Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-12-28

utter lsuQFancei anu you WILL nave TIE condition
Of Italy.
WHAT has EEES DONE.
In 1861 the law which had teen applied 10
the ecclesiastical establishments IN Sardinia was
extended to Naples and the provinces acquired
from the Pope, and large number Of monss-
teries and nunneries were broken up and the
revenues devoted to public ins ruction.
The Minister Of Public Instruction vent to
work with great vlgor establishing common
schools. By the report OF 1862 il appears that
there were then established 1908 schools for
boys and 922 fer girls, with GO.250 boys and
so ,567 girls N attendance. In addition, there
were Oh evening schools iCr adults, ha-iug
1904 pupils.
Thirty-three normal schools have been esta-
blished for the education Of teachers. The new
Italian government has voted an annual sppro-
priaJion Of S3 900. 600 besides the revenue from
the confscated States. From an official return
laid before the Chamber Of Deputies during the
session Of 1865, it appears that there were still
at that period 2392 ecclesiastical establishments
in the Kingdom, containing 2S,99l persons.
one-half Of whom were men. OF these, S22J
were begEars Of their daily bread bill was
introduced into the Chamber Of Deputies. 8; It's
last session. for the entire suppression Of these
establishments, and became Jaw, but it has not
yet been put in force. 1t probably will be ex-
tended TO Venetia, which has a large number
Of these establishments, many Of which are in
the hands Of the Jesuits. The members OF that
order, like the wolves upon the praine seeming
the approaching conAagration, are leaving We
netia for Austria, but it seems that the Aus
TRANS are not disposed to receive them.
In addition to these public schools, which are
graded like those in the United States. private
schools are being opened in the large cities. and
the education Of private individuals is passing
out Of the hands Of the priests nd nuns. A
beginning has been made and the seed soTn has
already brought forth fruit. There is 4 growing
desire on the part Of the people to obtain know
ledge, and especially that their children shall
be taught. Newspapers are multiplying. Go
into a cafe. and you will s,e an individual read
ing the news to a half dozen who cannot read.
Upon the streets the ignorant ask those who
are learned to read the notices and haudbIls
pasted on the walls.
Here we get at the source OF the fresh life
blood Of this rising empire. The people under
stand that knowledge Is power. They have
great ~srk todO-not only the building Of a new
ediice but 's- clearing away of the rubbish Of
fifteen centuries IT Pspal dominion-a work Of
selEemaneipation fross monkish and prestly
superstition
RELIGION IL ITALr
The Roman Catholic religion Is the ,s.sbli.hed
religion Of the State but all others are toi,-@,ed
That is q wonderful change | am informed By
several gentlemen that the tendency just now IS
towards inhdelity. The people have no faith in
the Roman religion, and having no Acquaintance
with any other, believe in nothing. The
attitude Of the majority Of the priests last sum
mer, which was hostile TO the government has
contributed in no small degree TO the progress
Of infiiel opinions They were closely watched
BY the government. Some priests we're arrest
ed for holding communication with Austria -
Some Of the churches were taken for hospitals.
In Genoa the priests were rescued from the
hands Of mob who had become incensed against
them only by the strenuous efforts Of the police.
By a report made by the Catholic ecclesiastics
of Milan, it appears that there were sixty thou
sand less attendants at the confessional IN
1866 than in 1864 | am informed that the
number is far less this year than II was last
Previous to 1859 the distribution Of the Bible
was prohibited by law. None can sell Bible
openly in Rome to-day, but everywhere else
in Italy il may be sold or openly distributed,
the same as any other book, and IL IS beginning
to be sought for by the common people.
While the Roman religion Is dying out. Prot
es;ant religion Is coming in-not rapidly but
gradually. The English Church is here-ai
Turin, Milan. Venice. and in some other towns
not for Italians. but Englishmen. The high
church party Of England Of late have taken It
into their heads that they are going to convert
the Pope, but the tendency Of their effort is to
carry themselves to Rome, instead Of bringing
Rome to them OF the vital forces now at work,
are the waldensisns, who have about sixty
teachers and preachers the Wesleyans,
with about hfy teachers and preachers;
the American and Foreign Christian Union,
with about forty Besides these there is the
Free Italian Church, and the Nice Committee
composed Of several gentlemen who are sustain
ing preachers The total number Of preachers
and teachers in the employ of eysngelical asen-
eiss Is about two hundred, among tventy-tbree
nillisns Of people.