BORROMEAN ISLANDS, four small islands in a bay of Lago Maggiore, north Italy, and named after the Borromeo family, and named respectively Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori and L'Isolino. The Isola Madre lies farthest from the shore of the lake. It is laid out in seven terraces, rising one above the other, with charming walks and a mansion on the top. The Isola Bella contains a handsome and extensive pal ace, with private chapel and picture gallery, the fine gardens adjoining being laid out upon 10 terraces rising above each other. The island was formerly little more than a barren rock and much soil required to be brought from the mainland. The Isola del Pescatori is mostly occupied by a fishing village. Magnificent views of the surrounding scenery are obtained from these islands. Pop. 300.
BORROMEO, Carlo (CouNr), saint and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church: b. Arona, Italy, 2 Oct. 1538; d. 3 Nov. 1584. He came from an illustrious family, his father being Count of Arona and his mother a Medici. He studied law at Pavia; was in 1559 made doctor, and in 1560 was suc cessively appointed by his uncle Pius IV apos tolical prothonotary, referendary, cardinal and archbishop of Milan. As legate over.Romagna, the March of Ancona and Bologna, he had a great share in the civil government: as protec tor of Portugal, of the Netherlands of Switz erland, of the Franciscans, Carmelites and of the Knights of Malta, he administered several important branches of the spiritual government of the Pope, who created him his grand peni tentiary, and did nothing of importance without his advice. The reopening and the results of the Council of Trent, so advantageous to the papal authority, were chiefly effected by the great influence of Borromeo and he took a principal part in drawing up the celebrated 'Catechismus Romanus.) He did much for the embellishment of the papal buildings, employing even his own fortune for that purpose, and established many excellent institutions as arch bishop of Milan. His rigid morality and de
termination to maintain ecclesiastical discipline drew on him the hostility of the monastic or ders, and in 1569 a wretch of the order of the Umiliati shot at him while the archbishop was at prayer in his chapel. He founded in 1570 the Helvetic College in Milan for the training of priests for the conversion of Switzerland, and formed an alliance of the seven Catholic cantons known as the Golden Borromean League. He may also be regarded as the founder of the modern Sunday school; estab lished schools, seminaries, an order of secular priests (oblates), libraries and hospitals and was indefatigable in doing good. During the pestilence which raged in Milan in 1576 he dis tinguished himself by his heroic devotion to his flock. As soon as the scourge appeared in the city he hastened from a distant part of the diocese, where he was making a pastoral visi tation, and spent all his energies in giving bodily aid and spiritual consolation to the plague-stricken inhabitants. All his virtues, however, could not save him from persecution and calumny; he was severely attacked by the government for vindicating the rights of the Church, but no charge could be proved against him. Miracles were said to have been wrought at his tomb immediately after his death, and his canonization took place in 1610.
A colossal statue to his memory was raised in 1697 near his birthplace on the west bank of the Lago Maggiore. Consult