| Citation |
BEP(F.752.036
27 Nov 1752:11 (900)
Vienna, July 30. Last Saturday some discontented people
having gathered themselves together before the hotel of the
Baron de Backhoff, minister from the King of Denmark, threw
stones, and broke the windows of the chapel of his
Excellency. This rash transaction was the consequence of
the murmuring and complaints which the people have for some
time past made against the court, but more especially
against our archbishop, in relation to affairs of religion;
being jealous that their Imperial Majesties have not only
granted the Baron de Backhoff the liberty of having divine
service publickly performed in his chapel after the manner
of the Lutherans, but have likewise permitted him to have
organs. The populace having been excited by some turbulent
persons who take pleasure in disorder, cried out, that
foreign and heterodox religions were favour'd, whilst on the
other hand, pains were taken to destroy that of their own
country; and that endeavours have been used to strip the
divine worship of the ceremonies which ought to accompany
it. This disposition of the populace greatly embarrasses
the court. The people are dissatisfied: They must be
quieted; and both policy and necessity demands the gentlest
methods to be pursued in doing it. The disturbances which
arise under the pretense of religion, are dangerous, and the
most subject to fatal consequences. The reason of this is,
because the people think themselves authoris'd to undertake
any think, even against their own sovereign, when, according
to their notion, the religion of their fathers is to be
defended. The foundation of this dissatisfaction in the
people is plainly perceived. The monks, and above all, the
Jesuits are greatly displeased with the proceeding of our
worthy archbishop, who labours, with an apostolick zeal, to
restore religion to its original simplicity, particularly in
what relates to the ceremonies of the church, without any
way touching upon tenets. The people who suffer themselves
to be captivated more by exterior pomp and shew than by the
essentials of religion, are apt to think that every thing is
destroy'd if a procession is not accompanied with noise,
with fifes, hautboys, French horns, violins, &c. And as it
is by means of these externals that the monks lead the
people by the nose, they look upon a reformation in this
particular as an attack made upon their revenues. (Need
there be any thing else to occasion the most hideous outcry
?)
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