sics. M.
Veuillot, following in the wake of M. L'Abbe Gaume, maintained that one of
the principal causes of the weakening of faith since the time of the
_renaissance_, was the obligation imposed on youth of studying, almost
exclusively, Pagan authors. Mgr. Dupanloup contended rather against
exaggerations of this opinion than against the idea itself. But having
developed his views in an episcopal letter to the professors of his lesser
seminaries, he would not allow them to be opposed; and so, like Mgr.
Sibour, interdicted the _Univers_ to his clergy. M. Louis Veuillot
appealed to the supreme bishop.

The French episcopate was _greatly_ divided on the subject of these
untoward controversies. The Bishops of Chartres, Moulins and others, had
publicly defended the _Univers_ in opposition to the Archbishop of Paris.
Cardinal Gousset, Archbishop of Rheims, patronized the opinions of M.
Veuillot in regard to the use of heathen classics. An anonymous paper on
_the right of custom_, addressed to the episcopate, now added to all these
subjects of controversy the recriminations of Gallicanism, which was
almost extinct. The author denying that the customs of the church of
France were abrogated by the Concordat, maintained that the disciplinary
sentences of the Popes could not be applied in any diocese until they were
first promulgated therein. He disputed the authority of the decrees of the
"Index," blamed the liturgical movement, reproached the religious
journalists with seeking, above all, to please the Court of Rome, and
concluded by advising the bishops to come to an understanding among
themselves, in order to obtain from the Pope a modification of his
decisions. Pius IX. could be silent no longer. Accordingly, he addressed
to all the French bishops an Encyclical, which is known in history as the
Encyclical _inter multiplices_. He commenced by acknowledging the subjects
of joy and consolation afforded him by the progress of religion in France,
and especially by the zeal and devotedness of the bishops of that country.
He gave special praise to these prelates, because they availed themselves
of the liberty which had been restored to them in order to hold Provincial
Councils, and expressed his satisfaction, "that in a great many dioceses,
where no particular circumstance opposed an impediment, the Roman Liturgy
was re-established." He could not, however, dissemble the sorrow which was
caused him by existing dissensions, and for whic