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the end of the market-place in Riom,
a lofty crucifix has lately been erected by
the missionaries, with a colossal figure suspended
upon it, of Christ in the last agonies,
but superbly gilt, and surmounted by
the crown and arms of the Bourbons. A
number of devotees were kneehne: down in
the open air before it, and adoring these
emblems of religion and royalty. In what
manner the French government can suppose
that the cause of religion will be promoted
by thus reviving the rites of ancient
superstition, and mingling with them much
military parade, and the tawdry decorations
of royalty, it is difficult to conceive, unless
it be supposed practicable to revive also
the ignorance and barbarity of the dark
ages. That these exhibitions have the
tendency to prejudice intelligent people in
France against all religion, I am fully convinced
from my own observations; and
among people less intelligent, it produces
a strange confusion of ideas, which is sometimes
truly ludicrous. At Paris, the nobles
have now a god of their own, created by
the government, called “ L e Saint Esprit de
Cordon Bleu," or the Holy Ghost o f the Blue
I N F R A N C E . 383
S
ÎTH
Ribband ; nor are the common people in
the country behind them in absurdity.
During the dreadful thunder storm on
the mountains before described, our guide
and voiturier were both taken into our
patache, which we used in these excursions.
Our guide began to preach to the voiturier,
saying, that the thunder afforded a strong
proof of the existence of God; but after
several common-place observations, he
added : “ On ne doit pas oublier le Fils et le
Saint E sprit) ils sont tous égaux et dieux; mais
le Saint Esprit gouverne tout, parce q u il a de
l Esprit. It is greatly to be regretted
that those who at present attempt to direct
the public mind in France, should evince
such a want of good sense and good taste :
the extravagancies of superstition which
they strive to introduce are not essential
parts of the catholic religion, and are in
direct opposition to the spirit of the age
and country in which they are revived.
From Riom we proceeded leisurely to
Moulins. The soil continues extremely
rich for several miles, being on the freshwater
limestone and marl, with which it is
associated ; it then suddenly changes for
the worse. We passed a small hill of gyp