S. Minghetti, the Italian Premier, delivered a great speech at
Cologne, in Venetia, on the 31st October. After showing that Parliament would be able in 1876 to produce an equilibrium in Italian finance, though the floating debt and the forced currency would remain great difficulties, he proceeded to speak of ecclesi- astical affairs. Many people thought that the visit of the German Emperor might lead to a change in the ecclesiastical policy of Italy, but that was not the case. Italy was perfectly contented with the results obtained-from the separation of Church and State, and would adhere to her course. His Government would maintain the guarantees, and would only submit to Parliament Bills allowing to the laity the right of interfering in the adminis- tration of parochial affairs,—that is, we believe, of electing cures, and preventing abuse of power on the part of ecclesiastical supe- riors. That last expression may cover a law of some strength. It will be remembered that although the State in Italy no longer interferes with the Church, it still pays its ministers, and may therefore ask that a cure shall not be deprived of his living without sufficient reason.
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