tyranny, and corruption that the Bourbon kings of Naples had bequeathed to the miserable country which for more than a century they had so disgracefully misgoverned.  All this was too much for the overworked statesman, who was always at his post in the legislative chamber, in his office with his secretaries, and in the council chamber of the cabinet.  He died in June, 1861, and was buried, not in a magnificent mausoleum, but among his family relations at Santena.

Cavour did not, however, pass away until he saw the union of all Italy—­except Venice and Rome—­under the sceptre of Victor Emmanuel.  Lombardy had united with Piedmont soon after the victory at Solferino, by the suffrages of its inhabitants.  At Turin, deputies from the States of Italy,—­except Venice and Rome,—­chosen by the people, assembled, and formally proclaimed Italy to be free.  The population of four millions, which comprised the subjects of Victor Emmanuel on his accession to the throne, had in about thirteen years increased to twenty-two millions; and in February, 1861, Victor Emmanuel was by his Senate and Chamber of Deputies proclaimed King of Italy, although he wisely forbore any attempt actually to annex the Venetian and Papal States.

Rome and Venice were still outside.  The Pope remained inflexible to any reforms, any changes, any improvements. Non possumus was all that he deigned to say to the ambassadors who advised concessions.  On the 7th of September, 1860, Victor Emmanuel sent an envoy to Rome to demand from his Holiness the dismissal of his foreign troops; which demand was refused.  Upon this, the king ordered an army to enter the papal provinces of Umbria and the Marches.  In less than three weeks the campaign was over, and General Lamoriciere, who commanded the papal troops, was compelled to surrender.  Austria, Prussia, and Russia protested; but Victor Emmanuel paid little heed to the protest, or to the excommunications which were hurled against him.  The Emperor of the French found it politic to withdraw his ambassador from Turin, but adhered to his policy of non-intervention, and remained a quiet spectator.  The English government, on the other hand, justified the government of Turin in thus freeing Italian territory from foreign troops.

Garibaldi was not long contented with his retirement at Caprera.  In July, 1862, he rallied around him a number of followers, determined to force the king’s hand, and to complete the work of unity by advancing on Rome as he had on Naples.  His rashness was opposed by the Italian government,—­wisely awaiting riper opportunity,—­who sent against him the greatest general of Italy (La Marmora), and Garibaldi was taken prisoner at Aspromonte.  The king determined to do nothing further without the support of the representatives of the nation, but found it necessary to maintain a large army, which involved increased taxation,—­to which, however, the Italians generously submitted.

In 1866, while Austria was embroiled with Prussia, Victor Emmanuel, having formed an alliance with the Northern Powers, invaded Venetia; and in the settlement between the two German Powers the Venetian province fell to the King of Italy.