The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-05-25

dared not be too liberal. Yet he GER
tainly has done great Geal for the moral
and material improvement of Tuscany
than which no italian country now eXhib-
its greater evidence ofprospcrity. 1t is
chiefly to Leopold IL that the Tuscan
people owe their splendid roads, their
substantial stone bridges, their new rail-
ways and many of their institutions of ed
ucation.
As q patron of the fine arts, the Grand
Duke of Tuscany also deserves mention.
BY his direction the invaluable treasures
of Florence were freely thrown open to
public inspection, including the galleries
of his own palace. In religion he has
exhibited considerable tolerance as the
Protestant communities of Pisa, Leghorn.
and the capitol city, will conf,ss; al
though the persecution, in his dominions
of the Madai, has prejudiced against him
many Protestant countries.
In person, the Grand Duke is rather
prepossesslng He is now sixty-two
years of age, but looks much Older. His
hair is of a light gray color, and he
stoops slightly while walking. His
countenance betrays certain marks of
care and suffering, which are attributed
by many of his people to domestic trials,
a cherished relative being afflicted with
insanity. In manners he is affable and
pleasant, and was accustomed to ride out
daily in the Cascine, sometimes in car
ria ge with the members of his family, and
sometimes on horseback. lis equippag ge
being only distinguished by the respect
with which the bystanders gaze upon it
from the more dashing turnout of my
Lord Noodle, of England, the wealthy
Mr.. Smith, of the United States, or
the lesser lights of the Florentine nobili
ty.
In the moro retired parts of the Cas-
cine-the beautiful wooded park that lies
upon the banks of the Asno, but short
distance from the city-he was often
fond of strolIing alone, and many stran-
gers at Florence have passed him care
lessly by without thought. Those who
recognized him would raise their hats to
which the Grand Duke would by SINH
lar salute, there being no further formali-
ty or etiquette in this than what would
mutually pass between the President
aud citizen of the United States.
But with all these excellent qualities
Leopold is not popular in Tuscany
The presence Of the Austrian troops con-
stantiy irrt ated the people, who do not
think that the music they gratuitously af.
ford to the public, on the open space in
front of the Ducal Palace and in the Cas-.
cine, sufficient reward for the unwelcome
presence of the "Tedeschi I" Indeed, the
presence of these troops can never be for.
gotten by the people, for daily parade
takes place in the principal streets. Tc
F a stranger it is very interesting to lister
to the music Of the band, and to see the
! wel-trained file of soldiery passing along
in their picturesque costumes some
| with helmets adorned with waving plumes
others with jaunty caps with feather o
the Savoyard mountaineers. while thei
we'll FURNISHED bayonets cast lightnin!
like flashes of light upon the frowain!
? walls of the palaces of the Strozzi ant
, Medici. To stranger this is all delight
ful--but then strangers do not have t.
, pay for all this glitter and parade.
E This with other causes combined t
make Leopold II. unpopular. He kne,
: it, and was prepared for any coming po
4, litical event. He has just returned fror
!, visit to the dying King of Naples. whe
he heard the rumble of the poiitica
: earthquake, aad timid and nervous as b
e is, Notwithstanding his refined taste an
benevolence, be fed from Tuscany al til
moment when she is in danger. Iu thi
fight Leopold leaves the most beautiful
: city of continental Europe, and the mos
d luxurious home that any living monarc
), has occupied. .... ........