The Emperor was beginning to see the necessity of a change of system—­a change by no means easy to effect—­for the Hungarians were demanding the restoration of their ancient constitutional rights.  Russia and Prussia contented themselves with protests which had, it may be, some diplomatic value, but were wholly without practical effect.  England was favorable to the extension of Italian liberties, and France was her ally in Syria and in China.  So it was that Garibaldi, having only to encounter the naval and military forces of Francis II, crossed the Straits of Messina, landed in Calabria, and marched on Reggio.  On August 21st the town was occupied, and the citadel, with its commander and soldiers, capitulated.  Another victory was gained on the 23d, dispersing the forces of the Neapolitan Generals Melendez and Briganti.  Some of their soldiers joined Garibaldi; the rest returned to their homes and increased both his real and his legendary fame by their account of his victories.  The insurrection against the Bourbon dynasty was now rapidly spreading.

At Cosenza in Calabria, and at Potenza in the Basilicata, provisional governments were proclaimed and were hailing with delight the progress of Garibaldi.  The forces of Francis were disappearing from those provinces and leaving the road to Naples unprotected.  The fleet was as little to be counted on as the army.

In Naples itself all was confusion and contradiction in the Government.  None of its members trusted the others or believed in the duration of the Bourbon dynasty.  Years of corruption, tyranny, falsehood, and cruelty had undermined the whole system, and it fell before the storm as if by magic.  Francis II determined to leave his capital.  When he ordered the troops which still remained faithful to him to retreat upon Capua and Gaeta, two-thirds of the staff sent in their resignation, as did many of the officers of the Neapolitan fleet.  The King addressed a protest to the foreign powers in which he declared he only quitted his capital to save it from the horrors of a siege.  He issued a proclamation to his people in which he expressed his wishes for their happiness, and declared that when restored to his throne it would be all the more splendid from the institutions he had now irrevocably given.  On September 6, 1860, he left the capital on board a steamer accompanied by two Spanish frigates, and was taken to Gaeta.  On September 7th Garibaldi entered Naples at midday in an open carriage, accompanied by some of his staff.  For long hours he received a welcome such as has seldom if ever been given to any other man.  Again and again he had to appear on the balcony of the Palazzo d’Angri, where he had taken up his quarters, to receive the applause of the multitude.  At eight o’clock that evening it was at length announced that, worn out with fatigue and emotion, he had retired to rest.  A sudden quiet fell upon the vast crowds, and repeating to one another “Our father sleeps,” they dispersed to their homes, their right hands raised above their heads, with the first finger alone extended, a sign expressive of the cry reiterated again and again that day, “Italia Una!” ("One Italy").