The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 20, 1868.

ROMAN AFFAIRS.

'From the Roman Correspondent of the Westminster Gazette.)
ROME, April 4.

We have advanced so far towards the end
of Lent, without any signs appearing of the
disturbances which, it has been predicted, are
to disturb it.

vv
It would be far from wise to argue, from
our present security, however, that the spirit
of revolution had been conquered. Like the
fabled Hydra, it is a many-headed monster—
so many blows and many searings are necessary
to destroy its vitality. This truth is felt by
even the most hopeful among us, and the
man must be gullible indeed who allows him-
self for a moment to repose faith in the fancy
that the Italianissimi have abandoned their
ideas of " Roma, Capitale."
The fact is becoming apparent that, even if
it would, the Government of Victor Emmanuel
is no longer able to arrest the current of revo-
lutionary violence which threatens even to
overwhelm it; and France, which speaks only
of maintaining the Pope's cause, has other
interests of its own to which these are but
secondary. With two such impending powers
close to us, it is difficult not to suspect that
matters may become serious at any moment.
The plan of the Italianissimi seems to be now,
first to revolutionize Florence, destroying, if
they can, even the name of king ; and then
to march upon Rome. In truth, the security
in which they are allowed to enrol their mongrel
cohorts, cannot but give their party assurance
and courage. An eye-witness, lately returned
from Foligno, tells me that " red-shirts " are
walking about the streets there in considerable
numbers, and with perfect impunity. The
same also takes place at Orvieto, Rieti, Spoleto,
and Terni.

France, it is true, has given apparent cre-
dence to good faith in Italy, but, at the same
moment that she has withdrawn one brigade,
she has charged General Dumont, who still
remains stationed at Civita Vecchia, to assure
the Holy Father that on the first approach of
danger to the Pontifical territory, not only
these, but more too, will be in readiness to obey
his call. _ _

The brigade, styled "De Poitiers," embarked
for Toulon on Saturday the 28th ult., on board
the war-transport Moselle, and only the Brigade
Raoul now remains; but the very vessel which
carried them away came freighted with four
pieces of field artillery and a considerable
quantity of war ammunition.
Nor are other tokens of allegiance wanting
to cheer the heart of the Sovereign Pontiff
at this juncture. Prussia chiefly figures in
these ; and whilst 4,000 signatures crown one
Westphalian address, the same province under-
takes the maintenance of forty-four soldiers
for the period of a year. In Portugal, again,
the small town of Covilha has undertaken to
support six Pontifical Zouaves, to represent its
devotion to the Holy See, and the young men
duly arrived and entered on their duties a few
days back.
In spite of reports to the contrary in a
late French paper, the health of the Holy
Father continues excellent. Yesterday he
visited the Quirinal, taking exercise for some
time in the gardens, and then paying a most
welcome visit to the military convalescents, for
whom his bounty has there provided a tempo-
rary hospital, now shortly to be closed.
Princess Orsini, who happened to be there,
pointed out to him the English Zouave who
was wounded by his own pistol, on which the
Holy Father observed that any one who made a
toy of a revolver deserved to have his ears
pulled, and playfully suited the action to the
words. At the same time, however, he did
not omit a merited tribute to the well-known
gallantry of the young man in question. Within
the last few days, also, he despatched an auto-
graph letter of condolence to the widow of the
charitable and amiable Prince Andrea Corsini,
who, after a protracted period of ill-health,
expired at Florence (where he occasionally
alternated his residence with Rome), on the
fifth of last month.

In the kingdom of Naples discontent is on
the increase. Except among the visitors, who
bring it with them, coin is rarely seen, even in
the capital—so much so, that a few days ago I
heard a complaint that it had not been possible
to change a five-lire note in one of the chief
streets. From Calabria accounts of the greatest
distress continue to reach us, and at Soveria
and Taverna, in spite of nights still cold, the
inhabitants have been known to strip their
roofs of the tiles, in order to obtain where-
with to satisfy the cravings of hunger. What
wonder, then, that considering the private
character of the life led by the young King
of Naples and his family, addresses are daily
being sent to him complaining of oppressions to
which his subjects are a prey, and showing a
fervent desire to return under his rule. The
school of adversity in which he has now so
long studied, and the rare opportunities—of
which he has profited—of imbibing much of
the prudence, wisdom, and piety of the Sove-
reign Pontiff; have been of great advantage
to him ; and these, added to his own repu-
tation of irreproachable conduct, cannot but
afford a most striking contrast to the charac-
ter, habits and pursuits of the monarch under
whom his unhappy people at present have the
misery of groaning. The temporary absence
of his Queen, now on a visit to the Empress of
Austria, is a source of real regret to her hos-
pital patients. Honoured by the Holy Father
himself on the occasion of her parting visit
with the title of his chief Sister of Charity, she
has not been unmindful of her mission, even in
her absence having arranged for one of her
ladies to visit in her stead at Santo Spirito,
and for her own gardener to look after the
shrubs and flowers planted by her care on the
graves of victims of war buried in the Campo
Varano. There are also, at the present moment,
many of the sick removed for various reasons
to private lodgings and supported there by her
charity.
At this moment, " Esereizii" or retreats, are
the order of the day. We have them in
various languages, and for various classes.
Last week at the " Caravita," by Padre Car-
boni S.J. for Roman women of the middle
class. This week, ending yesterday, with
general Communion and Benediction, given
by the new Cardinal Gonella, Bishop of
Viterbo, for ladies of the nobility. At the
Gesii, those for the " impiegati," under P.
Franco, I mentioned last week, whilst the
Carmelite Pere Hippolite draws crowds of
ladies, English, French and Italian, to his daily
instructions in the former tongue at S. Luigi.
This, besides other appropriate services for
civilians and military, and the usual " Cate-
chisma" or popular sermons every afternoon in
all the parish churches, affords ample opportu-
nity for all to prepare themselves daily for their
Easter duties.
The usual grand procession in honour of the
Madonna Addolorata took place on Passion
Sunday, and attracted crowds of spectators,
devout and curious, as it traced the line of the
Corso, and wound its way round Piazza
Colonna, with its accompanying band of Pom-
pieri, and enlivened by the bright and pic-
turesque draperies which flowed from every
window on its passage.
Cricket has been worked at again these last
few days, and, though the great majority of
English Zouaves are now out of Rome, they had
a hand in a very good game which was fought on
Saturday, but not finished before my packet
went to post. It was English universities
against
the world ; the latter category, includ-
ing five Zouaves, coming off victorious.
Another game was won by the hitherto always
triumphant Zouaves this afternoon.
Our week has also been enlivened by a first
class concert—Rossini's Stabat Mater—fol-
lowed by pieces of less note, but also excel.
lent.

I feel that I am speaking for the thousands
who were present on the occasion in the
magnificent Aula Massima Capitolina on
Wednesday night when I make this public
acknowledgment of the talented and kind
vocalists, both professional and amateur, who
so freely and generoualy exerted tb.eraseivis

on this occasion for the benefit of the widows
and orphans of last year's cholera victims.
The result, indeed, exceeded the most sanguine
hopes of the promoters of the charity.
The gathering of foreigners on this occa-
sion, as also on the following night, when the
stately outlines of the Coliseum were lighted
up with a new and tasteful variety of coloured
illumination, under the auspices of Marazzi,
show that the report is true that the hotels
are filled to overflowing ; and to-day I have
seen carriages and omnibuses laden to tho
utmost of their power, presaging as full an
Easter as ever we have known.
It is said that M. Baude, formerly secretary
to the French Embassy in Rome, who was
staying some few days here, was charged
with a secret mission to the Pope to endea-
vour to obtain his authorization to the French
clergy to use their influence with the people
in favour of the new Army Bill.

In describing the funeral office of the late
King Louis of Bavaria last week I forgot to
mention that an oration in his praise was
pronounced by Commendatore Visconti. No
one could be better calculated for the office, as
he had been his daily companion when in
Rome. It may be supposed, therefore, in what
feeling terms he spoke of him, but he treated
only of his character as an archaeologist and
an artist ; he left politics out of sight. And
large was the gathering of artists assembled
to listen to his praises ; the name of the old
King was truly revered among them, and many
are the stories afloat concerning him. So fond
was he of the City of the Arts that when in
Munich he often turned his horse in the direc-
tion of Rome, that he might fancy the breeze
which met him came freighted with the per-
fume of the Holy City. When in Rome his
modest villa on the Pincio was the resort of all
men of science and cultivators of the arts. To
his love of Rome may be ascribed the taste
which has made Munich what it is. Ancient
Rome taught him how posterity honours the
man who benefits his country ; modern Rome,
how religion should be surrounded with all
that is grand and beautiful. His liberality
showed itself in other ways besides his culture
of the muses. His charities were unbounded
and dispensed in the most unostentatious way
—the recipient being always charged to keep
silence in respect of the donor.
Before closing I cannot forbear a passing
allusion to the absurd translation some Eng-
lish papers give to the proposed meal tax in
Italy, calling it the grinding tax. The taxes of
Italy are grinding, indeed, but the translation
in the peculiar relation in which it is applied
here can afford no distinct idea to the English
public, and had not even the merit of literal-
ness. Of course macinare is to grind, but
macinato is not the present
participle and does
not express " grinding," but the thing
ground." It is simply the vernacular for flour
or meal, and so ordinary an expression that
one cannot understand any one who undertakes
to translate for a paper being ignorant of it.
The word grinding can only, therefore, be
substituted to mystify the English reader and
avert the odium of confessing that " Liberal
Italy " is actually about to tax the people's
staff of life.

April 11.
After the days of mourning of Lent succeed
the joys of Easter, and just so after the tribu-
lations which the Revolution has imposed on
the Holy Father there conies to him an instal-
ment of consolation from a quarter whence
he might least have expected it, in the mede
of tardy justice promised to the faithful in
Ireland by the division of the 3rd.
Although none will doubt the matter has
been decided rather as a party question than
on its merits, yet it is right also to trace some
share in the softened feeling towards Rome
to the influence of a personal acquaintance
with her, which is now almost a part of the life
of our people.
When men have learnt to correct their judg-
ment and to measure their own littleness by
the great memories of the past and the great
realities of the present which crowd around
them here, they are doubtless in a position to
understand better than when they knew the
Eternal City only from the garbled accounts
of others, what are her claims to the loyalty of
the world. In this spirit one of our most
distinguished visitors of this season is reported
to have observed as he took his leave of her,
" I go back, though not converted to Catholi-
city, at least converted to Rome."
On the other hand, Austria persists in her
fatal career. Count Crivelli makes no secret
of his indignation at the conduct of his Govern-
ment, and only continues to hold his present
position in order to avert greater mischief.
But the postponement of her representative's
riceviniento is in itself a significant token that
a rupture is imminent.
The corps of Hungarian Hussars who would
otherwise have been here before now, have..had
obstacles thrown in their way by Baron von
Beust. They were ready to start for Mar-
seilles when Austria overthrew their project.
The French army of occupation continues to
maintain its position in the province of Civita
Vecchia, and gives no signs of departure ; yet
no one who has watched Imperial policy would
be surprised to hear of an order for recall at
any moment. Meantime General Dumont does
not fail in his assurances of devotion to the
Holy See.
The fortification of Rome and Civita Vecchia
has been pushed forward vigorously, and we
are now told we are in a position to withstand
a body of 20,000 assailants. And it is well,
for the next time they attack us the Garibal-
dians will, doubtless, take care to be better
reinforced by the regular army. The following
incident will show they have not relinquished
their pretensions :
Two Capuchins applied lately, furnished
with the proper pass, to
be admitted to visit
the Castle of St. Angelo. The Commandant
Pifferi himself accompanied them. The close
nature of their inspection excited suspicion,
and their language was observed to be uncom-
monly soldier-like. Their manner did not
escape the notice of an officer of the Zouaves
who was present, and a few adroit questions
having convinced him of their disguise, he
ordered their arrest. They proved to be two
Piedmontese officers. The conduct of Pifferi
himself is not altogether free from suspicion ill
admitting them, though he alleges he was de-
ceived. He has, I believe, been placed under
surveillance.
The Holy Father has assisted at the usual
functions of this week in the Sixtine ; at the
Lavanda, in St. Peter's, and the Thursday
Benediction, with all his usual energy and
alertness. One of the Zouaves who kept the
line for him to pass to and from the Lavanda
told me he fancied he looked
grave, and that
he kept his eyes fixed as with some special
solicitude on his devoted defenders.
Margotti, the editor of the Un Cattolica,
is here from Turin. He brought to the Pope
49,762 lire, and numerous articles of jewellery,
collected at the office of his
journal for the de-
fence of the Holy See; making up to 3,000,000
lire, the sums which have thus passed through
his hands since 1860. On this occasion there
were joined to his offering
a whole volume of
bonds of the forced Italian
Treasury ; one of them happens also to draw a

prize.
The excavations are still proceeding at the
Marmorata. There were in the first instance
about forty-three blocks discovered. The num-
ber is now increased ten-fold. One-half are Ser-
pentine, Giallo antico 150 pieces, 5 of the rare
Murrha, 3 of Rosso antico, 2 of porphyry, 6 of
granito della sedia, &c. Great part of these
have already been lodged in the Vatican, but
the site where new discoveries are daily being
made is well worthy of a visit ; and with his
usual forethought the Pope has given orders
that the smaller pieces may
.be distributed
liberally among those who desire them as re-
cords of ancient and modern Rome. Curiously
enough the grey marble hitherto known as
" Bigio " by the vulgar, and by the more
learned as " Masmor Batthium," bas brought
t 9 light A new name for itoelf, or rather has

revived an older appellation—a considerable
mass of this quality bearing inscribed on its
face, in antique characters—" Marmor Mile-
sium."

Some months back, in a vigna near the
tre Fontane, the private property of a gentleman
named Rocco, among a mass of fragments of
ruins which point clearly to the spot having
been formerly the site of a temple of Bacchus,
were discovered large and very choice pieces
of a statue of the presiding deity—rather
more than life-size—of Parian marble, and
undoubted Greek workmanship of the very
best period of art. These were entrusted to
Signor Fabre Altini, who has restored the
statue with an amount of skill which calls for
the highest encomiums, and excites the just
admiration of all who have visited it. It is
matter of regret that being found on private
property, the owner has the right of disposal,
and it will probably be lost to Rome, being
now offered to the public for £4,000. Another
torso, which in some respects may be compared
to that which has already given a name to one
of the galleries of the Vatican, has also very
lately been found in the Baths of Caracalla,
where Cavaliere Guidi heads the operations.
It is pronounced a Hercules, without a dis-
sentient voice—for though the head is want-
ing, and the arms and legs are more or less
stumped—enough remains to indicate the very
posture of the figure, the left arm bent to sup-
port the hide of the Neemean lion, and the
right is in the act of holding the club. It is
life-size, and the well conceived extension of
the muscles indicate an amount of power which
lovers of art cannot fail to appreciate. Near
the same spot, amongst other interesting debris,
are two enormous capitals—" Corinthian " as
far as the acanthus leaf is concerned, but bear-
ing in addition the novel variety of four well-
sculptured cupids grouped amid the foliage.
An amicable dispute has latelyarisen between
the learned archeologists, Visconti and Hen-
gen, whether the site recently laid bare in the
Trastevere be actually the " statio" or barracks
of the 7th cohort of the Vigiles, or only their
excubitorium or " corps de garde." The very
moderate proportions of the chambers, and the
rude legend " Genio Escubitorii" scratched on
a door jamb, give weight to the opinion of the
latter. Within these precincts a curious bronze
standard torch has been dug up. It is about six
feet high, the lower end pointed, for fixing into
the ground ; the head is composed of four
pieces of metal interlaced, through which two
holes are pierced for the insertion of tallow
or other grease to feed the flame. It has been
designated at once as one of the " Sebaciariw,"
already known from the tracings on the walls
of the " Excubitorium."

The two w'ngs of the Vatican Loggie, first
and second floor, entrusted by Pius IX. to the
talented artist Alessandro Mantovani, have just
received their finishing touch, and are awaiting
the visit of the Holy Father.
Those of our readers who had the good for-
tune to be in Rome for the great Centenary
last year, doubtless remember the restorations
by the same hand of that part of the first floor
Loggie, which had been executed in 1518 by
Giovanni d'Udine, pupil of Raffaele, under Leo
X. The colours were hardly dry upon them
when they were brutally injured by the fierce
bands of Connetable de Bourbon, and time,
added to these first injuries, had so nearly obli-
terated the whole, that it was resolved in 1862
to set about their restoration, and the result
shows how thoroughly the painter entered into
the work committed to him.
What we especially allude to now, however,
are the decorations—original, but also in the
style of Raffaele—in the two wings of that side
of the palace on which is the Papal residence
(Raffaele's composition and Udine's work from
his designs being respectively on the first and
second floors) ; and Mantovani has not only
continued the idea of his immortal predecessor
in art, by introducing vignettes drawn from
sacred subjects (Raffaele's illustrating the Old
Testament,Mantovani's the new), but has also
carried Catholic sentiment even into the scroll-
work and other accessories which correspond
to the exquisite arabesques of the other.
The cricket match this afternoon has been
prevented by the heavy rain. It is charming,
however, again now, and we have promise of
a bright day for to-morrow. Som© pre/ ara#inner
have been made in some houses for the annual
12th April illumination, but it is put off to the
16th to give place to the greater celebration of
Easter.
An ecclesiastic has
an just been here on the
mission of exhuming d carrying to France,
where it is to be received with great pomp,
and buried honourably at the expense of his
diocese, the body of Lieutenant Guillemain,
killed at Monte Libretti on the 13th October.
It was found buried along with those of twenty-
two Garibaldians. It was recognized without
much difficulty.