what readiness they listened to wise counsel and the hopes of the Pope that they would give no advantage to his enemies at a time when they were so fevered by the knowledge that conspiracy was at work in their midst!  That was a time of trial.  On all these occasions of popular excitement their conduct is like music, in such order, and with such union of the melody of feeling with discretion where to stop; but what is wonderful is that they acted in the same manner on that difficult occasion.  The influence of the Pope here is without bounds; he can always calm the crowd at once.  But in Tuscany, where they have no such one idol, they listened in the same way on a very trying occasion.  The first announcement of the regulation for the Tuscan National Guard terribly disappointed the people.  They felt that the Grand Duke, after suffering them to demonstrate such trust and joy on this feast of the 12th, did not really trust, on his side; that he meant to limit them all he could; they felt baffled, cheated; hence young men in anger tore down at once the symbols of satisfaction and respect; but the leading men went among the people, begged them to be calm, and wait till a deputation had seen the Grand Duke.  The people listened at once to men who, they were sure, had at heart their best good—­waited; the Grand Duke became convinced, and all ended without disturbance.  If the people continue to act thus, their hopes cannot be baffled.

The American in Europe would fain encourage the hearts of these long-oppressed nations, now daring to hope for a new era, by reciting triumphant testimony from the experience of his own country.  But we must stammer and blush when we speak of many things.  I take pride here, that I may really say the liberty of the press works well, and that checks and balances naturally evolve from it, which suffice to its government.  I may say, that the minds of our people are alert, and that talent has a free chance to rise.  It is much.  But dare I say, that political ambition is not as darkly sullied as in other countries?  Dare I say, that men of most influence in political life are those who represent most virtue, or even intellectual power?  Can I say, our social laws are generally better, or show a nobler insight into the wants of man and woman?  I do indeed say what I believe, that voluntary association for improvement in these particulars will be the grand means for my nation to grow, and give a nobler harmony to the coming age.  Then there is this cancer of slavery, and this wicked war that has grown out of it.  How dare I speak of these things here?  I listen to the same arguments against the emancipation of Italy, that are used against the emancipation of our blacks; the same arguments in favor of the spoliation of Poland, as for the conquest of Mexico.

How it pleases me here to think of the Abolitionists!  I could never endure to be with them at home; they were so tedious, often so narrow, always so rabid and exaggerated in their tone.  But, after all, they had a high motive, something eternal in their desire and life; and, if it was not the only thing worth thinking of, it was really something worth living and dying for, to free a great nation from such a blot, such a plague.  God strengthen them, and make them wise to achieve their purpose!