Dec^'r. 1. Took up my quarters at poor S. Clement's, preferring to more comfortable apartments which I could easily have procured elsewhere.

2. Said Mass at S. Clement's Altar. Visited several churches and the Colosseum.

1849. Rome. December the 2^nd. Rumour has it that the Pope will be back again on the 15^th. inst. - some 4 or 5 of the Cardinals have already come.

3^rd. Visited Father Cippoletti at the Minerva. What a spectacle to see the once peaceful cloisters of this venerable Establishment full of reckless soldiers.

4. Went to the Propaganda accompanied by D^r Cullen. Saw the Sec'y and went over with him the whole question of the annexation. He shewed me D^r Smith's communication opposing the annexation of Grenada and S. Vincent on the ground that the Vicariate of British Guiana would then be larger than that of Trinidad and the projected one of Dominica. He intimates his desire to have a Coadjutor, or to form Dominica, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, S. Christopher, S. Thomas, S. Cruz &c. into a separate Vicariate. This is proposed merely with the view of isolating Demerara.

Posted a letter to M. Kelly: 23 rue D'Angoulême au troisième.

Visited S. Maria in Posterula and S. Isidore's.

Mr. Manley and Mr. Cholmley.

6^th. Alarmed last night on getting to bed by a pain proceeding as if from the kidneys. God grant that I am not about getting the scourge of a urinary complaint.

1849. Rome. S. Clement's. 8^th. Dec^'r. Visits from Bishop Olliffe and D^r Callan - Mr. Doyle and a young Chinese from the Propaganda - D^r Donaldson, Mr. Conolly and a Friar of S. Mark's, Florence, a painter.

A holiday of first class in Rome. Went to see the procession of Ara Coeli. One would think from the crowds and pomp attending it, the vociferation in and out of the church, the prostrations before the statue that they would have died in defence of all that appertains to religious worship and homage, and yet their late conduct shews that they would if they were not interfered with burn every statue in Rome, and efface if possible every memory of religion.

9^th. Dined at the Irish College. No strangers but Bp. Olliffe and the two Maynooth professors.

10^th. Dined at S. Maria in Posterula - there are but two young men in this house besides the Prior. The poor Prior gave a very sumptuous dinner. Besides Father Mullins of S. Clement's we had the Guardian of S. Isidore's, and an Italian Bishop named Pisani.

Said Mass and gave general communion to the community of Notre Dame de Charité or the Good Shepherd and to 70 or 80 of their Penitents. Gave benediction also in the evening.

1849. Rome. S. Clement's. 11^th. Dec^'r. A letter from dear Mother Regis dated 19^th. October. Glad to find that the poor Nuns are all well and happy.

12^th. Saw for the first time today the interior of an Italian Convent, having gone by appointment to say Mass at S. Catharine's. Celebrated, assisted by Father Doherty, in an inner chapel of great beauty - the vestments, chalice &c were the richest I ever used. The good Nuns were all attention - shewed me over the house, and took me up to the top of the Tower, which commands a magnificent view of Rome. The ruffians of the Republic gave them some annoyance, and since the occupation of the Annunziata and S. Dominic -*evicted* by the French they have had united with them both Communities along with those of the Maddalena. The Prioress is a most venerable person, and the Superioress, whom I was obliged to visit in her room, appears a very holy soul - she is 80 years of age. They have but one Novice and two Postulants - the Nuns of Annunziata, who are under the Cardinal Vicar since the time of Baxadors, are about returning to their own Convent.

Rumours are everywhere rife that the Pope is soon to come back. The Campidoglio is undergoing the necessary preparations for an illumination.

14. Letters from dear Mother Regis and poor Fr. Lordan - glad to find that the poor Nuns and priests are all well.

Wrote via di mare to Choiselat Gallien.

Rome. S. Clement's. 16^th. Dec^'r. 1849. Decided on taking a small apartment in the Via di Propaganda, finding S. Clement's too remote and inconvenient.

17^th. Removed from S. Clement's after paying a trifle for board.

18^th. A visit from D^r Cullen, who came on the part of Abbate Palotta to [ask me] to preach during the octave of the Epiphany in the church of S. Andrea della Vallia - promised to preach one sermon.

Paid through Madame Mathu $20 for hire of lodgings to 17^th. proximo.

Changed at Plowden & Cholmley's a ten pound Bill.

19^th. Wrote to Mother Regis and Mr. Jerningham and posted the letters myself.

A letter from Lord Clifford. - visits from Mrs. Manley and the Guardian of S. Isidore's.

Called at the Propaganda - Monsignor Barnabò was in Congresso, but I saw Mons^'r. Vespasiani and had a chat with him. He seemed to think that my business would not be settled in the next Congregation, which would be held early in Jan^'y - but if it could at all be introduced it would.

He observed on my last letter that every day the reasons for the change became stronger and he hinted as one of the objections to the change that the new Islands would prefer remaining under the jurisdiction of Trinidad. I gave him to understand that D^r Smith was at the bottom of it.

Rome. Via di Propaganda. 20^th. Dec^'r. 1849. Received a quarterol of Aleatico and of ordinary wine from S. Clement's.

Called on Mr. and Miss Tiffany at their hotel.

25^th. Said Mass at S. Clement's and dined there.

28^th. A life of dull monotony is this waiting in Rome the Propaganda's decision.

Visits from several parties the last few days.

Mr. Tiffany called.

Changed another Bill at Plowden & Cholmley's.

31^st. The last day of the old year - years are stealing on apace with me, and warn me of advancing age.

Wrote to D^r Harold in reply to his letter received on my arrival in Rome.

Dr. Cullen, accompanied by Bishop Olliffe and D^r Kirby, came to inform me of his appointment to the Archdiocese of Armagh, and to invite me to dine with him tomorrow.