Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-08
LOVE STORY OF AN ITALIAN
STATESMAN.
xfoyx r soldier Beeame q Lover end
Literary Man.

LOVE STORY OF AN ITALIAN
STATESMAN.
How q soldier Became q Lover and n
Literary Man.
One bv one the architects Of the great edi-
nee of the freedom Of Italy are departing
before the building is half completed. One
Of those who had contributed most largely 20
its construction, Massimo d Azeglio, has just
died--called away at the very moment when
his advice and assistance would have been
oftbe greatest value, not perhaps so much in
accomplishing the good as for preventing the
evil. The Italian nature, so rich and 50 re-
dundant. as il ripened beneath the sun Of
Italy, was never more fully developed than
in dAzeglio. Statesman, officer, artist, poet
and moralist excellent in every pursuit he
undertook, and withal, preserving the repu-
tation Of cavalier and hOmme cu monde-the
delight Of every festival, the life and soul of
every circle in which he appeared. His
tastes were all artistic; his first aspirations
all directed toward the art Of painting in
particular but his father, insisting on his
embracing military career, he entered the
Sandman army, and soon became conspicu-
Gus for the vast number Of his conquest
not all of a warlike nature--with which the
annals of gallantry in Rome, Milan, Flor
ence and Turin were, for a time, entirely
filled.
But this career Of triumph was cut short IN
the very midst, by the most sudden and UNI
expected attack from the very Captain under
whose banner he had been combating so
long. II was q treacherous and villainous
attack coming, too, at the moment when the
stout soldier was fighting most valiantly in
bis masters cause; in short one Of those
ooutps de .Tarndc which Cupid loves best to
give even 10 his most devoted followers. The
Young officer, whose taste for art-still cultl-
waited for his own pleasure and amusement
although abandoned altogether as a protes-
sion-had led him into the society Of artists
and literary men in preference 10 that of the
aristocracv, had induced him 10 cultivate
more assiduously the friendship Of Manzoni,
the author Of II PrOmsSsi Sposi," at that
time the literary glory Of Italy. The venera-
bic author on his side delighted in the society
Of the young officer, and found great diver
sion from his cares, which were heavy and
numerous, in his ready wit and lively con-
versation. One day on being ushered as
usual into the garden where hanzoni was
wont 10 study, beneath the vine-coyered trel-
lis. the young Captain found the novelist, as
usual. seated in his old arm chair in the
shade. but not alone-his daughter was by
his side, and 10 her he was debating the pa
ges Of the novel he was about TO publish.
You see, young man, my eyes are falling
me. j have been obliged TO send for my
spectacles," said he, as Massimo approached.
The young girl looked up, and IN an instant
the treacherous work Of the blind god was
accomplished. The clustering, self con-
6dent, staggering young officer blushed and
trembled a. he sank upon the wooden bench,
and could scarcely stammer an expression
of surprise at the change which had taken
place in the appearance of his old friends
daughter since he ,had beheld her on her
last visit. From that moment the valiant
conqueror owning himself conquered,
abandoned all his former battlfelds, and,
instead Of marching TO victory, as he had
been wont 10 do, he went around languish-
ing and melancholy. But the attack was too
violent to endure long without seeking re-
lief, and TO Manzoni was, at last, contided
the story of the misery he was enduring
Tho case was urgent, for by this time the
passion had become mutual, as well as the
bushes and confusion But Manzoni was
obstinate in his determination 10 see his
daughter united to literary man. His
hatred TO military officers, above all, was
invincible.
'eWhat am to do ?D exclaimed the lover
in despair. "Write a novel, TO be sure"
gracefully replied Manzoni, with the coolest
conviction that, as the task had been easy to
himself, il would be even more so 20 one who
seemed 20 know no obstacle to the accom-
plishment of any design he might choose to
entertain. And he was right, for d Azeglio
returned home somewhat cres!-fallen, but
not absolutely despairing and that very
night began his novel of "Feirancesca." As
the story developed itself beneath his hand,
he took the occupation m ore and more an
serieur. never leaving the work till it was
completed; and when ut last he received the
manuscript back from Manzoni, and was adj
mitted as the future son-in-law o. the great
ext literary genius Of modern Italy, he de-
clared all other glory TO be vain and empty,
and resigning his post in the army, gave
himself up entirely 10 the cultivation of lit
erature. Il was soon after his marriage that
be published his great work, "Nicolo di
Lapi," which established him at once as the
defender of the people, and the denunciator
Of the abuses which existed in the Papal
Government of Rimini, and throughout
Romagna.
The advent OF nus the IN. 10 the tnrohe
sent Massimo dAzeglio 10 Rome, whence he
was dispatched with the troops under COM
mand Of General Durando to march against
the Anstrians in lslS. Recalled by the
wavering policy of the Pope, already repent,
ant Of his decision, dAzeglio remained
faithful 20 the cause he had adopted, and
stood boldly to his post defending Nicenza
with the greatest bravery until, yielding 10
numbers, he was carried wounded and bleed
ing from the city, AID sought shelter in Flor
ence, where he resumed his life Of art and
poetry. and added 10 his literary fame by
his political pamphlets, which will remain
forever as the most veracious Judgment of
the state Of Italy at that time. The high
esteem in which dAzglio was held may be
Judged by the bee accorded to him by Vic
tor Emmanuel, who, after the battle of No
vara, called him to the Presidency of the
Council His first step has always been
considered mastery stroke Of policy. He
concluded an honorable peace with Austria
which left the Government free to take steps
for the ultimate emancipation of the country.
1t was dAzeglio who first perceived the inn
mense talent possessed by Cavour, and in
sisted upon his acceptance at once of a high
post in the Government.