Meanwhile, on the news of Garibaldi’s successes, King Victor Emmanuel set out from Turin with a large army to take possession of the throne of Naples, which Garibaldi was ready to surrender.  But the king must needs pass through the States of the Church,—­a hazardous undertaking, since Rome was under the protection of the French troops.  Louis Napoleon had given an ambiguous assent to this movement, which, however, he declined to assist; and, defeating the papal troops under General Lamoriciere, Victor Emmanuel pushed on to Naples.  As the King of Piedmont advanced from the north, he had pretty much the same experience that Garibaldi had in his march from the south.  He met with no serious resistance.  On passing the Neapolitan frontier he was met by Garibaldi with his staff, who laid down his dictatorship at his sovereign’s feet,—­the most heroic and magnanimous act of his life.  This was also his proudest hour, since he had accomplished his purpose.  He had freed Naples, and had united the South with the North.  On the 10th of October the people of the Two Sicilies voted to accept the government of Victor Emmanuel; and the king entered Naples, November 7, in all the pomp of sovereignty.

Garibaldi’s task was ended on surrendering his dictatorship; but he had one request to make of Victor Emmanuel, to whom he had given a throne.  He besought him to dismiss Cavour, and to be himself allowed to march on Rome,—­for he hated the Pope with terrible hatred, and called him Antichrist, both because he oppressed his subjects and was hostile to the independence of Italy.  But Victor Emmanuel could not grant such an absurd request,—­he was even angry; and the Liberator of Naples retired to his island-home with only fifteen shillings in his pocket!

This conduct on the part of the king may seem like ingratitude; but what else could he do?  He doubtless desired that Rome should be the capital of his dominions as much as Garibaldi himself, but the time had not come.  Victor Emmanuel could not advance on Rome and Venice with an “army of red shirts;” he could not overcome the armed veterans of Austria and France as Garibaldi had prevailed over the discontented troops of Francis II.,—­he must await his opportunity.  Besides, he had his hands full to manage the affairs of Naples, where every element of anarchy had accumulated.

To add to the embarrassments of Victor Emmanuel, he was compelled to witness the failing strength and fatal illness of his prime minister.  The great statesman was dying from overwork.  Although no man in Europe was capable of such gigantic tasks as Cavour assumed, yet even he had to succumb to the laws of nature.  He took no rest and indulged in no pleasures, but devoted himself body and soul to the details of his office and the calls of patriotism.  He had to solve the most difficult problems, both political and commercial.  He was busy with the finances of the kingdom, then in great disorder; and especially had he to deal with the blended ignorance,