The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-09


she Latest Phase or the Italian War.
by the Canada, at Halifax we learn that the
siege OF Gaeta continued d, and was occasioning
much damage. The Sandman troops entered the
Roman States on the 22d ult, when they dis
persed the reactionary bands and set fire to
enc OF the converts.
The protection which the Bourbon King
found in the presence of the French feet at
Gaeta has been withdrawn; yet his determine
ton to resist 10 the last remains The I'M
looked for bravery displayed by the youag
King since taking refuge behind the walls Of
his fortress stands out in singular contrast
with the cowardice and INDIGESTION which dis.
tiDguisted him at the time Of his inglorious
fight with his army from Naples to make way
for the undisciplined volunteers under Carl
baldi. Had he taken firm stand then and
shown fraction of the courage that he has
since, despite the defections among his troops,
the utmost efforts Of the emancipators of Italy
would have been unavaliug to resist the
strength and precision of the Neapolitan bat
talions But what was the Bonrbon's loss was
Italy 3 gain. and the triumph of Garibaldi be-
came synonymous with that of liberty.
That extraordinary and obstinate resistance
which will make the name of Gaeta celebrated
in history promises soon to come to an end.
Yet it will only succumb TO the fearful
odds against it, and when no possibility of pro
longing it exists. 1t was DO doubt agaiDst the
sympathies of the French Emperor that the feet
which prevented the Sandman siege by water
had to be withd, avn, in order to preserve ST
pulated neutrality. The feeling in England had
become so st, ongly adverse to this French in
reference that Louis Napoleon found it i'm
possible to Iun with the hare and hunt with the
hounds any longer; 20 that, however uopleas-
ant the necessity OF Withdrawing the feet, ne
found himself in the position of a man con
PEELED to yield or suffer worse consequences.
Francis Ii. does hot appear to have awaited
the attack Of the Sandman feet but, with a
daring quite in keeping with his general conduct
at Gaeta. Unexpectedly opened aheavy fire upon
the fourteen vessels composing it early on the
morning Of the ed of last month, to which,
Of course, the Sardinians were not slow in re-
spending, and there was hot work on both
sides for some hours. The motives which
roay inspire the young King in prolongng this
defence of his stronghold can hardly be
prompted by the hope of restoration to his
throne. The probability of royalist reaction
in Naples being successful has very much di
miDished, and grows less and less every day.
The pros pect of an Italian Hungarian war
against Austria in the approaching spring is
now very remote and indistinct; SO that the
advantages which would have resulted to him
in the event Of Austria defeating the Italians
in such campaign cannot be looked for; and
it is very evident that if any Of the European
Powers, great or small meant to espOuse his
cause, they would have done 30 already.
Francis H. has, then, it would seem, nothing to
hope for but glory, no other object than to
show the world that he can act the brave as
well as the coward
II may be that his Queen has much to do
with his unHinching resolve to defend Gaeta.
With all the graces Of person which belong to
youth, beauty and exalted rank, she has com
bined power Of adaptation to circumstances
and heroic Indifference to danger which
of devoted attachment to the King in his mis-
fortunes, and Of bold defiance to his enemies.
She has shown herself on the ramparts in the
midst of The enemy's fire; she has visited the
sick and wounded aud cheered them with kind
words aud hopeful assurances; she has appear
ed as guardian angel in the hour of danger,
aid breabed comfort and consolation to the
dying; she has shown no selfish monopoly Of
the luxuries to which she had been accus-
toned, but dispensed with willing hand to
all, and with buoyancy Of spirits which
setm, to lift her above the perils aud dis
comfort by which she is surrounded; she
sent an order 10 Naples three weeks ago for
s, mt new dresses, TO be made according to the
latest French fashions. This showed the dash
Of the young Queen. and the will she had to
share the fortunes of the King to the end.
which. by her oroers for new dresses, she ap.
peared sanguibc was rather far or Ii il
pleasant to meet with such instances Of courage
and devotion under the most trying circum-
stances, and we may be assured they will not
be lost to posterity. But all this does not alter
the desire ielt by all lovers Of Italian liberty
for the speedy success Of the bombardment and
the final DETERMINATION OF q dynasty which has
been the great scourge OF people, than whom
there are none more capable Of enjoying aud
making the best use OF their Independence.
TIMBER FOR ORR ARES CABINET.-According
to the accounts from Springfield and other
quarters, Old Abe has more difficulty In Sc
lectng proper timber for his Cabinet than he
ever had in rail splitting. He no sooner picks
out what is in his Judgment promising mate
rial than be is met with the objection that it
il unsound, rotten and not likely to stand
wear Why dces be not choose some Of the
tough old Western lumber which he was for
n,erly accustomed to handles
PASSING MUSTER UNDER FALSE CoLons.-
"Where there's will there's a way says tho
prUverb. and the Rochester Democrat has just