So it dawns upon you, Sarianna, that things at Rome and at Naples are not quite what they should be.  A certain English reactionary party would gladly make the Pope a paratonnerre to save Austria, but this won’t do.  The poor old innocent Pope would be paralytically harmless but for the Austrian, who for years has supported the corruptions here against France; and even the King of Naples would drop flat as a pricked bubble if Austria had not maintained that iniquity also.  We who have lived in Italy all these years, know the full pestilent meaning of Austria everywhere.  What is suffered in Lombardy exceeds what is suffered elsewhere.  Now, God be thanked, here is light and hope of deliverance.  Still you doubt whether the French are free enough themselves to give freedom!  Well, I won’t argue the question about what ‘freedom’ is.  We shall be perfectly satisfied here with French universal suffrage and the ballot, the very same democratical government which advanced Liberals are straining for in England.  But, however that may be, the Italians are perfectly contented at being liberated by the French, and entirely disinclined to wait the chance of being more honorably assisted by their ‘free’ and virtuous friend on the other side of the hedge (or Channel), who is employed at present in buttoning up his own pockets lest peradventure he should lose a shilling:  giving dinners though, and the smaller change, to ‘Neapolitan exiles,’ whom only this very cry of ‘war’ has freed.

Robert and I have been of one mind lately in these things, which comforts me much.  But the chief comfort is—­the state of facts.

Massimo d’ Azeglio came to see us, and talked nobly, with that noble head of his.  I was far prouder of his coming than of another personal distinction you will guess at, though I don’t pretend to have been insensible even to that.  ’It is ‘48 over again,’ said he, ’with matured actors.’  In fact, the unity throughout Italy is wonderful.  What has been properly called ‘the crimes of the Holy Alliance’ will be abolished this time, if God defends the right, which He will, I think.  I have faith and hope.

But people are preparing to run, and perhaps we shall be forced to use the gendarmes against the brigands (with whom the country is beset, as in all cases of general disturbance) when we travel, but this is all the difference it will make with us.  Tuscany is only restraining itself out of deference to France, and not to complicate her difficulties.  War must be, if it is not already.

Yes, I was ‘not insensible,’ democratical as I am, and un-English as I am said to be.  Col.  Bruce told me that ’he knew it would be gratifying to the Queen that the Prince should make Robert’s acquaintance.’  ’She wished him to know the most eminent men in Rome.’  It might be a weakness, but I was pleased.

Pen’s and my love to the dearest Nonno and you.

Your affectionate
BA.