New-York tribune., 1899-05-07

pears to have been a loyable man, 50 io'aD'e
that Della Rocca did not hesitate, when asheo
by him to embark upon an enterprise as spy
but proceeded gayly to France in the guise OF d
botanst and there learned all that his master
wished TO know. He is naturally. as go'o
soldier devoted to the memory OF victor Efhah-
uel H. He describes him thus AT court Ficlor
Emanuel was the heir to the throne, loVhs
husband and a respectful son; but outsiue "e
gave full scope to his natural instincts anu
tastes and became a mousquetaire OF tie seven
teenth century He dressed rather in that styIe'
and physically resembed Dumas's heroes, but
without their vulgar manners and tastes Inc
last clause. to those who know their DuhiaS
and are not unfamiliar with the personal ms
tory of Victor Emanuel, is little comic, Dut
General Della Rocca writes in perfect good
faith. without pretending to be what ne was
not Victor Emanuel gave the best OF hlmseh
to Maria Adelaide" he observes. and in that
calm manner disDoses of his masters grave
shortcomings Here. again. however his feel
ngs are excusable. Being a soldier pure and
simple he was quick to forgive a fighter as gal
liant as Victor Emanuel proved himself to be.
He never tires Of referring to the bravery of MS
royal friend His best military anecdote.
though is Of Charles Albert himself before
Peschera The King was on horseback. Cap
tain Franzini came from Peschera WIN
a letter from the Duke of Genoa The King
opened it without dropping his reins BEFORE ne
had time to read word a projectile fell fe"
feet in front of his horse. which reared The
King drove his spurs into the beast and forced
him to stand over the shell. We all remained
motonless. but reflected. II that grenade bursts
the King will be blown up and all OF US Win
him. The shell did not burst; the King read
his letter. and with perfect calmness looked
slowly round at US and said 'Messeurs'
Peschiera est nous
NAPOLEON Ill of course. appears frequently III
this book Della Rocca sent to him py
Victor Emanuel Just after the Orsini attempt 10
offer CONGRATULATIONS and at the same time
allay the EmperOr's suspicious feelings toward
Italy He was received with mingled Cordiality
and c0ldness Napoleon listened with kindness,
but his pent-up feelings at last rushed forth.
He became menacing. THE army was reaoy
to march against any place known to be retuge
for assassins'' he declared. Later. as every one
knows he lent immense aid to Italy but there
is another sketch of him in this book reluctantly
facing the necessity for a withdrawn OF MS
troops and his influence from the Italian heiu.
1t was in 1859. when, flushed with the glory OF
the battle Of Magenta and the evacuation OF
Milan. the allied French and Italian troops were
looking forward to still further decisive plows
against the Austrians. Napoleon and Nicto-
Emanuel were riding together when Della Rocca
heard the former read to his companion a letter
from the Empress pointing out the possibility
of a Prussian invasion Of France and demand
ing the return Of a part of the "Armee dltalle'
Della Rocca may here be quoted: Victor Eman-
uel listened in silence; he understood as ala,
that all was finished and that the Emperor
would not risk his own throne to serve Italy.
Slowly and silently the two soveregns descend
ed the HILL without giving another thought 10
the siege of Peschiera or Verona. Reading the
letter of the Empress, without any comment
was a tacit retraction by the Emperor or MS
promise to free Italy from the Alps TO the
Adriatic 1t was the first intimation that ne
meant to stop short at the Mlnclo IL Is
pathetic picture, and there are many others IKE
it in this book. The author sets forth strehu-
Gus narrative, full Of the painful effort or a
nation organizing itself in the face OF tremen-
dous obstacles. Even the gains had to be bal
anced with losses. French aid had made II
possible to annex Tuscany, Emilia and the
Romagna to the kingdom Of Victor Emanuel
but the cesson of Nice and Savoy to France
was required and General Della Rocca alludes
with feeling to the anger Of Garibaldi, who was
Deputy for Nice, and never forgot or forgave
the cesson of his birthplace" But that was in
1860 Ten years later Garbaldi was to see a
united Italy at last, and in that triumph to be
consoled, doubtless. for his private grief. Our
author writes an amusing note, by the way, Of
Alexandra Dumas pere and his giving him
"a world of trouble and annoyance" at Naples.
They were installed in villa which the elder