The active movement in Sicily has been suppressed, the -country-people
fearing to encounter the soldiers, but it has extended to the mainland, and even to North Italy. In the Province of Massa-Carrara, for instance, bands of -country-folk, strengthened by the marble quarrymen, who are on strike, attacked country houses, and threatened:Carrara itself. On the arrival of the soldiers, they were attacked .and compelled to fire, and it has been deemed necessary to pat the whole province under martial law. at is believed that in other districts the feeling is quite as bad, and that the movement, should it be allowed to gain the slightest head, might take a Republican form. The people complain, first of all, of the communal taxes, which, they say, are unfairly levied; but there is also deep discontent with the large pro- prietors and their system of working through bailiffs. It is said that Signor Crispi intends to introduce a Bill compelling the adoption of the metayer system in Sicily, but he is hampered by the constant fall of the Funds, now at 72, by the factions in Par- liament, and probably by some difficulties with the King. It is rumoured that if affairs become worse, he will apply for an Act virtually suspending the Constitution, and then iemedy grievances by decree ; but it is hoped that if the North generally remains quiet, it may be possible to avoid so revo- lutionary a step. It may, however, be taken as ascertained, that if contentment is to be restored, the tenure must be reformed, and the rascally little municipalities superseded for a time by Royal officers who will levy the taxes with some impartiality.
