Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-03-13
Frederika Bremer'n Interview with Count
Cavonr-HIs Character md IdiasYncra.

Fredsrika Bremer'n Interview with Count
CavOur-HIs Character and IdiosyncrRs
cies. tn
Melegari and I, says Frederika Bremen, in
her life in the Old WorId drove to the min
isterial palace in pouring rain-it has poured
incessantly ever since have been here. We
passed through several large, handsome
apartments, furnished with silk, before we
came to the cabinet Of the minister. A
couple of foreign ambassadors had Just left
as we entered. Cavour was seated at his
writiDg.table, with his face turned toward
the door.
l had been told that his exterior presented
nothing very remarkable, and young En-
glish lady had assured me that he looked
very much as one might imagine Mr.. Pick
wick, in Dickens's PicklUick Papers; and
confess that, at the first glance, he reminded
me more of an English red-complexioned
country squire, who rides and hunts, eats
good dinners and takes life easily and gaily,
than of deep-minded statesman, who, with
a secure glance and hand steers the vessel of
the state toward its destined object, over the
stormy political sea. But very soon was
that countensnce lit up for me and the
more ] studied it, during my tolerably long
conversation with Cavour, the more signii-
cant and agreeable it seemed to me.
They who have painted Cavour's portrait
have not understood this countenance, nor
the character of this head. 1t has some-
thing almost square in it, but, at the same
time, refined. The complexion is fresh and
delicate; the forehead magnificent, open,
with room in it for both lofty and broad
! ideas; the glance of the light-blue eyes is
clear, lively and penetTative; the nose and
the mouth remind me of those of Napoleon
the Great as does also the form of the couu-
tenance. They have the frmness and deli
cacy of outline. In the play of the muscles
ahnnf tho fbara iu cnnaafhinar arah aud
the smile has the graciousness of the South.
| The figure is not tall, but strong aud we'll
built, and has something particularly solid
and robust about it. The manners are calm,
easy and agreeable, and evince natural self
| government. . ..... .. .ls
1t seemed to give Cavour pleasure to learn
| that, even in Sweden, the affairs of Pied
mont were q subject of interest; and that,
therefore, his own words and actions were
regarded with attention. From his ex-
| preston, perceived that he was perfectly,
| acquainted with our form of government
and our mode of representation, which
seemed to him to be "heavy machinery"
To my inquiries regarding Piedmont and
his views Of its future, he replied so simply,
so candidly and kindly, that it gave me great
| pleasure. 1t seemed to me, that with entiro
clearness and security he will conduct Pied
mont upon a path from whence it can not
turn back; and that he is not afraid of
| making pecuniary sacrifices for this cause.
Piedmont" said he, "has long been like
a vessel, which, having run too close TO the
rocks, is prevented by that means from
having the wind in her sails, and this i'm
pediment must be removed"
One of the means, therefore, which Cavour
mentioned for this purpose, was the gigantic
work now commenced, the tunneling of
Mont Gents, which will open a speedy COM
munication between Piedmont and the social
culture and social life of the most developed
cities of Europe. He presented me with a
work on this undertaking. When expressed
my anticipations for the rest of Italy, from
Piedmonts advance on the path of freedom,
he assented thereto, but he expressed himself
as wary general, and did not say much.
asked him what would be the conse-
quence in Piedmont of the chambers rejec-
tion of the measures of the ministry
''Then,P replied he, "it must go out"
But" added he, as if half in thought,
placing at the same time letter case straight
on the table, seven if the ministry should
be compelled to resign from one cause or
present system would stand firm, and that
sthe new ministry could not avoid carrying
it out" l ". 4. . Z.
The manner and the tone in which these
words were spoken, convinced me that in
them Cavour expressed his innermost
thought. The principle for which he la
bored was the important thing, not his own
position. r
When told him that L had not seen any
statesman who appeared so easily to bear
the burden of state life, lie smiled as be
replied T
"0h, it only appears so; but behind in the
1 depth are many cares, and it is not easy to
preserve alight the sacred fire (Le ten sdc7e).h
And yet the appearance is not here decep
tive. Cavour, according to what / heard
from more than one of his friends, bear!
comparatively easily his post, important and
difficult as it is at this time, as President o.
the Council of Piedmont, and as the fore.
most leader Of its destiny. The fact is, that
he is possessed of statesman nature, and
executes his business as Mozart executed his
symphonies or fugues, Raphael his pictures
without racking his brains or with much
difficulty of any kind. He is in his realm q
genius and an artist as they. But will
now bring my conversation with him to &
close, or rather my recollection of it.
At parting, laid upon his heart to bring
about more just laws for the women O
Piedmont who, as regards the rights of in
heritance, now stand a long way behind tn,
men. M, de Cavour laughed, half waggishlJ
as at an expression called forth by certain
esprit de corps, but he spoke afterWarG
seriously of the difficulties which, in partic.
ular among an agricultural population, stood
in the way ofan equal right of Inheritance
difficulties which it rather surprised me to
hear uttered by a great statesman. II
pleased me likewise when he added, with
the accent of conviction, "In any case equal
right of inheritance will become law, sooner
or later, among us. 1t exists in the spirit
and the tendency of all our legislation, and
besides-it is right" -5 -.. ...
Those were words which it did me good to
hear from statesman and legislator. lef
Cavour with an extremely refreshing sense
of his words and whole character.