The Semaphore de Marseilles of the 12th instant contains a
letter from Rome dated the 8th, mentioning that the Congregation of Cardinals having shown themselves systematically hostile to the measures of reform proposed by Cardinal Gizzi, the Pope had replaced that body by a Consults di Stab, formed of the Under-Secretaries of State, of the Prelates occupying at Rome the highest administrative functions, and several distinguished lay members. A weekly paper, called the Cuntemporaneo, was on the point of appearing under the auspices of Cardinal Gizzi.
His Holiness had paid a short visit to his country residence at Castel Gandolto, near Albano. The people received him with the greatest demon- strations of delight; and on his return to Rome the entire population went out to greet him.
The Pope has adopted a plan of testing the extent to which he can go in innovations with the Italians. He has ordered the clocks to be regulated so as to mark only twelve instead of twenty-four hours. Changes in the calculation of time are the most difficult to effect; and if this attempt do not weaken his popularity, be has gained a splendid victory. The French Directory could not establish ten hours as the diurnal rotation, nor could Napoleon in the height of his power.
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