The assumption was too broadly stated, even for Lord Castlereagh’s acceptance; but he was contented to make a gentle protest, which he further nullified by allowing that, in the present case, intervention was very likely justified.  France expressed no disapproval.  Only the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and Spain gave the Constitutional regime tacit support by recognising it.  The Emperor of Russia was very anxious to take part in the business, and would have sent off an army instantly had not his royal brother of Prussia hesitated to consent to the inconvenience of a Cossack march through his territory.  The work was left, therefore, to the Emperor of Austria.  Before entering upon it, it occurred to these three to invite the King of Naples to meet them at Laybach.  They knew his character.

Ferdinand assured his Parliament that he was going to Laybach solely to induce the Holy Alliance to think better of its opposition, and to agree, at least, to all the principal features of the new state of things.  Most foolishly the Parliament, which, according to the Constitution, might have vetoed his leaving the country, let him go.  Before starting he wrote an open letter to his dear son, the Duke of Calabria, who was appointed Regent, in which he said:  ’I shall defend the events of the past July before the Congress.  I firmly desire the Spanish Constitution for my kingdom; and although I rely on the justice of the assembled sovereigns, and on their old friendship, still it is well to tell you that, in whatever circumstance it may please God to place me, my course will be what I have manifested on this sheet, strong and unchangeable either by force or by the flattery of others.’

Brave words!  News came in due time of the sequel.  On the 9th of February 1821, the Regent received a letter from the King, in which he gave the one piece of advice that the people should submit to their fate quietly.  He was coming back with 50,000 Austrians, and a Russian army was ready to start if wanted.  Nevertheless, to prevent a sudden outbreak before the foreign troops arrived, the Regent carried on a game of duplicity to the last, and pretended to second, whilst he really baulked, the preparations for resistance decreed by Parliament.  Baron Poerio, the father of two patriot martyrs of the future, sustained the national dignity by urging Parliament to yield only to force, and to defy the barbarous horde which was bearing down on the country.  The closing scene is soon told.  On the 7th of March, in the mountains near Rieti, General Guglielmo Pepe, with 8000 regular troops and a handful of militia, encountered an overwhelmingly superior force of Austrians.  The Neapolitans stood out well for six hours, but on the Austrian reserves coming up, they were completely routed, and obliged to fly in all directions.