THE FIRST KING OF ITALY

by taking one of the most formidable fortresses in the country. The thought consoles me that there was for ever closed the lamentable sériés of our civil conflicts. The navy has shown in the waters of Ancona and Gaeta that there still survive in Italy the mariners of Pisa, of Genoa, and of Venice.

A band of gallant youths, led by a captain whose name resounds through the most distant lands, hâve proved that neither servitude nor prolonged misfortunes, hâve been able to unnerve the Italian people.

These facts hâve inspired the nation with great confidence in its destinies. I am glad to make known to the first Parliament of Italy the joy which, as a soldier and a king, I feel in my heart.

The first thing the Parliament had to do was to proclaim the kingdom of Italy. In a cabinet council the king declared his desire to be called Victor Emmanuel IL, not wishing to put the slight upon his worthy predecessor and godfather, of seeming to ignore his existence in assuming the title of First. The council made no objection. Indeed there was no fear of a confusion of names in the history of the Savoy dynasty; Victor Emmanuel II. of Sardinia would be always known as first King of Italy. Secondly, the king said, that as he had done everything that he had accomplished by and with the Italians, and, as he firmly believed, with the approval and help of Providence, he wished to be proclaimed in these terms : —

VITTORIO EMANUELE IL, PER GRAZIA DI DiO E PER VOLONTÀ DELLA NAZIONE, RÈ D’ITALIA.

Parliament approving, the proclamation was made in accordance with the king’s wishes.

After the great changes which had taken place in the State, Cavour thought well to send in his résignation. There was probably, along with other motives for the step, some différence between the king and the minister at this juncture. Victor’s fiery temper and Cavour’s love of power — what Brofferio called his prepotente character — led to an occasional collision, which, however, was never allowed to bear serions conséquences. While the crisis lasted the king consulted the most eminent of his new subjects, Farini, Ricasoli, Poerio, and ail were of one opinion that Cavour was the right man in the right place. Brofferio says that he also was consulted, and advised the recall of his great adversary,

One day Poerio presented himself to the king, who exclaimed laughing, ‘ I know what you are going to say ; you are corne to again advise me to send for Cavour.’

Cavour was recalled, of course, and soon formed the ministry of the kingdom of Italy, in which he introduced some natives of the newly annexed provinces.

In ail this joy, excitement, and triumph in the attainment of Italian unity, the painful fact remained that it was not quite accomplished. In the reunion of ‘the Italian family’ the most illustrions member was still left out in the cold, though eamestly begging for