Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-17


sumo of affairs beyond the seas:
Opening of the Italian Parliament.
FLORENCE, November IS, 1865.
have Just been present, thanks to tn,
very kind and considerate assistance of tn,
Hon. Mr.. Marsh and Lieutenant Colone
Lawrence, American Minister and Consu
General in this city, at one Of those stirring
ceremonies which form an epoch in a ma
TONS history. In countries like the United
States, which are on the eve of counting
their consolidation and independence by
entering upon their second century of e1is-
tence, the meeting of the national represen'
tatives has become so much a matter oi
course as to give rise to little emotion beyond
that created by the ordinary transaction oi
the public business of the State. But with
Italy the case is far different, and every
meeting Of Parliament marks, as | have
said, a step forward and a new epoch in the
onward march of the Italian people Last
time, it was the first Italian Parliament
which met at Turin; this time, it is the
Italian Parliament which meets for the first
time in Florence. Where will it meet next
is the question and the reflection which rises
involuntarily to the mind of every one
| present at the scene referred to.
But, instead of losing myself in specula-
tions or reflections, | must hasten shortly to
describe to you the animated scene from
which | have this moment returned. For
some days past Florence had been preparing
herself with hearty good will for a grand fctc
ard public spectacle. The National Guard
] and troops of the line were all summoned TO
turn out. The municipality appealed to the
| LOYALTY and national feelings of the inhabi-
! tI,,tr IL, 1
! Parliament by decorating their houses with
| banners and trophies during the day and
with illuminations at night. The appeal
was eagerly responded to, preparations were
| making on every side, We were all looking
forward to a brilliant festival and popular
holiday. Alas though Heaven is, | trust,
still propitious to Italy, the heavens-that is
to say, the clouds-were not The day has
proved to be the ce,y ,rorSt have experienced
during two months sojourn. 1t is need
less to dwell on the miserable details of rain
and mud and drenched draperies and droop-
ing standards. The scene outside presented
all the usual features at such a deplorable
c0RtretempS.
l will neither attempt to describe nor
dwell upon it, but'pass at once to the more
pleasing and imposing ceremony beside the
ancient walls of the Palazzo Vecchio. This
time-honored Hall of the great days of the
Florentine Republic with its magnificent
gilded ceiling, the largest suspended flat
surface, it is said, in the world, with its an
tique frescoes of the victories Of CosnO the
Great, adOrning the walls, and its general
air of grand historical tradition, has been
fitted up with much good taste and propriety
for the reception of its new legislative oc-
cupants. The part appropriated to the sit
tings is provided with handsome ranges of
seats in horseshoe form, covered with blue
velvet. At one extremity stands the throne;
the other is occupied by large and commo-
dious galleries for the public. Into these
latter, Spectators were admitted by tickets
only; and when l say that they will con-
tain only some 700 or $50 persons, and that
Senators and Deputies together claimed 500,
leaving only 100 or $50 at the disposal of
the Government for all general applicants
you will feel persuaded that the privilege
of being present was not slight.
The greatest eagerness was shown to OBJ
tain admission, and nearly an hour before the
doors were opened ladies, in silk dresses,
might be seen obliged to descend from their
carriages and stand in the pelting of the pitt
less rain, with only dripping umbrellas over
their heads. How glad We all were to get in
at last The great amusement, of course,
while awaiting the Kings arri-al, was to ad-
mire the noble old hall of the Cinque Cent?,
as it is called, from the Council of the Five
Hundred having sat in it, and to watch the
entrance of the most well-kn0wn deputies. |
Rattazzi was early there, with his light, al
most boyish figure and air. The Marquis |
de Popoli has the look of a Bonaparte, with |
his jet black hair and square turned head. |
Minghetti has the look Gf a finished gentle |
mar, D'Oudes Reggie the Catholic leader, |
wears the keen subtle expression peculiar to |
his party. Signor Boggio, whose recent visit |
to Rome has made so much noise, is a round, |
plump little man, who does not look at all a |
match for the acuteness of n De Merode or |
an Antonelh.
Cutie a sensation was created when blind |
old Gino Caproni was led tenderly across the
Hall where he had come for the first time to |
take his oath as Senator in token of his un-
ainching love for king and country. He is |
one of the finest relics of the old mobiles of |
Florence, rich, and liberal as he is rich,
whether as regards fortune or principle The
deputies all dress in full suits of black, with |
white ties and straw-colored gloves, and in
this attire, at least made rather a distin-
guished appearance. BY and by the minis
tiers began to shcw themselves around the |
throne, La Marmora the full uniform of
general, his breast covered with decorations.
0aIibaldi l. not in Elorarca as reported and |
will probably come here, though he may
not absolutely decline to accept his election
for Naples.
And now, in one second Of time, the busy
hum of voices in the huge hall is completely
hushed, and the words n Re- are heard
from the lips of one of the chief functionaries,
and in another second Victor Emanuel
stands before his assembled Parliament 1t
is quite impossible not to be taken by the
gallant, manly bearing of this honest and
patriotic ruler. His frank military step as
he walked into the hall and looked round /
him with evident and pleased satisfaction at |
the hearty cheers which burst forth on every |
side. was quite pleasant TO witness, and made
even his face which is saying good deal !
look almost handsome. After some preli-
minarv ceremonies were gone through, Vic
tor Emanuel unfolded paper he held in |
his hand and began to read his speech with |
g voice which it is no mere figure Of speech |
TO sav is a voice like n trumpet certainly |
never heard such an organ come from mortal |
man.
1t is really magnificent; and | shall not |
so soon forget tue llISl ei'iINlAlE eNHtA "a MS
.Sigaori Senatori, and Signori DPwdtl p
The speech will, of course, soon reach yon |
in full will, therefore, only say that the |
portion relating to the rupture of nesota-
lions with Rome was that which was by far |
the most yehemently applauded. The |
financial part of the speech was anticipated |
beforehand, and think the general feeling |
now seems 10 be that retrenchment IS I'M |
perative, and that, following Louis Napo- |
Icons example, the army must be reduced. |
But We know nothing positive till the new
Parliament has spoken. The kings two |
sons, gentlemanly, soldierlike young fellows,
stood upon each side of him, and formed a
pleasing group. And now have but space
to say adieu 70 my American readers, as far
as Florence is concerned. must ask for a
short indulgence for my journey homeward,
and hope soon to reappear on my oid
ground in Paris, as fast as the weather, the
distance, and the SHOWS of Mount GEMS VIII |
psruik