Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/53

Rh well in Tuscany as in other of the Italian states; and as a result of the ideas which took possession of men's minds during the revolution of 1848, many acts of arbitrary power which had hitherto been practiced by rulers, were now no longer possible, and many liberties were allowed, because the governments were afraid of the fire which was yet alive under the ashes. The penal laws have been considerably mitigated, and Tuscany has obtained a certain degree even of the freedom of the press. It is true that there are no considerable political newspapers published here, but the English and French papers circulate freely, and we all know what a breath of freedom comes into circulation with them.

Religious, Protestant, proselytism is strictly forbidden, but it nevertheless goes on, in all kinds of silent ways, and the number of Protestants is said to be very much on the increase. Ever since the affair of the Madiai, the government and people of Tuscany have been mutually circumspect in their treatment of the fiery question of the liberty of conscience and creed. People meet quietly in families and private houses, to read together the gospel, and to edify themselves with its doctrines of love and liberty. The Duke is aware of it, but he shuts his eyes to the fact. He is said to have avowed his knowledge of there being twenty-five thousand secret Protestants in his states, but so long as they do not openly appear, he will not recognize their existence.