We publish elsewhere some observations upon the preva- lence of
official corruption in some modern States, a fact about which we fear there can be little doubt. We had not when we wrote seen an account of the great scandal which is now exciting Italy, where Signor Nasi, the Minister of Education, is accused in Parliament of peculation. It is quite possible that he is innocent of anything but carelessness ; but it would seem that the Budget Committee of the Chamber, after an inquiry for which he himself asked, have sent in a most hostile Report, finding, says the Times correspondent, pensions and salaries paid to non-existent persons, and large sums expended for which there are no vouchers. There will, of course, be a Parliamentary inquiry; but the Budget Committee is a most responsible body, and opinion in Italy has jumped to unfavourable conclusions. That is most unfair to the accused, who has neither been tried nor heard; but it is a natural result of the atmosphere of suspicion created by many similar though much smaller scandals.
