A. “In the valleys of the Appennines and the Alps, as well as in the lowlands, especially in the Southern Italy and even in some of the better farmed lands of Northern Italy, there are hovels where whole families live together with goats, pigs and other animals. There are probably hundreds of thousands of such places.”

B. “Farmers from rural areas are worth as much as they are useful. For those who are helpless, bedridden or unable to work death is something less important or somehow less serious than a large bovine or sheep loss. When an animal falls sick a family may be driven to despair.”

C. “1877. This year should be given special attention, as it is marked with a considerable decrease in arts and crafts level. At Mr Rossi’s workshop in Schio all employees work only three days a week. Carpenters from the major city workshops are jobless. Half of the masons or more, almost two thirds of them hang around the main square. Half of the coachbuilders have been fired: all by mid-June, which seems incredible. [...]

Emigration to the United States is still increasing considerably. In November, whole families with children and grown-ups are still leaving [...] in fact the phenomenon is reaching higher and higher levels. Entire villages look deserted overnight: their inhabitants sold all their belongings and sailed away on Ferrata ship.