It is thus that I judge of the series of demonstrations which marked the spring of this year in Rome, and which ended in the outrage of St Joseph's day.

Of themselves they were less than worthless, but as tokens of the future they possess a value of their own.

In recent Papal history they form a strange page.

Let me note their features briefly, as I wrote of them at the time.
January 28.
At last there is a break in the dull uniformity of Roman life .-- There is a ripple on the waters, whether the precursor of a tempest, or to be followed by a dead calm, it is hard to tell.

Meanwhile it is some gain at any rate, that the old corpse-like city should show signs of life, however transient.