The Italian Chamber has rejected a Bill proposed by S.
Correnti, the Minister of Education, suppressing religious teaching in schools. The object of the Minister was probably not so much to prevent the teaching of religion, as to prevent the kind of inspec- torship maintained by the clergy, who are found by the school- masters very formidable censors. He went, however, in his Bill far beyond the sentiment of his countrymen, who as a body want to nationalize, not to banish the priesthood. The first effect of his Bill, had it been carried, would have been to convert all Italian mothers into determined opponents of education through the national schools, about the most dangerous opposition he could have raised. Amid the thirst for instruction now manifested in Italy, the Government can very well afford to let the priests alone.
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