The dead Papal city is alive again.

The priests have disappeared; friars, monks, Jesuits, and nuns have vanished from their old haunts.

St Patrick did not clear the land of Erin more thoroughly and more suddenly of the genus reptile than the presence of Victor Emmanuel has cleared Bologna of the genus priest.

It is whispered that out of top windows, and from behind blinds and shutters, priests are peeping out at the strange sight of a glad and a free people, with glances the reverse of friendly; but neither the black robe nor the brown serge cowl, nor the three-cornered, low-crowned hat, are to be seen amongst the crowd.

Well, perhaps the scene looks none the less gay for their absence.