still exists, and bears the name of the Rotunda. But
it is no longer a Pagan temple. It was re-dedicated by Pope Boniface
the Fourth, in A.D. 608, to the Virgin Mary and all the saints. Another
Pope, a thousand years later, despoiled it of its ornaments, which had
been spared by so many barbarian conquerors. He cast some into cannon,
and with the rest formed a high altar for the Church of St. Peter.

These alterations were of course justifiable. They were all made in
the interest of Christianity. What could be more proper than the
transformation of Pagan temples into Christian churches? What more
admirable than devoting to the worship of Christ the edifice which had
echoed to the tread of the priests of Jupiter? What more pious than
singing the praises of Mary and all the saints in a temple where
idolaters had celebrated the glories of all the gods and goddesses of
Olympus?

Such is Christian logic. But if the temples of one faith may be so
transformed, why may not those of another? If Christianity had the right
to devote the temples of Paganism to its own uses, why has not modern
civilisation the right to devote the temples of Christianity to Secular
purposes?

The Church thinks otherwise. It is at present denouncing the
secularisation of the Church of St. Genevieve, in order that Victor
Hugo, who died a Freethinker and was buried without religious rites,
might repose in an unconsecrated place. This building is the French
Pantheon. It was secularised during the Revolution, and dedicated by
the Republic, not to the gods of religion, but to the heroes of liberty.
When the monarchy was restored it was re-consecrated, and purged of the
luciferous taint of Voltaire's dust. But now the Republic is once
more established on the ruins of monarchy and imperialism, it again
secularises the Church of St. Genevieve as a tomb for its mighty dead.
The Church is naturally indignant, but its anathemas are powerless. God
does not interpose, and the Republic is too strong. Nay, there is even a
rumor that the Roman Pantheon may be secularised also, and changed
into a national mausoleum, where the youth of Italy may bend reverently
before the tombs of such glorious soldiers of progress as Mazzini and
Garibaldi, instead of honoring the very counterfeit presentment of
fabulous old saints, chiefly renowned for their laziness and dirt.

The Church of St. Genevieve is desecrated, cries the Archbishop of
Paris, and special prayers are offer