Lady John unfortunately lost her diaries recording events from May, 1859, to January, 1861; but it is known that she was in close sympathy with her husband’s policy, and she looked back upon the part he played in the liberation of Italy with almost more pride than upon any other period of his career.  Italian patriots and escaped prisoners from the Papal and Neapolitan dungeons found a warm welcome at Pembroke Lodge.  She was never tired of listening to their stories, and she felt an enthusiastic ardour for their cause.

    PEMBROKE LODGE, May 9, 1859

Farewell visit from Spaventa and Dr. Cesare Braico, [53] who goes to Piedmont Wednesday.  Spaventa full of eager but not hopeful talk on Neapolitan prospects, Dr. Braico very quiet, crushed in spirits, but not in spirit.

    “For me the illusions of life are past,” he said.  “I have given the
    flower of my youth to my country in prison—­what remains to me of
    life is hers.”

In answer to some commonplace of mine about hope he replied, “To those who have suffered much the word hope seems a lie....  While I was in prison my mother died—­my only tie to life.”  Said he left England with regret, and should always gratefully remember the sympathy he had found here.  Told him I thought there was not enough.  “More than in my own country.  We passed through four villages on our way to the port after leaving the prison; not one person looked at us or gave us a word of kindness; not a tear was in any eye; not one blessing was uttered.”  I wondered.  I supposed the people (the Neapolitans) were avilis.  “More than avilili—­sono abbruttati.”  All these sad words, and many more, in beautiful Italian, would have touched any heart, however shut to the great cause for which he and others have given their earthly happiness, and are about to offer their lives.  As I looked at that fine countenance, so determined, so melancholy, and listened to the words that still ring in my ear, I felt that, though he did not say so, he meant to die in battle against tyranny.  He gave me some verses, written with a pencil at the moment, to little May, who ran into the room while he was here.  Farewell, brave, noble spirit.  May God be with thee!

[53] Spaventa and Braico had been prisoners in Italy for about ten years.

To get clear what Lord John’s share was in the creation of Italy, we must remember what hampered him at home and what difficulties he contended with in the councils of Europe.

The Palmerston Cabinet, as far as ability went, was exceptionally strong.  Lord Granville, himself a member of it, had failed in his own attempt, because Lord John had stipulated that he should lead the Commons, and that foreign affairs should be in no other hands but Palmerston’s; while Palmerston, who was as necessary as Lord John to any strong Whig Government, had declined to serve unless he led the Commons.