DEATH OF GAVAZZI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9261, 15 January 1889, Page 5

DEATH OF GAVAZZI.

London, January 13. The death is announced of Alessandro Gavazzi, the famous "No Popery" lecturer.

: [Alessandro Gavazzi (says "Men of the ! Time ") was born at Bologna in 1809. was admitted into minor orders in the Cnuroh of Rome in 1825, and was made Professor of ! Rhetoric at Naples, illustrating the theory of the art by his eloquenoe in the pulpits of the chief cities of Italy. On the elevation, in 1846, of Pius IX. to the Papal ohair, he expressed the views he had long entertained on the state of his country and the Churoh with increasing freedom. When the insurrection of the Milanese and the discomfiture of the Austriana beoame known in Rome, Gavazzi, who was called on by the people to speak, proceeded to the Pantheon, and pronounced a fervid oration on the patriots who had fallen at Milan. He took the tricolour cross as his standard; and for weeks harangued crowds of citizens at the Colisseum, on the prospects and duty of Italians. Pius IX., j who was understood to favour these attempts to rouse the nation, conferred upon him the j office of Chaplain-General of the forces then being re-organised by the company of Volunteers and National Guards, and he accompanied the Roman army to the walls of Vicenxa. While thus engaged a reactionary spirit came over Pius IX., who recalled the Roman legion, and Gavazzi, posing into Tuscany, made Florence ring with his appeals. Expelled from the duchy, he took refuge in Genoa, whence he was recalled to restore quiet in Bologna, the people of that) city having broken into open mutiny against the Papal Government. Rossi having by this time become the chief adviser of Pius IX-, shortly afterwards ordered the arrest of Gavazzi, who was sent off under a strong escort, to the prison at Cornet. On his way the people of Vitorbo rose to deliver him, and Pius IX. ordered his release. On the flight of the Pope, after the assassination ofßossi, and the formation of the Republican Government, Gavazzi. who was re-appointed Chap- i lain-General of the forces, organised a com- i mittee of noble Roman ladies to pro- ; vide for the wounded, and superintended j the military hospitals. During the armistice ; concluded with General Oudinot, the Romans made a sortie under Garibaldi to repel the King of Naples, who had invaded the territory of the Republic. Gavazzi accompanied them, and after the defeat of the invader, assisted, the dying and wounded on both sides. Returning to Rome, he occupied himself _ in sustaining the spirit of the people until they were overwhelmed by the superior forces of the French. At the close of the struggle he left his country, to gain a livelihood by teaching Italian, and lecturing against the Catholic Church. For about six months his lectures in London were attended by crowds, and he afterwards visited the chief towns of Scotland, where hewas received with hearty welcome. In 1851 Gavazzi published his memoirs in English and Italian, and a few months later his " Orations." From Scotland he proceeded ' to the United States, where he was not so warmly received, and in Canada his orations on more than one occasion nearly caused a riot. On his return he resumed his occupation of propagandising his particular views in Italy, in the service of the national cause, and was present with Garibaldi at Palermo during the expedition of 1860. Since then he has several times visited England,!