The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-20 00:00:00

THE AFFAIRS OF ITALY'.

The following letter on the affairs of Italy, writ-
ten to the Grand Duke of Tuscany by King Louis
Philippe, only three months before his fall, is a
curious historical document, fullof present interest :
"My very dear Brother and Nephew,—l have
received your letter of October 8. I am infinitely
sensible of this testimonial of your confidence and
friendship. You have long been aware of the great
attachment which I feel for you and your amily,
and you also know how entirely I share the senti-
ments of my excellent Queen towards all the chil-
dren of a sister who was so dear to her. I shall
answer your letter with the utmost frankness and
confidence, for you cannot but know that, in the
system of government to which I always conscien-
tiously conform, my words express only my own
personal opinion, and have no official character
whatever. But I feel all the more free to speak
plainly to you on the present occasion, because the
political opinions of my Foreign Minister are in
complete harmony with my own on this subject,
and consequently the language which may be
, addressed to you by my Government will coincide
with what I say privately. I think you did well
to accept the abdication of the Duke of Lucca in
your favour. I will say nothing here of the terri-
torial changes which you tell me are to accompany
this resignation, because I only know those pre-
scribed by the Treaty of Vienna, and this is the
first time that I have heard anything about the
treaty of November 28, 1844, to which France was
no party, and which is altogether unknown to us.
Nevertheless, the incorporation of the Duchy of
Lucca with Tuscany seems to me a good measure
in the present state of affairs and of public opinion.
I agree with you that this state is serious, but I
think that whether things will get worse or mend
depends upon the course which the Italian Govern-
ments may follow. I do not doubt of the possibility
of an amelioration, but I confess that I have not
equal confidence that the measures which, in my
judgment, are necessary to effect a reform, are
likely to be adopted by the Italian Governments.
The most essential thing of all is to allay the reci-
procal differences between Governments and peoples.
It is by acting upon this principle that we have had
the happiness to obtain that result which France
has exhibited for the last 17 years. The first words
which I addressed to France in 1830 were The
Charter shall henceforth be a truth.' France be-
lieved me. I did not deceive her confidence, and
hence our salvation. Thus it happened that a thing
which may perhaps have appeared very insufficient
to satisfy the passions or illusions of any individual,
taken separately, became dear to all as the palla-
dium of common rights and general security. Do
not suppose, my dear nephew, that I want to urge
you to set up a charter in Tuscany. No ; I give no
opinion upon a matter which I do not understand.
Every country, every people, must be governed by
circumstances peculiar to itself. But what Ido
insist upon, with a thorough conviction that I
am right, is that whatever is done ought to
be done thoroughly, frankly, honestly, and
without any mental reserve or intention to
undo at some future time what may be done
now. There, in my opinion, lies the only hope
of safety ; but I have great faith in it if :religiously
observed. The impracticable project of uniting
the various populations of Italy in one mass ought
to enlighten peoples and Governments ,both as to
the immense danger of allowing men's: minds to
take this direction, and as to the measures which
would efficaciously conduce to the real. object in
view, and thereby avoid all those disappointments
and perils into which the illusions of unity would
inevitably precipitate them. It seems to me there-
fore desirable--though I am but too v yell aware
how difficult the task is—that the Italian Sovereigns
and Governments should endeavourto come to some
agreement as to the changes to be made,'nternal
their governmental regimes and both in
in their internal
to
administration, so as to give some
present nv ta s social
otnh only
the requirements of the age and the sapatr
state of nations—so different from what
yearsadefseiwres of t their eaigr bja the interest
onodts.tonthisenoj.tusotnlayn.d Tea.sonable
ofof
Eltualryopteh,aatnld eoxfptrheess
inthaiisntdetrnee,
ebuot.ir also
tinpe
peace
recommend
which is the basis and guarantee of the happiness
wAIi t
hn shouldsue 0h
and prosperity of all States and peoples. Such,
my dear
to be taken by all the Italian Sovereigns if I were
therefore, is the course which
we'ntire con-
fidence and abandon, I have only to rer Lew ean
elplehdewup,othuattolandavNirseeretphleiemd.
pression of my friendship, and to beg you toassure
your family that they may always reckon upon the
sincerity of my best wishes for you and yours.
St. Cloud, Oct. 17, 1847.
" P.S. (in the King's own handwriting.)—You
may also be very sure that all that concerns your