THE KING ENTERS RO ME

to national unity. We shall hold to this, maintaining the promises that we hâve solemnly made to ourselves.

Liberty of the Church, of the Pontifical See in the exercise of its religions ministry, in its relations with the Catholic world — on these bases, and within the limit of its powers, my government has initiated the necessary provisions ; but to conduct the great work to an end there is required ail the authority, ail the sense of Parliament

A few days after the opening of Parliament a fearful inundation of the Tiber immersed a considérable part of Rome, reducing hundreds of families to the direst distress. Victor Emmanuel went to the aid of the suflferers, and the first sight the Romans had of their new king was in the character of a private philanthropist, assisting at relief committees, and alleviating the distress of the poor by every means in his power.

With regard to the Pope, it was the least offensive mode of entering the capital that he could hâve chosen. As soon as he arrived he sent an aide-de-camp with a letter to Pius IX., acquainting him of his presence and repeating his expressions of reverence and affection. Cardinal Antonelli received the messenger, and would not admit him to the Pope’s presence.

Meantime the Guarantee Laws were discussed and passed, and arrangements were made for the transfer of the capital to the Eternal City. The king, during a résidence of six years, had grown very fond of the

beautiful city of Florence, and he left it with regret, but nothing like what he suffered when tearing himself away from Turin. Florence behaved admirably on the occasion. The great expense the city had been at to worthily maintain the position of capital of United Italy niade the loss of the court very much felt, and this added to other causes has reduced her to great poverty these late years. Nevertheless she rejoiced at the taking of Rome, and applauded enthusiastically the melancholy king as he said farewell to the city représentatives at the railway station. ‘ You rejoice to send me away,’ he said with a sad smile. It excites the more sympathy for the présent suffering of that most interesting city, that her patriotism and loyalty hâve undergone no change, as recent events hâve shown. In the beautiful and touching address which her citizens presented to the king on December 8, in that exquisite lingua Toscana that it is a pity to translate, they say — ‘ Florence was crowned with joy when the great Father of his Country installed his palace in this fostering mother, Rome. Florence experienced a loss then, but she rejoiced always, because her misfortunes were a glory for Italy.’ And they conclude with the déclaration that ‘as long as there is an arm able to carry a sword, or a drop of blood in the veins of her people, Florence will be always faithful to her plébiscite. ’