The Pope then made a state visit to the college, but was very coldly received, and held out no hopes of the offenders being pardoned.

The partizans of the Government talked much about the good effect produced by the Papal visit, but within a day or two the students assembled in a body at the Sapienza, and demanded of the rector that the medical professor should be reinstated in his office, and that the sentences of expulsion should be rescinded, as all were equally guilty or equally guiltless.

On receiving these demands the rector requested the students, as a personal favour, to make no further demonstration till he had had time to lay their sentiments before Cardinal Roberti, the president of the Congregation of Studies, which he promised to do at once.

The students thereupon retired, but on their return next morning received no reply whatever.

The following day was Sunday, when the college is closed, and on Monday the new medical professor was to deliver his inaugural lecture.