ITALIAN UNITY FINALLY ACCOMPLISHED. A.D. 187I

Victor Emmanuel delayed his entry into Rome for nearly nine months after his troops had taken possession of it. When he left Florence he went to Naples for a time, and did not seem in any hurry to install himself in the city he had desired so intensely to unité to his kingdom. But he had got to make a public entry ; he could not sneak into his capital like a thief who had no right to corne there ; so on June 2 he made his ingress in State, with immense démonstrations of enthusiasm. Soon after he went to the opening of the Mont Cenis Railway, and then had the happiness of being fêted by his own Turin with more than ordinary warmth.

This summer the Pope was celebrating the twentyfifth year of his reign, the longest recorded in the history of the Papacy, and ail the sovereigns sent their congratulations. Victor would not be behind the rest, and sent a general in State to the Vatican. He was received as before by Cardinal Antonelli, who said the Holy Father was exhausted and could not receive any more that day, but he desired him to thank his majesty.

On November 27 the first Parliament which repre-

sented Italy in her entirety was opened in the Palazzo Monte Citorio in Rome, more than 'a year after the entrance of the national army. The senators and deputies assembled in the midst of a joyous agitation, and Victor Emmanuel took his seat on the throne with a feeling of proud satisfaction. The first words that fell from the royal lips, ‘The work to which we hâve consecrated our life is accomplished,’ awoke such a response from the hearers as shook the house. The cheers in Parliament were heard and re-echoed in the piazza and along the streets.

On the same day a députation of the clérical party prostrated themselves at the feet of the Pope with expressions of adoration which might hâve become a deity to accept, and in equally unmeasured language reprobated the Spoliator, who was just then congratulating himself and his hearers that the great crime of his life was consummated.

The King's Speech.

Gentlemen Senators, — Gentlemen Deputies, — The work to which we consecrated our lives is accomplished. After long expiatory trials, Italy is restored to herself and to Rome. Here, where our people, scattered for so many centuries, find themselves for the first time reassemblcd in the majesty of their représentatives, here, where we recognise the home of our thoughts, everything speaks to us of grandeur, but at the same time everything reminds us of our duties. The joy of

THE KING’S speech. ' I9I

these days will not make us forget them. We hâve reconquered our position in the world, defending the rights of the nation. Now that the national unity is accomplished and a new era is opened in the history of Italy, we will not fall away from our principles. We hâve arisen in the name of liberty, and in liberty and order we ought to seek the secret of strength and conciliation.

We hâve proclaimed the séparation of Church and State, and recognising the full independence of the Spiritual Authority, we ought to believe that Rome, capital of Italy, can contrive to be the peaceful and respected seat of the pontificate. Thus shall we succeed in tranquillising the consciences of our people, as.with a firmness of purpose equalled by the modération of our measures, we hâve known how to accomplish the unity of the nation while maintaining unaltered our friendly relations with foreign powers. The legislative measures that will be presented to you for regulating the condition of ecclesiastical affairs, forming themselves on that same principle of liberty, will only relate to the legal représentation, and the nature of possessions, leaving intact those religions institutions that form a part of the government of the Universal Church. Besides this grave question, economical and financial matters principally require your attention. Now that Italy is constructed, we ought to think of making her prospérons by the settlement of her finances, and this we cannot fail to do unless the virtue and persévérance which hâve given life to

the nation should become less. Prospérons finances will give us the means of reinforcing the military ranks. My most earnest prayers are for peace, and there is no reason to fear its being disturbed ; but to reinforce the army and navy, and to renew the arms and défensive works of the national territory, requires long and mature study, and the future may call us to a severe account for any imprudent delay. You will examine the provisions for that object which will be presented to you by my government. There will not fail to be other questions of grave moment, such as that relating to the government of the municipalities and of the provinces, the decentralising of the administration in such measure as not to diminish the strength of the state ; those for making a single penal code, for the reformation of juries, and for increasing uniformity and efficacy in the administration of justice. In this way we will provide for public security, without which even the benefits of liberty are dangerous.

Gentlemen Senators, — Gentlemen Deputies, — A vast field of labour lies before you. The national unity accomplished, the struggle of parties will be, I hope, less violent, or they will rival each other only in exciting the development of the productive forces of the nation, and my heart rejoices to perceive already many indications of the increasing industry of our populations.

On the political revival follows closely the revival of economy ; savings-banks, commercial associations,