STATES OF THE CHURCH. 



679 



vation. The Cloaca Maxima or Great Sewer is of colossal dimensions, and is one of the 

 oldest Roman constructions ; it is composed of enormous stones, and its vaults are from 10 

 to 16 feet high, and from 12 to 14 wide. 



Bologna^ a large ar.d handsome city, delightfully situated at the foot of the Apennines, is the 

 second town of the State. Tiie houses are mostly built of stone with arcades in front, so that 

 foot-passengers can pass through the city under cover. There are many churches and palaces 

 here remarkable for their architecture and their treasures of statuary and painting. Bologna 

 has long been famous for its learned institutions, and the university is the oldest in Europe, 

 and one of the best in Italy. The Scientific Institute is a magnificent institution, with a rich 

 library of 160,000 volumes, an observatory, and valuable cabinets of art and science. Popu- 

 lation, 71,000. 



Ferrara, to the north of Bologna, is a large and superb city, but is rendered unhealthy by 

 the marshes which surround it ; it is now half deserted, and the grass grows in front of its no- 

 ble palaces. Its polished court was once the resort of the most famous wits of Italy, and there 

 are a university and a valuable library here. Ferrara contains a strong citadel, now occupied 

 by Austrian troops. Population 24,000. 



Ravenna, formerly a populous city, and successively the residence of the emperors of the 

 Western Roman Empire, of the Gothic kings, and of the exarchs of Italy, is now much re- 

 duced. The neighboring marshes render it unhealthy, and its fine port, in which the Roman 

 fleets wintered, is now filled up with mud. It still contains many remains of its ancient mag- 

 nificence, and here repose the bones of the divine Dante. Population, 16,000. 



Rimini, is a large and handsome city, containing numerous remains of antiquity and several 

 fine churches. Its harbor is now choked up, and the sea has receded more than two miles 

 from the ancient lighthouse. Population, 15,000. Jlncona, is a place of considerable com- 

 merce, with a good harbor upon the gulf of Venice. Its manufactures are also extensive ; 

 population 30,000. Sinigaglia, to the north of Ancona, with 8,000 inhabitants, is famous 

 for its fair. Loretto, to the soudi, is celebrated for its cathedral, in which is shown the house 

 of the Virgin Mary, said to have been brought hither by angels. 



Perugia, situated upon the Tiber, in the midst of a fertile and highly cultivated district, con- 

 tains a university, and has a population of 30,000 inhabitants. Its silk manufactures are im- 

 portant, and its library, museum of antiquities, ruins, &c., render it interesting. Civita 

 Vecchia, on the Western coast, with 7,000 inhabitants, is a strongly fortified port, with a dock- 

 yard, and considerable commerce. Benevento, within the Neapolitan territories, with 14,000 

 inhabitants ; Spoleto, 7,000 inhabitants ; and Urbino, 7,000, are interesting from the important 

 part they have played in the history of modern Italy. 



10. Agriculture. The lands are commonly held by great proprietors. In the plain of the 

 Po, cultivation is active, but the rest of the country is neglected. The Romans are less in- 

 dustrious than their northern neighbors. The vine and olive grow everywhere. Onions are 

 raised in immense quantities in the marshes of Ancona. Hemp, saffron, and beans are exten- 

 sively cultivated. 



11. Commerce and Jllanvfactures. The commerce is chiefly in the hands of foreigners, 

 and the only seaport of consequence is Civita Vecchia. The manufactures merely supply the 

 home consumption. Some silk is manufactured at Bologna, besides many miscellaneous arti 

 cles. Gallnuts and cantharides are articles of exportation. 



12. Government. The government is an elective monarchy. The pope possesses both 

 the legislative and executive power, and is chosen by the College of Cardinals from among 

 themselves. The number of cardinals is about 70. Constitutionally, the pope is an absolute 

 sovereign, but in practice he is only the head of an oligarchy. Since the time of Adrian the 

 Sixth, who was obtruded upon the throne by Charles the Fifth, all the popes have been 

 Italians. 



13 Revenue, Army, &c. The revenue is 10,000,000 dollars. The debt is 70,000,000. 

 The military force is about 9,000 men. There is no navy. The population is 2,590,940. 



14. History. The cradle of the ancient Roman republic is now become the seat of the 

 spiritual head of the religion of peace. The Roman power, by an almost uninterrupted 

 series of wars for centuries, during which 300 triumphs celebrated the victories of their arms 

 by sea and land, was gradually spread all over the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, 

 in Asia, Africa, and Europe. After the decline of this colossus, the name of Rome was 

 still venerated by the world, and the bishop of Rome, better known by the title of pope, came to 



