The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-23 00:00:00

ITALY.

Accounts from Rome, of December 14, state
that the Pope has sanctioned the understanding to
which his Government has come with the Govern-
ment of Great Britain with respect to certain reci-
procal advantages to be conceded to vessels in the
ports of either state.

At Turin, on December 19th, the Parliament was
opened by the King in person. The solemnity
took place in the hall of the Senate. The ceremony
commenced by the new senators and deputies
taking the oath of fidelity to the King and the
Constitution. Curiously enough, the first name
called was that of Count Vitaliano Borromeo, one
of the principal sufferers by the recent Austrian
act of sequestration. The second was that of the
late Premier, Massimo d'Az2glio. The following
is the royal speech
"Senators and Deputies—ln opening a new legisla-
ture, I record with just pride that the eixth year is about
at an end since my august father inaugurated constitu-
tional liberty in this ancient monarchy.
" The nation hailed that liberty with joy—used it
with wisdom ; and, advancing in the closest and most
trustful union with its King, it showed itself conscious
of its true interests, and worthy of its destinies.
"To this indissoluble union, rendered yet more
splendid by the noble attitude of the country, we aro in-
debted for the growing sympathy of the most civilised
nations, and the constantly more intimate friendship of ,
the most enlightened Governments of Europe.
" From this union my Government has gathered suf-
ficient strength to preserve intact the national dignity,
under painful and difficult circumstances ; and to up-
hold against every attack the noble principle of indepen-
dence, which is uppermost in my own and in your •
affections. (His Majesty pronounced these words with
unusual emphasis and feeling, and was warmly cheered.)

" The Chamber, elected in 1849, had already tra-
versed a protracted and 'laborious career. Called upon
to repair the consequences of grave and unmerited
disasters, it had with the assistance of the other
branch of Parliament, fulfilled its difficult mission, by
sanctioning such taxes as inevitable necessity com-
pelled my Government to demand. But it at the
same time agreed to equitable economic reforms;
strengthened and accelerated the industrial and commer-
cial movement ; and inaugurated the opening of that
great network of railways which no .‘,' unites the Ligurian
to the Piedmontese people, and which will remain a per-
petual monument of the power and greatness of Italian
genius. (Applause.)
" Upon the Parliament which I am this day about to
open will devolve a duty not less important. After com-
pleting the edifice of the all-but-recruited finances,
will proceed with alacrity in the path of economic re-
form, now placed beyond the reach of danger by the light
of undoubted experience ; and extending to the produce
of the soil the fruitful principles of free trade, will secure..
to the owners of land a rich compensation by means of
the reform of the system of assessment, and by means
of institutions of credit calculated to put an end to usury.
" The independence of the civil power being assured,
it will continue, in the sphere of action traced for it by
the constitution, the reforms already undertaken ; these
being directed rather to increase than decrease the affec-
tion and reverence of the people for the religion of our
ancestors, and to render more efficacious, and not to
I weaken, its salutary influence.
" It will have to bring into better harmony with the
new political institutions the administration of the com-
munes and provinces ; and to complete the reform of
the codes, to provide for the preservation of public secu-
rity, to reorganise the magistracy, and to improve the
various branches of public education.
" Our valiant army, which continues to signalise itself
by fresh improvements, will equally form the object Of
your solicitude.
" Senators and Deputies,—ln fulfilling this mission,
I confide in God, in the wisdom and concord of the
great powers of the State, and in the good sense and
patriotism of which the nation has recently given such
noble proofs. Have faith in me (in pronouncing these
words, with deep emotion, his Majesty put his right
band on his heart), and united we will put the last touch
to the great edifice which was raised by my father's
hand, and which union will ever defend and preserve.
The last words of the royal speech met with the
most enthusiastic applause. The whole speech
was remarkably well received ; and the phrase
containing the allusion to the attempt of Austria
to wound the independence of Piedmont in the
affair of sequestrations, bas produced an excellent
effect. Count Paar and M. Zulant, the Austrian
charge d'affaires and secretary, were in the diplo-
matic box, and must have had an opportunity of
reporting to their Government the unmistakeable
feeling of the Crown and nation.
In the diplomatic box also was Baron Brenier,
the well-known French diplomatist, who, it is
rumoured, is on a confidential mission from NsP°:
leon to the Government of Italy. He arrived,t
Turin on Saturday, and was soon to take 11'
departure for Florence. M. Brenier must be well
acquainted with Italian questions, as he was for
some years French Consul at Le ;horn. At al;
events, his mission is on this account not looked
upon with disfavour in Turin, and elsewhere la
Italy.