ART. VI. THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN ITALY.

By Prof. Tholuck of Halle. Translated by the Editor.

SECOND ARTICLE.*

The Roman University was founded by pope Boniface VIII, near the end of the thirteenth century. It is called, in solemn style, l'Archiginnasio Romano; but in common life its usual appellation is la Sapienza, from the inscription, Initium sapientiae timor Domini, which is read over the portal of the majestic university building, erected by Michael Angelo under Leo X; to which Alexander VII added the church and a building for the library. The university, according to the constitution given to it by Leo XII, is certainly an establishment capable of yielding much good fruit, provided the administration of it corresponded to the constitution. It numbers not less than forty-eight professors, who are divided into four faculties. We give here, from the catalogue of lectures in 1827, the lectures announced in the faculties of theology and philosophy.

CLASSIS THEOLOGICA.

I. Sacra Scriptura. R. P. M. Thomas Moralia de Onelia Ord. Eremitarum S. Augustini. De Archaeologia et Hermeneutica Biblica et Praeceptis Exegeticis. Textus: Scripta ejusdem Professoris intra Triennium a die Rescripti typis evulganda.

II. S. Theologia Dogmatica. Rmus P. M. Franciscus Ferdinandus Jabulot Parmen. Proc. Gen. Ord. Praed. et pro Eo R. P. M. Johannes Baptista Galleani Januen. ejusdem Ordinis. De Gratia et Justificatione; ubi de Fide, Spe, et Charitate. Textus: Opus P. Petri M. Gazzanica secundae editionis Bononiensis.

III. S. Theologia Scholastica. R. P. M. Antonius Maria Latini Alatrinus Ordinis Minorum Conventualium S. Francisci. De Sacramentis in genere. De poenitentia; de indulgentiis et extrema Unctione. Textus: Opus Fr. Andreae Sgambati ejusdem Ordinis de Theologicis Institutis.

IV. S. Theologia de Locis Theologicis. R. P. M. Carolus Thill

From Tholuck's "Literarischer Anzeiger" for 1831. This is strictly a continuation of the article on the same subject, contained in the first volume of this work, No. I. p. 177 sq. A further continuation of it is also promised. EDITOR.

Islesuis Ord. Eremitarum S. Augustini. Textus: Opus ab eodem Professore typis evulgatum anno 1820.

V. S. Theologia Moralis. R. P. M. Placidus Tadini Alexandrinus Ordinis Carmelitarum Calceatorum. Absolvuntur officia in Deum. Tum de Officiis Hominis erga se ipsum. Textus: P. Gabriel Antoine e societate Jesu Theologia Moralis Universa.

VI. Historia Ecclesiastica. R. P. M. Paulus del Signore Romanus Canonicus Regularis Sanctissimi Salvatoris. A Carolo Magno ad Concilium Lateranense primum. Textus: Scripta ejusdem Professoris intra Triennium, ut supra, typis evulganda. VII. Eloquentia Sacra. Vacat.

VIII. Physica Sacra. R. D. Felicianus Scarpellini Fulginas. De divinis. Operibus quinti et sexti diei Mosaicae Cosmogoniae. Textus: Scripta ejusdem Professoris intra Triennium, ut supra, typis evulganda.

CLASSIS PHILOSOPHICA ET PHILOLOGICA.

I. Logica et Metaphysica. R. D. Raphael Bonomi Romanus. Textus: Opus ab eodem Professore typis evulgatum, quoad aliter

statuatur.

II. Ethica. Rmus P. M. Joannes Baptista Piccadori Reatimus Vicarius Generalis Clericorum Regularium Minorum. Textus: Scripta ejusdem Professoris intra Biennium, ut supra, typis evulganda.

III. Algebra et Geometria. R. D. Jacobus Rischebach Romanus, Elementa Matheseos. Textus: Elementi de Mathematica di Enrico Giamboni.

IV. Physica experimentalis. D. Haverus Barlocci Romanus. Textus: Scripta ejusdem Professoris intra Triennium, ut supra, typis evulganda.

V. Introductio ad Calculum. D. Alexander Pieri Romanus. Textus Opus Letterii.

VI. Calculus sublimis. D. Joseph Oddi Romanus (ad formam Rescripti) Elementa Calculi Differentialis et Integralis. Textus: Opus ab eodem typis evulgatum.

VII. Mechanica et Hydraulica. Idem Jos. Oddi, Elementa Staticae et Dynamicae. Textus: Opus Venturoli, ab ipso Oddi illus

tratum.

VIII. Optica et Astronomia. R. D. Joseph Cottele Romanus. Elementa Trigonometriae Sphaericae. Textus: Opus ab eodem Professore typis evulgatum.

IX. Architectura Statica et Hydraulica. D. Nicolaus Cavalieri Comaclensis.

X. Geometria Graphica, et Hydrometria. D. Carolus Sereni Ferrariensis.

XI. Mineralogia. D. Petrus Carpi Romanus. Textus: Scripta ejusdem Professoris intra triennium, ut supra, typis evulganda.

XII. Archaeologia. D. Antonius Nibby Romanus. Pars III. Antiquitates Romanae. Textus: Nardini Roma antiqua et Adam Antiquitates Romanae.

XIII. Eloquentia Latina et Italica et Historia Romana. R. D. Aloysius Rezzi Placentinus. Textus: Lectiones Rhetoricae ab Ugone Blairio compositae ac in Italicam linguam versae, enarrationibusque locupletatae a D. Francisco Soave, ac praeterea Opera praecipuorum Auctorum, qui Latina et Italica oratione tum soluta, tum legata scripsere.

XIV. Lingua et Literae Hebraicae. D. Aemilianus Sarti Romanus. Exercitationes in Pentateuchum et Libros Josue, Judicum, ac Regum.

XV. Lingua et Literae Graecae. D. Jacobus de Dominicis RoExercitationes in Selecta e Xenophonte, Isocrate, et

manus.

Homero. XVI. Lingua et Literae Arabicae. R. D. Michael Angelus Lanci Fanensis. Textus: Grammatica Erpenii. XVII. Lingua et Literae Syro-Chaldaicae. R. D. Andreas Molza Mutinensis. Textus: Grammatica Syriaca, nec non selecta e sacris profanisque Syrorum scriptis, ab eodem Professore intra triennium typis evulganda.

On looking over this list, one must confess, that so far as attention to the different subjects comprehended in the disciplines of the theological and philosophical faculties is concerned, the university is not so badly planned. In theology, one only misses the richness in exegetical lectures, which the German catalogues exhibit; and in philology, the interpretation of classical authors. For this, indeed, the necessary knowledge of the languages is wanting among the students; since in Greek, at least, the professor must still occupy himself with elementary instruction. But the main point here is, after all, how the sciences are studied; and in this respect there remains very much to be desired. In the natural sciences only, in mathematics and the medical department, there seems to be more interest and excitement; in all other branches there is a complete stagnation. Theology is very naturally all according to law; and how could it well be otherwise, when every word of the teacher stands under the censorship of ecclesiastical inspectors? But the study of languages is also at a low ebb; one hears here nothing of progress, of development, of new forms and modifications; the literary ardour is wanting, and with it all proficiency and advancement. Not that the instructors are wanting in knowledge; there fails only the impulse. One of the profes

sors, to whom the writer was complaining that it was so difficult for him to study in the summer heat at Rome, replied: "Eh, Signore, nella state non si lavora, But who then would work in summer?" This summer indolence, however, seems also to extend itself over other seasons. The following anecdote serves to illustrate this same sluggish temperament. A very intelligent professor of the oriental languages had sent for Michaelis' Syriac Grammar. Instead of it he received Hoffmann's, with the assurance, that this had taken the place of the other, as being far more complete. He read it, but soon requested permission to exchange it again for Michaelis. "What is so large a grammar good for?" was his idea; "la grammatica è per i principianti, -grammars are for beginners; the rest one must learn ex usu. On the same principle, also, he rejected the Lehrgebäude of Gesenius, and maintained, that Buxtorf's Hebrew Grammar is still better.

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But even if a professor of the university should be desirous of distinguishing himself by literary zeal, still he would be left unsupported; for this activity and ardour would at once awaken the suspicion of a tendency to innovation. The writer became acquainted with a professor, who in another country and with the encouragement of government or of public opinion, would make uncommon advances; but here he pines away disregarded and unknown.

In addition to the want of literary motives, these learned professors suffer from the want of literary intercourse. It is only in the department of the fine arts and of the antiquary, that there exist associations for intercourse and mutual improvement; and these last have been principally established, and are mostly supported, by Germans. Individuals indeed feel this deficiency; but mutual distrust, founded generally in party-spirit, shuts up the door of mutual intercourse. This distrust, this anxious weighing of every expression, this mutual watching over one another, makes a very unpleasant impression upon strangers; and if one has never done it before, he is now led to thank God for a government, under which he may freely breathe and freely speak.

Besides the university, there is also another separate papal seminary, in which likewise theologians are educated. It is called the Seminario di S. Apollinare, or Seminario Romano; and was formerly located in the splendid building called the Collegio Romano; which last is now occupied by the Jesuits. In this

seminary, the students receive also a complete course of theological education. It stands under the cardinal-vicar, and has generally at least one very respectable and efficient instructor in the languages and in theology.

As schools for theological education, are still to be mentioned the colleges, which are established for students from various foreign countries; as the German, the English, the Scotch, the Irish colleges, etc. These have all been founded by donations from pious individuals. They have in general a Principal, who is of the same nation respectively; they stand under the supervision of a cardinal, and receive the special attention of the head of the Romish church. The students live singly, in small and somewhat meanly furnished cells; and all take their meals together, while some one at the same time reads aloud, and thus imparts intellectual and spiritual nourishment. The autumnal holidays, they usually spend in some of the beautiful country-seats in the vicinity, in Monte Porzio, Marino, etc. They receive a complete course of instruction in theology; and not unfrequently are young men of intelligence and well cultivated minds. That particular care is taken in respect to their education, is no wonder; since it is among them that those clergymen are trained, on whom Rome must place her chief dependence in foreign lands. In a special manner, converts from foreign countries, who are distinguished for talents and intelligence, are here sure of a good reception; and such persons are constantly to be met with in these institutions.

One institution of special importance, and which also is much more known in other countries, is the Propaganda Fidei, which stands under a separate congregation. This establishment, whose activity in former times extended over so wide a field, was founded A. D. 1622 by Gregory XV, and was afterwards. enlarged by Urban VIII. From the latter it received a capital of 615,000 Scudi,* and a yearly revenue of 24,000 Scudi. This pope also assigned to it the building which it now occupies, the Collegium Propaganda Fidei v. Urbani, a splendid palace in the vicinity of the Piazza di Spagna or Spanish place. The first occasion for this important establishment, was a foundation given by the Spaniard Vides, for ten young men of different nations.

*The Roman Scudo is precisely equal to the Spanish dollar. In the papal money, the decimal division is also current; one Scudo containing 10 paoli or 100 bajocchi. EDITOR.