The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-09
Gather Gavazzfs Lecture
ON TIE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF FAITH

U6o pAssI.
The lecture room of the Stuyvesant Institute was
depsely crowded on this interesting occasion, long
before the hour for commencing the lecture had ar
rived The amiable character, talents, requirements
devotion and sad fate of the ever lamented Bass
will long be remembered by his compatrots, and his
name preserved as watchword of freedom in Italy.
The intense interest with which the lecture was
heard and the emotion which it excited in the au-
dience testified fully to their appreciation of the sub
ject. On his appearance, Father Gavazz was hear
tily applauded. When the enthusiasm had subsidized,
be read chapter of st. Paul's Episte to the Ro.
mans, and spoke as follows
And they slew them And every day in this land of
exile we hear that some of our countrymen have
been executed From Nenotti to the Lombard priest
Of last month they have already executed thousands
and thousands, but the spirit of freedom shall hot
perish the tyrsnts shall die. We have committed
many faults in presence of God, but we have sup
ported freedom for many centuries and it is written
that God shall not abandon the oppressed; he will
help Italians the day they shall rise against clerical
and political despotsm Among many who haze
sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom. we
shall put as first Padre Ugo Bassi. We shall exa-
mine whether he deserves the gratitude Of his coun
trymen. He loved and honored his country; and not
like Bedini, who has disgraced Italy and butchered
our brethren, Bassi our martyr shall live eternallv
in our mind. He was friar nevertheless he marched
CT the head OF the people, while the other monastic
individuals were found in the field Of enemies.
believe that Bassi and Venturini were born in the
beginning Of this century his father was from b.
logpa, and his mother was a Greek woman He en-
tered the religious order Of the Barbartes at an early
age, end this relig communion is quite different
IN doctrines and maSlms from the Franciscan friars
and Jesuits he was always known as liberal man
and became acquainted with him few months after
lie entered the noytiate. His character was ingenious
pure, charitable and SO innocent, that he could have
been deceived even by a child lie was learned
man, an eloquent preacher, and ore OF the greatest
orators Of our age. His theology quite PRACTICAL
not retrograde, but progressive; not mystic but ma
tural. He was liDguist, and perfectly acquainted
with the English language, which lie learned by
himself. He was poet, and during the life Of Car
dinal F0ntana be was reproached for not being
thoroughly acquainted with the Greek language.
This reproach stimulated the ambition Of the young
religious man. 30 that in few months he was Capa-
bic Of writing poetry in that ijion with the greatest
accuracy. Bassi was also painter and some Of bis
works are to be seen in some churches ia Naples.
lie was ford Of music, ond proved an excellent com
poteri could play On great many instruments, and
was professor Of the piano. All these sciences we're
learned by himself without any assistance. He COM
posed a waflike march, grand mass, which was
sung by Lablache and other eminent singers, and
executed by the grand orchestra OF the st. Carlos
theatre. His poetical works will be always read
with great interest, and ere committed to memory
BY our youth. lie was also an smproctsotoYe; once
ne impiovised four sonIets, all upon different sub
iecs, writing one lire at each time for the four poet
cal compositions. lie wrote treatise on the use
and quality Of wine; ard when lie came to Rome with
Garibsdi be had just finishing a sacred poem on the
Ciucifxun OF our Lord. He published another
work, on the beauties OF the Gospel, ard In
some pages passages worthy OF the men
Of Ftnelon ard u osutt Previous 10 the revolution
in Italy, he had already been proclaimed
ron Sicily 70 Turin, the lrt ecclesiastical orator.
10 iu.s, lie created era III the sacred oratorica
department. Lave seen in some countries preach
trs reading Ielr sermons while lie audicnee Was