and death-like gloom overspread the land.
Baden gave way. Wurtemberg, Hesse Cassel and Nassau, which had done their
best to follow in the wake of Baden, paused in their mad career. Thus,
throughout those lesser States peace reigned once more, and continued to
reign in Germany until a greater State, Prussia, unwisely disturbed the
religious harmony which so happily prevailed. The chiefs of States,
alarmed by the revolutionary spirit which spread, like contagion,
throughout Germany as well as the rest of Europe, adopted a more rational
policy. They encouraged the clergy to hold missions everywhere. They
invited the Liguorians and Jesuits, as well as the secular clergy, to
assemble the people in the towns and throughout the country, knowing full
well that they would preach peace and concord no less than respect for
property and life. These pastoral labors were attended with extraordinary
success. Faith, piety, and every virtue flourished among the Catholic
people. All honest Protestants were filled with admiration. Among the
latter there was also a remarkable movement. Some striking conversions
took place, especially in the higher and better educated classes of
society. The Countess de Hahn, so renowned in the literary world for her
wit, abilities, and fine writings, joined the Catholic church, and
published her reasons for so doing. Not satisfied with this step, she came
to the town of Angers, in France, and placed herself as a novice under the
direction of the devout sisters of the Good Shepherd. It is on record
also, that a Protestant journalist of Mecklenburgh, in view of the
commotions which prevailed, and the anti-social doctrines which pervaded
society, went so far as to declare that there was no other remedy for
Protestant Germany than a return to the Catholic church. His remarks
conclude with the following words, extraordinary words, indeed, when it is
considered whence they proceed: "Forward, then, to Rome!"

(M41) In countries nearer the Holy City, and professing to be Catholic,
the venerable Pontiff found not such a source of consolation. Sardinia had
banished the archbishop of Turin. It not only refused to recall him, but
added to its list of exiles the archbishop of Cagliari. Many more bishops
were, at the same time, threatened with banishment. A professor in the
Royal University of Turin, encouraged by the government, attacked the
doctrine of the church, and was so bold as to deny, in public, that
matrimony