Other selections from the Imperial correspondence will be shortly laid
before our readers. Remember, the only genuine letters are those in
PUNCHINELLO. All others are garbled forgeries.
* * * * *
Roma! Roma! non e plu com' ora Prima.
With the downfall of the Pope's temporal power, comes the report that
several newspapers have been established in the Eternal City. Thus the
"great world spins forever down the ringing grooves of change." For
Papal Infallibility, the Romans will have that of the editorial WE; for
the canons of the Church Militant they will have ubiquitous reporters
discharging themselves in the public ear; the testimony of the pillars
of the Church will be replaced by the assertions of the editorial
columns; the Inquisition will become a press club-house for Reporters
and Interviewers, and the Propaganda an office where 'extras' are
concocted and forced on the unsuspecting public. At least let us hope
that the change will offer a reputable business for the army of beggars
which has formerly been licensed by the church. A chance will now be
offered them to become newspaper agents, thus making a living
respectably by selling accounts of other people's deformities, instead
of disreputably by exhibiting their own.
* * * * *