 'Popish Successor,' the title continues 'Exactly drawn by the Reigns of Christian the Second, and Sygismond King of Sweden, and Ferdinand the Second King of Bohemia.' Text clear and entire, on discoloured and lightly-foxed paper. Slight chipping to edges, and quite heavy discoloration to the final few leaves, with small hole at foot of last leaf (the reverse of which is blank), affecting the word 'FINIS.' but leaving the text undamaged. In very good modern calf quarter-binding, with marbled boards and title on red label on spine.

Manuscript, 356pp, 8vo, hf. lea. worn, a very substantial anddetailed precis of an unpublished book, a comprehensive discussion from the Anti-Catholic (papist) standpoint from social, political and religious aspects. The background is probably the Tractarian Movement and Newman's activities on behalf of the Catholic Church (Newman is mentioned). The conclusion is that "Perhaps the Pope may yet indulge his flock by giving them the Scriptures and civil liberty, to which let us all say, Amen." The title on spine as follows: "Mr Soutter's M.S. Contents Mr Coghlan's book, 1868".

Octavo. 16 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Good, though first and last pages somewhat grubby.