Originally published in Howitt's Journal (William & Mary Howitt) vol.3 #60 (19 Feb 1848).
The unexpected accession of a patriotic Pope, has done wonders for Italy. The spirit of regeneration which has been growing and extending for many years, breaking out ever and anon, in partial and premature insurrections, has acquired immense vigour, and universality from these circumstances, and from the Alps to the Sicilian fields, there appears one enthusiastic resolve in the heart of the People, to win back their liberties, to drive out the foreigner, to curb their princes, and raise their beautiful and classic land once more into a great nation. Our illustration represents the hopes and the faith that are kindled in the bosoms of all classes, by the discovery that they have at length in the head of their church, a father and a champion.
"Consummatum est!" exclaims one of Italy's exiles, Mariotti.—"The Italians have achieved a great victory. They have conquered their princes. It is a victory neither very difficult nor unprecedented. Naples and Turin equally dictated the law to their sovereigns in 1820. Princes were equally at a discount in central Italy in 1831. Twice and thrice did the day of freedom dawn upon Italy. Revolutions in that country were sudden, unanimous, bloodless; but as invariably, also, short-lived and unavailing. In every instance Austria stepped forward to the rescue. The fugitive princes came back at the head of thousands of Austrian bayonets. Italy, it was evident had only one ruler, only one enemy. Liitle did it avail it to turn against those sceptred lieutenants of an ever-present, though invisible power. Their native princes were but the lash that smote them. Their wrath should be turned against the hand that wielded it." * * *
"But lo! a new Pope sits in the Vatican; a benevolent Pope, as Madame Tussaud has it. Greater harmony between a monarch and his people never existed; nor did an innovater on the throne ever meet with more unqualified, universal, applause. All the efforts of Austria, all her intrigues have failed to create one moment's alarm or disturbance. Old and new patriots, Monks and Jacobins, Carbonari and Young Italy, men of all creeds and parties proceed hand in hand. Greater mutual faith and reliance, compactness and unanimity: moderation and wisdom, the world never witnessed. Credit is given to the government to an unlimited amount. No shade of doubt as to the honesty of its intentions. A prince and state acting on such principles ought, in the nineteenth century to be invincible. * * * *
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"They are a brave, mettlesome race, those Feretti," continues the same writer, "Firm even to stubbornness, bold even to rashness. They have also much of that inveteracy against Austria, which an all-wise Providence seems to have implanted in Italian bosoms. One of them, the Commander of Malta, stood alone against a whole Hungarian regiment; every officer of which he challenged to single combat, in 1815 in Bologna. He killed three of his adversaries; the surviving staff hastened to tender their most ample apologies. Such now are thy rulers, O Italy! The hour and the man are now with thee! What five and twenty years of delusions, of broken hearts, and martyrdoms have been slowly maturing, is now to be reaped in one summer day."
Such is the universal faith of the Italian people; and rapidly progressing events would seem to justify the opinion, that Italy is at length really awaking; that she is to be once more a united and great nation. Sicily has risen and shown what a people can do against hireling troops and imbecile tyrants. It has freed all Naples. Rome effervesces with the national enthusiasm. In the north, in the very states trodden under foot by the Austrian, the fire glows ready for outbreak. The eyes of Europe are fixed on the wily Metternich, and the Austrian armaments. A crisis approaches, and in every corner of Europe millions of restless spirits await the event. Not only Italy, but the world is awaking—and Liberty meditates one of its grand marches.