THE POPE’S REPLY TO THE KING

doubtedly was, when a cardinal announced the fact of the annexation, saying, ‘ The provinces of the Romagna no longer belong to your holiness, but to the King of Sardinia,’ he replied with a playful irony, ‘ When did those provinces ever belong to me ? ’

Pius IX. to Victor Emmamiel.

Your Majesty, — The idea which your majesty has thought well to lay before me is not wise, and certainly not worthy of a Catholic king, and a prince of the House of Savoy, My reply is already given to the press in the encyclical to the Catholic episcopacy, which you can easily read.

Ail else I hâve to say is that I am deeply afflicted, not for myself, but for the unhappy State of your majesty’s soûl, finding you unmoved by past censures, or by the fear of those still greater ones that must fall upon you when you hâve consummated the sacrilegious act which you and yours intend to put into execution.

With ail my heart I pray the Lord toenlighten you with His grâce, that you may recognise and weep for the scandais given, and the serions evils brought by your co-operation upon this poor Italy.

Plus PP. IX.

From the Vatican, February 14, 1860.

This letter called for no answer in words, inasmuch as it put ail compromise out of the question. It was then that Victor Emmanuel consummated what the

Ultramontanes call the great crime of his life, and what the Italian nation calls the most glorious achievement in modem history. Undaunted by the ‘ heavier censures ’ than those already promulgated, with which he was threatened, within a month from the receipt of the Pope’s reply, he and his unholy minister had carried into effect their sacrilegious intentions. Once more the question was put to the vote in the popular assemblies, and once more the populations of Central Italy declared unanimously for annexation with free North Italy. So, after the prolonged trial of their faith and loyalty, they were at last received into ‘ the Italian family,’ to their indescribable joy,

Having accomplished the work of spoliation, the robber king once more addressed himself to the Pontiff, thinking perhaps that the march of events, which he could not control, would convince him of the necessity of going along with the âge to a certain extent.

Victor Emmanuel to Plus IX.

Most Blessed Father, — The events that hâve been accomplished in the provinces of the Romagna impose upon me the duty of explaining to your holiness with respectful frankness the reasons for my conduct.

Ten continuons years of foreign occupation in the Romagna, while it brought grave offence and injury to the independence of Italy, hâve not been able to give order to society, repose to the population, or authority to the government. The moment the foreign

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