A PREGNANT CARICATURE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 263, 17 May 1878, Page 17

A PREGNANT CARICATURE.

A Roman Correspondent of the Illustrated Christian Weekly speaks of the strong contrast between the photographs wliiih lie side by side in the Roman shop windows, one representing the "ugly face" of Victor Emmanuel and the other the " beautiful, dignified countenance" of Pio Nono. But, he adds, spite of the acknowledged vices of the former, and the recognized virtues and benevolence of the latter, the king is " the people's saint" and the best beloved by them. If that were true, as it is not, it would be a very bad comment on the people. To prove it, however, the correspondent goes on to speak of a caricature which finds much, sale, and which represents Victor Emmanuel going up a broad, handsome staircase, escorted by an angel in spectacles in whom everybody recognizes Cavour. The Pope, meanwhile, is ascending with glowing face a narrow flight of steps at the head of svhich stands St. "Peter, who says : " This way, comrade, the grand elaircase is occupied." Evidently the Roman wit who got that off ivas a better studept of Scripture than the Protestant journalists who seize it as an e^dence'of love and appreciation for the dead king. What is it the trPspel says ? " Enter ye in at the narrow gate : for wide is the gate anA broad is the way that leadcth to destruction, and many there are \fho go in thereat. But narrow is the gate, and /strait is the way t^at leadeth to life : and few there are who find it." 'jfo tell the truth, suspect that there is not one of our contemporaries who, had he the choice in his last moments, would not prefer to follow Pio Nono up the straight way to where St. Peter stands, than to risk the chances of "Victor Emmanuel, — Catholic Mr lew.