Naples in the Eighties (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... told of the former are true, there is not much wonder at it. The ultimate result of the Abolition Act was to throw a vast number of these monasteries with their lands into the market. This consequently became absolutely glutted, for, besides their large number and the extent of their acreage, the country was recovering from a violent revolution, money was scarce, the titles were considered insecure, and no good Catholic would bid for Church property. Many, who wliiere not good Catholics, were also dete rred by superstition; for the Italians predicate misfortune to the purchasers of Church property, and no such buyer could obtain absolution, unless he promised in writing that he would give up possession in case the Italian Government were upset. No person connected with the Church might bid for these properties, even in his private capacity; and a Catholic priest, a personal friend of our own, who purchased one by public auction, was compelled by his bishop to re-sell it immediately. The result was that these properties, which were worth many thousands of pounds, were sold for nothing. We heard of an English gentleman who bought one with its farm, gardens, buildings, church and all complete, for little more than the original cost of the fine organ he got into his bargain; and very many were sold at a very few years purchase of the annual value of the land they stood upon. Now, had the Government begun by absorbing the buildings they actually wanted for barracks, hospitals, madhouses, and what not, and spread their supply of decrepit monks over the rest, selling these off by degrees as they became vacant, the Exchequer would have done good business, and the Church would not have suffered as it did. But young countries are like young...