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THE STUDENTS OF THE SAPIENZA.
There is no University properly speaking in Rome.

The constant and minute interference of the priests in the course of study; the rigid censorship extended over all books of learning, and the arbitrary restrictions with which free thought and inquiry are hampered, would of themselves be sufficient to stop the growth of any great school of learning at Rome, even if there existed a demand for such an institution, which there does not.

Still in these days, even at Rome, young men must receive some kind of education, and to meet this want the Sapienza College is provided.

Both in the age of the scholars and the nature of the studies it bears a much closer resemblance to a Scotch high school than to an University, but still, such as it is, it forms the great lay- place of education in the Papal States.