Year: 1875

the characters Of Othello and Iago would be
very differently appreciated by on English and
an Italian audience, the latter being very
likely to mistake Iago for the hero Italian
politics are game of skill, in which 6nessing
is allowed, and poor Garibaldi at the present
moment appears like trump card in the
wrong hands.


A few months ago, when Garibaldi's candi-
dature for seat in the Italian Parliament
was first announced, general CONSERVATION
seized the authorities. This great blundering
hero, with his extraordinary habit OF speak
ing the truth, might derangc all the incest
party combinations Their fears were soon
confirmed by the Generals first manifesto, in
which, with his wonted candor, he de-
clared the members of the government to
be parcel of rogues His election was GER
tain. How was he to be dealt with? A pension
OF twenty thousand dollars had been offered
and declined by him. What can you do
with man who won't accept pension? as
the Duke of Wellington said in reference to
Admiral Codrington. But Signor Minghetti
and his colleagues were equal to the occasion.
They hit upon a fine idea If the Generals
mind were once occupied with some noble
but utterly impracticable projects, in which
the government should appear to help while
secretly thwarting him, his attention might
be diverted from schemes for the abolition of
the Catholic Church, the monarchy and one
or two other important institutions. With
considerable dexterity they induced Garibaldi
hal, ba fba tow ~ fhair
plans, and that he desired the execution of
these practical measures before any ideal con-
stitutonal reforms. The Ministerial tactics
succeeded so far that Garibaldi took up these
matters in earnest and proved that the works
he contemplated we're very far from impracti-
cable. The draining of the swamps of the
Campagna, the detection Of the Tiber, the
construction of harbor and breakwater at
Port Trajan or Fiumicino were tasks which
simply required energy, skill and money;
and the government was only too glad
to second his efforts, even at the cost
of an increased deficit in the budget Ac-
cording to one account the Minister of FL
nance is disposed to advance eight million
dollars, and to guarantee five per cent interest
to subscribers to loan on behalf OF these
undertakings. All that has been actually ad-
vanced so far is present of four fine horses
from the Kings stables, for Garibaldi to ride
during his surveying expeditions. From the
royal family downward everybody is eager
to provide for the Generals comfort and to
render him every possible honor.


Victor Emmanuel is only too anxious to
make bridge of gold for his powerful sub
ject, and his wise magnanimity is already re-
warded. In the first place, the cordial under
standing between Garibaldi and the Cabinet
has thrown the Extreme Left or revolutionary
party, into complete disorder. The leader
who they had hoped would have led them
to the onslaught on existing institutions
has sworn allegiance to the monarchy,
and seems, like many another, to have turned
conservative in his old age. But q far more
important and beneficial result is believed to
be due TO the friendly reception of Garibaldi
by King and people together. Plus TX, it
must be remembered, was liberal at the
commencement Of his reign, and though the
excesses of the republicans of 1848 threw him
into the arms of the reactionists, Giovanni
Mastai Ferretti has never quite forgotten his
earliest love- A Catholic first, he is next an
Italian, and has sincere wish for the pros
perity of his country. The enthusiastic well
come accorded to Garibaldi by the whole
population, and the spontaneous nature of
which could not be gainsayed is understood
to have left deep impression on the Pope.
Dr,o xi~,f
and was subjected to violent abuse for this
act of courtesy by some of the ultramontane
journals, His Holiness severely rebuked his
would-be partisans for their indiscretion.
In short, there is evidence that the Pope,
for the sake of the oldest and best of Christian
principles, which is peace, is disposed to adopt
a more conciliatory attitude toward the King
dom of Italy and to accept accomplished facts.
Thus Garibaldi, by his mere presence in
Rome, has rendered another signal service to
his country; for by demonstrating that the
cause he represents has genuine hold on the
affections Of the nation, he has gone far to win
for it the support of the successor Of st. Peter.


As Montalembert wrote, there is no greater
mistake than to imagine that the Catholic
Church is the natural enemy of liberty. The
golden age of Italian freedom was also the
golden age of the Papal supremacy; the Re
publics of Florence and Venice were reproduc-
ing nobler civilization than that of ancient
Greece at the time when the might of Rome
was such that Pope could keep the Emperor
waiting like o beggar in his courtyard.
And when Italy was torn in sunder by
| the Guelph and Ghibelline factions, on
the side of the former were to be found
not only ecclesiastical claims but the best
hopes for the national unity and Indepen-
dence. The alliance of the Papal See with
Austria in latter days, by which Italy was
kept in subjection, was monstrous union--in
fiat contradiction to the best traditions equally
N.t.aar, and of tho Hnuse of Ha1..-