VOL. II. G

judice agaînst steam-engines ; while even he gave only a tardy and reluctant sanction to the dangerous innovation. Long after other civilised States enjoyed the advantages of locomotives, the Pope’s subjects still jogged over mountain and moor in carriages, — the tedium of the journey being frequently enlivened by encounters with brigands ; and it was the custom for a gentleman when starting on a trip of thirty or forty miles, to make his will and confession, like a soldier preparing for battle.

Under the new régime this want of railway communication was being gradually supplied ; and in the November of i86i, the line between Bolog^a and Ancona being complété, Victor Emmanuel went to open it with an imposing ceremony. The king was greeted with great warmth ail along the line. When the train ran parallel to the road great crowds were assembled who waved their hats and cheered vociferously, crying Viva Vittorio Emanuele nel Campidoglio ! The king said to his ministers — ‘ Yet there are people in Europe who think when I speak of the necessity of settling the Roman question, that it is my caprice or ambition. If they heard those cries they would be persuaded of the just desires of the people, and that it is a necessity for the tranquillity of Italy and the peace of Europe.’

At the end of this year the Crown Prince of Sweden, now the reigning sovereign, visited the King of Italy, and they became fast friends. Baron Ricasoli only held office about nine months ; not feeling equal to the difficulties he had to encounter, he resigned in March 1862, and Signor Ratazzi was empowered to form a new

victor’s gratitude for napoleon’s sympathy. 83

ministry. Naples was stîll tormented by brigands, and consequently in a disturbed State. The ministers thoiight the king’s presence there would hâve a good effect : and in fact it had a very powerful one on the excitable Neapolitans, who ail united in the warmest démonstrations of affection for him. While there, his son-in-law, the Prince Napoléon, came in state to visit him in the emperor’s name, and there was a great nautical fête in the Bay of Naples on the occasion.

TELEGRAM.

TJie King of Italy to the Emperor of the French.

I hâve just now visited the fleet which y ou hâve sent to meet me in this port. This act on your part of kindness for me personally, and sympathy for the Italian cause, has touched me deeply, and I thank you for it. It is a long time, sire, since I hâve felt such happy émotion as this day. The order that reigns in these Southern provinces, and the warm testimonies of affection I receive on ail sides, reply triumphantly to the calumnies of our enemies ; and will convince Europe, I hope, that the idea of Italian unity rests upon a solid basis, and is profoundly engraven on the hearts of ail Italians.

Accept the assurance of my sincere and unalterable friendship.

Naples, May 3.

Ail things were going smoothly in foreign afiairs, but the Ratazzi ministry were getting into difficulties at home. The volunteer troops had become a source of serious embarrassment to the government ; their position having in fact been the immédiate cause of the quarrel between Garibaldi and Cavour. Cavour knew Garibaldi was a great power, and might become a dangerous one ; so he met the general’s explanations and demands in a conciliatory spirit, promising to do what he could for the volunteers, — Garibaldi in his turn promising not to thwart or contradict the ministerial policy.

The count’s sudden death had left things still in an unsettled State, and the difficulties went on increasing. It was found disagreeable and dangerous to hâve two standing armies under separate heads and a separate discipline, and it was proposed to amalgamate the Garibaldians with the royal troops. Endless disagreements arose out of this question, and the king, who was excessively worried about it, begged his councillors to arrange matters delicately, so as not to wound the susceptibilities of the gallant volunteers, nor offend their illustrious chief.

As soon as this question was in a manner accommodated, a more serious one arose. The central provinces lost ail patience in waiting so long for a peaceful solution of the Roman question. The leaders of the Young Italy party became more warlike in their language, and excited the peasantry to riotous proceedings, which the government had to put down forcibly, and this disagree-