The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-19
THE ROMAN QUESTION.
The Italians the Gates of the Chy-The
Early History and Present Condition Of Rome
II he

The Italians at the Gates of the Ciy-The
Early History and Present Condition of Rome
Its Defenses.
At any moment we may expect to receive ntelli-
gence of the entrance Of King Victor Emanuel's
forces into the city OF Rome. After two or three
insignificant skirmishes, the Kings troops have
penetrated the Ponthca territory to the very gates
of the city, and only delay their occupation it for
day. in order to avoid the possibility of boodshed.
The Pope has declared that the foreign troops in his
service are for the moment the rulers of the city,
and that he Is powerless to prevent them from
making show Of resistance. Twenty-four hours
delay has been granted by the Italian commander,
and at the expiration of that time the Italians will
probably assault the defensive works, If General
Kanzer does not yield to wiser counsels and restrain
the ardor Of his mercenaries
The Defenses of Rome
are anything but formidable, and entirely made
auate for the successful resistance hostile force
The inability of the city to stand siege was fairly
demonstrated by the successful assaults of the
French expedition nary force in 1S49, when the Red
Republicans had driven out the Pope and set up a
government for themselves On that occasion Gene
raj Oudnot, the French commander, directed his
operations against Mount Janculum, by which the
city was commanded. The siege commenced on the
4th of June, and by the 18th about 20 yards had
been gained the ramparts and six batteries were
ready to open fire. General Oudnot then appealed
to the Republican Government, which refused to
surrender. On the night of the 22d the batteries
opened fire, and on the 3Oth a general assault was
made resulting in the surrender of the city on the
same day.
The Early History of Rome.
The city OF Rome according to the common ira
dition, which is admitted by all the best autho-
rites to be entirely fabulous, founded by Ro-
mulus about seven and half centuries before the
birth Of Christ. 1t was originally Pelasgic town,
upon the Palatne Hill, and the city was formed by
the union OF Rome with the Sabines and Esruscans,
ha neiQhhOrnQ
was consummated in the establishment of perfect
constitutional State during the reign OF Servius
Tullius, about five and a half centuries before
Christ. Rome appears to have become republic
about the year $40 B. G. Then ensued long
struggle between the patreian and plebeian classes,
during which the latter gradually gained in power.
In 800 b. q. Rome was taken by the Gauls, who
sacked the city and left it in ruins. After
the city was rebuilt it advanced in power and I'M
portance, and successfully contended with the
neghboring Italian tribes, anneXng their territory
and laying the foundation of future Roman great
ness. About the year 26l B. c. the Romans were
masters of all Italy, and proceeded to direct their
arms against Carthage in contest for the supre
macy in the Mediterranean The Punic wars
suited in the capture and destruction of Carthage
by Scipio Africanus and Rome found herself with
out rival. A career OF conquest was then COM
menced and the Roman soldiers made themselves
masters OF all the portions OF Europe, Asia, and
Africa bordering upon the Mediterranean besides
Britain thermal dissensons began to distract the
Roman State about the year 133 b. c., and the civil
wars OF Sylla and Marius and Caesar and
Pompey resulted in the downfall OF the Republic.
and, after the assassination of julius Caesar in the
establishment of an imperial government, with the
general OF the army, elected by the soldiers, as the
chief ruler. Under the emperors the boundaries of
the Roman possessions were enlarged until they in-
cluded the whole Of the known world, while the city
itself reached magnhcence that has never been
paralleled. In the year $50 A. ID. Constantine
transferred the seat Of government to Byzantum
and the ascendancy Of Rome was at an end. Con-
stantine divided the empire on his death between
his three sons but the nnal division between
the Byzantine Empire and the Western Empire was
a not made until 395, when the sons OF Theodosius
the Great established entirely separate govern
ments. In the year 402 occurred the invasion of
Alarc, and after that the Italian peninsula was con-
stanty subjected to the incursions Of the northern
barbarians Corrupt within and assailed from with
out the Western Empire fell in 476 when Odoacer the
leader Of the barbarlans, overthrow the last vestge
Of Roman power Since then Rome has been OF
Importance 10 the world as the city OF the Popes.
Rome at the Present Day.
Rome is about sixteen miles in circumference; 1t
is walled around with sixteen gates, opening into
public roads in all directions. The river Tlber,
which divides 1t into two unequal portions, is crossed
by four large stone bridges. The city is divided into
fourteen regions or presidencies, each having over
the peace For religious purposes Rome is divided
into 6ty-nine parishes. There 954 churches In
Rome 100 monasteres Inhabited by monks belong.
ing 10 81 religious orders. Each OF these converts
has a church attached to it. The number OF semina
ries ana colleges is 40, the most noteworthy Of
which are the German, French, Irish, English
Scotch, American, and the College OF the Propa
ganda Eide, where all the nations Of the eartl
are represented among the inmates. There
are also several universities and places OF secular
instruction. and number OF hospitals for the treat
ment of all mental and bodily diseases, with
great number of charitable institutions of all kinds
The population OF Rome has been steadily increas
ing since 1857. According to the onicial statistic
published by the Papal Government for 1867, th'
number Of inhabitants in that year was 2l5573, al
increase Of 1852 since 1885, In 1858 the population
was 2l7,9Is, among whom were 1850 lsraelites, As
nOn-CathOlics, and 6429 persons belonging TO tn
clergy. There are in Rome "a resident cardinals
SO bishops, and an immense number OF pTelates o
various dignities and Ofhces in tribunals, congrega
gCLs, Government places, or in attendance at tn