me that it was enough to rile the sweetest tempered man.  Volunteers may be very well in their way.  I doubt not their efficiency in repelling an attack in their own country.  But defend me from ever again commanding a brigade of English volunteers in a foreign country.  As to the officers, many were most mutinous, and some something worse.  Thank goodness the brigade is at an end.  All I now wait for is the settlement of the accounts.  If I can get away by the second week in February, I at present think of taking a run as far as Cairo, then crossing to Jerusalem, and back by Jaffa, Beyrout, Smyrna, and Athens to Italy, when I shall hope once more to see you and yours.

“Politics do not look well in Southern Italy, I fear.  The Mazzinists have been most active, and have got up a rather strong feeling against Cavour and what they think the peace party.  Now Italy must have a little rest for organisation, civil as well as military.  They do not give the Government time to do or even propose good measures for the improvement of the country.  No sooner are one set of ministers installed than intrigues are on foot to upset them.  I firmly believe that the only hope for Southern Italy and Sicily is in a strong military Government.  These districts must be treated as conquered provinces, and the people educated and taught habits of industry, whether they like it or not.  The country is at present in a state of barbarism, and must be saved from that.  All that those who are supposed to be educated seem to think about is how they can get a few dollars out of Government.” [I fear the honest Englishman would find that those supposed to be educated in those provinces are as much in a state of barbarism in the matters that offended him as ever.] “I never saw such a set of harpies in my life.  One had the assurance to come to me a few days since, asking if I could not take him on the strength of the brigade, so as to enable him to get six months pay out of the Government.  As to peculation, read Gil Blas, and that will give you a faint sketch of the customs and habits of all impiegati [civil servants] in this part of Italy.  I do not believe that the Southern Italians, taken as a body, know what honesty is.” [All that he says is true to the present day.  But the distinction which he makes between the Southern Italians and those of the other provinces is most just, and must be remembered.] “But that is the fault of the horrid system of tyranny under which they have so long lived.  I do not say that the old system must be reformed, it must be totally changed.  Solomon might make laws, but so corrupt are all the impiegati, that I doubt if he could get them carried out.  Poor Garibaldi is made a tool of by a set of designing intriguers, who will sacrifice him at any moment.  He is too honest to see or believe of dishonesty in others.  He has no judgment of character.  He has been surrounded by a set of blacklegs and swindlers, many among them, I regret to say, English.  How I look forward to seeing you all again!  Till we meet, believe me