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THE  SOCIALISM  OF  TO-DAY.

causing  bloodshed,  are  constantly  breaking  out  both  in  the
north  and  in  the  south.  In  1882  that  of  Calatabiano,  in  Sicily,
threatened  to  extend.  As  Marquis  Pepoli,  speaking  of  the
troubles  of  Budrio  and  Molinella,  said,  it  is  empty  stomachs
that  revolt  The  captain  of  carabineers  who  put  down  these
disorders  replied  to  the  prefect,  questione  di  fame  “It
is  a  question  of  hunger.”  It  is  not  uncommon  to  see  municipal ­
  authorities  favouring  these  risings.  To  take  one  characteristic ­
  incident  from  many  others,  at  San  Giovanni-Rotondo,  in
La  Puglia,  the  mayor  used  to  give  Socialistic  conferences,  and
the  municipality  used  to  have  the  reports  printed  and  circulated
at  its  own  expense.  At  San  Nicandio  and  at  Lezina  the
mayors  urge  the  peasants  to  divide  the  lands  amongst  themselves. ­
  When  property  is  the  privilege  of  the  few,  spoliation
becomes  the  wish  of  the  many.
Next,  with  regard  to  the  cosmopolitan  and  Nihilistic
Socialism—a  case  against  an  association  of  Internationalists
was  recently  tried  at  Florence.  The  prisoners,  to  the  number
of  fifteen,  were  almost  all  very  intelligent  working  men.  They
had  been  enlisted  by  two  ladies,  one  of  whom,  Madame
Kulischoff,  is  a  Russian,  and  the  other,  Madame  Pezzi,  is  an
Italian.  Madame  Kulischoff  is  very  well  informed.  She
speaks  several  languages,  pursues  scientific  studies,  and  has
been  through  the  course  of  the  university  of  Pisa.  At  the
court  of  Assizes  she  was  full  of  witticisms.  When  the  indictment ­
  was  being  distributed,  “  Quite  right,”  she  said  ;  “  hand
round  the  libretto  before  the  performance  begins.”  She  boldly
proclaimed  her  Communistic  theories  on  all  subjects.  Madame
Pezzi  was  at  the  head  of  the  Florentine  section  of  Lady  Internationalists. ­
  Natta,  the  principal  prisoner,  is  a  very  able
engineer.  He  developed  the  programme  of  the  Socialist  party
to  which  he  belongs.  He  desires  anarchy,  collectivism,  the
destruction  of  the  juridical  family,  and  the  abolition  of  all
official  religions.  It  is  easy  to  recognize  the  teaching  of
Bakunin.
In  all  parts  of  Italy  I  was  informed  that  Socialism  is  gaining
over  the  working  men  and  the  youth  of  the  nation.  At  Naples
the  students  said  to  me,  “The  most  advanced  of  us  are  no