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fested at our being raised to the Pontificate, we cannot refrain from a feeling of grief in thinking that á certain number of families are unable to participate in the common joy, because they bear the pain of some offences committed by one of their members against society, and against the sacred rights of the legitimate Prince.

The proclamation of this amnesty excited the most lively enthusiasm, and processions and illuminations took place at Rome, where the multitude seemed to be intoxicated with joy, and these demonstrations were not confined to Rome, but were general throughout the Papal States. Cardinal Gizzi was appointed by the Pope Secretary of State, and co-operated with hearty zeal in the various reforms which were projected. On the 2nd of July, a new commercial tariff was published, by which the import duties on many articles of consumption were reduced. The conduct of Pope Pius IX., since his accession to the Papal throne, seems to promise a new era, not only in Italy, but throughout the Roman Catholic States of Europe, for when the head of the Church adopts a liberal policy, and evinces his desire to advance with the age in which he lives, it will be impossible for bigotry and despotism to hold the human intellect in the leadingstrings by which they have hitherto sought to arrest the progress of improvement.

GREECE. On the 22nd of December, last year, King Otho opened the new Session of the Greek Chambers with the following Speech :

"Messieurs the Representatives, and Messieurs the Senators,——

"On seeing you around me, I feel

rejoiced and happy in having again a solemn opportunity of expressing to Greece, which we all love, and which is here represented by her Deputies, the sentiments which fill my heart and which direct my actions.

"On opening, with the aid of the Almighty, this second parliamentary Session, I feel no doubt, from the preceding one, that you will be inspired with the same wisdom and the same love of country.

"The first steps of a free Government cannot be regulated in one single day; the accomplishment of this task requires, on your part and on mine, great efforts, and is a work of patience; it may, however, become easier, if we adhere scrupulously to the conditions of the Charter.

"In the new career we have to run we may meet with many obstacles, but our mutual confidence in one another will be able to overcome them; and I feel convinced that you will unite your solicitude and ardour to the zeal of my Government for the interest of the country. My relations with the other Powers continue to be most amicable, which I announce with lively satisfaction. Greece has, however, contracted towards some of them private debts of gratitude, as well as engagements, which she will only be able to pay by regulating her revenues, and by becoming economical in her expenses, and by encouraging agriculture, industry, commerce, and trade; so that, by preparing for the welfare of the future, she may, at the same time, be able to increase her resources.

"Imbued with these principles, I have not hesitated to request the Powers which guaranteed the loan

to grant us a necessary delay until the favourable moment arrives, which we will endeavour to hasten as much as possible. I hope, when they consider our good faith, and our eagerness to fulfil our engagements, they will continue their marks of good-will, of which we have been the object up to the present moment.

"Wrong interpretations given to some accidents that have happened on our northern frontiers had endangered our amicable relations with a neighbouring State, but happily, shortly after, proper explanations having been given reestablished mutual confidence. I should not have mentioned this circumstance, but to prove the good harmony existing between the two States. As for me, I shall never cease to remove any cause of trouble, with the view of rendering, if possible, the intercourse between the two Governments more friendly, which will be favourable to their mutual interests.

"You have agreed, Gentlemen, with my Ministers, to administrative measures which will insure a stronger and better Government than what formerly existed. You have laid the foundation of a financial reform, by making the taxes less burdensome and the receipts more easy. It shall be a sacred duty for my Government to devote all its care in perfecting those beneficial measures, and to propose every other measure which experience may have taught them to be necessary to your consideration. I hope that the continued solicitude of my Government for these important interests will prove my gratitude for what you have done for the Crown.

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Following up the resolutions that you have so widely taken in

favour of public instruction, several Bills will be presented for your profound meditation. You will also have to determine, conformably to the general wish, the required number of episcopal sees.

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The affairs of the Church never cease to occupy my head and my heart; consequently, my Government, not only desirous of providing for the welfare of the Church, but also jealous of the sacred deposit of its independence, preserves, and will preserve for the future, all that attaches it dogmatically to the great Church of Jesus Christ of Constantinople.

"Several other Bills, which will contribute to the prosperity of the country, will also be presented for your deliberation.

"It is necessary to place the taxes of the demi under a control such as may insure their being spent according to the wants of the ratepayers and to the wish of their proper representatives. The law on the councils of the Nomarchia will complete our constitutional and administrative institutions; and the law on conscription requires to be reformed both in the interest of the army and in that of the citizens.

"Several other Bills for the security of public tranquillity and private property, as well for insuring our national forests against incendiarism, will be presented to your consideration. We must not forget, Gentlemen, that personal security is the primary element of industry, commerce, and public credit.

"A Commission has been named, according to the desire of the National Assembly, to consider the rights and sacrifices made during the war, and to settle to whom compensation ought to be made,

and thus acquit this sacred debt of the country.

"We have great hopes for the future, on which we can rest our eyes with confidence and courage. Greece has a glorious name; her noble efforts to regain the civilization which she formerly gave the example of to other nations, authorize her in not reckoning in vain on the support of every generous soul. Divine Providence, which never has abandoned us, doubtless prepares for us a happy fate. Let us endeavour to make ourselves worthy of it by increasing our zeal for the public weal, and by thanking the Almighty for his unceasing goodness.

"I proclaim the opening of the second parliamentary Session."

A long discussion took place upon the addresses to be voted in answer to this Speech both in the Senate and Chamber of Representatives, and they were not voted till the end of February. Both of them were unfavourable to the Colletti Ministry. The Address of the Senate contained the following passages:

"We are happy to learn, that your Majesty continues to keep up friendly relations with the other Powers. As regards the engagements of the nation towards those Powers who have guaranteed the loan, the Senate hopes that the efforts of your Majesty, seconded by the wishes of the nation, will persuade the Powers, the benefactors of Greece, to consent to a delay in their demands; especially if the receipts be regulated, the expenses diminished, agriculture, trade, and commerce be encouraged, so that the Government may meet the engagements of the nation towards the protecting Powers.

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"We desire also, Sire, that the new system of administration recently adopted, should become more adapted to the country, and become stronger than the preceding one, and become more useful to the country in proportion to the increase of expense which it requires. We hope, also, to see the new system of finances consolidated under a stricter inspection, tending, at the same time, to lighten the burden of the people and increase the revenue of the State.

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"Feeling deeply, Sire, the ancient glory that our country acquired through enlightenment, a glory to which we owe in a great measure our political existence at the present day, we shall busy ourselves with the greater zeal with the measures proposed to us, especially as we consider it necessary to adopt severe discipline in the establishments for public instruction at present in existence. shall be equally eager in taking into consideration and fixing, according to the wish of the nation, as well as its religious wants, the number of bishoprics, those great schools of divine and moral wisdom. They will second your Majesty and the legislative bodies in reviving that ancient glory of the Greek church, of which we feel persuaded, your Majesty will guard the sacred deposit free from any foreign influence, by watching at the same time over all that attaches it to the great church of Christ, and to every other apostolical, orthodox church in the East, according to the spirit of the constitution.

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other point connected with these institutions, which were the only part of political liberty preserved through so many ages of sufferings; and we shall do it with so much the more pleasure, because the spirit of these institutions has not been strictly followed up, and that, in our opinion, a good constitutional government cannot found its basis on a more solid foundation than on this first element of human society. Following up this improvement, we will occupy ourselves about the establishment of the councils of the Nomarchiæ, which emanated from the communal system, and which will complete our new administrative system. As to the reform in the law of conscription, we will take it into consideration in the interest of the citizens and of the army.'

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The House of Representatives spoke in the same tone.

"Greece feels sentiments of gratitude towards the protecting Powers, and acknowledges her engagements as regards the loan. But while it partakes in your Majesty's hope, that they will consent to the just demand of your Government in granting a further delay for the payment, the Chamber feels persuaded that by regulating the revenue of the State-by economy in our expenses, by encouraging agriculture, industry, and commerce, and scrupulously adhering to the 53rd Article of the constitution, the Government will soon be in a state to fulfil its engagements in a suitable manner.

"The Chamber, anxious for the peaceful development of Greece, is desirous of maintaining amicable relations between the two neighbouring States, and feels persuaded that the admission of the just claims of the two Governments

will strengthen its amicable relations.

"The Chamber, considering the greatest guarantee of the welfare of the people, of the scrupulous execution of the laws, has not hesitated to vote the laws for the new organization of the administration, without being parsimonious as regards the expenses. They look forward, consequently, with impatience for the results of its application. Having readily assisted in voting the reforms in the financial system, they will with no less zeal contribute to the perfecting of it, and also to its development in the double interest of those who pay the taxes, and of the Treasury, and will assist in the suppression of abuses.

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"The rewarding of those who served the State, and those who have made sacrifice for it, has always been one of the principal objects of national solicitude. Consequently, the formation of a commission of indemnity, is an act prompted by the love of justice, which has always distinguished your Majesty. But to attain this national object with complete justice, the most scrupulous performance, Sire, of all that had been decreed as regards persons and things is absolutely necessary. The Chamber expresses at the same time the wish that the division and distribution of national lands should be effected.

"The hearts of the Greeks beat at the thought of their future welfare. The miracles of Providence in their favour, which have accompanied the regeneration of Greece, encourage them, Sire, to direct their looks to the future. The ruins which cover this celebrated land prove the glory of their na

tional origin, but Greece, having shown herself worthy of the great deeds of the past, hopes to have gained new rights to the sympathies of the civilized world. Nations have shown a noble enthusiasm for this ancient birthplace of civilization, and the Hellenic people, who feel the certainty of their destiny, will endeavour to show themselves worthy of that glorious fate which it has pleased the Divine Providence to allot to them. May it please the Almighty to direct both the Throne and the Nation, and may it be pleased to accept the humble prayer of those who, weak as they are, still place their confidence in Divine goodness."

Previously to this a most extraordinary statement had been made to the Chambers on the 18th of February by the Minister of Finance. Such an announcement in a State pretending to have a responsible government is, we believe, without a parallel.

"Gentlemen, some days ago you sent for me to give you some account of the state of our finances; and I excused myself on the plea of having just taken office. I now come down to this House to tell you that the Finance Department is in a complete state of disorganization and paralysis; that no accounts exist either as to the revenue or the expenditure, and that it will be utterly impossible to furnish you with anything in the shape of a correct budget. In consequence of the dishonesty and incapacity of the public functionaries, the public accounts are in a state of chaos. All that M. Provilegio and others have told you respecting every honest man having been dismissed, and of the spoliation of the public money at Syra and elsewhere, is perfectly true. Millions are due to the

State; and we do not know who are our debtors, as the revenuebooks have disappeared. This is the financial statement I have to make!"

A long Session followed, which did not terminate till the 12th of November, when the Chambers were closed by commission. They were reopened on the 19th by the King in person, and His Majesty delivered the following speech:

"Messieurs the Representatives and Messieurs the Senators,—

"Let us return thanks to the Almighty, who has allowed you to put an end, under His divine protection, to a long and laborious Session. In assembling you to resume your labours, I reckon still on your patriotism. Our sacred duty is to perfect our financial laws. My Ministers will submit to you shortly the budget for next year. The Constitution-that reciprocal bond, and our guide-requires that the Chambers, when voting the budget for each year, should not have to deliberate on expenses already made, but on the expenses to be made. So that my Government will have no longer recourse to a demand of provisional credits, which impede the Public Service, and place an obstacle in the way of the Chambers in examining the budget in an independent manner. Full of confidence consequently in your zeal and your enlightened views, I reckon upon your efforts to be able to attain this important end.

"My Ministers will present to your considerations several Bills, of which you will appreciate the necessity.

"My relations with the other Powers continue to be friendly.

"Be persuaded, gentlemen, of the lively pleasure which I feel in

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