Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-21
The Revolution in Tuscany.

A correspondent of the New York hx-
press, writing from Florence, on the 18th ul-
timo, gives some interesting incidents OF the
! late bloodess revolution there, which led to
| the flight of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
/ We make few extracts:
Early this morning our Padrona rushed
into our rooms, exclaimlng: The people
have declared independence, and are march,
( ing to the Pitt Palace, to force the Grand
! Duke to abdicate, and they have holSted the
. Republican hag. crying Viva Ia Liberia,
/ Viva Italia" True enoug Ii was this news
rs our ears informed US before our eyes con-
tirmed it. The people, in number several
thousands. assembled in the Piazza Maria
Antonio, ESQ named after the Grand Duchess J
with music and tri-colored flags, from whence
| they marched in the most orderly manner
to the Palazzo Necchio, the government pal.
ace, on which at, noon. precisely. was raised
IL large and magnificent banner OF red, green
! and white, with the Florentine Arms en-
! blazoned in the centre. The military, the
guard of the day, then saluted it.
The Grand Duke and his family fled Mt
once to the Belvidere Fortezzo, in the Bo-
boil Gardens adjoining the Pitt Palace
! He ordered his guard to point the cannon'
upon the city and fire. He was refused
! The Archbishop FASTENED to his IighnesS,
and on his knees, tits said, implored HIM t"
abdicate. The old Duke obstinately re-
fused. He was prepared, however, for what
was coming, and had made up his mind, 1t
seems, what course to take. He had warn
! ing. truly, as some five hundred men assem-
bled before dusk last evening. at the Pittl
Palace. and cried Viva Italia where
upon the Duke commanded his soldiers To
shoot them down. Not a musket was rails
ed in obedience. The Arch-Duke and the
Grand Duchess were most anxious Tor
his Welding u the demands Of the people;
but they had to pack up and be on thus even
| ing bv the wall of the garden, stealing away
instead of remaining at home, ruling III part.
IT'S said the old Duke swears he will return
nj the head OF the Austrian troops, and re-
sumo his throne. ere many days are passed.
| The excitement throughout the day has been
of the most Joyous kind outside of the pal
ace walls The streets, thronged with men,
women and children, in holiday attire, every
creature decorated with tri-colored roSettes,
and leaves of the Bay (emblematic Of llope)
in their hats and hands, were nearly impaS-
sable by voitures, yet the best people here
Italians, English, Americans, &c, were seen
driving around, the horses and servants de
corated with ribbons and flowers Of the re-
publican co!ors, and the occupants, even OF
| the hired eduipages, dressed i'll bonnets
composed of these colors-with parasolS
adorned with them, and carrying bouquets OF
white and red camelias, and lilies OF the val
lev. Every shop girl wore a cluster OF red and
white flowers, and rosette in her BOSOM
Every mans cap had plume Of mingled red
and green, or a rosette on the side. Nearly
every house had flag waving from some
wndow-many doors were draped with
red and green curtains. The windows OF
the modistes were filled only with bonnets
composed of these hues-and ribbons, wo-
ven of the three stripes, were to be pur-
chased in the street, on every side, ready
to make up into badges and banners
Everything told of several weeks secret prepa-
ration for this day. No tongue was still
"Niva PItalia," was heard every instant
and men were rushing into each Others arms,
kissing and embracing, on all sides. The old
women would cross themselves as II in pray
er, on meeting acquaintance. Everybody
shook hands with everybody, when no kiss
ing was going on. In short the atmosphere
seemed full of exhilirating gas and people
acted as have seen patients under the IN
Huence of chloroform, when 1t would not
stupify.
Never was a complete revolution so peace
fully terminated Not a drop of blood-no
insult no robbery. No city election in any
of our cities could have gone off better