ISI

people ; whether it be gay or sad, and we hâve seen it both, it goes straight to the hearts of the Italians, and stirs a sentiment of respectful admiration in the foreign spectator. Margherita’s excellent qualities, winning sweetness of character, and personal grâce, hâve endeared her to the nation in an extraordinary degree, particularly since her husband came to the throne. As princess she was beloved, as queen she is absolutely adored.

It is probable that the proposition of marriage with Umberto Wcis agreeable to the princess ; the Savoy family entertain a high opinion of one another, and no doubt she liked her kinsman better than the Prince of Roumania, a foreigner whom shehad never seen. Umberto readily gave his consent. Princes must marry whether they like it or not, and this being the case, where could he find so désirable a bride as his fair cousin ? So the marriage was quickly arranged.

Prince Umberto had, like his father, early earned for himself the réputation of a gay character. But Victor Emmanuel’s kingly virtues and génial pleasant ways made people overlook and excuse the faults from which princes are so rarely exempt, while Umberto, being as yet untried in public life, had no title to the gratitude or forbearance of the nation. His manners moreover were notconciliatory; being of areserved and undemonstrative nature, he had no aptitude for exchanging the small attentions which the Italians call moine, and which go a long way in winning their affections. Consequently he was popular only so far as that he was his father’s son and a Savoy prince, and that he had proved himself a true

soldier in the campaign of 1866. But thîs was enough to call forth great rejoicings on the occasion of his marriage, and to sustain the hope that when the time came to act, he would prove himself a worthy successor of the great founder of Italian indepcndence. That hope has been justified. Umberto has shown himself a man of excellent sense, tact, and good feeling ; and he has gradually and quietly grown into the heart of the nation, where he now reigns suprême.

Victor Emmanuel was very fond of his heir. ‘ I know Umberto,’ he said once ; ‘ he is an excellent youth ; he has good sense and a good heart ; he will do well.’ One of his ministers relates the following anecdote. Returning from Milan, where he had had an interview with the prince, he repeated the conversation to the king in ail its particulars, even to some expressions of affection which the young man had used in speaking of his father. The king listened with pleased attention. Just then a letter was handed to him which proved to be from his son. When he had read it he turned to the minister with visible émotion, and said — ‘ You are right. I wish you to read this letter ; you will see how Umberto writes to me. In my family no one knows how to feign, much less when they are but twenty years old. You are right in what you tell me.’

Subséquent events hâve proved how unfeigned, how profound, was Umbertd’s affection for his father, and it is satisfactory to know that they understood one another.

The marriage was celebrated at Turin with great pomp, in presence of ail the royal family. There came