but the proclamation of not suffering the interventions of others is the noblest attitude a strong and magnanimous people can assume; it amounts to saying:  Not only will I not attack or disturb other nations, but I, France, whose voice is respected by Europe and by the whole world, will never permit others to do so.  This is the language held by the ministry and by the ambassadors of Louis Philippe; and it is this which the army, the National Guard, France entire, is ready to maintain.’

Truly language was invented to travesty the truth, and when French politicians say they are going to the right it is an almost sure sign that they are going to the left; nevertheless, is it possible to blame the Italians who read in these assurances a positive promise affecting their own case?

The same assurances were repeated again and again through the winter of 1830-31; they were repeated authoritatively as late as March in the latter year.  Well may a French writer inquire:  ’Was it insanity or treachery?’

The good tidings were published by the Italian exiles, who, living close to the great centres of European politics, were the first to intoxicate themselves with the great delusion.  From London, Gabriele Rossetti sent the exultant summons: 

  Cingi l’elmo, la mitra deponi,
    O vetusta Signora del mondo: 
    Sorgi, sorgi dal sonno profondo,
    Io son l’alba del nuovo tuo di.

  Saran rotte le vostre catene,
    O Fratelli che in ceppi languite;
    O Fratelli che il giogo soffrite
    Calcherete quel giogo col pie.

The child beside whose cradle the ode was written, was to grow to manhood while Italy still remained ‘the weeping, desolate mother.’  The cry of the poet was not, however, without an echo.  In 1831, Romagna, Parma and Modena rose in rebellion.

Things had been going, without much variation, from bad to worse in the Roman states, ever since 1815.  Pius VII. (Chiaramonti), who died in 1823, was succeeded by Leo XII. (Genga), an old man who was in such enfeebled health that his death was expected at the time of his election, but, like a more famous pontiff, he made a sudden recovery, which was attributed to the act of a prelate, who, in prayer, offered his own life for the Pope’s, and who died a few days after resolving on the sacrifice.  During this Pope’s reign, the smallpox was rife in Rome, in consequence of the suppression of public vaccination.  The next conclave, held in 1829, resulted in the election of Pius VIII.  (Castiglioni da Cingoli), who died on the 30th of November 1830, and was followed by Gregory XVI. (Cappellari).  In each conclave, Austria had secured the choice of a ‘Zealot,’ as the party afterwards called Ultramontane was then designated.  The last traces of reforms introduced by the French disappeared; criminal justice was again administered in secret; the police were arbitrary and irresponsible.  All over the Roman states, but