The Italian Ministry has also fallen, the Chamber having intimated
dissatisfaction with the Report on the affairs of the Ba.ncit Romans_ It is not alleged that the Ministers took money, but some of them used their official influence with the Bank to secure advances for political friends. The King, after some hesitation, has selected Signor Zanardelli as head of the Cabinet; but it is not supposed that he will remain in power more than two months. The only man who can manage the Chamber is Signor Crispi ; and even he, with all his will and audacity, shrinks from the financial reforms which are imperative. The Army must be reduced by two corps d'armee, officials must be dismissed in thousands ; most difficult of all, the wealthy and respectable must be compelled to pay their taxes. It is said that a fifth of the revenue never reaches the Treasury owing to the dogged resistance of all who are able to contend, and to the readiness with which the collecting officials take bribes. It must be remembered that part of this condition of affairs is due to the injudicious amounts demanded from the people; the Income-tax in par- ticular exceeding, if it is paid honestly, two shillings in the pound. The root of the evil is, however, the incurable Italian laxity. A man who will die for his country cannot be per- suaded that to smuggle, or bribe tax gatherers, or evade pay- ments to the State, is grossly unpatriotic.
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