how to value his Nestorian prudence,—­fancying, hot-headed simpletons, that the cause of Freedom was the cause of America, and her eagle at home wherever the sun shed a warmer ray, and there was reason to hope a happier life for man.  So they hurried to buy their silk, red, white, and blue, and inquired of recent arrivals how many States there are this winter in the Union, in order to making the proper number of stars.  A magnificent spread-eagle was procured, not without difficulty, as this, once the eyrie of the king of birds, is now a rookery rather, full of black, ominous fowl, ready to eat the harvest sown by industrious hands.  This eagle, having previously spread its wings over a piece of furniture where its back was sustained by the wall, was somewhat deficient in a part of its anatomy.  But we flattered ourselves he should be held so high that no Roman eye, if disposed, could carp and criticise.  When lo! just as the banner was ready to unfold its young glories in the home of Horace, Virgil, and Tacitus, an ordinance appeared prohibiting the display of any but the Roman ensign.

This ordinance was, it is said, caused by representations made to the Pope that the Oscurantists, ever on the watch to do mischief, meant to make this the occasion of disturbance,—­as it is their policy to seek to create irritation here; that the Neapolitan and Lombardo-Venetian flags would appear draped with black, and thus the signal be given for tumult.  I cannot help thinking these fears were groundless; that the people, on their guard, would have indignantly crushed at once any of these malignant efforts.  However that may be, no one can ever be really displeased with any measure of the Pope, knowing his excellent intentions.  But the limitation of the festival deprived it of the noble character of the brotherhood of nations and an ideal aim, worn by that of Tuscany.  The Romans, drilled and disappointed, greeted their Councillors with but little enthusiasm.  The procession, too, was but a poor affair for Rome.  Twenty-four carriages had been lent by the princes and nobles, at the request of the city, to convey the Councillors.  I found something symbolical in this.  Thus will they be obliged to furnish from their old grandeur the vehicles of the new ideas.  Each deputy was followed by his target and banner.  When the deputy for Ferrara passed, many garlands were thrown upon his carriage.  There has been deep respect and sympathy felt for the citizens of Ferrara, they have conducted so well under their late trying circumstances.  They contained themselves, knowing that the least indiscretion would give a handle for aggression to the enemies of the good cause.  But the daily occasions of irritation must have been innumerable, and they have shown much power of wise and dignified self-government.

After the procession passed, I attempted to go on foot from the Cafe Novo, in the Corso, to St. Peter’s, to see the decorations of the streets, but it was impossible.  In that dense, but most vivacious, various, and good-humored crowd, with all best will on their part to aid the foreigner, it was impossible to advance.  So I saw only themselves; but that was a great pleasure.  There is so much individuality of character here, that it is a great entertainment to be in a crowd.