The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-12-21

LETTER FROM RoMK.
THE OPENING OF THE ITALIAN PARLIAMKf
AND THE KNEES SPEECH.

The strsets through which the procession
OF the Royal party passed to the Senate
House, were lined with soldiers. The
crowded, and the benches which ought to
have been occupied by members OF Parlia.
mont were given mp to well-drcssed specta-
tors. The King delivered his speech bravely,
and was ut intervals loudly applauded.
But the attendance of the Senators aud
wns sss G small a. the r.
Only ninety deputies out Of 500 were
present. The portions of tho Royal speech
which caused uoet excitement and enthu.
sissm were those concerning the Church,
relations with foreign Powers, the army,
and defence OF the national dignity. The.
greater number Of the popular journals are
most contemptuous in their comments upon
tho Royal speech, and criticise 1t unmerci-
fully. The little Importance attached to 1t
by tho senators and deputies was proved
by the fact that very few of them took the
trouble to attend the opening of the
earlier days of the meeting of the Chamber
of Deputies. the business was brought to q
stand still through want of the legal num-
Der of members to form q house. 1t was
observed also that some members, who
actually reside in Rome, rs well as many
members Of eminence In politics were con-
spicuous by their absence. The compost
ton of the Royal speech has been generally
attributed to Scialoia, but nevertheless
must be regarded as conveying the senti-
ments of the entire Cabinet, and notably Of
the Premier Mipghetti, who, in former
in le4s the office of Minister OF Public
Works under his Holiness. The italian
=" clerical" papers, having the fear of
sequestration before their eyes, are mo-
derate in their comments upon the Govern
ment manifesto.
30 fo1 hat he I'D -
mentioned in the speech as flourishing is
illustrated badly by the numerous bank
ruptcies, the misery of the masses, the
failure 0f agriculture, and an exhausted
exchequer. Public security has yet to be
cEeated--not maintained" for assassina.
about the principal towns, while brigandage
prevails in the rural districts. 1t lie hardly
true to say that the Pope is as independent
a. ever in the exercise of his spiritual
functions, when the religious orders have
been suppressed and plundered, those very
Minister'S of Victor Emmanuel declared, in
the draft Suppression Bill presented to
Parliament in November, 1872, were be-
loved by the Vicar Of Christ to be institu-
lions, wherein " the flower of Christian
life" could be best natured," and in
instrument for influence upon the world.n
Nor can Plus TX. be styled indepepdant,
when he 10 confined within the walls of his
palace, outside of which he could not 90 as
. Sovereign. If he were to walk the
streets of Rome he would find himself
and perhaps booted by the soldiers of Vic
tor Emmanuel.
THE POPE.
His Holiness received in audience on the
10Th Of November, the students of the Pro-
paganda and those of the Collegio Ger
manico- Ungarico, and of the North Ameri-
can College. The Rectors of the Colleges
were present, and addresses from the
Colleges were read. The Pope replied in
suitable terms, contrasting the freedom en-
joyed by Catholics in America with
the persecution now raging against
the Church in Germany. He reminded
the students that liberty, if not kept
within due limits by Christian virtue,
might degenerate into RIGHTEOUSNESS, and
that patience and frmness were the proper
weapons with which ecoIesiastics should
strive to vanquish oppression. An audience
was also given on the 10th to the Society
of Noble Ladies formed for protecting
young girls Intended for domestic service.
The President Of this Society is the Mar
chesa Cavalletti, who read an address to
his Holiness.
THE VATICAN MUSEUMS.
The recent assertion of tho London
Times that the Vatican is Theoretically
sealed to visitors ia wholly without foun-
datiop, for the Museums are open from
to ii A. NJ, and from 2 to 4 P. M, every
day for the convenience of strangers who |
obtain tickets of admission. These are
granted gratis to all persons of rcspecta-
bility, who make application either per-
sonally or through friends at the Vatican. |
But as the Kings speech contains threat
that attempts will not be permitted against
'' the national institutions and rights" aud
as the Nuseums Of the Vatican have been
claimed as National" institutions, it is
thought by some that the custody of tho
Museums will be taken from the Pope. In
deed it is rumored that the Palace of the
Vatican will be demanded, and that of st.
John Lateran suggested as the fitting resi-
1ence Of the Popes.
PENSIONS TO TIE ELECTED RELIGIOUS.
The Commission for selling the Convent
has already distributed 800 PEN
ion warrants to the gross annual amount I
f 800, 900 lire, being an average of S75 lire
o each pensioner. But when the income
Ak of over 10 per cent is deducted, the {
ension is reduced to 325 lire and 40 CEN l
ssimi, q sQm equal at the present rate of I
zchange to Ell SIS. Cd. q year, or to seven t
ence hRlfpenny q day to each monk or
nm. The keeper of the Royal dogs gets, t
Ia aaid & T1ence Der day for each DOGS Il