The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-05

1fFd5pG5iiV6ly 62 the facilities aRord6d5by
the printing prees, ~tntollectuald development
wa In Italy during the fifteenth and the
earlier years OF the sixteenth century far
In advance OF that witnessed In Germany
or In other European countries, II the
Reformation was not In itself an important
actor In the transfer OF the centre OF liter
AIRY activity, the period certainly conceded
with II. Alter 1918 tho chief sources Of
literary production and intellectual activ-
ity are to be sought rather in Germany or
in Holland than In Italy or Spain. France.
however. seems 10 have been able. while
subjected to q burdcnsome measure OF
censorship. to have retained an important
intellectual position. the influence Of which
was closely associated with the University
OF Paris. Naturally. the effect OF the CEN
sorship OF the Church on the activity Of
publishers and production OF books varied
materially. ever In States which. ostensibly
at least. accepted the regulations OF the
Church as authoritative.
The States in which during the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries literary pro-
duction and activity were Influenced 10 q
certain extent by the censorship policy
were Italy. France, South Germany. North
Germany, Switzerland. England. Spain. the
Spanish Netherlands and Holland. The
rule OF Alexander vi. (BorgiA), lI9 1903,
conceded with the beginning of the active
work Of the printing presses in Rome. Flor
ence and Venice. The Pope's influence
was promptly brought 10 bear to discourage
the undertakings OF the printer and pub
Usher. Venice, however. was practically
outside OF his control. while even in Flor
ence the printers were not prepared 10
accept dictation from the Papal represSn-
tatives. In Rome itself. on the other hand.
the subsection OF the press 10 ecclesiastical
censorship. for the institution of which the
responsibility rested with Alexander VI,
proved forthwith a serious limitation 10 it's
activity. This restriction gave the printers
Of Venice a great adv antage over their
early competitors in the capital OF Chris
tendon. Venice, indeed. was the leader
among the cities OF Italy ia resisting the
censorship OF the Church. In Spain the
control over the printing presses on the
part Of the ecclesiastical censoTs was hardly
disputed. but in that country the censors
represented the authority, not OF Rome.
but Of the local inquisition. During the
greater part Of its existence the Spanish
Inquisition was under the direction Of the
Dominicans, and it frequently happened
that the decisions OF the Spanish lnquisi-
tors with regard to the literature to be con-
OF to be approved were in direct
opposition to the conclusions OF the Papacy.
In France. after a century OF contest, the
ecclesiastical control of the printing press
became practically merged in the censor
ship exercised by the Crown, which OF itself
was as much as the publishing trade could
bear and continue 10 exist. In Austria and
South Germany. after the stamping out Of
the various Reformation movements in
those countries. the Church and State
worked in practical accord In maintaining
a close supervision OF the printing press.
In North Germany, on the other hand, the
ecclesiastical censorship never had much
effect. The evils produced by it we're, how
ever. serious Inc long enduring over q
part Of Europe.