ly an
electoral division. Strictly, there are in the kingdom 197 _circondarii_;
but 87 districts comprising the province of Mantua and the eight
provinces of Venetia are, in all save name, _circondarii_ also. The
1806 _mandamenti_, or cantons, are but subdivisions of the provinces
for administrative purposes.

*424. The Province: Prefect and Council.*--There are in the kingdom 69
provinces, varying considerably in size but with an average population
of 450,000 to 500,000. The Italian province corresponds closely to the
French department. At its head is a prefect, appointed by the crown
and directly responsible to the Minister of the Interior. Like the
French prefect, the Italian is a political official, and the fact not
merely influences his appointment but affects greatly his conduct in
office. As representative and agent of the central government the
prefect publishes and executes the laws, supervises the provincial
administration, opens and closes sessions of the provincial council
and sanctions or vetoes the measures of that body, and safeguards in
general the interests of the Government in the province.

Within each province is a council of from 20 to 60 members, elected
for a period of six years on a franchise somewhat broader than that
which prevails in parliamentary elections. One-half of the membership
is renewed triennially. The council meets regularly once each year,
nominally for a month's session; but an extraordinary session may be
convened at any time by the prefect, by the deputation, or upon call
of one-third of the councillors. Aside from the voting of the
provincial budget, the powers of the council are relatively meager. In
part, e.g., in respect to the maintenance of highways, the control of
secondary and technical education, and a share in the supervision of
charity, they are obligatory; in part they are merely permissive. A
deputation, or commission, of from six to ten persons, elected by the
council from its own membership, represents the council in the
intervals between its sittings and carries on the work which it may
have in hand. The prefect is advised by a prefectorial council of
three members appointed by the Government, and he is further assisted
by a _giunta_ of six members, four of whom are elected by the
provincial council, the other two being drawn from the prefectorial
council. It is the business of the _giunta_ to assist the prefect and
sub-prefects in the supervision of local admi