The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-12-14

be stepping stone to an alliance with
Great Britain.
IMPRESSIONS OF ITALY.
1t is hard for Professionals Of puri-
tanical origin to benefit spiritually by
travelling in q Catholic country. They
may enjoy the picturesque beauty Of
the landscape, the balmy atmosphere
and the sunny skies Of Italy. They
may admire the grand works of art in
painting and sculpture to be seen here
and there in stately temples, erected
in the ages Of faith by the royalty and
nobility of Catholic Europe, but all
the great cathedrals Of the Middle
Ages. gorgeous and magnificent be-
yond description, do not seem to stir
their spiritual emotions or elevate
their thoughts to heavenly things.
Every one who has read the letters
from Italy Of Charles Dickens cannot
but feel surprised at the petty predu-
dices displayed by that English novel;
ist-perhaps the greatest in our Ian.
suage. - =.
We have been led to these reflec-
lions by perusing the Impressions of
Careless Traveller" by Lyman Alb.
bolt Of the Outlook magazine, who
spent six months in Italy in 1909. He
kept diary which he afterwards
published. but 1t does not contain
what one might expect from a man Of
his literary ability. He was in q re-
hsious atmosphere in Italy and felt
like fish out Of water.
"st. Peters itself disappoints mo-"
he says. 1T is not easy" he contin-
ues. FOR one who is born and bred
Protestant and Puritan to define
exactly what is the relation between
galleries of art and the functions Of
the Church" y,3n.
Further along Mr.. Abbott tells Of
the Shah Of Persia being in Rome and
Of the demonstration made over his
visit. The oriental monarch first
called at, the Quirnal and was then
prepared to pay his respects to the
Pope, but the Pope would not see his
majesty. $50 far as 1 can Judge from
inquiry" says Mr.. Abbott, most Of
the Italians are in their religious affil.
iations. If not in their religious con-
victions, Roman Catholics, but only q
small minority are Papists. Every Ital-
Ian Is compelled to choose between
loyalty to the kingdom Of Italy and
loyalty to the Pope. the most of the
men In the towns choose the former"
Mr.. Abbott could have been told by
reliable informants that Italians can
be loyal to King and Pope at the same
time. Give unto Caesar the things
that are Caesars and to God the
things that are Gods" If the Italians
do that, they will be loyal to God
aud Country.
On leaving Rome, Mr.. Abbott again
refers to the Italians relisiously as
follows: "The Italian people impress
me as religious in temperament,
but. by reason of circumstances. with
out religion. Their patriotism and
their piety are at war, and unhappy 10
the lot of any people Of whom that 10
true. cannot but believe that this 10
the fault Of the, Church rather than
the State" Mr.. Abbott must not be
alarmed concerning the religion Of the
Italians. They are no longer ROM
anists." he says, land they certainly
are not Professionals" But they are
Catholics. Mr.. Abbott. and good ones
at that, and 'by their fruits you shall
know Them
We copy the following. from Ny
Consulship, q book published by an
American, and ask Mr.. ABBOTT what re.
ligton it 10 that makes the Italians so
good. If they are neither "Romanists"
nor Protestants, what are they? Pap.
fsts?" Listen to the American consul
a. follows: %
Il never saw In Italy drunken
man who was not . foreigner; never
saw brazen-f faced vice Haunting its
ribbons and velvet ON fashionable
promenades. in an Italian city, by day
or BY night; there are no gambling bells
In Italy; there 10 no American spree
ing in Italy-no getting under the Ia
ble-no breaking Of .decanters. crock
cry. Windows mirrors and furniturs;