303 6,854 $224,755 $1,490,747
M. De Rayneval admits that the people are not enterprising. If they do not
show much industrial activity, this is to be ascribed not to the
government, but to the climate, the facility with which everything
necessary for comfort is obtained, and the long-established habits of the
natives of the South of Europe. "The condition of the population,
nevertheless," adds the ambassador, "is comparatively good. They readily
take part in public amusements, when pleasure may be read on every
countenance. Are these the misgoverned people '_whose miseries excite the
commiseration of all Europe?_' There is misery, no doubt, as there is
everywhere. But it is less than in lands that are not so highly favored.
The necessaries of life are so cheap as to be easily procured. Private
charity never fails; and there are numerous and efficient public
benevolent establishments."
(M48) It may be said, by way of supplement to M. De Rayneval's report,
that Pius IX. did all in his power to encourage both science and the fine
arts. His many foundations for their promotion are his witness. Among the
rest are the College of Sinigaglia, and the _Seminario Pio_ at Rome,
together with the educational establishments, endowed from his private
resources, at Perugia, Civita Vecchia, Ancona and Pesaro. To him also are
due the high renown to which rose the studies of the Roman university, the
restoration of the Appian way, and the many archaeological works which have
won for their august promoter the glorious surname of _Vindex
Antiquitatis_. His day would be memorable if it had been illustrated only
by the names of Vico, Secchi, Rossi and Visconti.
It is impossible to overrate the importance of Count de Rayneval's report,
or the influence which it exercised over the public mind of Europe, when,
at length, through the agency of the British and Belgian press, it
obtained publicity. A refutation of Cavour's interested calumnies, so
able, distinct and straightforward, powerfully impressed the minds of
British statesmen, and caused them to see the grievous error into which
they had been betrayed at the Congress of Paris, by Count Cavour and the
Emperor Louis Napoleon, in the interest of their fellow-conspirators
against the sovereignty of the Pope.
(M49) Lord Clarendon was the first who had knowledge of the now celebrated
state paper. He was also the first who, for the sake of truth and justice,
made it p
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