nd in perpetuity
annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, and that the _Code Napoleon_ is to be
the law of the land.

The third is headed, "Dispositions with regard to his Holiness," and
disposes of the Papal question in this somewhat summary manner.

"We Napoleon, by the grace of God, and by the Constitution, Emperor of
the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Rhenish Confederation,

"Having regard to our first decree concerning Rome, have decreed, and
decree as follows:--

"Art. 1. The Church and the Piazza of St Peter, the palace of the
Vatican and that of the Holy Office, with their dependencies, are a
free possession of his Holiness the Pope.

"Art. 2. All the property of the Capitol and the Basilica of St Peter
are preserved to those institutions under whatever administration the
Pope may please to appoint.

"Art. 3. His Holiness shall receive a yearly income of one million
Italian francs, and shall retain all the honorary privileges he has
enjoyed in past times.

"Given at our Imperial Palace of St Cloud, this --- day of Sept.
1808."

In the midst of the Spanish campaigns, these documents were perused and
approved by the Emperor, who wrote to Aldini, at that time in Italy, and
told him to make private inquiries as to whether the time was opportune
for the promulgation of these decrees, and whether it was expedient to
require the clergy to take an oath of allegiance to the new constitution.
Aldini's reply contains the following remarkable passage:--

"The Pope, who has never enjoyed the good opinion of the Roman public,
has succeeded in these latter days in winning the sympathy of a few
fanatics, who call his obstinacy heroic constancy, and wait every day
for a miracle to be worked by God in his defence.

"Except these bigots and a few wealthy persons who dread the
possibility, that, under a change of government, their privileges
might be destroyed, and the taxes on property increased, all classes
are of one mind in desiring a new order of things, and all alike long
for its establishment.

"I must not, however, conceal from you that this universal sentiment
is chiefly due to two causes:--Firstly, to the idea that the payment
of the interest on the public debt will be resumed; as, in truth, a
great number of Roman families depend on these payments for their
income; and secondly, to the hope that Rome will become the ca