Roman Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 30, 18 November 1887, Page 13

Roman Notes.

The latest insult offered to religion took the shape of a meeting held by the Freemasons under the presidency of Menotti Garibaldi, in a hall of a Catholic school building, on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. The objpct of the meeting was to take preliminary steps for a great demonstration to be made on September 20, the aDniversarv of the breach at Porta Pia, and by vhich it is intended to give, R8 if from the united people of Rome and Italy, an answer to the proposals for conciliation that have been of late so much rumoured abroad. The true meaning of the display, however ,will not be hidden from the eyes of Europe.

The Holy Father has given yet another proof of bis anxiety for the promotion of learning. The purchase by his Holiness of the Altemps palace is announced for the purpose of establishing a Leonine university, where ecclesiastical and secular science will be studied in their highest forms. It is rumoured that Cardinal Mazella will be Bector Magnificus of the new institution.

W The Moniteur de Rome which had so far taken a just view of the p-ieh question, has by some means or other been betrayed itto the Mistake of representing the duty of the Irish ppople to be that of quietly submitting to the Coercion Act and of blaming Mr. Dillon for his decluration to the contrary made in the House of Commons. The Moniteur has pot hold of "the old and stupid argument that England has repented of her treatment of Ireland and has for some years entered on aregularcourfle of ameloration. But the Tories and the Unionists have repented of nothing, and quiescence on the part of the Irish people would but encourage and second the effort to continue the evil past. What has been conceded to Ireland has been gained by her resistance and agitation, aEd there are no other methods of obtaining what is still desirable. The Moniteur has evidently been got at by threats made in some quarter or another, — it is easy to divine where — bb to the danger of revolutionary principles making headway in the country. But this danger is altogether chimerical.

Uneasy rumours prevail in places supposed to be well informed of an expedition to be undertaken against Abyssinia in the immediate future. The disposition of Kngland to mediate between Italy and the country in question is well known, but, as matters are, there seems to be some improbability that advantage will be taken of it. The expedition, although perhaps certain ot ultimate success, would not be at all likely to have a walk-over. The country is difficult, and as Italians know to their cost, its people are capable of proving themselves formidable enemies.

On the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the corner •tone was laid in the Piazzadi Cola Rienzi of an institution to be erected for the purpose of affording facilities of study to youths desirous of devoting themselves to the priesthood, especially on mission ■ and in country districts. The undertaking is due to the teal

of the Barnabite Father, Antonio Maresoa. It has been placed under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jeans, and givei another sign of the futility of the war waged for the destruction of religion la this city and in Italy generally:

The Bishops of Sicily have addressed a letter to the Pope, in which they express their entire devotion to him, and enthusiastically review the services he has rendered, during his Pontificate, to rellgioa and civilisation. The Bishops dwell particularly on the history of the Temporal Power.to the demand for whose restoration they fervently adhere.

The Holy Father has again caused to be published to tht world his exhortations to the devotion of the Bosary of the Blessed Virgin, particularly as practised daring the month of October. The Pop* urges the faithful to practise this devotion especially with the intention of obtaining peace and tranquiiity for the Ohurch.

Signor Crispi announces that the policy of his Cabinet does not include a measure for the extension of the franchise. The working* men of Italy, he declares, are not sufficiently advanced to exercise the privileges enjoyed by those of France and Germany. In other words the advance of irreligion in Italy is not as yet sufficient to make the measure alluded to safe for the Government.

The powers and influence of the famous preacher, Fra Agostino da Monte Feltro, continue to form a subject of discussion. Tha interest of the matter is heightened by a veil of romance or mystery that hides the preacher's earlier years. Bat it is known of him that his power of attracting men of all parties, classes, and shades of opinion, from the advanced philosopher of the period to the unlettered peasant, is unrivalled, and that the force and closeness of his reasoaing are even more remarkable than the splendour of his eloquenae. If, as it is rumoured, Fra Agostino passed a wild and irregular youth be yet must have recovered in time to devote himself to study, ia which he was aided by a gigantic intellect. His acquirements giro full scope to his natural powers and apparently embrace every branch of human knowledge. He is the perfect master both of art and Bcience.