They are fully as ignorant as the people of the Monti; they have learnt the same lessons, and witnessed the same examples; they have the same improvidence, the same love of pleasure, the same brutality in their passions; but they are incapable of stooping, even to pick anything up.
A government worthy of the name would make something of this ignorant force, first taming, and then directing it.

The man who stabs his fellow in a wineshop might prove a good soldier on a battle-field.

But we are in the capital of the Pope.

The Trasteverini neither attack God nor the Government; they meddle neither with theology nor politics; no more is asked of them.

And in token of its appreciation of their good conduct, a paternal administration allows them to cut one another's throats _ad libitum_.
Neither the people of the Trastevere nor of the Monti give the least sign of political existence, whereat the Cardinals rub their hands, and congratulate themselves upon having kept so many men in profound ignorance of all their rights.