The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1864-11-05
Italy.

Gu Aue result Oh toe HTsb census taken 0lnoo
the annexation of the, formerly, indepen.
dent Italian States to Sardinia and the 60.
Enlistment of the Kingdom of Italy
According to this census, the Kingdom Of
Italy contains a population of 2l,III,334
souls. 1t is, consequently, the fifth power
OF Europe, as regards the number Of in
habitants, being only excelled By Russia,
France, England and Austria. Il is supe-,
rior in that respect to Spain, of which tho
territory is twice as extensive, and to Plus-
sia, of which the area is likewise greate,.
In density of population it exceeds France
and Prussia, but remains behind Belgium,
the most densely populated country Of
Europe, next to England and Holland.-
Lombardy and Sicily are the provinces in
which the population has increased most
rapidly of late years. Sardinia and the
Neapolitan provinces come next, while in
Piedmont the increase has been much less.
But Italy is not merely one of the FIRST
powers of Europe in point Of population.
Under the administration of wise statos-
men it is rapidly developing its vast re-
sources. 1t has re-organized the army and
1t is building up powerful navy, which
will rival the glorious times of the repub.
lies of Venice and Genoa. Being already
possessed of all the strength Of great
power, it has by common consent been re-
cognized by the five governments, which
hitherto have been regarded as the eres.
powers of Europe, as their equal.
Especially noteworthy is the progress
which popular education has made through
out the whole Peninsula since the estab-
lishment Of the kingdom Of Italy. The
instruction given to the people is gratuitous;
the popular schools being at the expense of
the municipality. The Government affords
help, in cases of necessity, when the muni-
cipality 10 too poor to pay. The schools
are inspected through superintendents sp-
pointed by Government. In order to form
some notion of the progress which has been
made, it will be sufficient to state that the
Nsapolitan provinces divided into 1855
eommuni, or municipalities possessed. in
1861, only 1854 schools attended by % ,567
boys, and IIS female schools, attended by
1911 girls.
In November, 1868, scarcely year later,
the number of schools had already increaa-
ed to l,605, with &C, ,050 boys in attendance,
and the female schools, which hnd risen to
the number of 922, had an increased at
tendance Of S0,567 girls. To the above
may be added large number of evening
schools for the instruction of adults and
ali such persons rs cannot find time for the
requirement. of instruction during the day.
They are frequently opened through popu-
lar subscription, and sometimes aided by
the gratuitcus help of gentlemen and stu
dents who give their time and attention to
the instruction of the>working classes.
The consolidation of the kingdom Of
Italy is one of the most important results
which has thus far attended the aspirations
of the dismembered nationalities of Europe
for freedom and unity. A few years ago,
a united Italy was only dream dream
for which the noblest patriots had long
Striyen and suffered in vain, but which new
ertheless did not seem to approach nearera
realization. Then patriotic King was
found who placed himself at the head of
the national movement and gave to il
centre great statesman (Cavour) with
eminent ability, guided the enthusiasm of
the nation to a glorious success, while an
illustrious hero (Garrabaldi) assisted him in
breaking down the opposition of the great
est OF Italian despots, the King Of Naples.
All the prominence that Italy has now no.
quired, she owes to the consolidation Of her
dismemberSd parts into one nation ality.
Before the establishment of the Kingdom
of Italy, none of the Italian States were Of
importance now the united country is the
fifth power of Europe. Her recent history
has thus become for all Nations, an in.
structive example of the Importance Of
preserving National unity. ltis especially
SO for US. If the people of the United
States preserve their Nationality, no one
doubts that they will be, for all time to
come, one of the 6rst nations Of the world,
If, on the other hand, sovereignty shall cx-
ist, as intended by the constitution of tho
Rebel Confederaey, only in the separate
States, nothing can save them from the i'm
potenee of the Italian States before tkeir
Union,--N. Y. Tribune. rs sraE r-H