AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 209 



whence spring the various weeds of beggary, idleness, and un- 

 natural affections. Nor does the evil stoj) here, but prostitution 

 and vice of every kind follow in tlie train. Deprived of educa- 

 tion, and sunk in the lowest superstitution, no wonder the poor 

 girl is a prey to the vile soldier and the profligate priest, and her 

 shame is concealed in the neighboring foundling hospital, wliich 

 offers the only retreat for the fruits of impurity. How can it 

 be otherwise when those that move in the highest walks of society 

 form tlie most sacred tie on the vilest motives, to screen a gal- 

 lantry and intrigue, which, where there is no free press, no free 

 speech, and no stimulus to industry or deep philosophical inquiry, 

 are the sole study of either sex and their successful issue one of 

 the grea;test feats performed in Italian society. And what makes 

 it a more damning cui-se is that the idolatrous altars count it a 

 mere venal sin, allowed for by a graduated fee hill. 



The temperature of the climate, the natural fertility of the soil, 

 and the very low price of labor one would think ought, with the 

 remunerating price of all the products of the soil be favomble to 

 a more rapid advancement in agricultural industry. But unfor- 

 tunate for Italy the religion of the country requires 89 days out 

 of the year to be consecrated to Sundays and Saints' days. And 

 it is not to be forgotten that the heat of summer is here debilita- 

 ting and when heightened by the faint breath of the Sirocco, the 

 African wind that blows over the country, man's energies are 

 lost, but these elements are the same as those which existed in 

 the palmiest days of the Roman Republic; but enough has been 

 said already on Italian degeneracy and the vulture that is gnaw- 

 ing her vitals, but there is another great drawback to the agri- 

 cultural industry of the land, local prejudices and jealousies and 

 the want of marts of commerce and manufacturing establishments, 

 which have converted countries like Belgium, where formerly 

 reigned sand-banks and frightful bogs into fruitful fields and the 

 abodes of joy and comfort. Let us look on the shores of the far- 

 famed Rhine , Thames and Seine. Their valleys are justly esteemed 

 for the fruits of the field, but in all cases their superior agricul- 

 tural industry is stimulated by a ready and certain market found 

 at their doors and all the seats of business. 



Whatever may be the variety of the coui'ses of husbandry in 



different parts of Italy the products of the soil, rotation of crops 



can be effected as well on the mountain slope, as the sunny plain. 



The change but seldom goes beyond five kinds of crops. Four 



[Am. Inst.] 14 



