There is a separate theological faculty; the head of the college is a Cardinal, and the whole course of study is under the control and supervision of the priests.

Many, however, of the professors are laymen, the majority of the pupils are educated for secular pursuits, and the families from whom the students come, form as a body the _elite_ in point of education and intelligence amongst the mercantile and professional classes in the Papal States.
At the commencement of the year a great attempt was made by the Government to get up addresses of loyalty and devotion to the Pope.

Not even Pius the Ninth himself believed one single word in any of these purchased testimonials.

Indeed, on one occasion, when an address was presented by the officers of the army, he informed the deputation with more candour than prudence, that he knew perfectly well not one of them would raise his hand to save the Papacy.

But abroad, and more especially in France, it was conceived that such addresses would be accepted as genuine testimonials to the contentment of the Roman people with their rulers.