THE POPE'S POST OBIT.
In the Giornale di Roma, of the 25th ultimo, appears a document called the "Act of Beatification" of Father John of Britto, a Jesuit, who suffered martyrdom in 1693; so that, after the lapse of 160 years, His Holiness the Pope has "beatified" the martyred Jesuit—made Father John happy at last. The Holy See is really as dilatory in beatifying parties, or making them happy, as the High Court of Chancery. The Church of Rome treats saints as some other churchmen treat bottles of port—laying them down to acquire the right flavour, as well as bouquet, notwithstanding that the latter ought to have been already possessed by individuals who had died in the odour of sanctity. Miracles, we believe, are necessary to canonization; no miracles, no Saintship: no niche in the calendar. Our ultra-montane friends tell us that miracles, "the apparition of La Salette" for instance, are rigidly investigated at Rome; but it must be difficult to sift those which occurred above 160 years ago, unless the witnesses are cross-examined by table-rapping, or some equivalent means of communicating with the defunct. However, the case of Father John may teach those whom it may concern not to be disheartened by the delay of their beatification by the Roman Pontiffs, by showing them that though they may have had to wait more than a century and a half for their beatitude, they "may be happy yet."