Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ...Clement XL, who had publicly announced his perfect neutrality in the contest, proceeded in person to the church of San Carlo; and as no earthly monarch's insignia can be displayed in presence of the reigning Pontiff, there was a decent excuse for both sides refraining from collision. Once established, the Pope's visit became an "annual commemoration of peace and union among Christian princes." It is worthy of remark, that since the accession of Pius IX. in June, the number of crimes committed against the person as well as against property in the district of Rome, has diminished in the most extraordinary ratio--the month of June offering about 500 cases, July 340, August 230, September 200, and last month's calendar falling to 112: the old admirers of "the red tape system," coercion, and routine, can make nothing of it. It seems to them a sort of " witchcraft;" ay, such as that by which Othello compassed the willing affection of Desdemona. LETTER XVIII. Rome, November 8. The grand ceremony of taking formal possession of the Lateran Church began this morning, and is not yet terminated, though the guns of St. Angelo are just now marking by their reveberated roar, that the most solemn stage of the business is being enacted. To this exhibition of Papal pomp the whole country round has been flocking in for the last two or three days, and the constant arrivals from Naples and Florence have evinced no less interest on the part of foreign visitants. The Olympic games of Greece could scarcely present a fairer gathering in epitome of the various Hellenic tribes than Rome presented this week of all the surrounding towns in a circuit of one hundred miles, diversified in costume as distinctly, and as easily recognizable by...
