1^st. July 1843. Cardinal Fransoni's servant called this morning to wish me buon viaggio - he heard in the Segretteria that I was shortly to leave. It is tolerably clear from this indication that I shall soon have some direct communication from the Propaganda.

A newspaper from Demerara containing an advertisement of a meeting to be held in the Catholic church, and an announcement that two priests, MacNamara and MacDonald, were to be sent to Rome to represent the degraded state of that Vicariate to the Holy See. Shewed this paper to D^r. Cullen and D^r. Kirby - Cullen offered to translate the articles immediately and lay them before Cardinal Fransoni. D^r. Clancy showed D^r. Cullen a book of accounts setting forth that he received since his arrival in Demerara thirty three thousand dollars in Church revenues, not counting salaries or aid from Europe, which sum would have gone into the hands of the Committee as in former days, but for his suppression of that body. He left the impression that there was an annual income of upwards of $5,000 arising from the church - whether from Pew rents or other sources he does not specify. What a lyar is this man

During my walk this evening observed twice a person exceedingly like M. K. - indeed so much so that I was on the point of addressing her - can it be that she has come back to Rome? Impossible.

2nd. A visit from Fr. Francis. Told him of that dismissal from Demerara. Clancy was keeping his own disgrace and that of his quondam V. G. as close as possible. Made a Saturday visitation to S. Peter's - met all the Irish Augustinians. Revd. Mr. Russell (Maynooth) called - he leaves on Sunday for Ireland - a message from me to Miss Stafford praying for some Irish newspapers.

Forgot to mention in the proper place, that D^r. Clancy in a conversation with Fr. Kilian praised Bates in the most extravagant terms, and said that in his report to the Cardinal which he had just presented he made most honorable mention of him. What astounding boldness, conscious as he has been of Bates' misconduct. He must be in Bates' power or he would not have acted thus.

3^rd. A letter from Masini informing me that the picture of the Ascension is finished. A paper from Mr. Troy. Staid within till evening expecting some thing from the Propaganda; either directly through Cullen. My rascally servant Francesco leaves me tonight.

4^th. Old Pietro has again come back to me. This is the day of Congresso at the Propaganda - shall I hear any thing from them? A newspaper from Mr. Troy.

In my walk this evening met Revd. D. O'Connor from Philadelphia - just arrived. He tells me there are several new dioceses to be created in the United States and that quite a crowd of American Bishops are coming on to Rome. Another day closing without any communication from the Propaganda. They are *trifling* it with Clancy.

5^th. July 1843. A visit from Fr. Francis - this man is becoming a nuisance - nothing can match his impertinent inquisitiveness. Fransoni's servant has just called again, but as I have not had any official communication I sent him off empty-handed.

Another day and nothing in reference to Demerara. Clancy is endeavouring to overreach them by pretending to possess more of the Church property and of greater value than the demands, and *         * to frighten them into a provision for him which he does not deserve. Happen what may, I shall be no party to his getting a single shilling from the Colony.

Several letters are due to me - J. Ryan, D^r. O'Finan, M. K., Mrs. Garland, Mr. French - each one in my debt. The weather has become boiling hot and I have the misery to be detained here in a state of torturing anxiety; altho' prepared in other respects to start at a moment's notice.

6^th. J. Ryan's long silence must be owing to the manoeuvring of Russell, fancying that Clancy would be able to last through his difficulties, and not wishing to lose the possible advantage of such a connexion to himself and his family. The poor girl who was induced to go from Lisbon to Demerara to become a nun must have been recommended by Russell. What will he think now of his plans and aspirations? Can the removal of Bates have been effected through the medium of D^r. Smyth - that is, can he have been authorized by the Propaganda to notify to this *   * his removal. It would indeed be giving undue importance to the blundering V. A. of Trinidad. He should be recalled by his General.

A letter from M. K. Mrs. Spada has been at work in *      *. Wrote to her immediately - a paper from Mr. Troy. A visit from Revd. D^r. O'Connor - he has been nominated to the new See of Pittsburgh, but declines accepting it - a visit from Revd. Mr. Murphy - he leaves in about three weeks.

7^th. July 1843. What can be going on in reference to me at the Propaganda? Kirby has not sent me back, nor Cullen, the Demerara Gazette - am I doomed even in this case to disappointment? Twere indeed to fill up the cup of my trials and to complete the injustice of Propaganda.

Fr. Francis called this evening bearing a very woebegone countenance - he has been ordered to Ireland - one would imagine his General had heard my aspiration for his departure.

Should nothing come from the Propaganda tomorrow I shall make a move on Monday to ascertain what they are about.

8^th. Fr. Francis called this morning and told me that he had met D^r. Clancy - going towards the diligence [coach] office accompanied by Donovan and Downing on his way to London. He asked Fr. F. if he would go with him to Demerara. This piece of news startled me. I called immediately on D^r. Cullen who appeared astounded at it and observed that they knew nothing of it at the Propaganda - that on the 26^th ult., having heard he was about starting, they wrote to him from the Congregation held that day by the Secretary Monsignor Brunelli, not to leave until matters had been fully settled respecting Demerara. Sending also notice to the Police office not to permit his departure! God knows what mad pranks he will play now.

Saw Downing. His *      * D^r. Clancy told him last evening that he would sail by the very first packet for Demerara, on his arrival in England. What will the Propaganda do now? This wicked step cannot fail to *               * mischief and embarrassment - here and in the Colony.

Called at Villa Lante and saw Marcella Hynes - she is not at all looking well.

9^th. July 1843. Called on D^r. Cullen this morning. He had seen the Cardinal yesterday and learned that D^r. Clancy had their permission to depart, after signing several papers making over to his successor the property of the Mission, which satisfied them - an impediment however existed at the Police office, which could not be overcome but by the consent of the Propaganda. He had no permission to return to Demerara, and he urged as a reason for getting to London, that the payment of his last year's salary has been disputed and that he wishes to recover it through the Colonial Office.

A visit from the Prior of the Posterula and also from the Guardian of S. Isidore's, Fr. MacLaughlin and Dean Lyons all in a batch - the three last evidently in consequence of D^r. Clancy's business having gone abroad. In the evening Fr. Francis, Fr. Browne and Fr. Pentony called. A letter from Marcella Hynes hinting at the intended departure of some members of the Community and wishing to place them under my protection in the event of my leaving shortly.

The appointment of a V. Apostolic to Guiana is to be settled in the General Congregation of this month.

Dr. Clancy boasted to Fr. Downing that he left sixteen priests and nine nuns in the Colony after him - this cannot be true.

10^th. Wrote letters to Mr. Taggart, to J. Ryan and Bishop O'Finan and posted them myself. A newspaper from Mr. Troy. A visit from Fr. Downing to explain away his talkativeness respecting D^r. Clancy. A visit from the eternal Fr. Francis - thank God, I shall be soon rid of him. Fr. MacLaughlin called - had a long walk with him - met D^r. Cullen and D^r. O'Connor.

11^th. July 1843. Letters from M. K. and D^r. O'Finan - the latter is coming back to Rome and may be of some use, after the decision of Propaganda shall have been made known to me.

12^th. Attended an auction and bought two paintings - a S. John the Baptist and a Magdalen by Lauri for 25 Scudi and 76 baiocchi. Both are said to be very good and for one of them - S. John - a picture dealer, himself an artist, offered some time ago 25 Scudi. After the sale made an offer at a very reduced rate for some others that remained unsold. Met Fr. Gulielmotti in the evening and had a walk with him. He told me an anecdote which is worth recording as shewing how much people in office here are influenced by a little attention. Some few years ago under the priorship of Fr. Lussi he, Fr. Lussi, wishing to have the church supplied with additional Confessors, selected for the purpose three Fathers of unquestionable abilities and acquirements: Frs. Ferrari, Bobaoni and Rabini. He presented himself to the Cardinal Vicar and his ViceGerent, requested faculties for these three priests and that they might according to previous usage be examined privately - he would not be listened to - they should submit to a public examination. Lussi, instead of arguing the matter, invited, some few days after, the ViceGerent along with some others to a dinner at the Villa Salara - the three professors were of the party - after dinner they were introduced to the V.G., who enquired if they did not want to hear Confessions and after being answered in the affirmative told them they might if they pleased be examined privately. On the following morning an order came from the Vicariate for them to be examined by Father Galliani, one of the priests of their own Order and the present Prior of the Minerva.

12^th. The two paintings I purchased - S. John and Magdalen - are pronounced to be the production of Trevisani.

13^th. Visit from Fr. Francis - this man will be the death of me. Bp. O'Finan returned - received three letters from the young Dominicans of Viterbo. Had a walk in the evening with O'F. Butler told him in passing through Viterbo that he obtained a passport by a bribe of 50 Scudi.

14^th. Two visits from Fr. Francis this morning. The painter Bartolini called and looked at my pictures. He admires greatly the S. John and Magdalen - but prefers the former, which he values at 100 Scudi - they are both by Placido di Costanza, a painter of more merit than Trevisani. He admires also the Nativity, which he estimates at 100 Scudi. Paid for this last picture today 17 Scudi and 26 Baiocchi. Dined at S. Isidore's on the invitation of Father MacLaughlin, it being his patron's day, S. Bonaventure. Met there D^r. Lyons, a Spanish Capuchin, Fr. Downing and a Fr. Bowker, a Franciscan lately from America. Fr. Francis is off - God be praised. Called at the Irish College to return D^r. O'Connor's visit. Had a letter this morning from the Prioress of the Sienna Convent, near Drogheda.

15^th. Paid taylor for silk *tabard*, soutane, collars, caps etc. 36 Scudi. Wrote to M. K. and posted the letter myself - a letter from Mr. Taggart announcing the departure of two young priests for Rome to *expound* how awful a state D^r. C. has brought the Vicariate to - a visit from Fr. Downing - met Frs. Pentony and Browne - the former has received a favorable letter from Abbé Kelly, V.G. of Montreal.

16^th. July 1843. Saw D^r. Cullen and gave him Taggart's letter to read, which seemed to make a great impression on him. He offered to translate the address and lay it before the Prefect of Propaganda. Posted a letter to D^r. Griffiths, also one with an enclosure to the Revd. Messrs MacNamara and MacDonald, to Mr Ford, London - no post, however, leaves today. The General Congregation is to be held on the last day of each month.

A visit to Fr. Pentony - a visit to S. Peter's - walked home with Downing and O'Hara. Pentony heard from Mr. Doyle of the Propaganda that the Professor of Theology spoke in high terms of me before his class - styling me the Apostle of British Guiana etc.

17^th. Bought six pictures today - one is presenting the Virgin with S. Francis, S. Anthony Padua, S. Peter and S. Paul; a crucifixion, two marine copies of Vernet - and two other landscapes with figures by *Lucatelli* - gave for the lot 40 Scudi.

A letter from J. Leahy and another from M. K. Fr. Pentony has permission from his General to join the Mission of Montreal - a letter from Miss Fielding from Albano. Two newspapers.

18^th. A visit from Revd. MacDonough of the Propaganda who leaves for Ireland in a day or so. He often heard Grazioli, a Minutante of Propaganda, say that he wondered what they were about in not providing a Mission for me. He brought me a letter from Revd. MacAuliffe dated Suez. Revd. Murphy (Irish College) called - heard from Cullen the state of things in Demerara. Fr. Pentony called to take leave - he starts this morning for Paris - gave him a letter for Abbé Kelly.

A letter from Mr. Troy with a draught for £24. I noticed a change in the postage of letters since yesterday - they are now charged 19 baiocchi from England, instead of 33.

19^th. July 1843. Saw Monsignor Brunelli for the first time. What a different man from his sanctimonious and false predecessor. To call again on him next week, when he is to give me some decisive answer. A visit from the Guardian of S. Isidore's. D^r. O'Finan has at length convinced himself that Butler was fooling him. Met D^r. Baggs, who spoke in high terms of Brunelli's impartiality.

20^th. Paid 40 Scudi this morning for my late purchase of pictures. Had a letter from M. K. She informs me that F. Mahony (*Prout*) was in Florence on his way to Malta to take possession of the Rectorship of the University vice O'Malley - she also tells me that poor T. Hynes's malady has returned. Secured for Mr. Troy from *Fridiani*, Peter's Cascia di Diana.

21^st. Wrote to M. K. and to Miss Fielding - posted the letters myself. Visited the Guardian of S. Isidore's and Fr. MacLaughlin - heard of the death of Bishop Baynes - had a newspaper from Mr. Troy.

22nd. A newspaper from Mr. Troy - the affairs of Ireland are so critical that a newspaper is now a treat.

23^rd. Within all morning - took a stroll to S. Peter's in the evening. Read in the Tablet of the 8^th. inst. a curious correspondence between Sir Henry Harding and D^r. Clancy. D^r. C's letter to the Tablet is dated from Palazzo *Vidoni*, April 20^th. Included in his last letter to Sir H. H. he styles himself Bishop, Vicar Apostolic, Count etc.

24^th. July 1843. A letter from M. K. A newspaper from Mr. Troy. Called at the Propaganda and saw Monsignor Brunelli. His manner was very kind, and he begged me to give him in writing the names which I judged important to add to the Vicariate of British Guiana. This was the very proposition I was anxious should be made me. A visit from Fr. Brown whose hard case excited sympathy.

In the afternoon F. Mahony (Prout) called. We had a long and interesting chat. He was very particular in his enquiries after D^r. Clancy, who concealed it would seem even from D^r. MacSweeny (Paris), with whom he passed some days, the difficulties in which he was. He leaves for Malta in a few days to enter on the duties of his office as Rector of the University.

25^th. Employed in writing to the Secretary of Propaganda on the subject of our conversation of yesterday. Recommended the addition of Barbados, S. Vincent, Grenada and Tobago to the Vicariate of Guiana - forwarded the letter by Pietro this evening. Received letters this morning from Masini and Fr. Grace, Perugia.

The Painter Bartolini in cleaning one of the paintings which I lately purchased discovered that it either belonged to, or was made by order of, Clement the 9^th. (Respigliosi), it having the arms of that Pontiff painted on the lower part of it.

Read the letter of Fr. Brown's correspondent from Newfoundland - it gives a sad account of the state of religion and of the disorders of the Priests in that Island. D^r. Flem*ming* is handled very severely in it, and his income set down at £8,000 per annum - can all this be true? The name of the writer of this letter, which is addressed to Cardinal Fransoni, is Henry Simms.

26^th. July 1843. D^r. O'Finan at my urgent entreaty called on Monsignor Brunelli, and was very well received by him. He entered into an exposé of his case, and from his manner of relating it to me, must have done it very ably. He is to call again on next Wednesday - meantime Bru: will mention the matter to the Pope. I am sincerely glad of this.

Frank Mahony called. He is a most amusing fellow - but not a particle of the Priest visible in him. Saw him again on my walk this evening - he was after dinner and had evidently plentifully helped himself to the bottle. He gave me a most amusing account of a set-to between Baggs and Donovan, the latter of whom dined with him yesterday.

27^th. A note from Marcella Hynes - Miss Clifford has left Villa Lante for England, availing herself of her sister's escort. She has taken Marcella's god-child with her.

A letter from M. K. She is likely to change her condition in Florence, as there appears to be a likelihood of a marriage being *    ed* between her and Plowden the Banker. I trust it may take place.

Poor T. Hynes has become worse since the former accounts. Met F. Mahony, who has already tired of Rome. What a reproach to the British Government is the appointment of this man to the Rectorship of the University of the Catholic island of Malta.

Poor Fr. Brown called. He has been to see Monsignor Brunelli by my advice and has been much gratified by his reception. There is still a chance that something may be done for the poor man. Wrote to Fr. Grace.

28^th. Called at Villa Lante and saw Marcella Hynes - what an angelic creature. She had a letter from M. K. and such a one - this little animal can have no heart. Met Cardinal Mezzofanti - had a long conversation with him in English.

29^th. July 1843. Wrote to M. K. and Mr. Troy and posted the letters myself. Told Mr. Troy I secured for him Peter's Cascia di Diana, the price of which includes finishing and will not amount to much more than 65 Scudi - also that I purchased a S. John and a Magdalen and 4 landscapes, of which I was to write to him again.

Revd. Murphy (Irish College) called - he is to leave for Ireland in a few days - a visit from Fr. Brown - a newspaper from Mr. Troy.

30^th. Went to the Gesù to hear the fine music at first Vespers of S. Ignatius. Strolled afterwards to the Colosseum - as I approached, a procession of Sacconi followed by a number of females came from the interior of the Amphitheatre singing a charming hymn. What a triumph over paganism.

31^st. A visit from Fr. Brown - he tells me that Stewart has been elected Provincial of the Irish Augustinians - a blue event for Cronin of Cork.

Called at the Irish College to take leave of Revd. Murphy. Met Sharples - the new Rector of Malta bodes him no good - he evidently looks upon the appointment as destructive to his own prospects.