- that of his predecessor, he has much more practical notions as to the most effectual manner of coping with them. The "prisoner of the Vatican" he may choose to remain and since the outrage of last July and the blundering of the government over it there is plausible excuse for doing so; but he is by no means content to sit with folded hands gnashing his teeth, like Giant Pope in the "Pilgrim's Progress," in impotent rage at the unruliness of the world which has forsaken him. On the contrary he has very definite schemes for regaining his influence over such portions of it as may be willing to listen to his voice, and is perfectly aware that the methods of influence proper to the fourteenth century are nor equally applicable to the nineteenth. "Modern civilization," which Pius IX. was never weary of execrating, may of course be understood in more senses than one, but there is certainly a sense in which his successor is quite prepared to avail himself of its resources, and is resolved that all those under his control shall do the same. His success must depend mainly on their capacity and readiness to give effect to the programme he has marked out for them. papers have done, "that these instructions of his Holiness have any direct reference to the action of Catholics in the approaching political elections," while it admits the italics are in either case our own "that his Holiness implies that Italian Catholics have not hitherto done quite as much as they might have done, and points out several ways in which their activity might be usefully employed." The implication is no doubt sufficiently obvious, and the reference to the elections, though it may be indirect, is hardly less So. It was not surprising therefore to be informed the other day by the Roman correspondent of one of the daily papers that "only the extreme Radicals and the Clericals are active in registering," or to find him adding that, "what with the constituency more than tripled, the scrutin de liste, the Catholics probably voting for the first time, the leap is absolutely in the dark." It appears indeed that the probability of Catholics taking part in the forthcoming elections is being eagerly discussed by the Italian press generally, while in consequence apparently of this last Encyclical Duke Salviati, president of the General Committee of Catholic Congresses, has issued circulars to the various diocesan committees desiring The first part of the Encyclical is dethem to urge all the faithful who are en- voted to exposing the misdeeds of "a franchised by the new law to register, pernicious sect" presumably atheist or and thus be prepared for the withdrawal agnostic – "which has established itself at any moment of the papal prohibition some time back in Italy, and after declaragainst voting. In Rome itself the num- ing war against Christ, is endeavoring to ber of new voters is estimated at over ten rob the people of their Christian instituthousand, including the Catholic contin- tions," while its programme is equally gent, who at once registered en bloc. fatal to religion and morality. It is noted Meanwhile the Rassegna publishes a let- among other points that "Rome, the most ter from some prelate, unnamed · pos- august of Christian cities," is laid open sibly Count Enrico Campello, ex-canon of to the enemies of the Church, and defiled St. Peter's-stigmatizing the folly of the by heretical temples and schools and pope in giving his followers the restora- other profane novelties; but there is no tion of the temporal power as their direct mention of the temporal power, and watchward at the elections which is this part of the address closes with the precisely what he has not done, as will confident assurance that while the sect in presently appear. The Encyclical is how-question certainly aims at the destruction ever by no means chiefly occupied with of the Church and its head, and of all rereferences, direct or indirect, to the elec- ligion, "the Church without doubt will in tions, though its tone and drift are so the end be triumphant, and will baffle the little in harmony with the nè eletti nè clet- impious conspiracies of men." We are tori principle obstinately maintained to then reminded, in some detail, how much the last by Pius IX. as to suggest at least the Holy See has done for Italy in the an impending change of front in this past, and what great advantages its benefimatter. We have before taken occasion cent influence may confer on the country to observe that Leo XIII. has the in- in the future, if these "enemies of Chrisstincts of a statesman and a man of the tian wisdom, who are leading sooiety to world, as well as of a priest, and if his its ruin," alike in the scientific, the moral, view of the religious evils with which and the social sphere, will allow it fair Italy and modern society at large is af- play. It is only through the special proflicted does not materially differ from tection of Divine Providence that Italy has hitherto been spared a reign of ter- | Leo XIII., like his predecessor, but for a ror," and there is great reason to strive plied to their benefit and salvation, and remedies be derived from the source whence poisons have flowed." And for this purpose the establishment in every province at least of periodical and especially daily organs is suggested, which must be conducted "with gravity and moderation of tone, without bitterness and with respect for individuals, and in clear and simple language which the mul titude can easily understand." But above all things the bishops are urged and so many old endowments have been swept the exhortation evidently implies some- away of late years, the people should be thing of a tacit reproof — to take all care exhorted to contribute according to their for "the due appointment of fitting min means, after the example of their pious anisters of God." This is their paramount cestors, and of other Catholic nations of obligation, and, while " grave reasons our own day, to the support of institutions common to all times demand in priests for carrying on this necessary work; and, many and great graces, this time in which indeed, the pope feels confident that they we live requires that they should be even will readily respond to the call. Such is more and greater." There is need for a brief summary of the contents of this sound learning, "embracing not only sa- last Encyclical, which manifestly points, cred, but philosophical, physical, and his- we do not say to an acceptance of the torical studies," and there is yet more status quo, but to a frank recognition of urgent need of a high standard of moral the altered conditions of modern life, in excellence; and for securing these results Italy as elsewhere, and an honest desire a long course of diligent preparation is to make the fullest use of "the resources necessary. The pope here refers to his of civilization" for the service of the former Encyclical Eterni Patris on the Church. In this general programme, the study of St. Thomas-noticed at the electoral question of the moment holds a time in our columns for the purpose of subordinate place, but readers of the Enobserving that besides these graver stud- cyclical could hardly fail to understand, ies the young clerics should be instructed as in fact they evidently have understood, in other branches of knowledge which it to foreshadow, if not actually to convey, cannot fitly be ignored in the present day, a withdrawal of the self-denying ordisuch as natural science, and whatever nance by which Pius IX. deliberately serves to illustrate the authority and in-placed the voting-urns at the permanent terpretation of Holy Scripture. And, as and exclusive disposal of his assailants. A TYPICAL INDIAN VILLAGE. - Outside the | draw water from the tank, each with two or entrance of the single village street, on an ex- three water-jars on her head; and so, while posed rise of ground, the hereditary potter sits they are going and returning in single file, the by his wheel, moulding the swift-revolving clay scene glows like Titian's canvas and moves by the natural curves of his hands. At the like the stately procession of the Panathenaic back of the houses which form the low, irregu- frieze. Later the men drive in the mild, gray lar street there are two or three looms at work kine from the moaning plain, the looms are in blue and scarlet and gold, the frames hang- folded up, the coppersmiths are silent, the ing between the acacia-trees, the yellow flowers elders gather in the gate, the lights begin to of which drop fast on the webs as they are glimmer in the fast-falling darkness, the feastbeing woven. In the street the brass and cop-ing and the music are heard on every side, and per smiths are hammering away at their pots late into the night the songs are sung from the and pans; and further down, in the veranda of Ramayana or Mahabharata. The next mornthe rich man's house, is the jeweller working ing, with sunrise, after the simple ablutions rupees and gold mohrs into fair jewelry, gold and adorations performed in the open air beand silver ear-rings, and round tires like the fore the houses, the same day begins again. moon, bracelets and tablets and nose-rings, and This is the daily life going on all over western tinkling ornaments for the feet, taking his de- India in the village communities of the Dakhan, signs from the fruits and flowers around him, among a people happy in their simple manners or from the traditional forms represented in and frugal way of life, and in the culture dethe paintings and carvings of the great temple, rived from the grand epics of a religion in which rises over the grove of mangoes and which they live and move and have their daily palms at the end of the street, above the lotos-being, and in which the highest expression of covered village tank. At 3.30 or 4 in the after- their literature, art, and civilization has been noon the whole street is lighted up by the stereotyped for three thousand years. moving robes of the women going down to The Industrial Arts of India · Birdwood. For EIGHT DOLLARS, remitted directly to the Publishers, the LIVING AGE will be punctually forwarded for a year, free of postage. Remittances should be made by bank draft or check, or by post-office money-order, if possible. If neither of these can be procured, the money should be sent in a registered letter. All postmasters are obliged to register letters when requested to do so. Drafts, checks and money-orders should be made payable to the order of LITTELL & Co. Single Numbers of THE LIVING AGE, 18 cents. |