The Portland daily press., 1867-01-02
The Italian Premier.
Florence dec. 81 Correspondence of the Cosmopoli-

Florence dec. 81 Correspondence of the Cosmopoli-
TAM
Baron Pettino Ricasol, our present PREMIER
Is undoubtedly man not deficient in diplo-
matte TACT and, to his honor be it said, is a
minister OF a rare integrity. In normal times
dare say he would prove one OF the tirInest
pillars of the State, or to express it with more
commonplace phrase he would be the right
man in the right place. But, at period OF our
national existence when we have to unite the
gordian knot of the Roman question -that cues
non which, eel-like, slips out OF your myers
when You feel confident of holding 1t secure in
your grasp-I think we shall require either
man of superior diplomatic genius, or of
somewhat roughish plausibility, to attain our
desired goal. Our dear Bettino is too upright
to compete with any chance of success, with
the Jides Ploltcd of the Roman court, and too
short-witted to checkmate the subtle Machia-
velsm OF the Ponti1ical government, am
afraid this thorny question will again be to our
Baron the Rock OF Scyila against which he
once split his premier ship four years ago.
However, 1t must be confessed that he strug-
giles manfully, and does all that Is in his power
to bring about conciliation between Italy and
Rome, and We may be sure that ii he is to fall
in consequence OF ill success he will only fall
after having exhausted ali persuasive argu-
rents, as the ancient gladiator fell after hay ing
81 ID all his life-blood,
told you i'll my last that a rurnor was cur
rent here that negotiations were likely to be
resumed DelWSen tile TWO governments, through
the mediation OF M. NegeZz Well, the ru-
NOR was not unfcunded only the wish W as
father to the thought 1t was, in fact Baron
Rieasolis earnest wish that another attempt
should be made by the Italian government to
conciliate the Roman Court before the DEPART
ure of the French from the Eternal City, but
the difficulty lay in finding the proper Mercu-
ry who would go to Rome with the only mis-
sion Of clearing the track of all obstacles, and
prediSpose his holiness to the reception OF the
Italian Envoy, This time the Italian govern
ment was willing to yield on many points, and
even go SO far as to renounce the Bishops
oath OF allegiance, For this purpose Monsignor
Berardi was sounded, but he declined the
charge, on the ground OF his being unpopular
with the Roman Court for his Liberalism
Then the choice fell on Able Steilardi-the
same who was despatched to Rome on the oc-
casIon OF the marriage OF Princess Maria Pia
of Savoy to the King of Portugal. His doings
were to be very simple-viz, to get an audi
ence OF his HOLINESS, and endeavor popersuade
him to receive the Italian Envoy, who should
be no other than the faithful and orthodox
Christian; M. NegezzL Inc accommodating
Able accepted the honorable and onerous mis-
sion; went to Rome aud saw the Pope; but,
unlike Caesar, he conquered not. On The con-
trary, he met with very grulf reception from
his holiness, who told him, somewhat in pas
sion, that no would not enter into any fur-
Their negotiations with the Italian government
that he was ready to quit Rome like poor
LelpAess, Wauueilig piisflu---inu THAT, II Nj.
Negezzl or any one else was sent TO him for the
purpose OF negotiations, he would not receive
him, In the meantime Baron RIcasoli, full OF
hope ABOUT the success OF the kind Abbe's
mission, had already summoned M. Negezzi to
Fiorence, and explained to him the sort of SER
vice his government and his country required
of him. Negezzi listened with Difference to
the stringent reasoning of the lofty Premier,
and then, with frankness which is one OF
his characteristics, answered the following
teAtual words, Tor which | go security:
Look here, my dear Bettinor you know
that am neither rogue nor a simpleton.-
Well; it is tor this reason that cannot,and will
not, accept to be your Envoy to the Papal
Court; for, if were to go there again, should
be compelled either to be bambOozled myself
or to bamboozle others" After this interview
came telegram from Rome, from Able Stel-
lardi informing Baron Ricasoli that his Holt
ness peremptordy refused to enter into any ne
gotiations with the Italian government, and
nere the matter ended Tor the present. AS YOU
see an understanding with the Court OF Rome
Is as wide asunder as the Arctic is from the
Antarctic Pole, and that the Holy See is stand-
ing n hostile array towards us exactly as it
stood six years ago. Heaven have mercy on
usl