Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/413

Rh ignorant, bound to the earth, without any higher interest; but, in a general way, laborious, and, which must not, by any means, be judged of by the popular dregs which are seen in the capital. A middle class cannot, as yet, be said to exist in Naples, though it is beginning to be formed by civil officials, learned men, advocates, and physicians. The immense and rich soil of the Neapolitan provinces, has other treasures than those which are continually anew produced, spite of the earthquakes which overturn their towns and desolate their harvests. Magna Grecia has still sons worthy of the old fatherland, from their love of culture, science, and freedom.

A French Protestant clergyman, Mr. R——, who preaches here, under the protection of the Prussian Eagle, and expresses himself severely enough against the egotism and worldliness of the Neapolitan priesthood, yet speaks of the present archbishop as a most estimable man, in every respect, a genuine Christian, ready to sacrifice his life for the people, as was found during the late terrible visitation of cholera, when, like the former Carlo Borromeo, he visited the most miserable dwellings, and labored day and night to assist and to console those who, both in body and soul, stood in need of consolation. That which he and many other well-meaning persons here, also the friends of reform, do not appear to understand, is what Abbe Lambruschini expresses in these words; “We require a religious reform, great, honest, perfect, such as has not been wished for, or thought of.” And Lambruschini, therefore began, and began well—by educating the children. He desired with the little ones, to give the conscience