The History of Modern Europe; And a View of the Progress of Society, from the Peace of Paris, in 1783, to the Treaty of Amiens, in 1802. Being a Continuation of Dr. Russell's History - Softcover

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1811. Excerpt: ... but closely allied to the house of Austria; for he had espoused a sister of Joseph, had given one daughter in marriage to the new emperor, and another to the grand duke, while his eldest son was the husband to a daughter of Leopold. In speaking of his Neapolitan majesty, I am induced to remark, as it serves to illustrate the manners of the times, that he had been at variance with Pius VI. from the commencement of his pontificate. The minister Tanucci continued to encroach on the supposed rights of the holy see ; and the pope thought it his duty to resist such encroachments. Among other grounds of dissension, the appointment of an archbishop of Naples was contested ; and, when this dispute had been compromised, it was re-kindled by the .refusal of a cardinal's hat to the new prelate, on pretence of his being tainted with Jansenism. The mode of presenting the white palfrey, the annual mark of feudal subjection, was also productive of dispute. Under the administration of the marquis della Sambucca, the supply of several vacant sees occasioned a fresh contest; and the king menaced the pontiff with actual hostilities, if he should continue to with-hold his confirmation of the royal appointments. The storm was warded off by concessions from the pope. The suppression of a great number of monasteries, and the diminution of various sources of papal revenue in the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, continued to exasperate Pius, who repeatedly solicited the interposition of the court of Madrid. Charles II1.* who then reigned, desired his son to be moderate in his ecclesiastical reforms; but Acton (the son of an Hibernian physician), who had obtained great influence at the court of king Ferdinand, encouraged him to a resolute perseverance. When this minister had procured the dismission of Sambucca ...