artesian wells, where required, and for bridges and public roads.
Especially were large allowances devoted for the improvement of the
highways at Pesaro, Macerata, Imola, Camerino, &c. Telegraphic
communication was widely established. Prisons, hospitals and schools were
special objects of the Holy Father’s care. It was the duty of Monsignor de
Merode, who accompanied the Pope, on arriving in any city or town, to
visit the prison, enquire into everything connected with it, and report
accordingly. Monsignor Talbot had commission to look to the state of
charitable, industrial and educational institutions, in all of which he
aided in promoting valuable reforms.
It is impossible to consider, without emotion, the reception which greeted
the Holy Father in his former diocese of Spoleto. At every step proof upon
proof was given of reverence and affection, which time had not diminished.
Etiquette and state ceremony were laid aside. The youthful and the aged
alike would see their good shepherd, and he was anxious to salute his
people, and converse with them all. Many a face, familiar to him of old,
was recognized with pleasure, and even names were not forgotten.
As has been seen, the days of the Holy Father’s journey were not all spent
in pleasurable greetings or official receptions. He never forgot or
neglected the work of reform and improvement. Nor were such care and labor
new to him. It had often been said that the Popes were hostile to all
modern improvements. Why did they not favor railways? Why did they not
drain the Pontine Marshes, and cause the _Campagna_ to be cultivated? Let
the labors of Pius IX. reply. A railway through the States of the Church
was one of his favorite ideas, and he beheld it realized. It must have
afforded him no ordinary satisfaction to see the railway which his
princely care had provided now winding along the valley of the Tiber, now
climbing the heights and stretching its arms across the Apennines,
reaching down to the seaboard at Ancona, now passing beyond the limits of
the Papal territory, and extending away to the Tuscan capital.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account