KS BEARI WOR NG O N ITALY .

w 6d Cro n 8vo o 63 . . cl th . .

RO ME N 1 I 860 .

By E D W A R D D I C E Y .

Th e w in o f t h e w o e book is e se ire and e ause o f s oun d u m en ln rit g h l t r , d ct, b c j dg t s nd h a n e e ion o f e ai s a t e o a se e o f was e w i in e y ra hi . W i en 11] l ct d t l t t l b c t r t g, v r g p c r tt — ain unaff e e En h sh in en e e yw ere u on it s s e E:camwwr. pl ct d g , t t v r h p ubj ct

f hf a i e i — c ator It is t h e R om e o real e th t s here d p cted . Spe t

Wri en in a ery a reea e and un a e e m anner and sh ows rou ho u a re i tt v g bl ff ct d , th g t c d t able anxret y t o get at t h e m ost reh able sources of inform ation and t o tell t h e exac t u wlu ch 1s now e e ess easi y a aine an am o n t h e sensi i e e e and h , h l l d h , d, tr t r tt t g — t v xcit unveracrous p o pulation whos e chronicler h e un dertak es t o be S atm day Review

6 d. o o o . 8 . 6 Cr wn 8v . cl th

ITALIA N WA R 18 48—9 AND TH LA ST , , E

ITALIA P ET I STI N O (G U ) .

t h e a e LUSHINGTON ief e e a t o t h e l t HENRY , Ch S cr t ry

G o v ernm ent o f Mal ta.

V Y ITH A BIO GR APH ICA L N O T IC E .

’ Th l S bo ok is o f incontestable excell ence Mr Luslu ngt on s s ympat ln es wit l: o e s se and ies - i en a y we e k een and 1113 a uain an e w t he so ia an d ppr d pr t r dd It l r , cq t c ith c l o i i O fl l D o f o un u r o un —The P16 8 6 p l t cal C t O that c try seem s t o have been un suall y p of d . — To ld wnt h great cleam es s and remark abl e vividnes s The Economwt T H E B R O KE N T R O T H .

A TALE O F TUSC AN LIFE . — A genuine Italian tal e a true picture of t h e Tus can peas ant population It is ’ " I i n ha has een l she sm ce t he P ome si s t he es a a a e s S o of N anzom. b t t l t l t t b pub i d r p i, London Revww

. 6d a 8vo . s . Fc p 3 .

G A R I B A L D I C A P R E R A A T .

O N By CO L EL V ECCHJ .

a efa e Mrs GASKE LL a o of a B a on St e With Pr c by . , uth r M ry rt ,

e all a h as een o of Ga i a di h e e was som e in wan in t o t he ul Aft r th t b t ld r b l , t r th g t g f l ’ and ue im ress wn o f t he a ri o s h a a e and m o e o f Me as e e ry o ne who tr p p t t c r ct r d , v reads thi s artl ess and enthus ias tic narration will cert ainly admit It has an air " o f u ha ommen s i e en when i is m os e a a an in its adm irat io n tr th t t c d t, v t t xtr v g t

It gives th e full est and m o s t minute account o f t h e lif e o f Garibaldi at Capre ra yet i Many f h e fle io ns and e m a k s o f G a i a i in is it e o um e wi publ s he d. o t e r ct r r —r b ld th l tl v l ll Morniw Sta . give m o st read ers a new V iew of h is general character. g r

8vo . 32s . Two Vo ls .

H I T R Y O F FR E D E R I C K H S E C O N D S O T E , M N S E MPE R O R O F T H E R O A .

M A . L. KINGTO N By T. ,

A detailed life o f t he greate st man o f his ag e The boo k shows an understanding o f t he t ime wi w h it h i t o do The na a i e is a ways lea and th hic as mmediately . rr t v l c r " s t rai h t m ' — u fo anl . al r g S day Revie w.

MAC MI LLAN N LO DON N D CAMBRIDGE. A D C O . N A

T H E T U S C A N P O E T

I P E I U S E P G U S T I ,

D ME A N H IS TI S .

B Y S U S A N H O R N E R .

nub Gl amhribgc M A C M I A N D C O L L A N .

18 64.

INTR O DUCTIO N .

THE writings, character, and example of the Poet and

iri GIUSEPPE GIUSTI Sat st, , are acknowledged through i out Italy, to have had no nconsiderable share in leading to the realization of the hopes of all true i i . Th e Ital an hearts idea of a Un ted Italy, so long

w treated ith contempt or ridicule , as the dream of

l i has ambitious usurpers or of restless po itical ex les,

r at length attained a substantial fo m , and has been

u acquiesced in and approved since successf lly achieved .

- i l The hot headed and inexper enced youth , as we l as i the masses of the Ital an people, have , now for a suc

cession of years, maintained an attitude which has won for them the respect and admiration of nations

i in glory ng, like the Israelites of old, their superiority . The source of this rapid moral growth in a whole INTR ODUCTION .

peopl e may be chiefly traced to the direct as well as

indirect influence exercised by writers such as the

modern Tuscan poet ; and though now little known

beyond the confines of Italy, the verses of Giusti

may perhaps some day be read with those of Dante , as marking an epoch in the history of their common

country .

Italy, degraded and corrupted by contamination

from Spanish and Austrian nobles, and by a long

o e c urs of systematic demoralization, first woke to obey fi i the call of her guides and prophets, such as Al er and

Parini , and to a consciousness of national existence ,

at the trumpet blast of the French Revolution . The

French went forth as political m issionaries to p reach

i t o liberty abroad , and, in the spirit of their call ng, enfo rce what they preached ; their pulpits were the .

l t he thrones of fa len tyrants, but y at least gave Italy the benefit o f material improvements and a more even

o f The administration law and justice . flattering

ippc al of t he Archduke John once m o re held o ut the ho pe of regaining a national e xistence and indepen

t he t o o dence , and Italians hastened j in t he Allies INTRODUCTIO N .

and drive out the French . But a worse form of foreign

despotism followed, and the people, who had been duped and betrayed at the Congress of Vienna of

1 15 ff 8 , have since then unceasingly o ered every kind

of resistance to Austria and to t he other governments which were at that time forced upon them . The i Liberals d vided into two camps ; one, chiefly com

o f posed young men, who met in secret to consult

how to unite all Italians in the same aim , to soften i the j ealousies of the d vided States of the Peninsula, i to cherish the idea of a national ex stence , and to organize a force of volunteers to fight the battles of i . i their country Their watchword was Republ can sm ,

u and their leader Giuseppe Mazzini. Comm nism never

and found a place among the Liberals of Italy, the republic they hoped to establish was a settled form of

. h government, not anarchy The spirit of patient e durance and courage which has led so many to fall i will ng martyrs to their cause , must more than apolo

l gise for errors in judgment and rash deeds .

1 The a sa on of assass na ion av n een erm t e and e en ccu ti i t h i g b p i t d , v e n a e h o t e o e of o n a is a a n . a s c ur g d , by S ci ty Y u g It ly, c lum y Th t uch had een t h e ase w o e se e so e es as t h e on e b c ith th r cr t ci ti , ly r strictiv e INTR ODUC TION .

i n But another d vision of Liberals, equally ho est, and

including many of the wisest and best men of Italy, possessed more enlarged ideas of the future of their country, as well as of the means to be employed for i its redemption . Those who adhered to these v ews

rejected all secret means as unworthy of their end,

besides, leading to useless bloodshed, more dangerous to morals than the measures adopted by their tyrants i with ndomitable courage , patience , and hope , they have endeavoured to train the people to moral eleva

tion of character . Among their ranks, indeed , are to

be found many, even of the leaders, who in con t radic t io n t he to the name which y have adopted , of

t he Moderate , have displayed all rancour and bitter

ness o f party spirit towards tho se opposed to them ;

whereas a calm appeal t o t he practical c o mmon - sense

of the pe o ple is most needed to lead to t he c o nvicti o n

and u no b c ct io nable that an idea traditional j in itself,

u t he o f may , nder circumstances the present time , be

impossible to realize .

o e r a o s a on e se es is ue azz n m e as ure o f p lic fo tr it r m g th m lv . tr but M i i

e n e t his and all w ea t o e w en ins n t h e xpu g d , hich might l d crim , h tituti g

So cie ty o f Yo ung Italy . INTRO DUCTIO N . ix

Among those who raised their voices in the cause

n of true moderation and Christia charity, and who

with an earnest desire for political freedom and regene l ration, have ventured to speak aloud when it was a ike

dangerous to brave the power O f the oppressor and

t he the opinion of oppressed, was the Tuscan poet,

Giusti ; his writings stand forth pre - eminently among

the patriots who have sown in the heart s of t he Italian d i people the see s of v rtue, wisdom, and the love

of true liberty .

The sketch of his life given in the following pages has been chiefly extracted from the biographies of e Giovanni Frassi, Enrico Mayer, and Giosu Carducci , whilst the contemporary history has been derived from

' L e I s t on e I t alic me ll li Ultimi R ivo l i of Rana i, G g

’ f m enti I t aliani . . L I t alie est elle la di F W Gualterio, t erre des m orts ni , by Marc Mon er, and a pamphlet containing the evidence of some of the most honest as

Toscana e well as able of Tuscan statesmen, entitled

A ri ust a. The chief attraction which this little volume

’ O ff Giust is can er to the public, is a selection from own

correspondence, and from his most celebrated poems , O X INTR DUCTIO N . whilst the narrative of the stirring events of this

century, in which he played an important though

unobtrusive part , may be read with interest at the

i ru beg nning of a new and, it is to be t sted, a happier

era for Italy . C N T E T O N S .

INTR O DUCTI O N

R CHAPTE I .

O O F S S BIRTH , PARENTAGE , AND EDUCATI N GIU EPPE GIU TI

CHAPTER II .

ITALY IN THE BEGINNING O F THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

CHAPTER III . “ LITERARY SO CIETY IN FLO REN CE S ISMO N D I

CHAPTER. IV .

AN EXCURS I O N

R CHAPTE V . — THE BO O T EDUCATIO N

CHAPTER VI . — PO ETRY A ND PO ETS DISCO VE RY O F THE PO RTR AIT O F DANTE X11 CO NTENTS .

CHAPTER V II.

A SEC O ND EXCURS I O N INTO THE M O UNTAINS

CHAPTER VIII .

A CO UNTRY BALL

CHAPTER IX . — ADVICE TO A YO UNG FRIEND THE S NAIL

CHAPTER X .

FAMILY AFFLICTI O N S

CHAPTER XI. — A J O URNEY T O RO ME AN D NAPLES RETURN O F ILLNESS

CHAPTER XII. — — — I L GINGILLINO A N EXCURS I O N TO PI SA MILAN MANZO NI

X CHAPTER III.

' ’ ‘ — O CCUPATI O N O F FERRA RA BY T H E A I S I RIA NS DEMAND FO R A — NATI O NAL G UA RD LETT ERS

R I CHAPT E X V .

- — O M A LL! s ar rm nu . 4 Sw an s e a 1 P E p , 847 c nm c s s m

— — ’ N LEIT EB TO R co nns o THE CABI ET LUCCA GENE AL s o . Xl l l CO NTENTS .

CHAPTER XV . — PA G E LETTER TO THE PRUSS IAN AMBA SSAD O R TREATIES NV ITH

— V — GUERAZ Z I— W AR AUSTRIA RE O LT AT LEGH O RN F . D . IN LO MBARDY

CHAPTER XVI . — PESC IA N VO LUNTEERS ENCY CLI CA O F PO PE PIUS C OND IT ION O F — ’ THE TUS CAN AR MY LETTER To THE MARCHE SA D AZEGLI O — — BATTLE S O F CURTA TO NE A N D G O ITo S URRENDER O F — AR O A LBERTO 262 PES CHIERA C L PRO CLAIMED K ING O F ITALY .

CHAPTER XVII . — TUS CANY IN THE S UMMER O F 18 48 M O NTANE LLI .

CHAPTER XVIII .

CO NCLUS I O N O F THE YEAR 1848

CHAPTER XIX . — — LETTER O F GIU STI THE C O NS TITUENT AS SEMBLY FL IGHT O F — — THE GRAND DUKE THE BATTLE O F NO VARA ABDICATI O N O F CARLO ALBERTO

CHAPTER XX .

THREE LETT ER S BY GIU STI O N THE CAUS ES W HICH HAD LED T O THE DI SA STRO US TERMINATIO N O F THE REVO LUTI O NAR Y

O V IN O W W E S M EMENT EUR PE , RITTEN BET E N THE YEAR

1847 - 1849

I CHAPTER XX .

TUS CANY IN 1849 x iv CONTENTS .

CHAPTER XXII . — FALL O F THE PRO VI S I O NAL G O VERNMENT RETURN O F THE GRAND DUK E

CHAPTER XXIII . — THE A U STRIANS I N TUS CANY TERMINATI O N T O THE H O PES A N D AS PIRATI O NS O F THE PATRI O TS O F 1848

R I CHAPTE XX V .

’ THE LAST DAYS O F G IUSTI S LIFE

2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

citizen of Pescia, and educated for an advocate, Chiti , at the news O f the first outbreak of the French Revolu 1 8 9 tion in 7 , had shared the hopes of many, for the liberation of his country ; but ten years later, these hopes faded away, as the despotic character of the great military leader showed itself in its true light, whilst the alarm of French invasion caused the rule of the petty sovereigns of Italy to become truly l reigns of terror. The more en ightened portion of the community, abandoned to their fate , fell victims to a worse tyranny than before : Chiti was ass ailed by the

- lowest of his fellow citizens, torn from his wife and t h children , and, under a burning July sun , with e

an l skeleton of umbrel a held over him in mockery, he was dragged from his villa to a prison in Pescia . In this prison he found Sismondi, the future historian of the Italian Republics, and they there formed a friend ship which endured for life . Some time later, Chiti was not only set at liberty, but was appointed President

o or Governor of the province , and he had then an p po rt unit y of being n o bly avenged upon those who had

. t he so cruelly persecuted him A famine visited land , and the former leaders of the mob came to entreat for

’ hit is . C forgiveness, and for aid reply has been e ver since remembered with hon o ur by his countrymen and “ , w o ith just pride by his descend“ants . I kn w you have s n w w n large familie , he a s ered , who are in a t at my ho use o u o u i y will be given the grain y requ re ; go, O . 3 BIRTH , PARENTAGE, AND EDUCATI N

take it, and be at peace . Such were the actions, and the men , whose memories young Giusti was trained to reverence from his childhood : and with a higher genius

he and more literary tastes, appears to have inherited many of the qualities of his grandfather Chiti, who is ni described as having been dig fied and courteous, yet ff violent when roused to anger ; a able, playful, frank, and of a social disposition .

In an autobiography, which has been preserved by

t he the Marchese Gino Capponi, Giusti records that first lesson taught him by his fathe r was the famous i description of Ugol no, set to music, and he thus early imbibed his passion for song, for poetry, and for Dante . His parents were anxious to make their child hardy in mind and body ; the servants were accordingly forbidden

he to tell him ghost stories, and even fairy tales, and was trained to bear falls and blows without tears or com

e plaint . But systems of ducation formed to counteract,

e not i h rather than guid nature , seldom succeed and w t standing his apparent hardihood as a child, Giusti grew

e up singularly sensitiv , nervous, and imaginative, with

i nl a del cacy of constitution, unhappily ending o y with his early death . At seven years of age he was sent

e ud to a priest to receiv the r iments of instruction .

he His master possessed a good library, and t boy was soon able to read with sufficient ease to enj oy

’ Plutarch s Lives, a history of the siege of Jerusalem,

— —he which as he himself relates read over sixty times, B 2 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

and the memoirs of poets, painters and warriors, with the lives of saints and martyrs, over the description of whose torments he appears to have dwelt with that delight children always experience in tales of horror.

n The priest was in the habit of taki g long walks, and was always accompanied by his pupil , and though often wearied mentally as well as bodily by these excursions, i Giusti acquired a taste for d stant rambles , which he retained throughout his life . After an early dinner his

n tutor would take the usual siesta, or after oon sleep , and the boy, shut up in darkness, though wide awake,

u indulged in castles in the air and idle tho ghts, a bad

u f u re habit, which once acq ired, he found di fic lt to t linquish . In the evening his master frequently paid visi s to other priests, with whom he would recite his breviary, whilst his pupil amused himself with his favourite books ; when he stayed at home , Giusti was compelled

u to go through the same exercise , which so disg sted

was him , that he afterwards declared he only surprised

o it did not make him renounce the Roman Cath lic faith . As his master was only acquainted with one system by which to instil knowledge , that of corporal punishment , his pupil made little progress during the five years in w which he continued under his tuition . In his t elfth

o o year Giusti was rem ved to a scho l at Florence , where he arrived with little beyo nd the power o f reading his

u w o r native lang age , and a superficial kno ledge of hist y ,

i e whilst entirely ignorant of Lat n , and in a hopel ss D O . 5 BIRTH , PARENTAGE, AND E UCATI N

t he state of discouragement, natural result of every thing having been done to place before him the ditfi c ult ies his which beset the path of knowledge, and own inability to conquer them . Giusti was more fortunate in t he instructors he met with at t he school of Attilio Zuecagni of Florence .

Fiancioni The assistant master, Andrea , inspired his

t he pupils with love of study and of virtue, and became ,

’ in after life, one of the poet s most attached friends . Francioni appears at once to have admitted him to

we terms of intimacy, if may judge by a letter written

he to him by Giusti at thirteen years of age, in which familiarly reproaches him with not having replied to another of his letters; A strong interest must have been awakened by their mutual love of poetry, as Francioni was an enthusiastic admirer of Virgil and of

Petrarch, and many years later, Giusti thus speaks of his old master

owe t he e To this man I all I am, littl I know, and all the pleasure I derived from study when a boy, which

i m e ill has accompan ed in riper years, and which w

i e crown, with a happ n ss without satiety and without

remorse, the age of wrinkles, white hair and paralysis .

Francioni i Andrea is my first fr end, my benefactor,

l who e the on y one , among many, has b en to me both

instructor and father. I have loved him heart and soul,

I have studied, and ever study to do him honour, and to him I trace the source of all in which I have been 6 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

most successful . I feel that were I to give him all I l . In possess, I should on y be paying a just debt his

- class room, neither cries nor noise was to be heard ; there was neither punishment nor favour, nor that per pe tual and disgraceful conflict between the rage of the master, and the anger and humiliation of the scholar ;

' afiect idnat e t but there was reproof, and emulation wi h i out cav ling, whilst perfect harmony was stamped on the smooth, firm and calm brow of that excellent man and ready and prompt attention was given on our

' . a side Study had become pleasure , including even

f . Latin, with its bewildering terminations and di ficulties

I was only ten months under him , but they were enough i ” for a l fetime, as all depends on a good start . Giusti had likewise the advantage of another valuable i an nstructor in the Abate Lorenzo Tarli , accomplished

and . scholar, a young man of high principles In a

w s t he correspondence carrie“d on t enty years afterward , Poet writes to him : I can never forget the time in

in t he which you were my guide and light, arduous

no o u path of life . Would that I had had ther g ide in

s t IV it h my fir steps Tarli , Giusti visited the churches

o m and galleries of Florence , where , with ut assu ing the

r n o w dictato ial man er of the sch olmaster, he dre the attention of his pupil to t he wonderful and rich c o llee

t o o tions of works of art, only be f und in that most beautiful of cities .

t he Before Giusti had completed his thirteenth vear, AN D O . BIRTH , PARENTAGE, EDUCATI N 7

l Z uc cag ni u t school of Atti io was nfor unately broken up ,

and he was sent to a Lyceum at Pistoia, and from thence was shortly aft erwards removed to a college at

l his Lucca . When at this co lege , one of schoolfellows,

y his who subsequentl became biographer, Giovanni

his Frassi, bears ample testimony to precocious judg ment on works of literature ; whilst another school

B arat t a was r fellow Giacomo , , the fi st to encourage his , “ him w ° poetical muse . To Giusti rite s in l 8 44 I have always remembered how much advantag e I de rived from your affectionate advice when I was at the in college Lucca, and how I may almost be said to have walked by your side in the path of letters ; I have still the verses corrected by you , and an ode

y o u u i which wrote for me when I was ret rn ng home .

’ iust is r l i ff G was a natu e easi y gu ded by his a ections, h i which were as steady and constant t rough l fe, as

u they were warm in their first imp lses . The aid and

ul i stim us of such nfluences were much needed by one , whose lively character rather inclined him to idleness than to study, and whom the system of education pre i l va ling at that time was not ikely to attach to books .

his He chose as a subject for first attempt at poetry, l the Tower of Babel , fol owed by an ode to Italy, both of which have been lost or destroyed ; between the a g es o f twelve and fifteen he was constantly scribbling

ug rhymes, tho h in other respects, his education, (as far as mere learning may be understood by this often 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

abused word,) made little progress . So imperfect was the teaching at the college, that though , when he left

off t he it, he carried prize for Italian Translations from

his the Latin, and attained honours for proficiency in French he was but superficially acquainted with either

Af n r language . ter his return to the cou t y residence of his father, he gained some reputation among friends in

verses writ t en the neighbourhood, for to given rhymes, ‘ then a fashionable amusement . His education was

him -n again confided to a priest, to prepare for the Pisa

University, and, at the request of this tutor, he wrote a

x poem in Commemoration of the day of the Crucifi ion ,

l s which was pub ished, with a series by other author , on the same subject ; that of Giusti , however, was pre

l . ferred, and was declared the gem of the col ection T hese compositions do not appear to have obtained

o wn much favour in his eyes, or even at the time to have been thought by himself indications of genius ; for that which renders Giusti even more remarkable

r as a man than as a poet, was his singular t uthfulness

t he of character, and clear and unbiassed j udgment w i ith which , thus early in l fe , he could examine and

his o wn o appreciate the value of producti ns , united i w th that moral courage , which enabled him to rise and

- a l . z strive gain , after se f condemnation Unda zled by

t o o the praises of admiring friends, with little vanity to

f i ff m o rt ific at io n s su fer from the paralys ng e ect of , whil t

o wn conscious of his short comings, he ever looked

1O GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

seated over their wine, when the conversation took a religrous turn ; Gius ti maintaining the necessity of a form of faith, and his friend disputing the point with

him . This subject led to another as serious, on the death of a young, beautiful , and virtuous girl , to whom

Giusti had addressed a sonnet, in which he laments the low state of morals of the age . After a time the w ff t he ine began to take e ect, and before they left tavern none of the young men were perfectly sober .

’ Frassi was living at his father s house in Pisa ; but not choosing to return home in this condition , he accepted

’ Giust is invitation to pass the night at his lodging . As the lodging consisted of one room , with one bed , capable at the utmost of holding two persons , Giusti , as the host, wrapped himself in his cloak , and sat

. h down to write, whilst his friends slept W en they rose in the morning, they found he had spent his time

in in the study of French authors , and translating verses

D um ou t i r by s e . It was at this period of his life that his satirical vein first displayed itself in a sonnet he wrote to a p riest

f o who had o fended him by strictures on Ari sto , and

o v whom he advises to confine himself t his Bre iary .

e After three years , in which tim he had made little or no progress in his legal studies , his father recalled him to his home . He accordingly j oined his family in

w r Pescia, here he continued three more yea s , spending

un ro fit abl his life even more p y than at the University , B R N O . 11 IRTH, PA ENTAGE, A D EDUCATI N

gambling and accumulating debts . The Cavaliere Domenico Giusti accordingly resolved to make another attempt to induce his son to study law, and to lead

: 18 32 a more steady life in November, , he paid his debts, after obtaining from him a promise to refrain

e l from incurring more, and to be mor di igent in study ; and sent him again to the University . The promise was easier than the performance, especially when Giusti found himself exposed to all the temptations and li associations of his former fe ; he , however, contrived 18 34 to pass an examination in Jurisprudence, in June , ; but he owed his success rather to the incompetency wit of his examiners and to his own ready , than to proficiency in study . It was shortly after this second return to Pisa that he wrote the first poem we find

L a Gui lio t tina a in his published works, entitled g

va ore . p , the Steam Guillotine This poem is a satire on the prodigality with which patents were granted for the numberless inventions of the day ; and whilst supposing a machine to have been invented by a headsman of the Chinese Empire, by which a hundred

o ff in thousand heads could be taken three hours, he proceeds to inform the reader, that the priests have seen in it a presage of the gradual civilization of China and he concludes by a verse in which Francis IV . the 1 reigning duke of Modena, is thus alluded to under

1 an s e of o ena son o f t he e e nan Fr ci IV . Duk M d , Archduk F rdi d ' f s a and f B ea E e o Au tri o tric e d st . I 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

the name of Tiberius, supposed to be addressing infamous Prince of Canosa 1

G rida un frate O b ell a cosa I

Gli va dat e anco il ba si o tte m .

! e c e dice al C anos a Ah p r h ,

Un T ber o in c o s o i i di i tte im , ’ es ni n n na Qu to ge e o m e to . N EL DU C AT O

1 The o Canosa t h e ns en o f an o f t he a s o f f , i trum t m y ct e and ann n e e nan o f a es and and who cru lty tyr y u d r F rdi d I . N pl Sicily , w en a n s e was e e e at t he o of t he D e of o ena. h b i h d , r c iv d c urt uk M d CHAPTER II .

Y O F ITAL IN THE BEGINNING THE NINETEENTH CENTURY .

O BEF RE time, age , and necessity had weakened hope,

crushed aspirations, or corrupted purity of intention, young and ardent spirits like those of Giusti and his i i compan ons, w th their patriotism nourished by the l perusal of their best native authors, natural y turned to

u politics . The str ggle appeared ripening between jus

tice and injustice, freedom and oppression ; between it h trad ion, istory, and lawful right on one side , and

invasion and lawless usurpation on t he other . Re

eat ed off p , though vain, attempts to shake the yoke had been the only signs of life given by the nation from i the time when an in quitous fiat of a congress of kings, or their representatives, at Vienna, had betrayed the hopes held out of a united Italy, and passed a sentence of condemnation on the liberties of every people in Continental Europ e : but in order to understand the excited state of political feeling in Italy at the time i when Giusti began his career in l fe, it is necessary to review the condition of the several States into which

i l i . the Pen nsu a was, at this period , div ded I 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

all Among the princes of Italy, none had exceeded, or perhaps equalled, the exactions and cruelty of

Francis the Fourth , duke of Modena but that which called down upon him peculiarly the execration of young and old, was, that a recent immature attempt at revo lut io n , and its unhappy results, were attributed to his

erfid 1830 p y and double dealing . Before he had been i engaged in a conspiracy with Louis Ph lippe, then Duke of Orleans ; and under the pretence of sympathy with

s the cau e of liberty, but really for the furtherance of their ambitious designs, they had encouraged and fos

t ered . the hopes of Italian patriots No sooner, how ever, had unforeseen events placed Louis Philippe on a h d throne , t an, esirous to secure the friendship and

re countenance of the other sovereigns of Europe, he no unc ed share his in the plots, which could no longer be of service to himself and would have imperilled his good fortune . Francis of Modena, abandoned to his fate , returned to seek the protection of Austria, with whose reigning family he was connected by blood . The last Italian Duke of Modena had been Hercules

’ Est D e, celebrated for his opposition to feudal and ecclesiastical tyranny but likewise notorious for an excessive care and economy, which enabled him to

o f l amass an amount treasure, eventually destined on y 18 03 to tempt French rapacity . He died in , at the age

- r of eighty nine , leaving an only daughter, Beat ice , married to t he Austrian Archduke Ferdinand . She 15 ITALY IN THE N INETEENTH CENTURY.

survived her father three years ; and her son, Francis,

i u 18 15 more Austr an than Italian, s cceeded, in , to D the uchy, with an accession of territory assigned to him by the Treaty of Vienna . He entered upon his government in the double character of heir to the throne and of conqueror. After the attempt at a

18 2 0 i e in revolution in Piedmont, in , which had likew s i fect ed the Ital ans of other States, no Italian sovereign was more severe than Francis in the pers ecution of the

The l i Liberals . Modenese dungeons were fi led w th n i suspected persons, belongi g to the Carbonar or other secret societies ; and the Governor of Modena, though hi l d mse f a member of these societies, rew up the prose entions against the prisoners, and, under the cloak of

n s compassion and kind ess, extracted revelation which li brought mourning and desolation into m any fami es .

Nothing, perhaps, is a stronger proof of the miserable state to which the Italian people were reduced than the eagerness with which they welcomed the faintest ray of e hope , and trusted in the promis s of a man so notorious for unscrupulous cruelty as Francis of Modena : not i that they bel eved in his love of liberty, but they con

fided in their own means of tempting his ambition, and

i . thought to secure his aid by his nterest Ciro Menotti,

r e one of the pu est and best of patriots, was among thos who were misled by this idea, the suggestion of despair ;

vi he sought an inter ew with the Duke of Modena, and ff o ered him the crown of the Italian kingdom, if he 16 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . would consent to put himself at the head of the pro

ect ed . j movement The Duke appeared to yield, and Menotti communicated his success to the Liberals in i other parts of Italy, endeavouring to nduce the leaders in Romagna and in Tuscany to j oin in the scheme . Many felt too invincible a repugnance to Francis of Modena to concur in any enterprise in which he was engaged ; but Menotti tried to overcome these scruples, and reminded them that the Duke’ s wealth was required

u to make their success secure . Francis still f rther con t rived to deceive Menotti by lavishing favours and con fidence on him he frequently received him in a private room of the Palace for secret conferences, when he ex ho rt ed him to continue the good work he had begun ; him and, on one occasion , he assured that, whatever might be the result of their plot, not only should his life be safe, but the Duke pledged himself to obtain for him immunity from even a sentence of condemnation . Though public sym pathy with the Italian cause had F been expressed in the rench Chambers , the open de fec t io n of Louis Philippe from the cause of the Italian

n D Liberals convi ced the uke of Modena that he, too,

o i must seek his safety in abandoning the pr j ect . C ro

o ss iblit in Menotti had foreseen this p y, and , the hop e of preventing total failure , resolved to anticipate the

a hour for the explosion of the conspir cy .

O n 3 u 18 31 s the rd Febr ary, , Ciro had coll ected in hi a house sever l young men , to whom he was giving

I 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . hierarchical Government can enable a single generation of despots to destroy the life of a people : the Society of Young Italy came into existence the year Menotti died, and its author, Giuseppe Mazzini , though opposed in many of his views by a large number of the liberal party in Italy, was at least one with them in his prin ci al p aim, that of liberating the nation from Austrian l satel ites . The death of Francis of Modena opened the way for fresh hopes and expectations in his successor ;

de e m ed . but , as usual , to disappointment

Modena was, however, not the only State groaning under that native tyranny and misrule which was sup

r ported directly o indirectly by Austria . Piedmont had never been subj ected to a more severe treatment than in the years intervening between 18 20 and

30 u 18 , under Carlo Felice ; the Jes its had become l so powerful that they control ed the king himself, and upon the accession of Carlo Alberto, the liberals, who in spite of a Government of repression had increas ed in

in l r i numbers, looked vain for an ame io ation of the r

condition . The new king laboured under the imputa

r o O f 18 2 0 tion O f having been a pa ty in the Rev lution ,

and he had not the courage , if he had the desire , to institute reforms which would have given an appearance

’ re us ed n s of truth to this accusation , and a hor et s ne t

o rs m r r around him in his nobles , c urtie , a y and cle g y . In

o f 18 33 o o e the summer , active pr secuti ns were institut d

ra ns against the Society of Young Italy, and incarce tio , ITALY IN TH E NINETEENTH CENTURY . 19

and even executions followed . The irritation caused by these harsh measures, produced an attempt at another di revolution : an expe tion from Savoy, composed of i i Polish , German, and Ital an exiles, and prov ded with arms, procured in Geneva and the Pays de Vaud, heralded their descent from the Alps by republican pro clam at ions ill ill ; but, organized, led and ill imagined,

e i . the end was utter failure, with the loss of mor l ves Attempts at revolution were likewise made in the

e t he Roman States, but h re, as in Naples, supremacy of the rulers over law as well as over their subjects, con n ti ned as before . Tus cany had enj oyed a mild and comparatively good government ever sin ce the days of the Grand Duke — . 1 6 6 1 90 Leopold I 7 7 , whose code was cited as a model

u of wisdom and of j ustice . His son, the Grand D ke

i t he Ferd nand III . had advantage of possessing a minister who was remarkable both as a statesman and patriot : Vittorio Fo ssombroni followed his sovereign into exile during the period of the French occupation

u him of Italy, and ret rned with when his dominions

18 15. n were restored in At the Congress of Vien a, n Ferdi and, with the other princes of Italy, agreed to in all act, matters appertaining to war and peace, as

u subordinate to A stria, and received in return her guarantee for the possession of their thrones ; he thus placed Tuscany in the condition of a fief of the Austrian

Empire . It can hardly be supposed that Fo ssombroni C 2 2 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

z was cogni ant of this act, or at any rate that he could ff i have approved of it, as we find all his e orts d rected

o ff to shake the incubus of Austrian usurpations . Foreign interference penetrated into every branch of the administration, and, in spite of the mild nature of

r the Tuscan Gove nment , and of the people , who, in 18 20 , when all the rest of the Peninsula was disturbed , remained comparatively tranquil , the dictation from

F s s om r Austria was felt and resented . o b o ni on that occasion wrote to Vienna We wish to be masters in our own homes ; we do not therefore want Austrian

s soldiers to play the master . But, in spite of this

remonstrance , Austrian troops were sent to occupy

Tuscany . 18 2 4 Leopold II . succeeded his father in , when such

was the subservience to Austria , that it was considered

t he o sso mbro ni a bold and patriotic act on part of F , when he refused to comply with the demand of the

n s t o w Austrian Mi i ter at the Tuscan Court, ait for orders from Vienna befo re pro claimi ng the new sove

Fo sso b . m ro n o reign Unfortunatel y for Tuscany , i l ved power t o o much to all o w o f any internal rc fo rnr which migh t limit that which he enj o yed ; and he relied on

his own conciliatory manne rs and ingenuity t o avoid

the evils resulting fro m the neglect and relaxation o f

o ffi . t o o duty in the public cers The Tuscan people ,

t o n o r o long accustomed a pater al G ve nment , c uld not anticipate what might arise when t he individual was ITALY IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY . 2 1 removed on whom they depended for a just admi nist rat ion of the laws . The laws themselves did not

e had re undergo the reforms th y needed, and if , only mained in abeyance as long as Fossom broni maintained his power ; when old age and infirmity forced him to b i resign, he was succeeded y Don Neri Corsin , who had the merit of showing respect to the retired minister, i and turning to him for adv ce as long as he lived . He was a man of upright character, and guided by the

he same principles as his predecessor ; and continued,

Fo ssombro ni like , to resist papal encroachments, and to maintain toleration for political opinions . But i wh lst a censorship was continued in the press, and Tuscany was unable to carry reform into her internal all administration, the admission of refugees from parts

e of Italy, among whom wer men of the highest virtue h i l a and ability, old ng iber l opinions, was only to intro duce the contagion her rulers wished most to avoid . New ideas of what Tuscany might become under a wiser government, and when delivered from a foreign dictation,

r ideas of g owth and progress, were imported by patriots,

t he who, besides being themselves Italian, had all prestige of martyrdom to recommend their views . Such ideas found a congenial soil in the intelligent Tuscan mind, since the recollections of the history of their republican government could neither be obliterated by f the vicious and e fete rule of their Merchant Princes, nor of the Princes their successors, foreign in character 2 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

re as in race . As the people began to show signs of

in awakening life, and of becom g restive under their yoke, their rulers almost involuntarily increased their burdens, and the police became more vexatious and troublesome than ever ; a fact readily explained by a despatch from i the Aulic Councillor Mentz to Prince Mettern ch , written 18 36 hi in , w ch runs as follows The Tuscan Govern ment, led to reflect on the dangers which it has

r ff encountered f om its former mode of conducting a airs , has assumed a firmer attitude , and its police is better constituted, and has become more vigilant and active .

At all events, the respect for Austrian bayonets posted f at the gates of Tuscany, will be su ficient to put a stop l to i lusions and revolutionary proj ects, and to prevent ” 1 their realization or success . The conduct of the police in interfering in trivial matters was so petty and vexatious as to expose them to ridicule and resent ment, especially by the young men at the Universities .

in 1833 In an incident which occurred at Pisa, , Giusti

and in was called to account, took his revenge his own

t o way, as he relates himself in a subsequen t letter a frie“nd . The summons of the police alludes to a fact which

in 18 33 and happened , when I was a student at Pisa , when their excellencies smelt out something revola

os ana 0 s a onn S o o - o s e in o e n e in T c Au tri C i t ric p litici , publi h d Fl r c 18 59 and s ne o s o o f Ile t t ino aso ba no Pc m zzi , ig d by C im Rid l i , Ric li , U ldi ,

To i i e s rn mas o o s eo o o C c m n e no ran . C r i , L p ld p , C l ti B chi I I 2 3 TALY IN TH E N NETEENTH CENTURY .

t ionary even in the applause at a theatre . I was called up with a hundred others, as disturbers of the public

e r peace, and after having be n threatened with ar est,

n ul and with bei g expelled, if I did not reg ate my a i taste for music by that of a Commiss ry of Pol ce, ‘ ’ they asked me if I had nothing to say . Nothing, I

’ was replied, except that I not in the theatre . How

u be e co ld you not in the theatr , if I find your name on ?’ ’ l the list of accused That may be, I replied, po ice agents and spies may have me so much in their heads

’ m e e t o as to see where I happ n not be . At this the

i a vi a e Commissary flew nto olent p ssion, but I r mained

w n cool , and cited as a itness Cou t Mastai, with whom the man was often in the habit of dining . At this

and name the recollection of boiled roast, eaten and to eat, rose up before him , and suddenly changing his

but all i tone , he said, Go ; at events take th s summons as a paternal admonition . Giusti immediately afterwards produced his poem of

' L a R as se nazzo ne s n g (Re ig ation) , or a feigned repen a tance, and resolution to ch nge his course of life, with a list of the advantages to be derived from playing the

i t he se hypocrite, and bow ng before in authority. The unsuccess ful attempts at revolution in Modena 18 31 a in , the tre chery of the Duke , and the executions

and of Ciro Menotti , of others who bore honoured

res ect ed nam es and p , converted contempt and ridicule

e n into int nse hatred and indignation , and cha ged the 2 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . thoughtless students of the University into grave and

- e earnest minded men . In plac of romance and light i literature, their favourite read ng became the history of

‘ Berchet their country, and the patriotic verses of was the poetry most generally repeated . Frassi records how one evening, when Giusti was reading aloud to

’ some of his companions, a part of Botta s History of 1 8 9 Italy, relating to the years intervening between 7 18 14 and , one of his auditors was so much excited at the description of the defence made by the Calabrese against the French , that, in the vehemence of his feel

s caldino ings, he crushed to atoms the , or j ar of hot ashes he was holding between his knees . Every emi grant who passed through Pisa was sure to meet with

rs assistance from the students of the Unive ity, who each and all strained their slender means to the utmost, to contribute to the relief of those whom they regarded and t as martyrs to liberty to their coun ry . Though

t hen an o now and deceived by imp stor, nothing could

o O f and check the ard ur their generous spirits, Giusti

ri no t was j ustly proud of f ends , who if among the most

t he n in i diligent of students , were , as after l fe , true to

n warnr o s the i stincts of their hearts, and l ver o f their h country . W en fre quently regretting the mi s spent hours and o f s o idleness his Univer ity life , the p e t would

t he o console himself with reflecti n , that in the ch o ice of his compani o ns he had al ways av o ided what he called t he germs O f go verum ent officials and the wo rshippers of

CHAPTER III .

— LITERARY SO CIETY IN FL O RENCE S I S M O NDI .

18 34 - fiv a e IN , Giusti, at twenty e years of g , came to

Florence , to commence his professional career, under

C a o uadri the Advocate p q ; but here , as at the Univer sit u y, his law studies were laid aside for his favo rite

Dante in the mornings, and for amusements in the

evenings .

A society of literary men , admitting all shades of

opinion, but chiefly consisting of liberals, was at this

V i us time in the habit of meeting at the house of M . e

seux, a Swiss by birth , but long an inhabitant of

Florence, who himself presided at these meetings , to

u n which disting ished foreig ers, as well as Italians

V i uss u x . e e from all parts of Italy, were admitted had 18 2 0 l travelled much in his youth , but in settled final y

in the Tuscan capital , where he hired the old Palazzo

uo ndclm o nt i B , and established a bookshop and lending

. n library, or literary institute He ext started a pe riod

’ he L A nt olo ia and w ical , which called g , for hich he collected articles from t he pens of t he m o st celeb rated 1 3 D r . 8 3 it s Italian write s In , the Grand uke ordered 2 LITERARY SO CIETY IN FLO RENCE . 7

suppression , at the instance of the Czar Nicholas, who 1 V ieusseux had been attacked in som e of its pages . M .

di u e 18 2 had besides e ted a Journal on Agric ltur since 7 ,

e Lambru schini t he and he j oined the Abat , one of most

e eminent of Florentin philanthropists, in a work entitled

’ L et Gu ida dell E du catore. Among the remarkable

' A nto lo za i men who assisted the g by the r writings, or

. V ieusseux met in the apartments of M , were Professor

n Guicciar Rosi i of Pisa, the editor of the History of di the a i di ni, and of Apologi di Lorenz no dei Me ci ; D e the mathematician Frullano the artists Bartolini, upr

ant achiot t i t he l i and F , last two of whom are still iv ng

Ridolfi the the Marchese , at that time tutor to sons of

i n a ricul the Grand Duke, and likew se emi ent as an g n turist and fou der of model farms in Italy ; Mancini ,

t he n the translator of Homer ; Marchese Gino Cappo i , n who unites to high literary attai ments, virtues which render him t he worthy descendant of a long race of

Mamm iani i patriots ; Terenzo , afterwards min ster to

e uérazzi Pius the Ninth ; the Livornes G , celebrated a first as writer of romance , and afterwards as the leader of the Democratic party ; Montanelli, of

Pisa, a musician, poet, and doctor of laws, and a Professor at the early age of nineteen Niccolo

dis Tommaseo, of Venice, a Dalmatian poet and

1 ‘ Th e A ntologra was succ eeded by ano ther p erio dical edited by

. V ieusseux t h e A r hivio Stori o an o an wo f or t he his M , c c , imp rt t rk an ie to ri . M . V uss eux di ed at an advanc ed age in t h e summer of this ea 1863 a en h en e e as e was es ee e in o . y r, , l m t d , t m d , Fl r c 2 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

in uish d All t g e patriot ; and Giuseppe Mazzini . these had been, or were shortly afterwards, associated in i the same l terary undertaking, when Giusti arrived in 1 Florence . The modern literature of Italy may be divided into two distinct schools that over which Manzoni presides,

or the romantic school, whose doctrines encourage the idea of temporal power u nited with the Papal supremacy an idea so transcendental as almost to seem in anti thesis with the history O f more than ten centuries of

ecclesiastical misrule and crime ; and the school of

ic c olini O f N , the poet, who is best known as the author

r A naldo da Brescia, a historical drama , intended to set forth his antagonism to the union of the authority of i i . this world w th the authority of the next Manzon , the

t he grandson of Marchese Beccaria , born in Lombardy

1 8 4 Gio van in 7 , was the pupil of Monti ; Battista

Nic c olini , a Tuscan , born a year later of poor but

r respectable parents , was fi st patronised by Elisa Buona

parte , Queen of Etruria, who obtained for him the place of Secretary o f the Academy of the Fine Arts in

. 18 15 t he D Florence In , restored Grand uke Ferdinand conferred o n him the office o f Librarian in the Pala zzo

o o n Pitti , but he s afterwards gave in his resignation ,

o f o t o o flic ial preferring a life c mparative poverty, de

ndenc s his n o n his e e . a d p Be ides plays poems, which

“’ 1 i e fl a en f o a e vo lum e e n e L Italie Thi s ch apte r s chi y t k r m littl titl d ,

e st e l e 1a e e des o s ? Marc o nn e o f a es. l t rr m rt by M i r, N pl ' LITERARY SO CIETY IN FLO RENCE . 2 9

r A nt o fame rests, he cont ibuted several articles to the

x logia of V ieusseu . An anecdote illustrative of Nic

’ c olinis in n character, is given the i troduction to Ugo

’ F s o lo t m A o lo etica o c s L et e p g , lately published by

Le Monnier, of Florence . Before reading this letter,

’ Nicc o liui had doubted the strength of Fo sc olo s prin ci les p but when his doubts were removed, he exclaimed

i o scolo i w th delight F has here revealed h mself, and whoever does not imitate him, and is not ready to die ill on a bed of straw rather than deny his principles, w not live to be blessed in the memory of mankind . In the cultivated and refined society of men such

’ Giust is as Florence then presented, a mind like found itself in its true element . Italy needed all the moral influence of her sons to whom nature had been most i prod gal in her gifts, to counterbalance , or remove the l weight of ignorance and vice into which she had fal en ,

r r under centu ies of despotism , and under the cor uption t caused by foreign impor ations in morals and manners .

It was necessary that men of virtue , as well as of literary eminence, should, by their example and teaching,

t he i lead way to political ndependence, and wipe out the stain left by others, like Monti , who had stooped to

flatter the tyrant of the day . It was therefore to the literary men of Italy that Ugo Foscolo appealed when he lectured in the University of Pavia ; and he again appealed to them in the letter which so much delighted

Niccolini , and in which he considers it their duty to 30 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . instil the national literature opposed to foreign laws “ , i language, and usages ; whilst add ng that, the most indissoluble fetters have always been foreign fetters ;

r and you men of learning have, more than any, conspi ed l i ” i to estab ish the un versal servitude . Sim lar sentiments

’ breathe through every line of Giustis early composi tions ; sentiments he imbibed at the very time when Tu scany was governed by a sovereign who lent himself to be the submissive tool of an Austrian Emperor .

Niccolini Whilst Manzoni, , and others produced

n Giust rs works of a grave or roma tic nature, writings more peculiarly represented a type of the Tuscan mind . Tuscany had always been celebrated for satirical writers from the days of Horace, of Dante, and Macchiavelli, and young Giusti had been early encouraged in satire

u by a favo rite uncle , himself noted for his wit, and beloved by his nephew as a second father. His first attempts at poetry intended to meet the public eye, him cost no small labour, and were discouraged even by his own father . But, in spite of acknowledged failure, he felt an inward conviction of his own powers, l which stimu ated him to persevere, and the result was a

O f i him series m nor poems , which , though laid aside by l i l se f, were publ shed after his death , among his youthfu productions . It was about this time that he m et with his first bitter sorrow in a severe disappointment in love , and he was

his u only gradually able to resume favo rite studies . It LITERAR Y SO CIETY IN FLO RENCE . 31

he was to the lady who subsequently forsook him , that

A tl a/mica addressed the charming little poem, entitled l a'na a ont , to a distant friend ; and when the sight of statue by the Florentine sculptor Bartolini roused him n from his state of depressio caused by her inconstancy, he composed the still more beautiful verses Fiducia “ ” in D io . , Trust in God in The death of the Emperor Francis of Austria, 1 15 8 , called forth the first satire by Giusti which

D ies I attracted public notice . The we as he named it, l celebrated this event as fu l of hope for the people, as of danger for t he princes of Europ e . He begins his poem by denouncing as a rebel t he illness which laid

f t he Francis in his co fin, and adds his thanks to physician who had not preserved the Emperor from this attack ; the rebel disease had only followed t he fashion

t he t he of day whilst acting part of a liberal, or foe to tyranny, but liberty itself is yet distant and ideal, and

V anitd del c l The therefore is called S e o o . poet pro c eeds to name all the great powers of this earth who

u n t he had put on mo r ing for occasion, and amongst

t he Sam m iniat elli them he places a Pisan of name of ,

’ n l well know as a tool of the Duke of Modena s, and a ike hated and despised ; this man is represented bleating forth the praises of the deceased . The liberals, who

rej oice at the death of the Emperor Francis, are not confined to the Italian side of the Alps ; even the tears of Poland are repaid by the end of her tyrant ’ s friend 32 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

lookin wit h the Czar, meantime, is g greedy eyes at the a obsequies of his brother, hoping, like a hy ena smelling

out a carcase, to derive some advantage from his

: death Prussia plays the spy, and bides her time , in the expectation of attaining the boundaries she covets in Spain, the people imagine they may now burst their ecclesiastical fetters, and already begin in thought to

ri : burn their f ars, and rej oice in liberty England, whose steam engines and mechanical inventions are to be found all over Europe , sends the Tories , the friends of tyrants, to the right about . In France , Louis i Philippe, w th his face like a pear (an allusion partly to

dul its form, but also to a Tuscan term expressive of ness) , scratches his head in doubt how to act , but, with a failing heart, remembers the king he had so lately unseated . Italy laughs for j oy that the despot is dead , and that she is relieved from his presence : but the poet bids her tyrants be of good courage ; the nation

t he (here described as the maker of boot) is asleep . But hush ! he hears the cannon— it is nothing new only another master, who is proclaimed in the words customary at the election of a pope

Ma s il e nz i o ! O do il c arrnone N o n e nulla : altro padrone

IIa m us P nt ifieem be o .

This sketch of the state of public feeling in Europe was perhaps hardly exaggerated ; a strange fact in the

4 I 3 GIUSEPPE GIUST .

u r i playf l humour, sparkling condensed in eve y l ne, seem to soften the asperity of his denunciations against i pol tical and ecclesiastical tyranny, against the cor

ru t ions a e p of the g , and against those native Italians who cringed before men in power and this was boldly

spoken, at a time when the agents of the government were ready to seize on all such expressions as a ground

for persecution . His verses roused the most lethargic to see the necessity of clearing away so great an accu

m ulation i e wit of ev l, and he delighted the ars of the i i i lov ng Florent nes, wh lst avoiding everything which

' l oflend n cou d i dividuals, or degenerate into petty scandal : they present a rare combination of the highest l moral tone and common sense, united with a ively fancy and poetic flights ; the author never conde

ru scending to puerile or insipid t isms, nor conceits , nor carrying himself and his reader into a region of wild

and extravagant dreams .

His works were yet unpublished, because obnoxious

r n r to the gove nme t, but they were nevertheless eve y

s where known and recited , even among the pea antry .

bio ra lrers One of his g p , Carducci , thus describes the e“xcitement they occasioned throughout t he country s t he These ver es met comprehension, and were sought

t he l after by common people , and although sti l in

manuscript, were read along the smiling valley of the

t he m sto a Arno, amidst forests of the ountains of Pi i ,

r s s and on the plains of the Pisan coast . F iends pa ed SISMO N DI . 35 them jealously from one to another ; fathers pretended not to see them in the hands of their sons they were t read in the wa ches of the winter evenings, and under the shade of the chestnut - trees in the lovely days of spring. The author of these pages can remember, when l ’ ittle more than a boy, being dragged into tailors and ’ l i carpenters workshops in a remote vi lage, to wr te down

’ ” iu t and comment on G s is poetry . It was about this time that Giusti had his first inter view with the historian Sismondi, the old friend of his

f h e grand ather Chiti, and for whom appears to have h early imbibed t e greatest veneration . He thus de scribes the meeting in a letter to a friend

D O O EAR PR FESS R, i w I have at last spoken with Sismond , and have t ice held long conversations with him . I am not by nature easily impress ed with wonder at anything ; but when ever I do see or hear something extraordinary, I feel an inward agitation, which excites me to such a degree that for the instant I feel transported beyond my f natural self. A ter a time my ideas flow more dis t inct l i y, and at such moments everyth ng I have ever read or thought returns to my mind with greater dis t inct ness eon . I experienced this sensation whilst versing with this great man . I do not know that I ever felt more trepidation and nervous hesitation than D 2 36 G IUSEPPE GIUSTI .

that day, on the road between my house and his little villa, a few steps outside of Pescia . On my arrival, I found two ladies before the house, one of — - in law i whom was the sister , the other the w fe, of 1 Sismondi . The latter gave me as courteous a reception as ever, and introduced me to her husband . You must know that he was the intimate friend of my mother’ s 1 99 father, and that in 7 (as I gather from one of his letters written to my grandfather as far back as they were prisoners together here in Pescia, in the l monastery of San Giuseppe . You wi l not, therefore , be surprised to hear that he received me with every

ss r po ible kindness . The conversation t avelled over various topics, chiefly history . Unfortunately, another

n person was present who did not u derstand French ,

all and Sismondi , who is politeness, always spoke

g in Italian , but which langua e , from his long absence , and the constant habit of speaking French, is not

SO fanriliar to him , so that his words were occa sionall y a hindrance to his ideas . He told me that he found Italy much improved from t he time he left it ; wi that, having had an opportunity of conversing th

the persons attached to Courts, he had perceived the

n t he a e influe ce of g even in them ; that, above all , it appeared to him that a taste for the study of history

ff in has been much di used, and that he rejoiced finding

1 An n s ad ss ess e Allen a e o f o n en Es . E g li h l y , Mi J i , d ught r J h All , q o f Tr scll in e Pem k e hrre . y, bro s SISMO NDI . 37 Italians aware that the epoch of their glory lay in the dl Mi“d e Ages . i We spoke of Manzon , and here the greatness of the h man was peculiarly displayed . I introduced t e subject with the utmost delicacy, but caught at the first op

ort unit i p y wh ch presented itself, as I wished to clear up n a doubt which had arisen in my own mind, on readi g

u that work of Manzoni, where he ref tes the two first ” 1 chapters of the History of the Republics . Sismondi spoke of the book in terms of admiration for the courteous manner in which it was worded ; he praised the sincerity of the author, and lamented his late

his l m isfort unes, which , in opinion, had had no sma l

1 — — D e a o a e a o i a . o e 1826 ans a e and ll m r l C tt l c pub R m , tr l t d pub lish ed in a is 188 4 n e t h e i e in at on o f a o o a i P r , u d r t tl V dic i C th lic M r l ty, ” R h e a es o a a ns s on i o r a ef utation o f t Ch rg br ught g i t it by Si m d . ” n t he 12 a e of t h e e es a ennes s on I 7 th Ch pt r R publiqu It li , Si m di m aintain s that t he c o rrupt state of It aly was partly t o be attributed t o f t h e o an a o i r anzon a n i o a s s e o . t he mm r l y t m R m C th l c Chu ch M i , t ki g n e sen en e as a e for efu a ion e a nes in o t he sent e c by t c t xt r t t , x mi t truth

his asse on and efen in it s u es and dis in e en ea o s t o of t rti , d d g r l cipl , d v ur prove that th e evil s compl ained of are abus es inciden t t o e veryt hing m an and a t h e es a is e aws of a o s are o ne out hu , th t t bl h d l C th lici m b r by

t e and n en ed for t h e o o on o f o e o e and a . Scrip ur , i t d pr m ti br th rly l v ch rity t h e wo s n e essa i be o en t o o e on us an d be Though rk mu t c r ly p bj cti by , ons e e f l of e o s no o es an c an ea w o a ir n c id r d ul rr r , Pr t t t r d it ith ut dm i g t he h s an s ri ea n o o it s a es and fee n h a h e C ri ti pi t br thi g thr ugh ut p g , li g t t m a ee t h e a o on t h e o on o n o f e io s s a y m t uth r c mm gr u d r lig u ymp thy , The apart fro m dis puted questions o f theo logy and Church discipline. work is m ore esteem ed in Ital y than Giusti believed wh en he wrote thi s e e and s on i i se f fo n eason a e in ife t o o f his l tt r, Si m d h m l u d r l t r l m di y e a o a a ol ns e e t h e o al s views . D ll m r l e C tt ic a m ay be co id r d m r igui t ion of th e o ess os fica Pr m i Sp i . 38 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . influence in confirming him in his views he then added (but always in a spirit of moderation) that he appeared to him to have started from an opposite point from

he himself, as considered things as they are, Manzoni , l as they should be . I cannot tel you how gratified I felt that I had not been deceived in my opinion of

Sismondi . I thought it fair to acquaint him that the

n and book had not been much praised by Italias, , that, di ri without at all minishing the reverence d e to Manzoni, it was considered a mistake , or, at least, as a work suggested by some one who had got round him for

e— other ends, unsuspected by the upright, nobl minded au“thor . u t a is French literat re came on the p , and here he w like ise displayed great moderation in his opinions , whilst asserting that which has been said by many,

r u that the present style of writing c a r o t last . He warned me against trusting too much to newspapers ,

be which only give exaggerated views of all parties, cause, for the most part, written by young men , who do not look below the shallow wisdo rrr of t he day : nros t of the material which adds to t he profits of the j our nalist w i being provided by ready r ters , who engage in this branch of commerce , and only aim at satisfying the

O f public with an appearance truth , and obtaining an ephemeral reputation whilst flattering t he passions of the“day . I asked him if he were acquainted with Mazzini and SISMON DI . 39 he told me he had been introduced to him some years ago, when he first left Genoa, and that he had perceived l i him him to be a man of great abi ity . He had inv ted h to dinner, and had kept up a correspondence wit him, until the time when the three hundred refugees at tempted a revolution from Switzerland under his guid i ’ him ance . Mazz ni s aim then appeared to a dream , and the means by which he proposed to attain it by no means j ustifiable, as he intended to have seized the m arsenal of Geneva, and to have ade use of it in order

O ff all to occupy Savoy ; Sismondi, accordingly, broke

i i e relations w th him, and has never s nc had anything

t he t o do with him . It was at that time he wrote

’ C o nsi li d u n A mico ai re u iati o litici pamphlet, g f g p (Advice of a Friend to Political Refugees) which he has i given me to read . On th s subj ect also, however, this excellent Swiss never departed from candour and

charity .

He said much more, which my memory does not at

h all u t is moment recall but f ll of wisdom, and worthy i of that mind wh ch, under the external appearance of

old age, preserves the fire of better years . He has brought down his work on the Annals of F rance to the Edict of Nantes inclusive, but, he says,

he i is tired of it, and needs repose . He is now writ ng i on pol tical economy, and he has a book in the press , i on Free Constitutions, wh ch he first thought of forty

years ago . 40 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

i My veneration for great men ncreases, when I com

r pare their modesty, integrity of pu pose, and simplicity,

our with the vainglory, bad faith, and noisy loquacity of ” rising hopefuls .

el i Giusti, without attaching hims f to any pol tical party, was a republican by conviction and sentiment, but he was averse to all underhand proceedings, and whilst in his writings he openly attacked rulers and systems of government, as well as the want of energy and the faults of the age he j oined those who endeavoured to train the people by improving the systems of education and

- . i c . by establishing mutual aid societies, sav ngs banks, & He even considered conspiracy unjustifiable on the score

li s i l of uti ty, becau e, quoting a say ng of Macchiavel i “ ” le i troppi guastano, e i pochi non bastano (Many

uf mar the plot, and few do not s fice) .

2 I I I 4 G USEPPE G UST .

and lightning, that it seemed as if the end of the world

were near at hand. There was little or no injury done here, and we escaped, thank God, with no further damage than could be set to rights by some few repairs in the walls or in the sides of the ditches . Those who had to undergo the greatest damage and misfortunes were the poor Lucchese, for whose destruction the Lima and m other torrents conspired, after the anner of the Holy li 1 Al ance . The report of the terrible havoc caused by these rivers soon spread, and inspired many with a

desire to go and see . There are some who blame this rage for sight - seeing which sent us to the scene of the calamity, as a savage and stupid curiosity I think

O f philanthropists ought not to shun the sight pain , nor occasions which excite their feelings of pity . The soli tary being who considers himself a centre and a pattern for the universe may refuse to know anything of ills which do not immediately concern himself ; but t he

i s his man who l ves in the mid t of kind, and loves them , l does not fly from the sight of pub ic calamities , but

t he rather, I should say , is ever on spot where there is human suffering ; and I am among those prepared to m give their sympathy for a com on misfortune .

’ 1 s h ere a e s t o ea a in een as s ne e o a i b Giu ti llud Luc h v g b ig d t mp r r ly, y t h e ea o f enna to t he an s o u o ns o f a a t o e na e tr ty Vi , Sp i h B rb P rm , bl

a a o is a t he w o w of Na o eo n t o en o t he so e e n o f M ri L u , id p l , j y v r ig ty

a a. The o ns u o n o f a an e Na o eo n was P rm C tit ti Lucc , gr t d by p l ,

u a an e e as a e een e e e had e o e a ea g r t d ; but , might h v b xp ct d , b c m d d e e in t he an s o f t he e o f a l tt r h d Duk Lucc . AN EX CURSIO N . 43

r t With these and other reflections, I sta ted a for n w ight after the floods, in company ith a dear friend, in the direction of the Baths of Lucca . For five hours we proceeded through forest and over a mountain road, till, by continual ascents, we reached the district we

we were in search of. Everywhere saw signs of the m a stor , and everywhere heard a more or less tr gical i account of that night, accord ng as the narrator had

l ff . been himse f more or less a su erer At the Baths, we found the fields devastated by the Lima ; houses, build i ings of all k nds, walls and walks destroyed, and laid in ruins . Promenades, which a few days before had

i t he swarmed w th the quintessence of fashionable world, now choked up with sand, rubbish, and trunks of trees l brought down by the torrent . A ped ar of the place acted as our guide ; and as he himself carried all his patrimony in his box , he looked on at this havoc with f the most cool indi ference . At Ponte a Serraglio, we were divided between admiration at the charms of the

r scenery, and ho ror at the devastation around us, when i our worthy peripatetic guide , point ng out to us the house which used to serve for the meetings of the l Literary Club , and cal ing our attention to the fact that the re ad there had been so injured by the deluge as to render all access impossible, said with a half sigh, ‘ ! in Ah that is indeed a remarkable fact, which

’ one can see the hand of God Himself. I was fool enough to interrupt him, and ask him what he meant, 44 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

f which was su ficiently plain, since he considered the ruin of that house to be a consequence of prohibited

Luc lr books having been read there . The bigoted c ese m at once perceived the irony of y question , and like a

o ff int er ec true Jesuit, got , with two or three of those j tions which are so expressive when spoken, and so

wri . i meaningless when tten My compan on , who under

’ stands architecture , mathematics, and I don t know what besides, explained to me the how and the why

of these vacant spaces, ruins, and so forth , and looking complacently on the mounds of gravel , ex ‘ ! claimed, How beautiful if I could only get a little ! ’ of this in Florence Instead of looking at the gravel , m I was ad iring the pretty girls, who were passing , i carry ng wood, and made the same exclamation as my

ri f e“nd . Af vi ter lea ng the Baths, we took another direction , the high road from the Baths to the capital of the

Empire of all the Lucchese . It is a most beautiful

road , which , for a considerable distance , skirts the

Lima, and upon which these waters lose their name ‘ h w in that of the larger river, w ich united ith them , accompanies the traveller through this part O f the

t he t he country . On left bank of stream bare rocks

r and prot ude , and the combination of light of per

s ect ive and p is enough to enchant a painter, all who

r n t he see u t o a e not pai ters, if y have eyes to , and a so l

The S e rchio . 45 AN EXCURSIO N .

e r i i feel with their eyes . That t r ific night th s beaut ful road was covered, in its length and breadth, by great

s waves from the river, which had burst into the field , i wi carry ng along th it beams, cottages, and the dead

r r bodies of n en and beasts, caught unawares by the fu y .

Fornoli e of the waters . At , a bridg was swept clean l n away ; a few mi es lower dow , the road was broken up and engulphed by the stream for a quarter of a mile ; everywhere high walls had been destroyed, and the

r wi ru . pa apets of bridges, th embankments, laid in ins D f The bridge of ecimo, which is new and very beauti ul and elegant in structure, alone remains uninjured ; that wi i at Moriano was damaged, th the v llage of the same

ui n name, in which our g de poi ted out to us where in one place lay the coping of the wall of a shop , in another the door of a house here the fragment of a window, there

- flo o r ls a ground under water, whi t all the household utensils had been washed away . The bridge of the Mad

~ dalena, celebrated for its antiquity, its singular construe tion, and for the legends attached to it, proved the fact that many centuries of existence cannot secure the poor wo“rk of mortal man from the insults of the storm . When my companion first caught sight of this

in d bridge the istance, he remarked, These low arches appear to have been added later the last arch on the farther side is so much higher ; perhaps that was the old

’

fo rnr . bridge , and ed the principal curve for the whole

He may perhaps have made other important observations, 46 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . but my mind was engrossed by a comparison that sug i ff gested itself between the bridge and a g ra e, and whilst

’ amused with this idea, I lost half my friend s lecture on

t h e architecture . Meantime we reached bridge, and dis covered that the final arches on our Side were all broken

S down , but had been ince patched up as well as had been

i O f possible , w th bands and j oinings made from the roots

trees, so as to allow even carriages to pass over . We proceeded onwards, until we had ascended the highest

re part of the curve , when looking over the bridge, we membered to have heard that last year a crazy woman

dr had thrown hers elf into the y bed of the river. She must have been suffocated by the rapidity of her fall

’ one through the air, we remarked to another, assigning, i whether r ght or wrong, a natural cause for this aerial

death , whilst waiting until some one should pass by, to ’ ’ l point out to us the Devil s Hole , as it is ca led, which ,

arr lrt i l for g we knew, must have ex sted in the midd e of the“bridge, but which is not now to be found there . Before telling you how we learnt the history of the

Hole , I must give you some idea of the character of the pea“santry . s n i ri s The Lucchese pea a t is ndust ou , patient under

a er fatigue , ccustomed to hardship ; as parsimonious, p

w ar haps more so, than the S iss, and for the most p t , poor and oppressed by t he system of labour in this part

. and of the country He is a violent bigot, would not

t he rurd r omit the prayers for dead, though he would n e AN EXCURSIO N . 47 hi w s own brother ; shy with a stranger, he is tamed ith

as marvellous c e if he find the stranger gentle , and he is more ready to yield obedience to the despotism of the

c ount Priest than to t he laws of the Duchy . In his e nance you may trace the dulness of superstition, with the embarrassment of a man unaccustomed to associate with other men ; in its expression, the cunning of a

ri t he l : f ar, with fear produced by sermons on he l his l i imbs are usually robust, and almost imperv ous to l fatigue and want . Benj amin Frank in would have found among them industrious agriculturists for a new colony ; Cardinal Ruffo would have found a Fra Diavolo ‘ and Trent acapilli. I accosted an old woman who was crossing t he bridge , with Tell me, my good woman, where was the

’ ’ il 2 he Dev s Hole S looked suspiciously at us, muttered something I could not hear, and went on her way without answering . We began to think we had been m an made fools of. A with a load of wood on his back was somewhat more courteous, and stopping, when we e repeated the question, pointed with his foot to wher the ‘ ’ An d ? . hole had once been . the history of it I asked How should I know ? Wh at would you have of me

: he said in reply they say that Saint Giugliano, when

a rien d he built the bridge, asked f to help him to finish this arch , and they say that he did help him but who can ’ ‘ — ’ tell if it is true 2 Why not and what followed ?

1 Cel ebrated brigands . 48 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

‘ He asked aid of he asked aid (here we perceived i the good man had some scruple in naming the Dev l) , and he promised him the first soul which should pass

over it . When it was finished, Saint Giugliano, to cheat

him, provoked a dog to run at him from below, having placed a trap on the bridge ; the dog purs ued him

and here, where my foot touches, he was caught in the

— he trap , who was waiting to see who would first cross

the bridge , immediately hurried to seize on him , but

when he found a dog in place of a Christian , he caught hold of him and dashed him with such violence on the

ground that he made a hole , through which he passed . But perhaps it is not true it is a legend— and who

’ ? all was there to see The man related this to us,

with that smile, and forced ease of manner, which men assume when they are afraid of hearing their

opinions ridiculed, and therefore protest their innocence

of belief ; as if feeling their way not to fall . We

et thanked him , and continued our j ourney, without me ing with any further adventure till we reached a kind of

inn , where travellers stop in an evening, to take a glass of “something to drink . We entered the house t he entrance was a mixture

o and s eat was as of shop , cupb ard , kitchen . The only ,

. \ve l o l a e usual , the table cal ed bel w, we ca led bov ,

I ro onr and not a soul answered . V e passed from that

n as r se into the ext , if we were maste s of the hou ; though the darkness (arising as much from the t im c o f

50 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

w ’ il Well , ell ; when it is God s w l, what help is

? - - there He who is down is down ; to day me , to morrow

’ you“. (Thus could this lucky fellow philosophise . ) - Just then a middle aged man entered, and bade our

re host good evening, in a tone which expressed the ‘ S verse . The host, on his ide, accosted him with Come,

’ friend Bastiano, it is all past now, so don t let us think

’ any more about it . Good luck to those who remain .

“‘ ’ ‘ fin e Very talking, he rej oined ; you may be as i merry as you l ke , you who are just as you were before ? the flood . Have you heard the last news That part of the wall which remained standing has ended to - day

’ by falling over the other three . ! ’ What my friend inquired, has the river de stroyed your house ? ’

’ r My house and fa m , and all I have besides .

’ h ? m an W at besides The did not answer, but

sat with his head sunk on his breast, and one leg

crossed over the other, as if lost in thought . ! ’ Poor Bastiano I am sorry for you , resumed our

host. Tell these gentlemen how it all happened, and

’ ie h l w the water carried everything away . T en , as if

w an half repenting hat he had said, he turned to us , d ‘ : o rn continued The m ing of the flood, this poor m an

went to look at his fields to see if the river had bro ken

o in upon them . The first fl od was t hen ad vancing ;

r did as se for the rive s not overflow together, , had it plea d

God that they sho uld all have o verflo wed at the sam e 51 AN EX CURSIO N .

moment, we should none of us have been here . It was during the first flood (and although we could see the damage it had done up higher, we had no fear for — — ourselves) , this man was it not so, Bastiano heard the bells, and went to mass without thinking of danger. Wh i n lst at mass, and when all the co gregation were about — a leaving the church, they first heard a noise sound of — destruction which ter“rified every one, and the people ! ! off rushed out, shouting, The river the river carry all you can ! ” As they left the church they saw the whole plain under water . You see the water took its course over there, never farther from that house, and f reached this place, where the mark is almost hal way up the window . This man was turning homewards, when all of a sudden he saw that his house and farm

e . e ! had disappear d, all swept away Poor Cat who knows at this moment where she and the baby may be ! ’ ‘ ! ’ ‘ My God I exclaimed, were there people in the house ‘ i Indeed, there were , sir the w fe and a child eight

’ She mo“nths old had at the breast . i The man never spoke, but hav ng taken something i from the host , went out, mutter ng to himself in a — broken voice, interrupted by sighs signs of overwhelm ing grief and the stupefaction caused by recent mis fortunes .

nr We then learnt, through the sa e channel as before, E 2 5 I 2 G USEPPE GIUSTI . that when a boy this unhappy man had earned his live liho od i i u i by sell ng l ttle plaster figures, a pec l ar branch h of trade confined to t is part of the country, and he

had been employed to work in the fields, or cut wood,

His hi in Corsica . house and s little farm were the

ui f i fr ts of this wandering and hard li e , and of the l ttle

n dowry brought him by Cateri a, whose name the host

rt a i had sho ened to C t é. The river had aga n reduced

him to beggary and solitude, and to be a wanderer on the“face of the earth . in Meantime, night had closed , and the increasing darkness depriving us of the view of the hills and of the

country round , left us cogitating over many thoughts . The terrible stories we had j ust been listening to ocen

pied both my friend and me, as every now and then

‘ ’ ‘ or I exclainrin 1 he kept g, What misfortunes Poor people " Fatigue gradually absorbed the feelings of

n l both pai and pleasure ; and, to tel the truth , we l i cou d not attend to anyth ng except our steps, or to k see to pass the time by other thoughts . I suggested to

‘ my friend : Imagine to yourself that you have a com mission to build a house according t o your own fancy

c w l rt sket h your plan , and you ill see how this wi l sho en

’ ‘ ’ ‘ . are r was u the distance You ight, he replied ; I j st

’ thinking the same . After this ensued a silence of

a e some miles . My friend , however, stuck at his st ircas , and vainly rummaged his brain t o discover where to

ri d t he t hird place the steps . I had ar ve , happily, at . AN EX CURSIO N . 53

wi act of a tragedy, and had all the fifth ready, th the dramatis personae arranged on the stage at the final — scene a splendid and horrible catastrophe I saw and heard the applause on every side, but I could not some how contrive the fourth act, and I was endeavouring to

find a classical reason for its omission altogether, my reputation being at stake, when the campanile of our city, seen in dark shadow, relieved us from our em

m n barrass e t . The idea of supper and a good bed l absorbed all our intellectual faculties, and we swal owed the buskin and the plummet in a yawn . CHAPTER V.

— T H E B O O T E D U C A T I O N .

ONE of Giust rs most lively and remarkable poems of

18 36 L O S tivale descri this year, , was (The Boot) , a p

tion of Italy . The Boot, supposed to be speaking, begins by stating that it is not made of common

u leather, nor by an unskilf l hand that it is well adapted for the chase and for war ; that although always

n sta ding in water, it is uninjured, and that many fools who have tried it on can bear witness to its worth .

It is compact and strong, with a rim to protect it at w the top, and a seam do n the centre . It proceeds to say that it cannot be worn by the weak without fatigue and the danger of their be

ar coming lame , and that there e not many who find it adapted to their feet . It is impossible to enumerate

and all who have attempted to put it on , it is therefore

w ur contented ith giving a list of the ost celebrated,

nrisfo rt urrcs o and the brought up n them . Beginning

t he with the time of Romans, when Italy coursed over the world without restraint, and fell because she had aimed at too much , there followed the arrival of races THE BO O T. 55 from all parts to contend for the possession of the i Boot . But the Priest w shed to keep it to himself,

u did and when he fo nd it not fit he let it out to others .

A German disputed the possession, but was forced

r to retu n to his country, and for a whole century it was worn by simple merchants, Venetians, Genoese,

lorent ines and F , who, occupied with commerce, kept it i in good cond tion . But, after a time, the merchants became wealthy, and wished to make the Boot more in ornamental, which thus gained beauty, but became less serviceable . Charles of Anj ou attempted to wear it,

: s . and was lamed in Sicily and Charle VIII of France , i w a certain k ng of pikes, next seized on it ith feet and i hands, but was menaced by Pier Cappon , and obliged

fanril to retreat . Giusti alludes to the y of the Medici , d in those intrigues which lasted a hun red years, and i who, by o ntments and other medicines or impostures,

flayed the country . Tossed from hand to hand, the

Boot was alternately the prey of France and of Spain .

Th e Spaniard introduced titles, and with the oil of

courtesy was more destructive than all the rest . But in

the centre of Italy, a lily (the emblem of Florence)

reminded her of her ancient glories, until a Pope pre Al ’ sented her to exander de Medici , and created him

Grand Duke . From that time forth, all have taken n their pleasure with the Boot, until little has remai ed f O its original condition, whilst it has lost all that vigour

which onc e enabled Italy to compass the universe . 56 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Now that it desires to be worn by a native, it is so weak and disheartened, it fears to move a step . Its

are greatest enemies the Priests, and the Poet agrees

nee - with certain modern catholic poets, that the

Canon laws forbid Priests to wear boots . Neglected and torn to pieces the Boot waits to be restored and occupied by some leg which Shall not belong to a d foreigner . Allu ing to Napoleon the First, Giusti declares that he intended to have made it stronger than w ever, but, half ay, abandoned the enterprise , and that now it will be impossible to mend it without great expense . The Poet then gives a description of the

n various colours or banners of those ruli g in Italy, and if hopes that the Boot be again repaired, it may be worn with tenderness and discretion , and be made all of one colour :

’ E oi e e un o uaso n t urelrirro p v d te p q ,

La osso e anco o uassir a o e n o r bi , q gi ll er ; I nsomm a a toppe co m e u n arlecchino

Se o e e i a o v let rimett rm d vver , Fate mi con prudenza e con am ore ’ ’ T to un c zzo e o un ut d p tutt d col ore .

1 — — And l oo k this bit o f blue h o w ill it m atc hes

red and w e and a and e lo w e e With hit , bl ck y l th r ’ e a e in o n a I m a m er h rl qu f shreds a d p tches . If o u wo ea m e in e a y uld r lly put r p ir, a e m e w o n zea and se nse t o aid M k , ith l vi g l ,

All o f o ne e e and o ne e a in s a e pi c pr v il g h d .

ans a on is t he a e en s n on Es tr l ti by l t H ry Lu hi gt , q ,

5 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

. 18 38 attention Writing to a friend, in , he thus ex presses himself on that topic

DEAR O O L RENZ ,

I delayed writing to you, because it was not enough to have seen the College of ; I was anxious to

e i think the matt r over, and to make other nquiries

about the method employed there . I knew and

found him a clever man, a plausible speaker, one of the

many who understand to which side his hearers lean,

and, without having any bias to one opinion over

another, understands how to take advantage of his

’

o wn . knowledge of a man s mind, to advance his ends

The rest of the friars, whether superiors of the monastery

in l or masters the school, fo low more or less in his

steps, and boast much, speaking up for and for

l : i in the co lege a bad beginn ng my opinion, because w l hat is real y good recommends itself, whereas he who acts well from a love of excellence rarely strives to

B ut w enhance his own merits by boasting . allo ing for

o ambition and the desire of putting themselves f rward,

t he w which is the malady of species, that hich made me most s us pici o us was the usual holding forth about

o Roma and T ma , the display of models of machinery,

o in &e . 850 collections of stones, less ns drawing, , and afterwards learning that t he lectures on these subj ects

w t he t he ere either given late in season , or that y were

was required to be paid for as extras . Little said about EDUCATIO N . 59

i i the Ital an language, and that l ttle I thought more as a condescension to the popular wish on the subj ect, than from feeling its necessity . The best years of childhood and youth are absorbed by Latin and by i w l triv al studies, frittering a ay time , fi ling their heads w n ith many fragments of learning, without nourishi g them with one solid piece of information . An example

em t i was given, in which a solemn display was made of p ness and ostentation ; and any one having a grain of sense or of heart must have gone away deploring the fate of these poor youths, who are delivered up into l U the hands of these fel ows, who maim them nder the

are pretence of training them . They meantime per suaded of their own learning and if they become con scious of their ignorance, or even worse , of the errors

r they have been taught, they are either dishea tened, i all and remain where they are, or are obl ged to begin i over again, the nstruction received at the College n servi g as a warning what to avoid . A single instance among many will suffice . One of the themes given them ‘ o ff- to be turned hand into poetry was, Michael Angelo

’ Ar or, the Revival of the ts . Now you are aware that A i Michael ngelo precisely marks the era of the decl ne , and that the true reign of the arts lies between the epochs which commence with Giotto and end with Mi“chael Angelo . The i l local ty is excel ent, well situated, and kept clean ; the food appeared to me to be good and suffi EPP 6 0 GI US E GIUSTI .

cient ; but all that was shown to us was prepared as — for a holiday that is, everything was prepared for the occasion : and who knows what it may be the rest of the“year ? My advice is, to do nothing . Let us record our o wn experience, and let our children, at any rate, profit

by our misfortunes . One of our many mistakes is, to

educate a man as if he were made in separate pieces . t The head is separated from the heart, the hear from

the head, and now one is neglected, now the other ; whereas these two faculties ought to act in perfect

' harm on and y, to advance by equal steps towards per n fect io . Hence arises that perpetual struggle between ff the reason and the a ections, between the real and the — ideal a struggle which accompanies us through life ” and often follows as to the grave .

That same year, Giusti writes to his friend Francesco

u inot t i i P cc , lately appointed Professor of Clinical Med

uc ino i cine at the University of Pisa . P c t t was one of the most eminent men of his profession in Italy ; the f i adversary of Bu al ni, and the author of a history of

the science of medicine .

C IN O TTI MY DEAR PUC ,

I must no w fulfil an intention I have had from t he moment I heard with certainty that you were appointed

a Professor at Pisa, which was to rej oice with you on 6 EDUCATIO N . I

the occasion ; and if I delayed fulfilling this intention, the wish was the same . I do not rej oice because I believe this confirmation of your talents necessary to raise you in public estimation, but because a Chair in the University is the most independent and honourable position which can afford shelter to an honest man under an absolute government . Besides, a heart so benevolent as yours must certainly feel enj oyment in being able to communicate to others the light you have acquired ; wisdom is the light which in creases and purifies its owner whilst propagating itself ; dl so that the mind of the master is, as it were, rekin ed by reflection from the rays he c omm imicat es to his dis“ciples . n r it The Tuscan Gover ment has, indeed, honou ed

in self choosing you , and has given hopes of better times ; because when honours and remuneration are accorded to merit, by one in authority, there is room to

O believe things are not so bad . I hear you have pened your course of lectures with great and general approba

no t . ! tion, which does surprise me Oh how much I

ul now regret that my youthf days are past, and how gladly would I return to them ; not again to weave the gayest portion of our web of life , but to travel another way, under your guidance . Those legal studies dried up my heart and my brain : how much better had it

ri been for me if, instead of tracing the cap cious laws

g of man , I had been enga ed in the contemplation of 6 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

the wise, eternal, immutable laws of Nature . But it is

no w too late .

Having paid my debt of congratulation , I must pay that of gratitude . You have kindly read and praised

’ to Azzolino my sonnet upon Bart olinis statuette of

Die 1 Fiducia in (Trust in God) , thrown upon paper two years ago, at a time when my heart sought, in literary study and in the works of the first artists, some consolation for t he mental sufferings I was then

and enduring . That little statue consoled me, inspired me with these fourteen lines, which perhaps breathe the first restoration to calmness of a mind until then over shadowed by a long and deep sorrow . I accept the praise from you without further words ; and I derive

n stre gth , and the desire to compose better, from your approbation .

Among Giust rs Florentine friends was Count Piero

Guicc iardini the ne w , a descendant of historian , a edition

he of whose works has edited, and who still inhabits t he

w at t h d elling of his celebrated ancestor, e corner of the Piazza dei Pitti and of the narrow street bearing his

o o w name . Since the peri d when the foll wing lette r as

o G uic c iardini t written , C unt has become known as he i head o f a relig ous movement in Italy . About the year

18 46 t o e , or a little earlier, he began read the Bibl , u nder the auspices of a S wis s gentleman visiting

1 w n f a o ose en e o e o se e e sa o n See . 3 . C mp d h r c v ri g r m v r di pp i tment . p 1 63 EDUCATIO N .

Florence . He was the first to establish infant schools in Tuscany, assisted by the Signora Matilda Calandrini ,

’ who had already established a girls school in Pisa, which she carried on , as nearly as was possible at that l time, in the principles fol owed by the Evangelical or

Protestant sects, though not allowed to introduce their

18 48 uic ciardini doctrines . After the year , Count G i ventured to make converts to his religious v ews, which drew upon him the persecution of the restored Grand

D n 18 51 ucal Governme t, and about , when one night

’ reading the Bible in a house in the Borg Ogni Santi , he and six persons who were with him were arrested l and conveyed to the prisons of the Barge lo . After

’ eight days confinement, they were condemned to six

’ months obligatory residence in the Maremma ; but Count Guicciardini obtained a commutation of his sentence, and permission to go into exile . He chose 18 59 England for his home, where he remained until , t when he was at liber y to return to Florence . He now is at the head of the most popular Italian Protestant sect in that city . At the time when Giusti addressed the following letter to him Guicciardiniwas engaged in his educational schemes

To C o un t P iero Guicciar i d ni.

MY EX CELLENT FRIEND, I want your advice and aid in an affair which i long had at heart, and n the fulfilment of an 6 4 GIUSEPPE GI USTI .

h in dif whic I have common with you, but with this

ference, that you are able to satisfy your aspirations for i the good of mank nd, and I have hitherto only been able

to cherish the hope of being useful . Pescia is blessed

with a fine climate, and is rich and flourishing, both by

r i its ag iculture and commerce, wh lst the inhabitants

u enj oy competence, and are industrious and cheerf l ; but these advantages are not turned to the account they

might be, because to all the advantages of life is not

added the education of the heart and intellect . You

may see a number of spirited lads, and with the best

dispositions, hanging about the streets, sharpening their wits, of which they have a superabundance, by

u petty rog eries, thefts, or idle j ests, polluting their

youth, and corrupting their minds, at an age when the“y are most open to impressions . Since residing here, and watching these neglected w a youths, who sho a singular ptitude for gymnastic

e exercises whilst at play, and for mimicry, but esp

c iall t he y for music, I have come to the conviction (and i wisest here agree w th me) that these poor lads, who if abandoned to themselves will grow up vagabonds and

s ignorant, might be rendered capable of better thing if

any one would take them in hand . I have been still

u b further confirmed in my anticipation of a good res lt, y o bserving that when grown to manhood t hey eas ily turn to labour and to trade for though t he country is ve ry

populous there are not as many hands as are wante d .

GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . In order to give as little opening to suspicion as possible (for unluckily a school now- a- days is regarded as

’ an attempt at regicide) , I must begin by a girls school for if female education has everywhere proved a benefit, it will prove doubly so here , where many of the daughters of the first families are condemned to listen to nothing

the o but fairy tales, and to gossip of servants and g vernesses a I say it will prove a double benefit, bec use we may the more speedily arrive at the end we have in view, by giving the wealthy an interest in our success .

We may afterwards occupy ourselves with the boys, and introduce other useful things ; and first of all a

Savings Bank, in establishing which (to our shame be it spoken) we are among the last in Tuscany .

as c I ask you, my dear Piero, to be so good to instru t me how I ought to set about these matters , and how I ought to act in order to make my way with the country and with the Government . As to the country , I am of opinion that we ought to try and arrange matters so as to obtain the support of the most influential men before giving an indication of what we are about ; like

e r e wise to interest women in the subj ect, as has be n t i d everywhere else with such advantage ; then strengthen

n our hands abroad, and fi ally make the venture . With

c o -o a out your per tion, however, and that of your col

u it as leag es, is impossible for us to come forward, new we are in all these matt e rs nor can the best will in t he ab world lead to anything without experience . It is EDUCATIO N . 6 7 solut ely necessary for me to ascertain what might be i the expense of establ shing an infant school , that I may see how much would be required to provide all the means . i I hope that you will th nk of us, and communicate your views to me, as I am in the greatest need of them i for I am impatient to put my hand to th s work, to which I am moved by the sad experience of the evil of

e a bad education , by the desire to serv my country, and the wish to do something which will be as satisfactory to our community as to my own heart . Giusti added to this letter the following short essay on female education When the object in view is an institution whose success depends less on the light of the intellect than

n on the good ess of the heart, it is necessary to call to

e our aid those beings who render existenc dear, by the affectionate and tender solicitude they throw into every thi“ng which concerns those they love . ri u s Women caress us as children, che sh and pre

r pare us for the pleasures and so rows of life, and when

e we depart, they receiv our last sighs . Thoug h perhaps

i ff e incapable of entering nto public a airs, becaus nature

i u has formed them averse to v olence and tum lt, few l can equal them in the cares of domestic ife, and none i in gentle k ndness, and in the entire resignation of the h heart to pity, and in sympathy in sorrow . W en God ’ drew man s companion from the side where his affections F 2 6 I 8 GIUSEPPE GIUST . lie d , He showed His intention to assign the ominion of the heart to that gentle being . Therefore, whilst we listen with silent and respectful love to the paternal counsels, we none of us, from childhood, can resist the warm impulse of affection which leads us back , instantaneously and full of confidence, to the bosom of our mothers . It is this influence which in youth chases us from vain pleasures, from idle and corrupt amusements , and teaches us the disinterested i ness , the s lent goodness, the cherished illusions, and the blessed dreams of love ; it is woman who , in the days we are permitted to live, makes us rej oice in a faithful companion, makes us rich with a thousand unspeakable j oys, and gives us the sweet happiness of chi“ldren . But if an office of so much love is expected from woman , upon man is imposed the duty of being her guide and guardian in this short and dubious road ;

and it is to man , therefore , that we may impute her

v wanderings, and the dangers and e ils to which she is

exposed . We see this gentle and angelic being con

verted into an obj ect of pain and of disgust, when ,

ru th ined by a bad education , she is sent into e world

t he t he and to share good and evil of life , either le ft

o r r a wholly to h erself, harassed by pe petu l watching .

m e r fi o o f It appears to , that excess in the g ati cati n all

as o f i are their inclinations , as well excess sever ty, the poisons which destroy the natural kindness and t he 6 9 EDUCATI O N .

docile and tractable character of women . I am anxious to remind you of the origin and the consequence of these two worst methods of education .

This essay on female education was left incomplete . t ’ ff Gius is a ection for his own mother, from which his respect and tenderness towards women appears to have i i been derived, is expressed in a beaut ful and touch ng 18 39 ’ little poem he wrote in , on a mother s feelings

hi a l n w lst watching by the cr d e of her sleepi g infant, and which is concluded in these words

O h ! se per nu ovo obietto ’ Un dl affann a iovenil es o t g d i ,

' Ti risovveng a del m at er no aflett o ! ’ ’ N m ai a a l a mi essun t m er del m o r o.

E tu nel tuo d ol or sol o e penoso R ce c e a la a re e in es e b accia i r h r i m d , qu t r A s conderai la faceia 1 N el sen che m ai non can ia a ra s g v i ripo o .

1 O h ! s o ea for a s n seen efo e h uld thy h rt ch rm u b r , Fro m yo uthful passi on writhe in anguish so re ’ ink O f o e s ea s and eas e t o ne Th thy m th r t r , c pi , For none w l o e w o e t o e a ne i l l v ith l v qu l mi .

And if a on e and w ea of ef l , ry thy gri , ’ ’ h o seek st o e s ar s t o ask e ef T u thy m th r m , r li e n hi e wee in fa e and i s woes Th d thy p g c , m d t thy n on a eas n an ea e e o se Fi d, th t br t u ch g bl , r p . CHAPTER VI .

— PO ETRY A ND PORT S DI S CO VERY O F THE PO RTRA IT O F DANTE .

1837 18 38 18 39 o IN , , and Giusti“pr duced several poems ; the first of any note was San Giovanni ; or, a An Address to the Coin of Florence . In the ye r 12 51 i , the Florent nes, having driven the Imperial party

n from the surroundi g cities and country, as well as from

r Florence, celebrated their victo ies and inaugurated the recovery of their freedom by t he introduction of a new

i r t he e co n , the Florin , of pu e gold, and weighing ighth

. e of an ounce It was divided by twenty soldi , and bor f on one side the e figy of the Lily, on the other that of

St . John the Baptist, who had succeeded Mars as the 1 r patron of the city . The coin itself soon afte wards

in was called by the name of the saint, as we find

’ Dante s allusions to its forgery by Adam of Brescia, for the lords of Romena

’ Ivi é Ro mena 1adov io fal sai

La a s la a del Ba s leg uggel t tti ta.

I n ern C x 1 o an . xx . . f , to 7 3.

1 See I i i e el a be r a o en na a a da o Pr m T mpi d l Li t Fi r ti , N rr ti Att V a i nnucc . 1 PO ETRY AN D PO ETS . 7

T i B m ena w e e I fa s e here s o , h r l ifi d ’ The metal with the Baptist s form imprest. ’ C aR Y s Trans .

i. 143 And, again, at Canto xii line , in allusion the Christian patron

Io fui della Citt ache nel B attista ’ n Cangio l prim e padro e .

In that city I dwelt

Who for the B a s her s a on c an e . , pti t, fir t p tr h g d

- c o in In the Grand Ducal period the ruspone , a gold

u flo rins eq ivalent to three , or nearly seventeen francs, preserved the effigy of the saint o n both sides .

’ Giust is poem was intended as a satire on the vena lit y and corruption of the times, which made money the door through which alone access could be had to wealth and power. The verses conclude thus

’ Ah ! predicat e la Bibbia o l Al corano

San G o anni mio ca o e e o e so i v r , t mp p r , ’ M ate ci la bo sa e l univers ostr r , e

Sa aC n r ristia o .

To preac h the B ible or t he Alcoran

Is os n e : o u to us t he rs e l i g tim h ld p pu ,

An d San G o ann n t he ni e s e , i v i , the u v r

ll beco e C r s an Wi “m h i ti . In 18 38 B rindisi and followed the the Toast, the “ , A olo ia del L o t to . p g , Apology for the Lottery With 7 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . the first Giusti expressed himself better satisfied than with any of his previous compositions but with regard

r to the second, he afterwards wished that he had w itten it later in life . l The Lottery, which helped to demora ize the people, was sanctioned and encouraged by the Government, because an advantage to the exchequer . Idleness and

t he prodigality, result of gambling habits, were pre valent throughout Tuscany, and the source of all this evil was an appropriate subj ect for the pe“n of the . I l S ortile io satirist In a poem entitled g , the Sor ” r s cery, w itten some years afterward , Giusti again alludes to the misery occasioned by this gambling, when de scribing the ruin it brought o n a happy peasantry

Ecco il l otto a ficcars i t ra l o ro

Il o t o o o I e a e B eale l t , gi c mp ri le E quella pace e quel viver o nes to

S b o in fum e an ar con o il s o u it d tutt re t .

He co es the Lo te r t o w a on re m t y d ell m g them , The Lo t e I ri Ro a a t ry , mpe al y l g me

The ac o nc n o o n s a n pe e they e e j yed , their h e t g i ,

All w s stan anis n n ith their ub ce v hi g i s m oke .

t he I ncoro n asio n His last poem of this year was e , ” t oc the Coronation , writ en on the casion of the core

o f o i nation the Emper r Ferd nand II . The attack h ere made upon est ablished authorities was bolder than any o f a e u c r h his previous s tir s, and Gi sti onside ed t is po em

4 7 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

The Tus can Morph eus softly steals al ong i e es and w e ce a an s c own W th p ppi ith l ttu g rl d r ed , Eag er for imm ortality he dr ains 1 O ur oc s and the a p ket m rshes .

’ In law s s cs t an e az s os tati ti gl d m e l t,

H e ene a es his eo e l e as e rv t p pl , lu l d le p ’ But wh en he dream s of his great grandsire s deeds

H e dabbles in reforms .

The lines addressed to the Pope may remind the

reader of the grandeur and the severity of Dante, as he exhorts him :

0 des tinato a mantener vivace ’ De l A o C s o il san o ste o l lber di ri t t l , ’ La ricca povertad ell Evangelo R ndi in ipre pace .

’ St razii altri il co rpo ; non vole r t n 1 alma Cal carei a te rra col t uo dO ppio giog o ; Se mu o r la speme che al di ladel rog o ’ S afiisa in alm s c ,

1 In t h e y ear 17 69 Leo po ld t h e First u nde rto o k t h e drainage o f t he

a e a or a s s o f s an o win t o ins uflic ie nt M r mm , m r hy di trict Tu c y ; but g eans h e was na a a e The wo was m u bl e t o cco mpli s h all th t h e d sired . rk af erw a s es e his an so n e o o t he e o n o e a t rd r um d by gr d , L p ld S c d , but pr v d

fa re Th e s eo o who o n e e s e a o e v e ilu . fir t L p ld , c c iv d thi gr t pr j ct , di id d t he s s n t o e a en s w na s for t h e ad nis a o n o f di trict i d p rtm t , ith tribu l mi tr ti

s t e e n o ra e o o n za o n in e fo e ne s t o se e e e and ju ic , c u g d c l i ti , vit d r ig r ttl th r , abo lished o ppress ive duties up o n t he cattl e sent t o graze a part o f t he w e o f n a w e e e ea . s as o n o n a s n a o n y r But thi ly m y ct hich titl him l , a o n all t he an es o f s an t o t h e a e o f his fe o w m g Gr d Duk Tu c y , gr titud ll ea es cr tur . PO ETRY AND P O ETS .

Ve di sgo mento ruinare al fondo ’ ’ ‘ D O gni miseria l uom che piir non c re de Ahi vedi in traccia di novella fede

a r s i] on o Sm r ir i m d .

’ T u sotto l O mbra di m odesti panni I dubitanti miseri raccogli Prima e t e stesso la maschera togli

’ Che se pur badi a vende r l anatema E il l abbro accosti al vaso dei potenti ’ B en alt ra voce all affoll ate genti

e d a e a Qu l i d m ,

N on e non é i a de san i c o , (d r ) t hi di , C om e diff use popolar de lirio ’ Cristo l armi non dapel suo m artirio

Per es e f od t s r r i .

Del vom ere non aper cui ris uona A lta la fam a degli antichi padri ; E sett entrional Spada di ladri i TOrta n corona.

0 La n se e a chi s ai enuflesso ? ti m , t g ’ Quei che t i schiaccia e di color 1 erede E la catena che t i s uona al piede

Del fe rro ist esso .

O r dia o e acco ete in an sehiera , p ich rr t ta Piombate add osso al mercenario sgh erro S i hi ’ ugl oce all oppressor b aleni un fe rro . ’ D a mini ltra era. GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Della miniera che vi die le spade ’ Quand o nell ira mieteste a L egnano

Ba ba e o e co e fa al ano r r t rm , m lce pi ” C am di a po bi de .

T o who art es ne t o ain a n iri fe h u , d ti d m t i li ’ The o ste rn of Chr s s os sac e ee h ly i t m t r d tr ,

The w a in o e t he G os e e lth p v rty p l taught ,

In su peace re me.

Let oth ers woun d t he body ; do not then C rus h with thy do ubl e yoke t he hum an so ul

If t he o e ies w c e b on t he e h p d , hi h ther , ey d grav ,

Is cal l m y fixed ,

B e o s on n s n n t o the s h ld de p di g , i ki g depth

O f is he who s in no m ery, believe ug ht ; A nd ah ! beh old him seeking s o m e new faith n n w un Wa deri g the orld aro d .

Beneat h t he sh ad ow of t hy m odes t garb ’ G ather th u nhappy d o ubte r s t o thyself ; ’ Tear t he dissembler s m ask fro m thine o wn face

A nd n n n the u mask all tyra ts .

If o conte n t o s l A na s th u , t el thema ,

Si O f s e lf - sa c u w o n rc s rin p the me p here m a h d k ,

‘ The multitude shall bear another voice ; Th at c ro wn PO ETRY AN D PO ETS . 7 7

l Is not is not w sa o f sac e na s , , t ill y, r d il ,

A s e e n s w a e o and een e e e l g d ild h v t ld , b b li v d C h ris t does not give His tool s of martyr do m

w e e To ork d c it .

N or is it of t he pl ough sh ares m ad e whi ch once ’ 2 a e our fo efa e s ea na es Ex lt d high r th r gr t m , But of the north ern sword of r obber - chiefs

n in a c wn Who b e t it ro .

O h ! La n ace t o w o do e en nee ? ti r , h m y th k l

H e is t he e of ose who c s e o si es h ir th ru h d y ur r , And the chain now which cl anks aroun d your feet

Is fo e of t he sa e e a rg d m m t l .

Fo wa e os s who a e e in as e r rd , y h t , g th r th re h t ,

Fa on t he e c na ob e c ew ll m r e ry r b r r , ’ And in t he tyrant s eyes let a swo rd flash Made fro m anoth er mine

The mine th at fur nish ed m etal for t he swords

en at Le nano e w sac e ire Wh g , fill d ith r d ,

Y e ow t he a a ous o es as on t he ain m ed b rb r h rd , pl ” The sic e c s the c n kl ut or . “ 1839 L a V estizio ne Inves In , Giusti produced , the ” t it ure , in which he reproved the ambition of certain men , who, without any j ust claim to honour, seek and

1 Th e on own of t h e o a s w t h e e o e e e at ir cr L mb rd , hich Emp r r r c iv d an is s o se t o a e een h e na s w t he Mil , upp d h v b m ade fro m t il by hich a o u was fas ene t o t h e o ss S vi r t d Cr . 9 An al s on t o in nna s and t o t h e s i o f ea anne s. lu i C ci tu , impl city rly m r ’ 7 8 GIUSEPPE GI USTI . obtain titles by mean acts ; nor does he spare the pro digal and idle noble, who, by the neglect of duties incumbent on his position in society, justly forfeits the respect as well as the wealth which he derives solely from the merits of a remote ancestor, and who would yet deny to plebeians that which his own equally plebeian forefather had earned by commerce and ia du i st ry. Though this satire is d rected chiefly against

t he the manners or morals prevalent in Tuscany, poet i intended to attack the same v ces, under whatsoever form, infecting society in every quarter of the globe .

In the character of a base sycophant here represented , he was supposed to have alluded to a certain per se nage well known to his townsmen ; but ill- natured allusions to the peculiarities of private individuals

’ Giust is was so adverse to nature and principles, that his anger was roused whenever the idea was suggested to him .

C arlo In a letter which he wrote about this time , to

Bastianelli , a merchant at Leghorn , he speaks with pride and gratification of his compositions, which were now circulating all over Tuscany and even passing beyond the frontiers . He adds I will not allude

and (lillet t anti to the praises of friends , and I leave

fo r newspaper critics to puff me up the public, but I

o u C ar mi nani Nicc olini will only mention to y , that g , ,

either Azeglio, Manzoni , and Grossi have encouraged me a themselves, or sent others to encourage me, and mong N ET PO ETRY A D PO s . 7 9

1 all these , Mayer. Requests reach me from sides for O f my satirical compositions, and, in spite my better j udgment, I give them away, and then repent having

r ? done so . Is not this enough to tu n my head

r I do not w ite well, but I know, or think I know, what writing ought to be, from always having had

. the best books in my hands . As nature has decreed that I should be slow in believing myself to be some am body, I on my guard against being persuaded or

hi t he tempted to t nk so by flattery of others . Never t heless , I confess that the praises of men such as these, if they have not made me proud, have given me

u co rage, and almost been a compensation for many a m ort ificat ion to which my own inexperience and t he malice of others have subj ected me . If my courage l does not fai me, I hope not to live in vain . In my writings I shall always bear in mind the aim of benefit ing my country, and, without imagining, as many have a im gined for themselves, that I have been sent by Pro vidence il , I w l endeavour with my light satire to spread wholesome and strengthening maxims . Such compositions could not have escaped curtail

s ment at the hands of the cen or, if their author had

1 Enrico Mayer was o f Swiss birth but h e h ad be co m e wh olly alian His o n t on s t o o a e a o n in s an a e It . c tribu i p pul r duc ti Tu c y h v e n e him He titl d t o t he estee m and gratitude o f his adopted c o un try . a e a ou ne t o n an t o s t h e o a s oo s and c o m m d j r y E gl d tudy p pul r ch l , “ m unicat ed t h e inf o rm atio n h e h ad received in articl es in t he Guide ’ el a o e d l Educ t r . 8 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . attempted to publish them they were accordin gly only circulated in manuscript ; but as every fresh poem ap

eared l p , it was greedi y seized upon, copied, and read , l ti l it was known throughout the whole country .

’ ’ Lawyers and bankers clerks, students at the school or university, laid aside every other occupation to make

’ Giust is copies of poetry, and thus by producing an edition in manuscript they contrived to evade a tyran nic al institution .

In the midst of his successful career, Giusti was not unmindful of others struggli ng in the same path ; and in the following letter to a young author he encourages ff ff a him , whilst o ering wise advice to avoid the a ect tion common to embryo poets

MY SIR DEAR ,

The verses you have addressed to have made i me desire your acqua ntance . They show much genius ,

e and, what I esteem more highly, a refined and gentl nature . If you do not allow yours elf to be carried away by praise , you will occupy a very eminent position

w r among the rite s of the present day . But I warn you, w ith the Latin satirist, to beware of the hostile array i of friends who pass their encomiums on med ocrity , incapable of rising by itself ; they o nl y fasten on those who are r b e worth something better, in o der to e allow d

‘ w are at least to share their renown ; in a ord, they the

2 I 8 GIUSEPPE GIUST .

i earth, and ends by throw ng us into a state of apathy, ff degrading to a man ; it poisons his sweetest a ections, his noblest faculties, and, in short, makes a sceptic of

r t him . Eve y hing has its reward, and you have the best,

i inex in your love of study. In this you w ll find an haust ible source of consolation, whenever either love or any other passion disturbs your soul . Every word and

r the eve y sentence learnt from rules of your art , and w l i l unfelt before, i l awaken your mental v sion, wil sound delightful to your heart, and will seem to reveal the

u i secret history of yo r life . You w ll then contract that gentle melancholy which cannot be assumed . I do ff not therefore exhort you to fly from the a ections, but

] . to be a man . Beasts how , men mourn Do not suppose that moderation is a sign of any

r r want of feeling . Whoever had fie ce passions than Dante ? But read his poetry examine every part where

o u l he speaks of love , and y wi l find intensity, and yet cal“mness . Petrarch is accused of having been violent, or, at any rate , exaggerated , in his expression of the passion . But whoever makes this observation has not t he soul to comprehend him . Play the harp to the man who

c ar has no for music , and he will yawn over it ; rattle t he i - tongs and the fry ng pan , and he will delight in the norse .

In a letter to Silvio Giannini , a distinguished Floren 3 PO ETRY A N D PO ETS . 8

w tine la yer, Giusti insists on style in writing corre spo nding with the subj ect

MY R O R VE Y DEAR SIGN GIANNINI,

I was agreeably surprised by finding a friend O f mine

‘ ’ Pana io t a in the translator of the Letters of g Suzzo ,

l ac and in the author of the yric scene . I made the

in quaintance of this distinguished young man Florence, when he came from Naples to publish a historical work . It appears to me that Greek literature may have con siderable influence in rousing the inhabitants of the w l Ionian Islands, to whom every word i l recall a fact, a i hope, a desire but Ital ans, although they feel the same i i des re for l berty as the Greeks, have no general or recent

u event in their history to remember, and wo ld therefore i il rema n cold, wh st reading this poetic prose . When a

high- flown style does not meet with a corresponding t he state of mind in those to whom it is addressed,

imagination and the heart are silent, and such a style has then a more freezing and pedantic effect than mere

rhetoric and grammar. I wish , once for all , that these declamations and expressions of despondency would

cease . At thirty years of age, any one who has not been hermetically sealed in an atmosphere of blessed hallucinations must feel only too well that he has lost the illusions of his youth ; but it appears to me an absurd contradiction to pretend that the world is ad G 2 8 4 I GIUSEPPE G USTI . vancin g, and at the same time to despair of what has been done and what has yet to be done . Few of us Italians (I am sorry to say) know the meaning of l po itical passions . Many of us, either from a desire to follow the fashion, or from ambition , or idleness, or

r to cou t popularity, talk of country, but who knows what kind of an idea they attach to the word ? The variety of interpretations it has received proves that f w e or none comprehend its true meaning . To me it is

s as a god ; it is felt and not understood . The Greek heard it, and sacrificed to their idol ; they may there

t he fore now read and respond . We can only read by

l l . intel ect, and the inte lect is too severe a judg e I may a be wrong, but it appears to me that we , in these d ys, must make up our treasure out of family affections ;

r s fi st educate , then instruct ; become good father before we become good citi zens . Let us not put the cart before the horse, or, whilst we are composing more

i r wi or less beaut ful sonnets on Italy , Italy he self ll for

’ ever remain patched, like a harlequin s dress . Poetry tacked on to prose (be it said between our selves) walks upon stilts ; and it is easy to perceive that the author of this work has not had much practic e in

ifi t n e r en vers ca io . i ite rio The word c m (cem te y) , giv

as t he t he title , conveys a sad and funereal idea to

e a ra e and reader, and pr p res him for something g v

s r e solemn . But the metre cho en by the autho do s

no t e as us to mee harmonize with this id a, it summons t

8 6 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

il comes, to take flight . You w l be surprised to hear that I prefer the V aldinievole to Florence ; but if you had lived here seven years, as I have, you would alter

O i . your pin on I am now quite at home here, but my h healt is not good, and then the number of my

vi acquaintance obliges me to pay numerous sits, and to subm it to certain conventionalities which I cannot endure . For a young man who knows how to choose his associates, this place , where literary men abound, as

ct reli uioe well as artists, q , of every kind and country, has a great advantage ; and it is true that going from

Florence to Pescia one finds oneself somewhat isolated , ‘ and out of place ; but, as the proverb says, In Rome

’ do as they do in Rome, and I am studying to prove it r“ight . T he true portrait of Dante, painted by Giotto,

12 98 in about , the Chapel of the Podesta, in the Via

Palagio, has been discovered . These frescoes had been covered with whitewash by the native Vandals, and for many centuries the miracle of Giotto and the revered features of our ancestors have remained buried under t ’ t h the whi ewasher s brush . Thus the fame and e name of good men is sometimes darkened by a shade cast on

s them by slander or calumny . The crust of whitewa h has been removed with the greatest pe rseverance and

l vario us t he skil , little by little , and after attempts for m of Dante in the freshness of youth (for when he was painted he was t hirt v- two or thirty- three years of D V ISCO ERY O F TH E PORTRAIT or DANTE . 8 7

age) has appeared, for the wonder and veneration of his

r late and degenerate posterity . Giorgio Vasa i knew i that the paint ng existed, but the search has only now been made ; better late than never . It was a real j oy to all present to find that the portraits we possess of D ante are true, and that in his case, at least, we have not been worshipping a false idol . In the same paint ing the likenesses of Brunetto Latino and of Corso Donati must exist ; but I fear among the number of

figures here represented we shall never arrive, with any cer“tainty, at fixing on theirs . n Mayer has been some days in Leghor , having

re escaped from the prisons of Pope Gregory . He mains there for the present, to comfort his mother, and he does right ; he will afterwards come here, to rej oice if his friends . You need not ask I rej oiced in his liberation , and the more so, that I was afraid lest the l ’ heat of Rome, itse f unhealthy, and of Castel Sant

n n A gelo, which is extremely u healthy, might do him a bodily injury ; besides, the mouse had got among the cats .

’ The history of the discovery of Dante s portrait, to

— Mr Kirku i . wh ch Giusti alludes, is as follows p, an

English gentleman residing in Florence, happened to read in some old writers that a portrait of the poet existed on a wall of the Church of Ste . Croce . On inquiry

u th he fo nd e wall had been destroyed ; and, when men 8 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . t ionin g his disappointment to an Italian friend, Signor

Bezzi, he added, that he did not, however, resign all i hop e of discovering an original l keness of Dante, since another portrait was said to exist in the Chapel of the

1 Kirku Bargello in Florence . Mr. p proposed that they should unite in an endeavour to get the whitewash l covering the wa ls removed, to which Signor Bezzi assented ; and he prevailed on Mr. Wilde, an American,

ri in to j oin them . These three gentlemen subsc bed 2 40 equal shares the sum of scudi, or about fifty pounds, and engaged an artist, Signor Marini, to per m for the delicate operation . Signor Bezzi , meantime , w w being the la yer of the party, undertook to dra up the T petition to the Gove rnment for leave to act . he petition

T he was granted, and Marini set to work . old chapel

r was at that time divided into two compa tments, and had become a receptacle for all kinds of rubbish, which had in the first instance to be cleared away . Signor

e Marini, though highly r commended to his employers ,

be proved incapable of the task , which commenced by

’ in making two holes the wall, each as large as a man s

n r head, for the i sertion of beams for the suppo t of his

1 ’ Th e a e o was ac o o de a fa e o f t h e o e B rg ll built by J p L pi , th r m r ’ e e a e no fo de a in t h e welf en fo r t he o f a c l br t d Ar l L pi , t th c tury , fici l

en e o f he e f a s a e o f h f e t h e fa res id c t chi m g i tr t s t e city . A t r ll o f t he

e is a ace was in a e t h e a e o o r e f o f ce R public th p l h bit d by B rg ll , chi fi r

d was s se e n o n e n o a s o o f o e an e n. n e p lic , ub qu tly c v rt d i t pri Si c 186 0 it is in t h e c o urse o f preparatio n fo r a museum o f Fl orenti ne an i e tiqu ti s.

9 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

repainted the whole face and dress . Dante had been represented by Giotto in the colours described in the Purgatorio as those of Beatrice

’ Sovra eandido vel cinta d oliva ’ Donna a ar e so o e e n o m pp v , tt v rd ma t fiamm v a Vestita di co lor di a iv .

31. Can o xxx . v . P ur. t

In w i w o wre e h te veil , ith live ath d ,

A in in ew a ea benea virg my vi pp red ; th ,

‘ n G reen m antle robed i hue of living flame .

But these were the colours which had been adopted w by the Revolutionary party ; and green, red, and hite were accordingly transformed into chocolate , red, and

’ white , whilst the hood covering Dante s head was

converted into a sort of turban .

But meantime , the discovery of the portrait of the greatest of Italian poets by o ne of the greatest of Italian painters was hailed as a j oyful event by all tr ue w Florentines . The name of Dante, associated ith days

e w r of R publican liberty (dearer, ith all its tu moils, than

r the lethargic lullaby of a paternal gove nment), had,

as he we have seen , been always held sacred by Giusti ; could not but be inspired by a subj ect which gave him

rs d his e so much pleas ure . In ve es ad ressed to favourit

u i v poet, he introd ced various l nes from the Di ina Commedia ; and the comparison t o which the reade r F THE O F 9 DISCO VERY O PO RTRAIT DANTE . 1 is here invited only tends to raise his wonder and admiration at the genius which could dare to tread beside his great progenitor, without giving any sign of

’ Giustis l lagging or weakness . lines are fu l of impas

’ sio ned his eloquence , whilst deploring country s mis

r fo tunes, her wrongs, and her errors, and, though a d l kin red spirit, he proves himse f no servile imitator of his idol . This is not the first time that in his graver

r ve ses he reminds the reader of Dante, by a deep and

r i ea nest feeling of patriotism, by a clear insight nto the l faults of his nation, as we l as by the unsparing severity with which he reprobates that which he desires to mend . As far as a comparison can be drawn between a great epic poet and one who only aspired to the lyric

l versifiea muse , the para lel may be extended to their i tion, in wh ch both excel in conciseness of language and fulness of thought conveyed in short and pithy lines ; but it ceases when we place the bitter irony of a morti

fied and disappointed spirit, so prevalent amidst the noble sentiments of the elder poet, beside the genial

’ u iust is good h mour which pervades G satires, except

for when directed against sycophants and tyrants, whom he can hardly find terms sufficiently strong to express his unmitigated disgust . D Addressing ante as Master and Lord, he thus describes the degenerate state of Italy

’ L antica gl oria é spenta ’ E le te rre d Italia tutt e piene 2 9 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Son di tiranni ; 1 e um m artire doventa 2 n l n i n O g i vi l an che parteggia do v e e . ’ P o in a o on a asciut vit di rim rsi e d t ,

Dai o diP em on e gi ghi i t , ’ E per l ant iche e per le nuove offense 3 C ai na attende chi vita ci spense

a a

La m ala s ignoria che tutti accora Vedi c o m e divo ra E la Lo mbarda e la Vene ta gente ’ 4 E Mod ena con Parm a n e d ol ente .

Spent is our ancient gl ory ; our c iti e s

A ll are e an s and ac factions fill d by tyr t , e h

il n e e t V lager c o v rt d o a m artyr .

O ur onl no s en e o se and s a y uri hm t r m r h me ,

F o t he an e of P on s c n so r m high r g iedm t , tret hi g uth ; B ut for our ancient and our rece nt wrongs

C a na awa s the so who s o ur f i it ul pilt li e.

G l '

The s who ri a t evil ruler g eve every he r ,

B o e o t he s s an o f the n eh ld , d v ur ub t ce la d

Lo a d Ve ne an Mo nes l mb r , ti , de e , a ike

os of Par a oan be n a the o . With th e m , gr e th y ke

Giusti proceeds to describe the sl o w and vacillating nature of the Government ruling fi s cany

1 o V I 1 Il a o an o . inea 26 Purg t ri , C t l . 2 II o e a o an o . n a 128 . Purg t ri , C t VI li 3 ’ nfe no an o . l a a 10 8 . L I r , C t V l c

4 Il Para an ea dise t o . in 7 5. , C VI l

9 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Te m end o sempre alle propinque ville N on v olin le faville Di spenta libe rtasopra i vestigi ’ E d uno s tess o incendio arda Parigi .

T n t he c e wa e s of t he Seine roubli g fi kl t r ,

H e s ow a s his ne s in sea of l ly dr g t rch prey, The fox who evil re igns as evil born

A nd w an e e ac se in an f a ds , ith y , pr ti d m y r u , Fixed on t he distant Pyrenean heights

Enc c t he fla es of e ir led by m lib rty, With beating h eart he watches anxiou sly ;

T in es s a s c ance s o fl ac oss rembl g l t p rk per h h uld y r ,

A nd fire t he n o r n c s n n eighb u i g itie , ki dli g there

The s o l e n as s of s n bert m u d ri g he pe t li y, A th n t i n i nd s e co fla r a o Pa s b rn . , mid t g , r u

‘ l In conclusion, the poet represents the sou of Dante reading the future of his country :

’ ' Sai che pe r via d aflanni e di ruine Nostre te rre Lat ino Ri nnoveraco me pi ante novelle ’ ’ l L am o r che mu ove il s o le c l altre s t e lle .

Th ou k no wes t th at thr ough s uffering and decay

O ur La n s w l n w i i s ti citie i l re e the r l ve ,

L an s s n u a a n o b a Lo ike pl t pri g p g i , m ved y th t ve

un and an Which g uides t he s pl e ts in their co urse .

a ine . aradise n o . as P , C t XXXIII l t l F F 9 5 DISCO VERY O THE PO RTRAIT O DANTE . The verses from Giust rs pen which this year ex“cited I ! B rindisi cli Girella most attention were , The ” i i T l ded cato al S i . d a Toast of the Weathercock, g

’

le rand buo n anima sua. y , In a fragment of what was

intended for a preface to an edition of his works, the

poet thus speaks of this composition, which he classes ' ” Gli Um anitam r with two others, , The Humanita ians, “ ” “ I l R 6 Travicello . ll and , King Log A owing for ff the blindness of paternal a ection, the author believes

that these are among the best of his productions, and that in these few lines he has approached nearest to

S the expression of his ideas . Our cosmopolitan pirit, the facility with which we change banners , and our submitting to be the grumbling yet weak subjects of

n harsh yet i capable sovereigns, appear to me our deepest wounds, and that these three satires have probed them to the bottom , calmly and fearlessly, like f a good surgeon . To af ect to be citizens of the world, without being at home in our own house to aim at a reputation for wisdom and prudence whilst changing our livery with every new master ; to cry out against

i n tyranny w thout resenting oppression, nor usi g the

r - oppo tunity when the tyrant sleeps, are follies which deserve a shake of the head and a smile of com

o passi n . The burden o f the Brindisi is always V iva la ma s chere / n slram s lo g live the masks, or , wherever

u fo nd, j untas, clubs, princes, churches, Loretto, and the 96 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

! French Republic Girella turns with each and all,

n whoever happens to be with the wind, and, havi g witnessed the fall of every man and of every system , congratulates himself and his fellows in these eon eluding lines

’ N oi val ent uornini Siam sempre ritti M angiando i frutti D l m al e di tutti .

9 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . lowest part of the Apennines by the persevering in

dust r y of the inhabitants, and almost in defiance of the

i . h cl mate T ere are besides, everywhere , little rivulets of the purest water and enorm ous masses of rock

- i enough to drive a landscape pa nter wild, or to make a

poet bleat forth an idyl, even in these days when such

kind of poetry has gone out of fashion . It is said that 1 this is the very road taken by poor Ferruccio, when

I an es o e o a o en ne en e an and a so die o f Fr c c F rrucci , Fl r ti g tl m , l r fo ne o f t h e si t een en r wh o s o on o se t o be o ne o f t h e rtu , x th c tu y , r ea s a a n s o h e a e en o en e was in 1530 ose gr te t c pt i f t g . Wh Fl r c cl ly es e e t h e e a roo s and a e h er as s e fo r b i g d by Imp ri l t p , m d l t trugg l t h e a n enan e o f t he Re e o was en a e in t h e ser m i t c public , F rrucci g g d o f his na i e H e on e t o ow in o s o ns and vice t v city . c triv d thr pr vi i e a e t he wa f ness o f t h e in e o f O an es wh o o an e v d tch ul Pr c r g , c mm d d ' en t h e s on o f o w en e t h e enemy s tro o ps . At l gth tr gh ld r m h c he had a e his sa es was a en and w e n a ess en e a r e fro m d lli t k , h m g r r iv d m o en e c onfidin t o him a o al o we in t h e o e a he i Fl r c , g dict t ri p r, h p th t m ght he la wo un e an ill w e e t sa e e d f e . H e nevert he y v th ir city , y d d ith v r , ess a e se f at t h e ea o f his e a m and a e fo r t he l , pl c d him l h d littl r y , m d i n O n e in t he e o n a ns n t he o e o f a a a s a . es a m u t i , h p tt cki g r g r r At P ci h e was e f s e a as s a e o ee e t he o e o a en o ne r u d p g , but pr c d d by th r r d m ti d e e i ea e a a e a w e e a essa e f o s . rruc o t he by Giu ti F r ch d C l m cc , h r m g r m

o en ne o e n en as s e a e e nera a a es a was Fl r ti G v r m t ur d him th t th ir g l , M l t t ,

fl h O n t h e 2d s prepared fo r ano ther c o rt t o save t e city . Augu t Fer

rucc io a e a e t o O an es o n t he o e ne a nea a a g v b ttl r g C ll di Pru tt , r th t p rt

a e t he o e de i a a o e t h e fo ess o f San a e o . O ran es c ll d Cr c L ri , b v rtr M rc ll g w he w e n a e at a nana. e o e e ee n t t o o an e s c mp d G vi A du l ccurr d b t c mm d r ,

in w O ran es a en a fell t o t h e o n and a e e en hich g ccid t lly gr u d , might h v b e e a w take n pri so ner had no t tim ly succo ur arriv d . But fe min ut es

a e in t h e s o f t he f a w fo o we O an es was s o ea l t r, mid t r y hich ll d , r g h t d d

o ne o f his o w n m en ns a e t o t he ee d o e e en t o by , i tig t d d by P p Cl m t,

e en his a in his niec e a e r ne de e i w ic O an es pr v t m rry g C th i M d ci , h h r g h i ad inte nded do ing as soo n as he ga ned poss ess io n of Flo re nce . Af te r A SECO ND EXCURSIO N INTO THE MO UNTAINS . 9 9

s our ancestors of Pescia would not allow him to pa s . Go“d reward them as they deserve ! r The chu ches, like the houses, are ancient in form ,

simple , modest, and with a solemn aspect externally ;

o within , alm st all are in a dilapidated condition, patched up with plaster or with part of the cornice from some

- neighbouring temple . The bell towers are sometimes

n very beautiful, and are the remai s of fortresses and

o w t ers ; and there are everywhere fountains, plenty of

- - water, a washing trough, and a horse trough . These

villag es, whether seen from below or from above , look i like houses p led up one above the other, as if in these

t h e ea o f O an es t h e e a s s we e co e e o e and Fer d th r g , Imp ri li t r mpl t ly r ut d, ru cc ro ee in and s l s ffe in fro fe e e e w his so die s , bl d g til u r g m v r, r tir d ith l r

n to Gavm ana. a e e e a st ill a e o o f e a s s i Att ck d th r by l rg r b dy Imp ri li t ,

h e was o e w el e s e o n e s and s ain a an a v r h m d by up ri r umb r , l by Sp i rd , a a a o who n e his a e t o t h e n o t h e o of t h e M r m ld , plu g d d gg r hilt i t b dy w oun de d dying F erruccio and thus ended t h e las t h op e o f t h e — ’ ' e o f e m m e Marietta de Rzcci A DEMO LLO 6 vol . R public Fl , by ,

an no who af e a ef n e al was t he s esso of Maeehia Gi tti, , t r bri i t rv , ucc r

el as e e a o f t he o en ne o e nm en was t h e on e o a v li , S cr t ry Fl r ti G v r t , c t mp r ry f and e sona f en o f erru ccio and h as ef a s o a o n o him . p r l ri d F , l t h rt cc u t

A s a o e o was o t o a e om e anno la ma ior y uth , F rrucci br ught up tr d , c f gg ’ arte de nost ri cost nobili om e i no bili a in no as e fo r p , c g ; but , h v g t t it , he a e and o o t o a o n l fe in t h e asen no w e e his g v it up, t k c u try i C ti , h r ro e la r e anno h e a e t o o en e in 1527 p p rty y ; but , u g d by Gi tti , c m Fl r c , w e e h e was e o e in t h e o s sa a e ar en o f t he a h r mpl y d c mmi ri t d p tm t rmy , and so o n ose t e m an He en o n e e t he fo es o f t h e r o a chi f c o m d . c u t r d rc in e o f O an es at a n ana in t he o n a no s s r o f s o a Pr c r g G vi , m u t i u di t ict Pi t i , was a en so ne and o efo e abrr io a a a o wh o suc t k pri r, br ught b r F z M r m ld ( ce eded t o t he o an w en O an es was i e in t h e a o n who c mm d h r g k ll d cti ) , ,

af e ns lt n him a ow in t he fa e o e e t o be t o t r i u i g by bl c , rd r d him put — ea h D onate Granno tti O e e I . 43. d t , p r H 2 l 00 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . solitudes men drew t he bond of human brotherhood

e closer, or that they h rded together like sheep, to keep

n are out the cold . The i habitants healthy, tall, and

- l t r slender built, ively, and craf y, but ready to se ve you, except those few who have ruined soul and body down below in the Tu scan and Roman marshes .

t he They winter in plain, and migrate in herds with the cattle , leaving the old men, women , and children up here . Some are employed cutting brambles and wood for the manufacture of charcoal and potash , some spread

wo o dcocks blackbirds nets for birds ; and the quantity of , ,

o urrnands and thrushes for roasting, which g devour at the dinners of the great, are the fruit of the labours of these poor people , who toil for three or four months, in h the midst of winter, to carry ome twenty francesconi .

h T ey return to their mountains in May, with replenished purses , diminished health , and often infected with vice , which , up here, in these places remote from the sink of corruption , strike you the more because it is — l i least expected ike virtue n great cities . There is a great difference between those who have always remained at home and those who descend to t he plain to seek their fortunes . We observed this in t wo guides

— n w we took on our return one , bor and gro n to m an h ood and old age in these mountains ; the other, having

' difle rent worked on various estates and for persons , and , among others , for Bourmont, the conqueror of

Algiers . The first related to us eagerly the whole story

I 02 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . San Marcello is the chief place in the mountains in around Pistoia . It is a town of a few hundred habitants, and has an appearance of prosperity . The hospitality of the family of the Cini makes it still more agreeable and if I refrain from commenting upon this, it is only because , having experienced it several times, I cannot say enough in its praise . I must add , there is here , likewise , a machine for the manu facture of felt cloth ; and the younger of the two brothers Cini , who is between twenty and thirty years of age , is the architect, chemist, and director of all 1 these works . All through this tract of country you meet with the ff names of towns, valleys, and little streams, which a ord

1 The n a e n o e in s o n a n s es es he Ci i h v i tr duc d thi m u t i di trict , b id t

an fa es o f clo t h and o f a e an sef ns o ns s as a m u ctur p p r , m y u ul i tituti , uch sa in s an &c . Th e wa es are no o n e a o n a u a s o v g b k , g l g r p id S t rd y , r t o t he m en t o t h e wo en o f t h e fa and o n a e - da at , but m mily , m rk t y , w an h our h en t he m en are engaged at t h e w o rk s ; th at t he m o ney m a be se fo r fa e enses and e a s e wo en are o y u d mily xp , b c u m supp sed t o

’ be t h e e e e o n s The b tt r c o mi ts . M arch es e d Azeglio d esc ribes thi s ’ a o f t h e o n his no e o f o o de a as e n p rt c u try m v l Nicc l L pi , d lighti g t he

a e e t h e a e n o f t h e a e it s ea ef a s o , y y , , s e y tr v ll r b m it pl c “p c ul ch rm pr p rit , and t h e o es f h o t e n a an s . ne w ns s c urt y i h bit t Tu , hich rui o m any

n s o es so e and h as e e e a s e all t he f thi g , impr v m , h r xh u t d o rm er fury o f a wa fa e and e en an e e it s e o p rty r r , v c c ll d m m ries H and s accus to m ed t o a a a o are se fo r t he an fa e o f a e es a gricultur l l b ur u d m u ctur p p r , t bli shed am i w o e by a f ly h s name re calls o ne o f t he firs t in ltali an l ett e rs ; a fa l wh o e o e wea in t he os nob e anne mi y mpl y th ir lth m t l m r, because os ene a sef . s an o f n s es es a o s a es m t g r lly u ul Thi br ch i du try , b id v ri u tr d , en e s t he eo e n s o s and affo s e r d r p pl i du tri u , rd th m a co mpe tence ; the y are e efo e a and o n e n e th r r h ppy c t t d. O O I O O A SEC ND EXCURSI N NT THE M UNTAINS . 103 ground for the belief that the district was the site of ancient Roman colonies or stations . For example :

Pu i lio Pit o lio i Rio Flaminio, Vellano, p g , g , Gav nana,

Pa iana &c . Val p , ; a certain Captain Cini, of the mountain, a most diligent antiquarian, insists that all these names are of Roman origin . Besides these monuments of ancient history, there are some of modern origin, and several fanciful and absurd tradi tio“ns, belonging to a much later period \V e i left San Marcello at three in the morn ng, to

' s Sc aflaiolo a cend to Lake , which is situated on the summit of the mountains dividing Tuscany from the

Bolognese territory and that of Modena . We wished to reach the top by daybreak, to see the sun rise in all his majesty, from the Adriatic . We ascended nine or ten l mi es , meeting first with chestnuts, and next beeches, as the chestnut will not grow above a certain level . Af ter

and passing the beeches, reaching the highest part of i the mountain, you do not meet w th a stem or plant of

s - any kind, but exten ive grass slopes everywhere , broken here and there by deep hollows in the ground, caused by water, besides fragments of projecting rock . From June until the end of September these summits are

covered with flocks of sheep and with horses, kept here for pasture by the owners of the land upon the m e nu t i ains and in the plain . They are qu te deserted at this and season ; these meadows, which yield like a cushion

t o the feet, are composed of close yellow grass, dried 1O4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

e — n up by the h ar frost, and remi d one of a hair mat, as

u much by the feel as by their colo r. We had not yet h reached t e highest point, called the Corno alle Scale , when so thick a fog came on that we could hardly see before us ; and all the time it lasted the lines of our divine poet rang in my head :

’ icorditiIet t or se m ai n l Al e R , el p

T - co se neb er la a e ess i l bia, p qu l v d i ’ N on altrim enti che per pelle talpe .

Pu r atorio C n o xvu . g , a t

’ C a l t o e e ance eade if o e er l r m mbr , r r , th u ’ Has on an Al ne e t en n c o t pi h igh be ta e by l ud , ’ Through whic h tho u saw st no better t han the m ole ’ an Doth through opacous membr e . ’

CA RE Y s Tram .

Farewell to our hope of seeing the sun rise ; farewell to the beautiful view of the Bolognese and Modenese

o n plains one side, and of Tuscany on the other ; yet to

r find ou selves at that height, seeing nothing beyond a

m an few feet before and around us, without a sound of

or beast, surrounded by an ocean of fog , like a family

escaped from the flood, produced a feeling of solitary

s f pride in the midst of darknes , which was su ficient

compensation for our disappointment . The fog thick

ened, cleared, and thickened again several times, and

o ur at length dispersed , but never enough to allow of

I 6 I I 0 GIUSEPPE G UST . in it the type of that kind of patriotis m which some

’ ’ u ca e times flares p in the liberal of a fi , or is heard in the noisy declamation of the ciompi 1 and sans c ulottes . ‘ The Corno alle Scale is the highest mountain in Italy after the Monte Bianco and the Cimone di ’

Fanano . It is said to have been crossed by Hannibal but in these days everybody declares he passed their door, and according to some historians great men are ubiquitous .

' The Lago Seaflaiolo lies lower than the Corn o alle

Scale , and is in a basin, formed either by a volcano or some other means . It has a circumference of about

and five hundred and fifty feet, seems to be fed from i m underground spr ngs as the strea s which fall into it, f considering the size of the basin , cannot be su ficient to

restore what it loses by evaporation . It appears very

deep , for on throwing a stone into it there followed

a hollow sound, a sure criterion of great depth .

Although not unusual in high mountains , it is a singular

' e flec t seeing a lake at that elevation ; but the most

n no t si gular part of the phenomenon is, that there is a

n O f o fish , nor aquatic bird , nor a sig vegetati n , not even a

m a o in blade of grass, near it . Perhaps grass y not g r w

ic e a o f that climate or soil ; and the , and the bsence

1 - w s i The C iom i wo o a e s ano e na e a so fo r o ns . p , l c rd r ; th r m l cl Giu t allud es t o a c el e brated po pular re vo lutio n which to o k plac e in Fl o re nce

m 137 8 . SEC ND TH E O A O EXCURSIO N INTO M UNTAINS . 10 7

vegetation and of insects, would leave nothing upon

which fishes could feed, nor aquatic birds, if their i wings ever carried them so high . We found an m

O f mense heap stones on one side of the lake , covered

O ld n with names and marks, some and wor away, and

O f some recent, cut with the points knives or nails . Every vestige of human life touches the heart amidst

these solitudes and it is only now that I can laugh , as

SO — I recollect having read among the names, Count and

SO - - so so, the Marquis and ; as if time would respect these

titles . It were better to bear the remembrance of such

spots engraved in your memory than, whilst forgetting

them as soon as seen, leave your name behind you .

w : But it is every here the same there is not a wall , a nor a stone , nor anything celebrated, which is s fe from this worthless record , as the most insignificant persons are most lavish of their names, like the weak members

’ of a firm . At the Great St . Bernard, at Petrarch s house a in Arqu , and in many other places, a great book is kept, in which all that pass that way may write some hi thing . T s custom (which has produced for us a sweet

r a sonnet of A iosto) has now become cont gious, and there is not a villa or a table which has not its album .

May God preserve us from album persecutions, which can now count more martyrs than that of Diocletian !

If n SO ff , amo g many su erers , any one would take the a trouble to select the cre m , that found to be worth

a t en a reading would be at an aver ge of one in thous nd, 108 GIUS EPPE GIUSTI . and in a calculating mercantile age like ours we ought to be a little more economical in paper. From the Lago Scaffaiolo to Cutigliano is a descent ff of five miles, which, you may imagine, did not a ord much enj oyment to our knees . Cutigliano is a village i situated on the Lima, and at a short d stance from the

O w road to Abetone, pened bet een Pistoia and Modena

I. by the Grand Duke Leopold , a worthy soul long ago passed away from this earth and rendered almost use

O f less by Duke Francis Modena, a bad soul , who, by

r the grace of God, is alive and flou ishing . The village

S is a pleasant spot, agreeably ituated , supplied with all

p it can want, and, among the rest, with beautiful undu

l t rifles — lating hi ls, mere to a half sorefoot traveller, who ,

mn when he has come down that inter i able descent, thi“nks nothing of them . i On Wednesday, we proceeded to Abetone, th rteen

rt - miles distant from San Marcello, thi y two from Pis

fift - toia , and y two from Florence . Halfway the traveller

d st aio ne reaches the celebrated bri ge of Se , uniting two hills , a wonderful work of Ximenes . It is said that the f road was to have taken a di ferent direction , which

would have been more convenient, but that Ximenes

had it cut here for the sake of a mountain girl , called

i w o Reg na, who belonged to these parts , for hich reas n the place has al ways since been called Le Regine . l

1 The id ea o f a ro ad o ve r t h e ro mantic mo u ntai n o f Pis to ia was e nte r

t ained as ea as 1225 w o an a a es s unt rl 169 8 w en rly , ith ut y pr ctic l r ult , h

I l 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Oranges fell ; from that spot came the arrow which wounded Francesco Ferruccio ; on this terrace he was slain and when they were about to wound him again , “ , n n he exclaimed, It is a oble thing, i deed, to kill a dead ” man ; in this ditch ran his blood ; if we were to dig

u here we should find heaps of bones, as we fo nd when

’ digging to make the portico to the church . We stepped into the house where they preserve some

n arms of that time, and taki g some of the pikes in my hand, I said to the servant girl , If any such are found , I should be glad to buy them she answered me ‘ O f nearly as the author of the Siege Florence , was answered You do not suppose my master would give away one of them , not even if leaving unsaid what said so much . With a certain feel ing of horror we ascended the terrace where Mara

Guerazzi wh o h s es es his s t o t h e sa e s . . ene F D , t u d crib vi it m c e n is n t h e l a e O f a inana I as e if an an en a s Wh v iti g vil g G v , k d y ci t rm e we m e in t h e af rm a e we e s in e s e n e . ans e and led r till xi t c Th y r d fi tiv ,

o wa a The o m e t o a c o ttage n ear wh ere Fe rrucci s sl in . pr pri eto r c o n

e u s t o a o o o n t h e o n - flo o r w e e wea o ns o f all in s duct d r m gr u d , h r p k d

I o o o ne in an and O ffe e t he val we e ese e . ue o f r pr rv d t k my h d , r d him eo h n ne f s e sa n a o a o n fo r . T e o a e e was no t g ld N p l it m u t i r r u d , yi g it wo as I h n n h e e f s e e a se I o ffe e t o o e rth much but , t i ki g r u d b c u r d littl ,

o e rt was a a n e f s e . n n f o e se e an e d ubl d , but g i r u d Fi di g, r m my p r v r c ,

a I no t o e e n t he eas o n o f h is e f s a Ire a ess e m e th t did c mpr h d r r u l , ddr d ,

w o i e in ese wo s ese wea o ns we e e e a not ith ut pr d , th rd Th p r b qu th ed

’ fa e t o fa e and s ea e e t o s o an ns . by my gr d th r my th r, I mu t l v th m my Th ere are t wo sh o ps in Fl o re nce wh ere a deale r in s eco nd - hand articl es " w f sa e fo r t he ea fam e o f h un h as o s ea o ns or s t e o . curi u p l , gr t ili c try

i no e . 1 3. A ssedio di Frrcnze vo l. v. 7 , t , p I l l A SEC O ND EXCURSIO N INTO THE M O UNTAINS . m aldo o slew Ferruccio, and we felt grateful to Massim

’ d Azeglio when we read the inscription which he has caused to be placed on one O f the external walls of the church . The most remarkable obj ects within the i church are two large rel efs by Luca della Robbia , which , although a little injured, are such as to

in but of what else can I speak , after hav g spoken of

Ferruccio ? It is twenty- eight miles from Gavinana to i Pescia, and these sacred memories accompan ed us all ” s i the way, and lept w th us on our pillows at home . CHAPTER VIII .

A C O U N T R Y B A L L .

IN the continuation of the letter given in the preceding

i . rust ic chapter, Giusti g ves a lively description of a ball to which he was invited in the little town of Pescia ; a curious and amusing picture of country life and man ners in Italy .

As you are one of those who, when I return to

t O f as k Florence, af er an absence three or four months, ‘ i ? ’ me , What the dev l were you about in Pescia I must tell you that yesterday we were at a rustic ball at the villa of a ce rt ain notary . Although invited without cere mony, and coming in our velveteen coats and walking shoes, we were ushered into a superb room (a temporary i wooden bu lding) , and we were made to pass through the garden , which is in a very early stage , and was full of

i so fo r the clients, who, after hav ng provided many years

’ Doctor s maw, have just discovered that the gentleman

rm ided had a nose which likewise expected to be p for .

From the garden we entered the ground- floor of t he t house , and from that descended two or three s eps

l- i lower, into the great bal room , which is , in real ty, the

1 14 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

r O flicial fit for a gove nment ; but so happy, so i all polite , and with such frank cord ality, shaking

i . and each of us w th both hands, and capering about Accustomed as I am to that ease and those smiles which belong to and are riveted on certain inf al — lible I lips, and to conventional manners, was

l n actually so du l, as at that mome t to prefer this

unpolished, chattering, awkward welcome to town

’ etiquette . Here we are, he shouted , quite at our

s an asson fiddles ease, f ; a couple of , a few roasted

chestnuts, a cup of wine , and , for the rest, you must ’ d accept a hearty welcome . Then lea ing us to the

- ? ball room Well , boys, have I not succeeded, eh ’ — I know what s what I was once young too . Just

: “( then , a peasant lad approached us here are your

’ sisters ? (shouted the host) you rascal ; why did you not bring your sisters Wh at could I do ? they have

‘ to get up early t O - morrow morning Get up early ? What does that signify ? Catch the moment — l as it flies . You lazy fellow stay you here, and I wi l

’ TO lrat ru n . r manage it put on his , out, and disappea , r . “e was the work of an instant , who were left behind ,

t r s took the oppor unity to pay our respects to the mist es , who we had not perceived whilst we were engaged with

s the doctor. She looked like a Cor ican priest in a i i . cap , and the cap l ke a great basket of end ve When

s eat . e she saw us, she rose from her Welcome, gentl

’ fid et in she men, she said, g g with her hands, as if did A CO UNTRY BALL . 115

not know what to do with them . I hope you are all — l well, the girls wi l have dancing enough , and we ‘ a i Pr y sit down, madam ; you w ll do us a favour by ’ —As remaining seated . you please ; but I have so much sitting ; I must stand a little to rest myself

i n n here, a l ttle wi e and lemonade ; the wi e is ready,

and the lemons will soon be gathered . Betta , take

’ the gentlemen over there . Here I was guilty of a second sacrilegious thought by maintaining that in 1 point of courtesy, and with all respect for Galateo,

- ffu that salad head might rival the coi res of fashion . l Meantime the room was fi led, the adj oining rooms d i were likewise fille , the partners were arrang ng them selves for the dance, the chatter of the women increased, and the orchestra, with a long scrape of the bow, pre

d . pare to fiddle away till mi night The ball , however, could not begin because they waited for the doctor .

O f l - Whilst waiting we took a survey the bal room, the

accom m o cards, and the refreshments . The room might l date six quadril es, and there were people enough for w hi t enty, neither more nor less crowded than in fas on

l O f able ba ls . The floor was clean bricks, and ranged

‘ round t he walls were benches and chairs ; there were screens of green silk fastened before groups of three wax candles placed at intervals ; the screens protecting the eyes from too strong a light, in place of looking

wo t h e anese e o o a w i as a u e for oo A rk by Mil M lchi r Gi j , h ch , r l g d ann e s is e in a as o es e us . m r , cit d It ly L rd Ch terfi ld with 1 2 I 16 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

glasses to add to their brilliancy . The orchestra was made up of tables kept steady by woode n poles bound w ’ f together ith ropes, like a whitewasher s sca folding ; the philharmonic professors kept up a perpetual dia logue with the impatient crowd below . At the upper

O f wi end the room was a wooden clock th a pendulum, and the hands put back to let the mammas know at two in the morning it is not yet midnight ; and thus even the clock is condemned by the notary to bear false witness . In the room to the right were three tables for cards . The curate, the j udge , the doctor, and the blacksmith played one game ; the tailor, an

l - attorney, a student, the be l ringer, the apothecary, the

- w under to nclerk, and a dealer in oil played another ; at

- the third table were placed a stone cutter, a stocking

- fish weaver, a mason , the standard bearer, and the IV hat ! monger . disputes What j abbering and accu

sat io ns w at two of the tables, whilst silence reigns, ith

' o t t he rapping the knuckles, at the third ; but game

irrvec t ives finished , squabbling and from the silent set , enough to deafen one ; the rules of the games allow

t wo talking in the first, but enj oin silence in the third . — You should see the cheating that go es on ; the

doubts as to what the rules are , always renewed upon

u in o fresh acc sations, as the Conventi n , and every now

c - o u and then an appeal to the lo kers .

o The refreshment ro m is the kitchen . In o ne

corner Betta is busy plucking fowls ; in another,

I 18 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI.

l ? Who is medd ing with me Why you, who send

’ all“the feathers flying about the room . Stuff ! What should I send them to you for ? You want something to grumble at : but you had better look after your chestnuts, that they are not, as

’ - usual , over roasted . ‘ ! Mind yourself, you hussy There, ag ain , more

o ff feathers ! Get yourself farther with your basket,

’ D u 2 vou gaby . on t you smell them b rning in the pan

’ the“y catch at everything . Just then arose a great hubbub ; but as we were listening to this dialogue, we did not notice it . It was the doctor, returning with his victims ; he entered the kitchen driving before him three figures, all out of breath . ‘ ! ? Be quiet, now What is the matter What is ? the use of scolding Courage , girls, take something .

: Betta, mind what you are about you are covering

’ everything with feathers .

‘ ’ h - s T ere , I told you so, said the chestnut roa ter, with an air of victory .

’ m t he Very well , sir, exclai ed girl , in a rage , ‘ w there are the fo ls, and he who likes to pluck them ,

’ may .

‘ ’ il r I w l pluck them , said the Nota y , Excuse me , w gentlemen ; I am so bothered ith these people . Come ,

’ d fo r girls , rink , eat ; there s enough all . I cannot be

’ bot“h Martha and Magdalene . t he t Then , taking a thrush from hands of Bet a , he A N T Y COU R BALL. 119

seated himself in an instant, with the basket between his legs . The five or six birds remaining were plucked in a few minutes ; and any one who did not know that he was the Notary would have supposed that he had i done nothing all his l fe but pluck fowls . It is as well to know how to do everything .

The music had begun . The scrape of the violins,

ul however, wo d not have been heard in the kitc hen (I

ought to have said the refreshment room) , had not a clarionet announced the opening of the ball ; which in i in its shr ll high notes reminded us of a bagpipe, and i its bass of the quacking of a duck . We, meant me,

had made acquaintance, or rather had struck up an

— we o b intimate friendship, with the last comers had t ained their confidence , and pledged ourselves to dance together the whole evening ; and all this in the time the

doctor took to pluck the fowls . But I, who am accus t om ed to go through the ceremony of introduction before asking a lady to dance, and am more attached

e to the usages of good society, and consequently mor t backward than my companions, should have been lef — in the lurch, had not one of the girls seeing that the

other two had already got partners, and afraid of being left sitting, by the fate which sometimes allows the

- — n most ill favoured to be first chosen said to me, nudgi g my elbow

’ Are k ? we to stop here , loo ing on ff I was immediately recalled to my duty, and o ered 120 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . m her my ar . We began with a lively, rustic dance , no w banished from the city, but kept up in the f country . A ter a quarter of an hour I was put into a quadrille . The barber , as master of the ceremonies, was dressed in his best, with a great beard and crop of hair, his j aws encased in two enormous whiskers, which were out below his ears and proj ected forwards like t wo knives ; or, for lack of a better comparison, like a ’ d pair of elephant s tusks, which one felt afrai of

’ approaching too nearly, lest they should poke one s eye out . To show off his learning to us he gave the word of command for all the figures in French

— : inam ncat re dim is cene plague take the varnish , ,

’ ' ' ballanze cud d r n i esci asce e scend dam e isczasse. , , g , ,

The peasants, who did not understand a word, and

us i kept turning in their places, conf ed, and shov ng

‘ up against one another, exclaimed, What does he

’ mean by his isoiasse ? Let u s dance in our own fashion ; these gentlemen know that we are ignorant

’ peo“ple . At this , the inclination we had to laugh gave place

. ho w to a more charitable feeling Poor people , modest and truly well bred they are in their simplicity ! I am

t t o u r cer ain that the Parisian j us arrived in city, and seeing himself aped by us , must laugh in his hea rt as w much as we could laugh at the barber. But hich of us would have the courage to say to his country man, who he secs made up after a French model ,

2 I 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

su cces u In short, an exotic plant has as little p in the mountains , as an honest countryman would have

u d l n who intr de himself in the sa o s of the capital .

H ab nt se lib lli e w. ata e &c . f ,

c Between the dan es, the peasant who saved our

- m heads from the cross bea supporting the orchestra, went round the room with a dish and a pair of scissors (the same which served to clean the fish and cut out

’ the doctor s shirts), and, making the women seated

dl s under the can estick , rise , mounted on the chairs ff and snu ed the candles, leaving the marks of his shoe- nails on the straw bottoms when he had finished his round, he stopped to converse, whilst perfuming the

- f w f . whole room ith candle snu He then returned, with a tub of chestnuts in one hand and brigidini (wafers) in l the other, the doctor fo lowing close behind, with cups to pour out the wine . Among the party there was an old peasant woman belonging to the house, wearing

’ a man s hat, like a bushel , on her head . One of us ‘ ’ D o ? asked her in j est, not you dance , mistress

’ ‘ That I could , once , she answered ; in my time I

’ was in request, and I did as well as any of them . l ‘ Wh a i . We l , but you are st ll young y, I am p st

’ eighty . You must have observed that after a certain

a line age , years diminish ; that fter passing a the past

o is past, and if bef re that period of life people who are

o - o f rty eight call themselves thirty, after it, pe ple who ar l and e sixty cal themselves ninety, the ambition for a 12 A COUN TRY BALL . 3 youthfu l complexion is succeeded by the ambition for

T h t wrinkles . e doc or now made a third in the group ,

‘ ’ ! ? VV e ll exclaiming, Our granny here Shivering, eh

’

see . give you a dance, and let them how you can perform ‘ Y es — To this all shouted , yes make her dance, make — her dance, but with you, doctor you must dance too,

’ doctor. Mosca, Mosca (the name of the leader of the ’— band), play away . And the old woman was dragged into the midst of them, amid shouts and clapping of hands she bobs her old head and begins to bridle her neck and jump about like a little cock ; and having caught the time, up she gets on her tiptoes with her l dl hands to her sides, til she looked like a spin e with l handles . The doctor fo lowed his partner with awkward

n gestures, throwi g his legs about till they might have i been taken for a pa r of empty trousers when shaken . The laughter and shouts which resounded on all sides made a perfectly bacchanalian scene . Meantime a violent storm had arisen, with thunder, lightning, and torrents of rain . The hour which ought to have ended the ball was past, but our hosts had not the hearts to

n bid us be gone . They yaw ed, they stretched, they looked out of the window, and every now and then they opened the door and exclaimed, It seems as if ’ — it would clear. They asked what hour it was ; and God knows they repented having been persuaded to l ” put back the clock in the ha l . CHAPTER IX .

A V TO Y O UNG — D ICE A FRIEND THE SNAIL .

D 18 40 IN ecember, , Giusti wrote a letter of advice to a boy entering school , which is not only interesting because it presents a faithful picture of the mind of the writer, and of the principles by which he was himself

in guided throughout his life, but because it is these days read in the schools of Italy as a lesson to youth .

i To G o vannino P iacentini.

7 t h e e e 1840. D c mb r, MY DEA R O A O GI V NNIN ,

I was sorry to have missed seeing you before you w left for Lucca . I as anxious to say some things to you which it is desirable should be told a boy of your disposition when ab o ut to enter school I will therefore

and o now write what I was unable to say, I h pe you will value the words of one to whom yo u have always

t o shown affection . Remember that I do not presume

the o r put myself in place of your relations , of those

w c whose duty it is to at h over you where you now are ,

12 6 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . without good men everything would be in confu l sio n.

You may hitherto, my boy, have naturally sup posed that the companions with whom you have been educated would be the companions of your life ; but when we become free to choose for ourselves, we make new friends and many, perhaps too many, acquaintances, who go under the name of friends ; the truest, how ever, those who are nearest and dearest to our hearts, are always the friends formed in early youth, among

- our fellow students . Young men who have a common desire for knowledge, such as you ought to have where

r you are now placed, are more disposed to form real f iend ships than those who only meet to satisfy a craving after pleasure : the sacred love of science unites the minds of men in an indissoluble tie with all who share d in the same passion . Besi es , from this period of life, and as long as you live , you will find yourself associated with men of all kinds and of all ages, and thus you l learn to know them and to know yourse f, whereas , at home , you always associated with your equals . But

The estim ati o n fo r l earni ng in Italy is expre s s ed by Maxime Du " a in a no e t o an a e a es sous la Ro i o m an e in C mp , t rticl , N pl Vict r E u l , li he Ram des douse Mondcs s e e e e 1862 . 6 . En It a c t , publi h d S pt mb r, , p o n es e te les e ns de no es se et les e ns e n ac e a s o n no ons e e r p c g bl g pl , m i c id r 5 is a r les o s de la en a une ue les e rés . En 18 8 e s s u q l tt , j v it i b rd Br t fo rt b ell e vill a qui avait appert enu au gé néral antrieben G h omm e a l e le cmzt at lm o a san m e la o n a m e en (le haute f mi l ; p y qui m tr it dit, ' a an da éné a e était uu an se ne r a s sans ite a e scnza p rl t g r l , gr d ig u m i l r tur ’ lettere. 12 AD VICE TO A Y O UN G FRIEND . 7

r beware of that absurd and hypocritical pedant y, which a f seizes o n cert in vain persons, who a fect the old man before they have wrinkles or grey hairs . If your superiors in the college are satisfied with you, and show a preference towards you above your comrades, be grateful to them, but do not allow your

r self to be ca ried away by vanity, nor use your advantages to set yourself up above your fellows . If you after wards find that others are preferred before you, strive to do your duty and to deserve as much , but never envy any one . Envy, my dear boy, is the most hideous,

- the most self tormenting of the passions, the basest which can contaminate the heart of man . The envious man feels himself low and mean compared with others

off i and unable to shake his meanness, he l ves in per pet ual strife and m ort ificat ion with himself and with mankind. You have not and cannot have in you even i the germs of this execrable v ce, but the example of o thers might insinuate it into your heart . Guard your

r own self from it for you sake, and for the sake of your al nearest relations, and so for my sake . If you happen to fall into an error which may

injure another, confess it frankly, even though no u l inq iry should have been made . You wou d not like ff ’ l l w to su er for another s fau t, then do not a lo another ff to su er for yours . Besides, he who confesses his

has l faults a ready begun to mend . This will cost f you some e fort at first, but your heart will afterwards 12 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . experience that satisfaction which we all feel in allowing others to see us as we really are, and acting honestly .

I will now give you some advice about your studies .

Always treat your teacher with respect . Those who take pains to communicate knowledge to you, give you the key for the possession of an inestimable treasure, indeed, the only treasure a man may increase and guard j ealously, with nothing to be ashamed of. Do

in not be discouraged the study of the Latin language, wi i which ll be of the greatest serv ce to you , and, if for no other purpose, for enabling you to comprehend your own better . When I was at college I was impatient at

’ having to pore so many hours over Fe rretti s grammar ; now I am sorry I did not take more pains when it was required of me not because I have a mania to become a Latin scholar, but to use it as an aid in study and composition ; and I must confess, that later on in life it has given me double trouble to acquire enough to enable me even to read and understand a book in that

n la guage . Remember this is a study you must some time or other accomplish ; therefore , try and get over it

o u w as soon as you can ; y ill thus please your relations, you will acquire one of many things yo u will have to w remember, and you will possess a key which ill open to you the history of a noble people , whose sons, although degenerate , still feel the greatness of their destiny .

130 GIU SEPPE GIUSTI .

' ' det erm ine o n must pursuing one of three aims ; gain ,

' honour, or the satisfaction of his own mind . You do not

o require t study for gain, and you may thank God, who has preserved you from the danger of thus soiling your mind and soul ; this aim , low in itself, generally ends by debasing the heart and head of the man who makes it '

; his ulterior object, and converts the wholesome food of l science into poison . I hope you will not al ow yourself to be too much allured by honour you are yet a child, and cannot have learnt the bitter side of certain things which outwardly bear a fair and pleasant aspect .

u Honour is a dream , which has a powerf l attraction for

n all, but especially for the young ; but it is u certain and d fallacious, like everything which depen s on our

selves, erring and miserable creatures as we are . You

i n have not yet had the opportun ty of seei g, as I have, honour refused to merit which did not know how to i stoop, and lavished on cowardly asses who were will ng d m to rag the selves in the mire, before the few in

authority, who they fear or bribe, or before the many,

n n who are always volatile a d bli d . I do not propose

h o u t at y should fly to the other extreme , and despise

b u s honour, eca se you see it gra ped at by the mean

and unworthy, or to fly from it as from darkness . Keep

e e fi o d and your y xed on that which is go , take delight

ll ls a r s t ree t m ire . only in that ; e e is di t, I can never find s uflicient words t o w arn yo u against seeking aft er

t rue h e— I that which is not onour, but its false imag T ADVICE O A YO UNG FRIEND . 131 mean the applause of every passing stranger or insigni

fic ant i person, at the cost of your d gnity and of your conscience . Socrates, the most learned of men, rather

- than flatter his fellow citizens, who were of a very ff di erent stamp from the men of our davs, chose to die ; but his memory will never die .

own Study, then, rather for your improvement, to train your character in the love of all that is refined and i i elevat ng, and to form for yourself a noble and del ghtful occupation, which may one day be of great service to yourself and to others . As you grow up to manhood . l and enter into the world, you wi l know that life is not all as pleasant as you think it now . I am sorry to disturb

c onfidin ff : your simple, g, a ectionate nature but I cannot avoid telling you that you will not always find men as i amiable and as disposed to help you . You w ll feel the

ou need of advice, of consolation, of aid, and perhaps y

- will not be able to obtain them from your fellow men . If you are not early accustomed to be sufficient for yourself, and to seek a refuge in your books, good and

l . ingenuous as you are, you wil live to be unhappy

I tell you this, because I have experienced it myself,

n and, young as I still am, and indepe dent, I should

c an often despond if I had not this solace, that I shut

s n my elf up in my room, and forget present annoya ces whilst meditating on books and on the recollections of ff f men of the past. I do not mean by this to o er mysel ff as an example, but as I know the a ection and con K 2 132 I GIUSEPPE GIUST .

fidence i m you have in me, I think that by tell ng you y experience, you may the more easily be persuaded to

v fol“low my ad ice . all t The path now before you is pleasan ness, and

strewn with flowers . Many dream that it is encumbered

with thorns, but this is mere imagination ; and if you

w . become fond of study, you ill see I am in the right

e l I hav often embraced you when a chi d, charmed

th wi m e your vivacity and innocence, and th the pro is you gave of much future excellence of heart and head ;

c but I hope, some years hence, to embra e you when a

youth grown strong in study, and impressed with the if necessity of pursuing the delightful, and, delightful , T in t h . “e e easy career of knowledge shall meet ag ain l i turmoil of the world ; you, rej oicing in the fu l v gour

u and in all the hopes of youth , I , at a more serio s time

of life , verging on decline, sad, weary ; perhaps dis

gusted . But it will always be my highest gratification ff to be able to o er you advice , and, perhaps, more useful ” and sounder advice than that which I now send you .

t he 18 41 a a In spring of , Giusti was gain in Pesci ,

where he had not spent that season for several years . ha One day , when watching a snail on a wall , which p m i pened to fall in with the reflections passing in his nd ,

o n t s he composed e of his bes known lively little poem ,

ri of a mo ra l rather than political character. He desc bes

the occasion in t he fo llowing letter

134 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

’ influence of one s native air . Brought up as we have been

e t o inhabit the same house from infancy, accustom d to

the roads of the village and the country round, where we

have walked with those dear to us, or in the company

of our thoughts which speak to us of them, we feed on the food with which we have been nourished from child

hood, and find in it our solace and comfort . The desire

and for a tranquil life , for the forgetfulness of all ills, for peace, take possession of a man who is weary of the world, and who, after many years , returns to his home . Unhappy those who have no home ! His native place is the longed - for haven of him who has crossed the tem

t u o u es s . p sea of life , and has escaped shipwreck I have

t o met with cosmopolitans who, from a foolish desire

z make themselves citi ens of the world, cannot rest at home in their own country . I like to think , that as plants w vegetate better in one soil than in another, so e live and flourish better in the place in which we were born . Whilst making this and similar reflections during a walk in the country, I happened to stop by the

. an way to watch a snail By association of ideas, I thought this little animal migh t become the living image of the thoughts which were crowding into my

t he mind , and, reflecting on vain arrogance of man and

i o n I was his und sciplined passi s, on anger and on pride ,

' ready to e xc laini V iva la c/u o ccio la ! (Long live the snail !) Everything depends on seizing the suggestion of the moment . I took a fancv to the metre ; and THE SNAIL . 135 gathering together the ideas which had been floating in n my mind, I strung the li es into a poem, and produced these light versesf t he natural consequence of a liver

e air and refreshed by its nativ , of a head which every evening before ten o ’ clock lays itself to sleep upon the pillow of its home

Viva la C hiocciol a

Viva una b estia.

Che unisce -il m erito a Alla m odesti . ’ IZssa all astronom o ’ E all architetto ’ Forse nell anim o D esto il concetto Del canocchiale E delle scale

V va la C occ o a “i hi i l ,

C aro Animale .

C ont ent s ai com odi

Che Dio le fece, Puo dirsi il Diogene

De lla sua spece . Per prender aria ’ N on passa l u scio

‘ Nelle abitudin i

' Del proprio gusci o St a“pe rs uasa E n n n as a o i t .

V a la C iocc o a iv h i l ,

B s casa e tia di . 1 TI . 36. GIUSEPPE GIUS

Di cibi est ranei A cre prurito Svegli uno st omaco Senza appet it e :

Essa sent en osi , d

B in a nese ene r , H a gust o a rodere D el suo paese Tranquillam ent e ’ L erba nascent e V a la Ch occ ola iv i i ,

B es a as in n ti t e te .

Nessun procedere

Sa co le b one l u , ’ E piud un asino Fa da l eone

Ess al cont o a rari , ’ B estia com 36 Tira a proposito Le corna a se ’ N on fa ace l aud ,

ace Ma frigge e t .

V a la C occ o a iv hi i l ,

B s ia di a e t p ce .

Na a tura, vari ’ N e s uoi port ent i La privilegi a

So v n pra i ive ti , P c e carnefici er h , ( Sentite questa)

CHAPTER X .

F A M I L Y A F F L I C T I O N S .

IN 18 41 Giusti had produced a greater number of

i Be poems (since published) than any prev ous year.

i a sides The Chiocciola, he wrote, Lines to a Fr end , On

Singer having a Cold, On the Humanitarians, To Giro L a lamo Tommasi, The Ball , Memories of Pisa, and “ ” Terra (lei Marti Land D t o , The of the ead, a reply w the insulting language of Lamartine , hen speaking of modern Italy, and addressed to the Marchese Gino i Capponi , conclud ng,

Veglia sul m onum ent o

P e o lnm e da] s o erp tu le , E fa da to rcia a vento :

Le os e lo o r , vi le ,

I am ani li o p p , g livi . Son simbo li di pianto O che bel campo santo Di fare i nvidia ai vivi l

C ada i al o e ver , le c rt Lasc iam o li cantare E vediam ques ta m o rt e ’ D v an o derii a cascare . FAMILY AFFLICTIO NS .

’ Tra i salmi de ll Uflizio ’ C e anco il Dies irac O che non ha a venire Il giorno del Giudizio

I l Mem en t om o I 1R e Besides this,“ , The Monument ; Travicello K L a S critta , ing Log , The Con“tract of A mriso er an S et tim o Con resso Adver Marriage p g , t isem ent for a Seventh Scientific Meeting and, lastly, ’ ' ' “ Gl I mm o bili e z S em om venti The Stationary and those who are only Half Al ive . Early in the year 18 43 Giusti was called to the sick bed of his favourite uncle and he writes as follows to

- the Marchese Gino Capponi, from his birth place, Mon sum m ano

ons ano 19 e a 1843. M umm , F bru ry , MA RCH B B MY DEAR S ,

i I found my uncle in a deplorable cond tion, of which I had not formed the least idea, even after the ff indi erent accounts I received last Thursday . The sight of him, confined to his bed, was such a shock to i me, that for some t me I was so overcome I could n o t utter a word . Those who have watched him day by day cannot perceive how much he has fallen off ; but him I, who have been two months without seeing , felt my heart sink within me the instant I was taken

. ai find up to him He frets and compl ns, and cannot in rest any posture ; he neither sleeps nor eats, and 1 0 I 4 GIUSEPPE GIUST . hears continual noises in his ears ; his mouth and his stomach are in as bad a state as they can be ; his ii w strength is fa l ng ; and, hat is worse, he has had

m ore several strokes of paralysis, or less severe , at in intervals, in the tongue and the right hand . You

t o will believe what a trial it is to see and listen t o him .

t orn t o My heart is , yet I am anxious put every restraint

no on myself in his presence, that I may t annoy him with my grief. There is one peculiarity in his character,

not but the less painful , that he has the habit of turning

fi i n own in rmit es i t o u . his ridic le Everybody is amused, and thinks this a good sign ; but it gives me double se r a f row, as I know the invalid, whilst laughing t his su fer

u n ings, is str ggling against the pai for which there is i no remedy but smiles . Added to all th s, we are here in i a country unprov ded with any physician of reputation ,

t o m ost far away from the friends whom he is attached, and without a single individual who understands the se delicate and disinterested attentions which are perhaps

m o re ffi . e cacious than physic You may, then , imagine

what is the state of my poor uncle , and my state ,

— I who who see him sinking before my eyes , have

t o s o n always felt him more like a than a nephew . I 1 for c om e will send , or and fetch , Bufalini ; but this is

w a a delicate subject, hich I can only gradually pproach

fo r t he with him, fear of increasing malady, as he has

To such a dislike t o new things and new faces . keep

1 n n o en ine s an An emi e t Fl r t phy ici .

“ G I E 14 2 USEPP GIUSTI .

' od ! b ut amusement . G grant that he may recover these ” strokes of paralysis make me anxious .

few i A weeks later, Giusti writes to Luig Alberti, an advocate and man of literary tastes; the editor of an

' ' a L a R osa de Ma eo nnual called gg .

o 20 Mar h ns ano c 1843. M umm , , A MY DE R GIGI, l In a few days we shal meet as, although my uncle

‘ no t has is much better than on my arrival here , he s o much resolution that he wishes to try if he may find

e l th se advantages in Florence which , unti now, he has

t o IVhilst ill been unable obtain here . he is I am not

no t able to resume my usual habits, as I have resolved to leave him a moment . I have heard all about

but much as I should lament for his sake, if it be

t ho se who ff r true what is believed by , in the a ai s of this

not no t world, do , and will , look below the surface , I

o u t he am equally pleased to find in y , who retain pure

o u and delicate sentiments of boyhood , that y do not ille w yourself to be dissuaded from your belief bv

w and mere out ard appearances, that you honour your

friend by a kinder interpretation of his conduct . My d - t hose ear Gigi , leave evil thinking to who find in c alunm y a mise rable relief from the uneasiness of their o w The n consciences . man of a generous heart dis

penses his treasure with a liberal hand, and bestows it 1 FAMILY AFFLICTIO NS . 43 o n w c annot all alike , kno ing that he be impoverished by such prodigality . Besides, we must remember that there are sometimes trials in the inmost sanctuary of fam ily life which none know of there are tears which

fle w O would freely and penly, but which are checked as they rise at the remembrance of an offence known only

o Who t ourselves . can measure the gulf which a word, an act, sometimes suddenly opens between us and those m ost sacred t o o ur hearts ? And though

s rea on or convenience may sometimes fill up this gulf, the heart is never again filled . We ourselves, my dear

i o ur Gig , are the only true judges and witnesses of own

in thoughts, whilst these great mysteries are left the h darkness to whic they are fated . It is only the i fool sh who are in a hurry to lift up every veil, and, even when they see nothing, boast they have always been able to see, for no other reason but that they

q may not be s uppesed to have made the attempt and failed . Y o u are quite right no t t o leave her who is your best half alone in her sorrow . Blessed is he who can say that he has dried a tear ; more blessed he who can dry the tears from th e se eyes which have kindled the flame o f k w love in his breast . I hardly no whether it is pride lurking beneath the folds of piety, but when called upon to assist the woman we had adored and s l erved with tremb ing, and when a sudden but generous impulse of the heart prom pts us to hasten to her 144 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

succour, the pleasure we experience is so great that it

for compensates a whole life of misery . Thank kind Nature who permits you t o taste of this happiness so ear“ly, and in such sweet company . I am delighted to hear that my distinguished and m ost ri dear f end, Gino Capponi , discovered nothing exotic in the verses that I gave you for the R osa di

Maggie . I certainly did not find them in books or

m in own fashions rained upon us fro abroad, but my

new heart, which is truly Italian , and which feels every and then a longing to rise from this mire in which

t e e I also have imbrued my hands deeply, when teaching the chord of satire .

t o li In May, Giusti writes Giuseppe Vasel , a distin

uished o et g literary man and p , of Siena

M 1 4 o en e 5 a 8 8. Fl r c , y, D MY EAR BEPPE, I ought to thank you for your attentions to my m other , and I would have done so by word of mouth , if the unhappy state of my poor uncle had not obliged m e to give up the j ourney to Rome and Naples . My

s u Sicna a mother pa sed thro gh gain twenty days later, but did not seek you out for fear of troubling you . I

fo r scolded her it, telling her that she might have w treated vou like myself, and I added , if you had kno n

i e . of her hav ng been there , you would have been vex d

I 46 GIUSEPPE GIU STI .

see ou . before me, I look around, and only y I never yet was present at the solemn scen e of a man departing this life, and I must learn what death is from him for whom I would give all the years I have hitherto lived

and all those which remain .

2 1st A few days later, on the May, Giusti lost the

uncle to whom he was so much attached, and in the 2 3d next of his published letters , dated Pescia, the June ,

we find merely an allusion to this loss, and to his severe 1 2 affliction . In the summer of 8 4 he met with a sin

gular accident, which , owing to the nervous state of his

bo d y, left an impression on his mind from which he

’ in never wholly recovered . When walking the Via de

Banchi , in Florence, he was attacked by a furious cat ,

and though he did not receive any bodily injury, the

f fre start and terror produced such an e fect, that he

l in s quently a ludes to this accident subsequent letter ,

w r l e n and it appears to have shaken his l e e system . Se m afterwards, his physician discovered the ger of an

internal disease , which conducted him to an early grave ,

and embittered the rest of his days . He sought relief

s t he and abstraction for his mind in literary labour , but

nro re r necessa y they became to his happiness, the less capable his b o dy was becoming t o endure t he strain of f composition . He alludes to his su ferings in a le tter

t o o V annucc i ri Professor Att , the present libra an of

Ma l b ia eec hian in . s the g Library, Florence Profes or 1 FAMILY AFFLICTIO NS . 47

V annuec i is an elegant writer and classical scholar, the h aut o r of several highly esteemed works, a good citizen and patriot ; his simple , honourable, and dignified

fo r character, no less than his genius, has gained him the respect he so well deserves .

MY V A N N UCC I DEAR ,

I am sorry to hear that your eyes continue to trouble

o u wo rse you, and I hope that y will not make them , by

t o . overhaste use them Your long letter, which , as

ou l y will be ieve, gave me much pleasure , reminded me of the trouble it must have cost you to write it, and , though against my own interest, I therefore beg you to

a n cut me short, and even not to send me si gle line, if

no t likely to injure you . You think that you have been

f d l who l su ficiently i igent in study, as all think rea ly know anything ; but I am convinced that you have sufh cient range fo r your thoughts in what you have hitherto

t o i seen or read to be able dispense awh le with books , at least until your sight has recovered its activity and strength . I lament t o have a warning to set before

ri m you , in the f end who is dearest to y heart, but you see that Gino Capponi ended by destroying his sight from having persevered in using his eyes at the very time when he o ught to have given them rest . I am obliged myself, from another cause , to abstain from sitting t o o long at my writing- table ; and if I had L 2 148 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

yielded to my inclinations, I should by this time have been fit for nothing, because writing is as exhausting to the body as it is refreshing to the spirit . If the choice should lie between the two, let the body go ; but if we may avoid rain to health by the delay of a month, a year, or even two years, we must comply, in order t o return to work with greater strength and

Y o u afety. will not want friends to read to you and t o write to your dictation , and you ought to recur to them , and to spare yourself as much as you can . This

own is not only desirable for your sake , but also for the

he ar sake of the cause of truth , and for the love you

- your fellow creatures, as you are one of the few who are“not afraid to profess both openly . You say truly that mental labour must be my greatest consolation ; but if I take up a book I am

e obliged to put it down again immediat ly, from a

w arirress sensation of e which seizes upon me . Writing

is out of the question , and my imagination is almost m dried up . If my happier days had lasted , I ight w have carried through many works hich I have begun ,

m ent allv or composed , and afterwards laid aside . 1 t o Besides the Proverbs, I meant have written some remarks o n t he rural manners of t he mountains as

t o o well as of plains, and to have inserted here and

Gius t rs wo o n a an o e s was s e aft e h is ea rk It li pr v rb publi h d r d th ,

n e t h e e a o a e e os an c o n s a z o ni a a a u d r titl , R cc lt di Pr v rbi T c i , l llu tr i c v t " d i an s di G se e d e a a a e a o G s e r a d o na a . M critti iu pp iu ti , mpli t rdi t

I 5O GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

not understand myself, or I am an altered man .

Nothing remains entire of what I was, except my faith and attachment to certain principles . And to add to f my su fering, life had just begun to be smooth before me . Certain family disagreements , certain vexatious which I had brought on myself, had wholly disappeared, and now my health has all of a sudden abandoned me , and bound me hand and foot, heart and head . To survive so great a part of myself is a calamity which exceeds in bitterness all that can be endured or

nrau imagined, and I esteem that happy who descends to the tomb in the full enj oyment of his faculties . At the first alarm , on feeling an insidious and terrible complaint insensibly creeping over me , I often said to

: myself Oh , that my mind, at least, may be spared as long as I live . .

Giusti endeavoured to find consolation for an affliction

from which he inwardly shrank , in recalling the many blessings sent him by Providence ; and he expresses u these sentiments in a letter to Marco Tabarrini , a yo ng

u man of great talents, who disting ished himself later,

18 48 a in 18 59 nru h in , and gain , when he was of c

service to Baron Ricasoli , and he thus made amends

for ffi r having accepted o ce under the Aust ians, which , w at the time Giusti rites , exposed him to the censure

n of his countryme . 15 1 FAMILY AFFLICTIO NS .

To Marco Tabarrini.

MA Rc o DEAR , d You are right . The story of Luca ella Robbia is 1 very touching . Such strong, generous characters

n almost surpass our comprehensions, who are bor in an age which has been paralysed, and is incapable of great crimes as of great virtues . These men hearkened to God ; we hardly listen to the lessons of the priest : manly ideas of morals and of religion were to them both a restraint and a spur ; in these days, all thought l of retribution is co d within us , and with many even the fear of the devil . To reply frankly to your ques tion : I have met with men who would hardly soil their linen , which can be washed, and yet do not seem aware that they are themselves su nk in the deepest mire of

O n abominable vices . the other hand, I have met with men who, in the midst of filth, have kept their hands ? clean . To which would you desire to belong I thank the Supreme Disposer of good and ill for three things . First of all, I thank Him for having given me at my birth a moderate fortune, to increase which I never

In t h e fe o f a e a Ro a as a we find e a e a h e li Luc d ll bbi , by V ri , r l t d th t was s o eso e and so ea nes t o a e se f e fe in his art a r lv d r t m k him l p r ct , th t he wo e da and n and a o ft en w en his fee we e en e rk d y ight , th t h t r b umb d w o he sat w e in a as e o f s av n s a e t han s ith c ld ith th m b k t h i g , r th r tir hi wo w h f o s t o a e at t e fire . r m rk , rm th m I 52 GIUSEPPE GI USTI .

ll have done , and never wi do, anything that is base next, for having made me feel, in time, the necessity of culti vat in g my mind, and of seeking a refuge within myself and lastly, for having preserved me from all charla t anism , and given me a free spirit, and a tongue ready to own and to ridicule my own failings and the follies of my early youth . Whenever I retrace the footsteps of the past, and severely scrutinise the recesses of my conscience, I find an infinite number of errors and

-c o ndem na defects which grieve me , and provoke self tion ; but in the midst of this inward conflict the

ho w consoling thought arises, that I have known to retrieve my errors, and I am thus more unhappy than desponding .

The serious thoughts which his state of health sug gested to his mind are thus expressed by Giusti on the occasion of some misfortune which had be fallerr his friend, Giuseppe Vaselli

MY A DE R BEPPE, ffl I have long known of your a iction , and if I did

was no not tell you so , it because I would t touch the wound when it was fresh . I believe that G o d sends the solemn lessons of

nre s t b adversity to those capable of feeling them , e

it o cause is from s rrow, and only from sorrow, that great things are born ; and strong characters spring

154 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

hom e another, and we have hitherto returned safe and

an . sound, din love and harmony At one time I was a good horseman, or at least tolerable, but I have not been on horseback for ten or eleven years . I make the i all tour of these h lls, I visit the little villages , and lead a wandering life , but not wholly without profit .

Giust rs ln The popularity of poetry, ever on the

u crease, raised p a host of imitators, who attempted to

off pass their feeble productions for his . The frequent appeals made to him t o declare against such nefarious proceedings at length produced the following lively refutation, addressed to the Marchese Carlo Torrigiani , a gentleman whose philanthropic labours made him an appropriate channel of communication with all classes in Florence

Warning f o r the P ress and f o r the P en acting

withou t the p erm iss io n of those in A u tho rity .

The author of the burlesques below- mentioned begs from his heart to thank the collectors of his vaga bond rhymes ; but having scruples in decking himself

cu u o out with borrowed plumes (p , plumes , or pens) ,

r from a ce tain paternal j ealousy , and also because he does not wish that the worshippers of t he Muses should take him for a kind of Commissioner for the Foundling

s Hospital, obliged to receive and support their bantling , 155 FAMILY AFFLICTIO NS .

his declares, that the only children he claims as own , 18 43 up to July, , are the following

He then proceeds to give a list of thirty - six poems in circulation, and nine additional , which, though his own , he considers less worthy of acknowledgment and continues All the rest of the satires which circulate under the same name have been fastened on the author, either by the carelessness of those who have made the collection, or by the mean trick of certain persons who, wishing to bite and not having the courage to show their teeth ,

’ lurk concealed under another s hood, and bark at all

autho r who pass . The , once for all, protests that he

an has never aimed at, nor ever will aim at, y particular person , or isolated fact, except in so far as these relate

‘ ’ ‘ to the general interests, as in The Coronation, The

’

i &c . all Scientific Meet ng, He detests personal satire,

: ff for three reasons first, because it is an o ence against dl i social comfort ; secon y, because it l mits the range of the art of composition ; thirdly, because few rogues and no absurd persons deserve even notoriety . May the public and the author in future understand one ” another .

Not only was Giusti s poetry accepted with delight by those who saw in him one of the best champions of their

’ r count y s cause, and by others whom it was intended 156 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

to elevate and improve, but it was read and feared by those who fell under its just castigation ; even Govern ment officials tried by flattery to mitigate the severity of his pen . Giusti was, however, of far too generous a nature to dwell with pride or exultation on such petty h triumphs, and his greatest glory was t e approbation he received from men who were looked up t o as a — honours to It ly from Manzoni , Grossi, and his friend ‘ in the Marchese G o Capponi .

’ “ Giust i s na e as a o f t h e non o s s an was s m , th t A ym u Tu c , by thi ui tim e br ted thro ugh Italy . with that ki nd of u nd erh and mys terio u s c el ebrity which p erh ap s is t h e m o st flattering and emphatic o f all t h e form s o f fa e H e was no wn as e a t o h e ea s m . k qu l t gr t writ ers o f hi — l e iew n n St e B ritish uart er R v . 33 a o Feb . 1853. ti , Q y , p ,

I 58 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

of Brunelleschi, which is, indeed, a true miracle of art . From a distance , Rome appears scattered in all

’ directions . St . Peter s is vast and rich , but there is too much display of wealth . In the modern build ings there is generally pomp and space , but true magni

ficence , grandeur, and the marvellous is confined to the remains of antiquity . The Colosseum is something which it is impossible to conceive . It were as well to visit it all last of , because it diminishes the value of everything else . Arches and columns may be seen everywhere , but in the Colosseum you behold the Roman people .

The descriptions of this building, and of what was

enacted here , appear the mere dreams of antiquarians and ro m anc e writers ; but o nc e seen we believe even

more than we have been told . I left it so filled with

reflections , so deeply penetrated with the sight, that all

the rest appeared as nothing . I believe I remained

two hours without ascending to the top , and, for

t unat el y, there was no one else there , for a swallow tailed c o at would have disturbed me among the togas

ro m and the visions in which I lived at that n ent . I

beho ld o f seemed to an immense population , full valour, w w and armed ith swords , cro ding up those steps , and

a o e thousands of faces , unlike ours, one above n th r, looking down fro m those benches at the gladiators and wild beasts : and I saw the wild beasts themselves

n s rushi g out of those dens , and rivers of water gu hing

r t he fo th from those subterranean conduits , and I heard A J O URNEY TO RO ME AND NAPLES . 159 applause and the groans ; t he visions I had conjured up were too vivid for the grass growing amidst the ruins to

r dispel . The pavement and the quantity of mud a e what spoil Rome . A fine city ill paved or ill kept is like a room with fine furniture and a dirty floor, or paved with uneven bricks or it is like a person in rich and magnificent clothes, with shoes full of holes .

n At Naples, Giusti re ewed his friendship with the poet w w F Alessandro Poerio, hom he had kno n in lorence , 18 49 and who fell fighting for Venice in . He also met t he again his friend, the brother of poet, the Baron ff Carlo Poerio, whose virtues as well as his su erings in a Neapolitan dungeon have since made him celebrated throughout Europe . ” Pompei, Giusti continues, stands alone of its kind ; but the pictures and the stuccoes remind one ff of the e eminate days of Rome . I must confess that, judging by the beauty of the frescoes and paintings

et . here , the Arts have hardly y retraced their steps It is an unspeakable annoyance to have one of the usual guides at your side to inform you, here Sallust walked here Cicero washed his hands ; there Livia combed her

h &c . t o air, What can it signify to me conjecture all w this, when I kno for a certainty that the Romans

n i habited this place , and left the serious cares of the Republic and the fatigues of war t o seek refreshment amidst these delights ? The ruins speak for themselves

r . the hea t understands, and that is enough For the I 6 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

w rest, the figures or decorations , hen they are found entire , appear as fresh as if made yesterday, if the merits of the work did not remind us that we are below ground . As reverence for authority increases in the ratio of distance, so the estimation and care for antique works is greater according as we are removed from the epoch when they were called into existence . As they are consumed by time they appear t o grow in greatness, and a ruin, a relic , a fragment, speak more to the inquiring mind than the beauty

n T of an e tire monument in its magnificence . he skeletons are all that remain ; but as t he beauty and strength of a man can be proved by a human skeleton , so the beauty and grandeur of these works is proved by ” one of these naked and worn remains .

On their way home , Giusti and his mother were halting at a village halfway between Capua and Me la di Gaeta . A party of travellers were seated at the

f n m . o same table with the In the course conversatio , their Tuscan accent discovered them to be natives o f

c arrrc Pe s c ia o ne Central Italy , and , hearing they from , . i” of the travellers remarked , From the city of Giusti ? upon which another added , Of that celebrated poet

o w A long eulogium f llowed , hen a third asked if they

im was were acquainted with h . There a pause ; and

’ Gius t is mother lo o ked at him and blushed whilst

no her son himself answered in the affirmative . Is " “ young or old ? Young, answered his mother.

162 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

i ’ lament that habit of scann ng one another s faults, even

so where we agree in opinion, which is injurious to us , ll and so much regretted by a who love Italy . The old

u do not trust the yo ng, nor the young the old ; the

slo w form er latter are accused of being too , the of being too precipitate . I am at great pains to converse with every one I meet, and am always confirmed in the old and bitter truth , that there is a want of under

lrav standing among ours elves . As I e always been rather the friend of moderation than of popular

l w e violence, I cannot tel you ith what rever nce I listen to the words of certain persons , or with what disgust

t h t o e . o to senseless talk of others Here , , that bad habit prevails of calling prudence fear, and audacity

i e a courage but we must treat them w th charity, b c use their wounds are fresh , and their passions dark and present .

To A ndrea F rancio ni.

Na es 28 e ar 1844. pl , F bru y , D DEAR REA ,

o ro I pr mised you to write , and I keep my p mise ;

e a dl but my letter will be short , because the tim is h r y sufi cient r wi to see the p incipal things here . I ll not

n o f o n a s a few tell you anythi g the g ver ment, bec u e days are no t l o ng c no rrglr for an examination into that

u o fo r o ne e had an con q esti n , especially who has nev r y nexio n i es w th it ; and besides , in a country of thiev T O A J O URNEY O R ME AN D NAPLES . 163

’ T one must have an eye to one s luggage . herefore, it

’ is best to keep one s mouth shut.

Of Rome, I may say I saw nothing but the stones,

l and . ac cine but stones fu l of life history The Campo V , i the Colosseum , and a thousand other rema ns of Roman i greatness are beyond all magination . Here I have

s een both stones and men . The bay is worth seeing for

: Ponr eii in as itself p stands alone the world, as well

the museum of bronzes, and the object s found there

ul si and in Herc aneum . The coast from Po lippo to Cape

Mi num se . is a perfect succession of wonders Pozzuoli, l Baia, and Cuma, retain on y the vestige of Roman luxury and splendour, but that little is enough to compensate

for all we have lost . I examine d these places with a

l ri weary and almost dul spi t, from my infirm health, which would not quit me ; but their sight refreshed

my soul . The only annoyance is that tiresome com mentary dinned into your c ars by the g uardians of the — several places a commentary which leaves your brain in the state in which it is left by the commentators on

u Dante . According to these g ides, Cicero is ubiquitous, ‘ as you cannot stir a step without being told, This ’ ’ i was Cicero s villa . I do bel eve that, between Rome i and S cily, more stones have been baptized than men . a Incredulous as I am, however, of such t les, I know I

vi i am sit ng places once inhabited by Greeks, Romans,

r . Sa acens , Normans, and Spaniards What a mixture of races ! What food for the imagination ! What a M 2 16 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . range for thought ! Another distressing thing is the restorations of statues and antique bronzes . They have attached to a wonderful torso of Antinous, arms

and legs which look like gloves and stockings, filled

with flour . This want of reverence for ancient art can only exist in the dull animal souls of presumptuous and clumsy artisans ; true artists would indignantly spurn

e a such sacrilege . Michael Angelo alone , in his rest r D tions of the ying Gladiator and of the Laocoon , has

equalled the chisel of the ancients , yet, when asked to

Fam ese restore the legs of the Hercules , he at first

u w ref sed ; hen pressed, he complied ; but when about

( to fix them in their place , he lashed them to pieces in anger and expiation : yet he was the sculptor of

I l P ensiero t rifl s Moses, of Night, of , and of other e of

k . t o the ind For him who has eyes see , a fragment is enough ; and he who cannot construct an entire figure

fill u out of this, and p what is wanting for himself,

and . need not go see Among more recent works, I

u ]Z have seen most beautif l frescoes by I ingaro , although

' fl n \V su eri . e misused by time , and g from neglect use — such treasures as the prodigal does his pockets taking

s care of them when they are empty . There are al o many

o f fine monuments , among which that to one the three

o o an n brothers Sanseverin , who was p isoned by u cle ,

r o . r is beautiful and ve y t uching At San Martino , the e

a e l is a p inting by Spagnolett , so fine that it wou d buy

m any of our pictures .

166 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

have heard no more, as I have been always in the

far country, far from my friends, from my studies, far from every pleasure, and only occupied with a search after health, in the absence of which I am weighed

r down under an insuppo table burden I , who never

new until gave a thought to the comforts of life , have had t o study them with more trouble than I can describe . But let me drop this melancholy subject,

t t he and seek consolation in the proverb , Af er bad comes the good .

h n witlre ut W ilst at Leghorn , Giusti lear t that, his knowledge, an edition of his verses, full of errors , had

h been published . T is caused him considerable annoy ff ance , and added to his physical su erings . Believing that his death was approaching, and that he would not be able to justify his works to the public , he wrote

Pro fesso r V annucci t o a long letter to , entreating him w preserve his reputation after his departure, by diso n

was ing for him this publication . The letter , however ,

o never sent, and a few years later was f und by his surrivors o am ng his papers . This year Giusti , accord irr l an nre re g y, published edition of his serious compo sit io ns the se sa , dedicating the work to Marche Lui

’ d Aze lio d o f w t he g , the aughter Manzoni , and the ife of

’ z l o Marchese Massimo d A cg i . Enrico Mayer helped him in the labour of c o rrecting the press ; and oft e n w w t o hen Giusti was too eak to use the pen , he o k it E RETURN O F ILLN ss . 167

from him , and wrote from his dictation . This edition “” 18 45 appeared in , under the title Versi ; the first which had appeared in print revised and acknowledged di by the author. For the two prece ng years his health 18 45 had precluded composition, but in he brought out

I l Gin illino he his most celebrated poem, g , which A dedicated to the poet lessandro Poerio, in gratitude for some lines Poerio had addressed to him when at

Naples, and which ran as follows

’ Il carm e t uo pien di saette vola Che fanno im m edicabile ferita ; E marchio la tua vigile parola ; ’ Sull e frontidei R e 3 imprime ardita ; Ne per la turba lette rata sola V a m a su o cc e o o a ha ta ; b h p p l ri vi , Nel a f e ente via a a scen e l r qu r pid d , ’ La5 acca a e dafo za f za n e o e e. mp , r , r pr d

T e s es i e a erf u of da s hy v r , l k quiv l rt , Fly to their aim unfailing ; and t he wound

T e a e nc a e : a wa c wo e h y m k i ur bl t h rd th y, Branded in lette rs hold on brews of kings ; N or spoken only by the learned throng ’ B ut in t he peeple s m onths they h ave their life ; Rapid d escending t o frequente d pat hs

he e e ab e and e and ak e new st en . W r th y id , giv t r gth

s i Giu t s biographer, F“rassi, alluding to his poem of I l Gin illino the s g , says This is one of e poems which il l l l w l be read, perhaps, when Ita ian, ike Latin , wi l no longer be a spoken language . CHAPTER XII .

O — A N X S O TO S — — ZO IL GINGILLIN E CUR I N PI A MILAN MAN NI .

GINGILLINO is an expression in the Tuscan dialect signifying a man of contemptible character, always

t rifles who w busying himself about , and , hilst profess

O flat t ers ing to hold no pinion , those in authority, and contrives to make his fortune . The Tuscans have a l — verb gingil are to play the busybody . The Genii who Giusti supposes presiding at the birth o f Gingillino, are described as Turncoat, Turpitude ,

&c . who t he rr o r Cowardice, sing Ni ua Nanna lullaby

t he u of infant, with such co nsel as might best foster

s c o lraut r the character of the future y p . Twenty yea s later he is represented about to quit the University ,

ac c e nr anie d having received honours , which are p by an e ulo iurn r o f o G rau S eiu at es ta g f om the friar, Pr ess r p

’ ' — (l Unirers it d Great Frit t e rbrairr o f t he University who adds this piece of advice

’ ’ C o mi ncia eoll ese m pio 0 c e ll inelriost re ’ difender a a a es ra m ane A l lt re d t , Ed a m ancia iI ne s t ro De lce e am e revolissim o Sevrano

17 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

The Bargello, or the residence of the police, contain

n ing the prison, and used as a place of meeti g for f lawyers, is next described as a den of in amy . Here i Giusti introduces us again to Gingill no, who receives advice corresponding with that offered by the Genii

i in round his cradle, and is thus d rected onwards the F road to success . emale influence completes his cor ruption ; and the poet concludes by a creed which

Gingillino is supposed to recite nightly, instead of a prayer. He declares his belief in the coin, in the

n Motuproprio or decrees of the sovereign , in the dy asty, and in the taxes he promises to attach himself to the saint or the hero of the day, and hopes to mount to the highest step of the ladder, to obtain a rag of

wi - nobility, and die th a cross at his button hole .

9 th 18 45 u to se On the May, , Gi sti writes the Marche

’ Luisa d Azeglio from Pescia

MY DEAR FRIEND, I will not delay t elling you that the letter of this

i : morn ng has conveyed good news to me you , who know i it how attached I am to you, will bel eve I am not surprised that the j ourney should have been of be nefit 1 t o r i . r the Signo a Vittor na Between ou selves , I fear that the air of Pisa for some time past has not suited

1 The o n e a e o f t he oe anzo ni and s s e o f t he y u g r d ught r p t M , i t r ’ a She af e war s a r e Pro fesso or n M rchese Luisa d Azeglio . t r d m r i d r Gi gi i o f Pisa. 1 1 A N EXCURSION TO PISA . 7

no w l her, especially that we are in ful sail for summer

such s l re for complaints as her , a climate ike Pisa is

i u quired in w nter, and a mild mo ntain air in the hot

can l season . We ta k it over together, and should you b i i f not e satisfied w th th s residence, we will ind one more suitable, and send the doctors to the devil . In

i own th s world every one praises his saint, but you know that we have spots in the V aldinievole which are really delightful . Pescia is in a hole, but the heights and hills around float as it were in a current i of balmy air. Among my dreams is that of hav ng you only a few paces distant from me ; and if it were pos sible to transport one of the t wo villas I possess on one of these eminences, I would say, Come and live

il t o o there, as in your own home . If it w l not be much trouble, write to me by return of post, to say how and where you are lodged, and I will meantime make my arrangements . In these last days , the scirocco and the fog, my two mortal enemies, have been prostrating me , as usual , and I have driven away the dismals and my i uneasy sensations by scribbling . Th s accumulation ff a of su erings, which have incre sed in my head for two i years, break ng down my bodily strength, has, I feel , liberated my spirit from the burden of material interests .

I could be resigned to live as a confirmed invalid, pro vided i w the inval d could study, rite, and go his own way . In this time of solitude and discomfort I have had leisure to review my life several times . In the 1 2 7 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . careless idleness in which I voluntarily spent three

s years of my youth , amid t errors of every kind, some thing began to germinate in my brain . Many years w m after ards, a terrible blow which fell on me fro very dear hands caused the development of whatever genius had fallen to my share . To a mind probed as mine has been by so many wounds, nothing else was wanting but this final trial to enable me to say—Now no

n experience c a be new. After a fierce inward struggle

of several months, I have once again raised my head ;

I have sounded my depths, and I find within myself a large share of love , and of passion, and (do not think

me vain) of poetry . My body is sixty, my spirit

eighteen, and this is the youth which I desire .

Among many things which I have scribbled, I must

’ L A m o r P ac co name to you ifi , a j est as innocent as w w ater, hich might be printed with the permission of

I l P a at o del P ret e the authorities, even in Modena ; p

P cro in w , hich I treat, in my way , the question touched

G in illino on by Gioberti , Balbo, and others ; g , a long,

S crit m very long poem , of the same kind as the and

V es t izio ne in w o t o the , hich I have endeav ured express

all the baseness, all the contumely, of those who seek to rise t o o ffices in the State by dirty and mean con

duct .

' Giusti shortly afte rwards j oined the Marchesa d Aze

his s u glio and her sister in Pisa , and describes plea re

1 4 I E I 7 G USEPP GIUST .

in l hand, a certain Giacome li , an old comrade, who

u ri q ite enters into the spi t of our amusements, and is

the best madcap that could be desired . Laughter is if good for the blood ; and I hope that, the Signora

r Vittorina is not ti ed with our prescription, she will

find herself benefited by it . What a pleasure it will be a to us, if, by emptying our bag of nonsense, the ccumu

lation of years, we may boast that we can send bac k your darling daughter to you in good health ! ”

m A few weeks later, Giusti writes to Manzoni fro the baths of Lucca

IR MY DEAR S , As I have learned that my letter of last June has w i not reached you, I hasten to rite to you aga n . The

’ Marchesa d Azeglio has already to ld you that I was at w Pisa with Giorgini, who, kno ing that I was a prisoner

m e at home , came to unnail , and deposit me on the

’ ’ Ca é dell Ussero r Lung Arno, above the f , whe e I wil shook o ff many of my fancies . She l also have told i you of the evenings when Giorg ini and I found a certa n

book on the table of these ladies , and sat down to sip

at it, and also to give our opinion upon it . Very

f n so respect ul , indeed, to sit down to play the sy dic at

many miles distance, on one who is so much wiser than

and ourselves . Tell the author to have patience, at leas t give us credit for good intentions . We had T AN EXCURSIO N O PISA . 17 5

agreed to read the book through, when Gino Capponi l enticed me away to his vi la, and thence to Florence, t where he kept me so long that, at last, ins ead of

u to ret rning to Pisa, as I wished, I had to go the baths of Lucca . I will, however, do my best to take a run i to La Spezzia ; and if Giorgini, who is dest ned to uproot me from this also, had not gone to Siena, I should have already been two or three days there . The Marchesa writes to me that the Signora Vittorina has

u i li fo nd great benefit from the baths, and you w ll be eve how earnestly I hope that she may be restored to t he

She . e all She flower was a year ago To mak safe, must

i in l i pass a w nter Pisa, where the c imate is so m ld that even the most chilly do not require any other fire than in that which the lizards enj oy . I say this my own n interest, as I shall certai ly pass the winter there, in

i s ro o und i the place which rem nd me of my p f stud es, pursued in the streets, and with books hermetically sealed . l l Grross i Do me the favour of sa uting for me, and

o as o o ss a anese oe o n owa s t h e end of t he as T m Gr i , Mil p t, b r t rd l t en r and ons e e on nea t h e sa e e e wi a in and c tu y, c id r d rly m l v l th P r i anzon In 1816 he w o e a o em in t h e a M i. r t p Mil anese dial ect call ed L ’ Pio ia d H ne wa gg oro. is xt poem which excited st ill greater sympathy s

' La Fu itiva t he s e ein an a an wo an w ose lever is a e gg , ubj ct b g It li m h c rri d t o uss a a o eon w t he ea a Th e a in es a R i by N p l , ith gr t rmy . l dy d p ir fo ll ows her o e in is ise and e a se a s a e e on n t o a s e l v r d gu , , b c u l v b l gi g ubj ct

' na on has no o n d d es for he a Th e Fu it va s an t s n e . z ti c u try, fight i tr g r gg was s w en in t h e anese a e af e wa s en e e fir t ritt Mil di l ct , but t r rd r d r d by t he oe n o al an in w is sa t o a e os of it s p t i t It i , hich it id h v l t much 1 6 7 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . tell him I will soon write to him again that I love him as a friend of my boyhood, and with reason , since the

first verses which made me shed tears, and excited my

I lde o nda. love for the beautiful , were his of g Permit me to add, that Father Cristoforo, with all that comes

o after him, is a favourite res urce of mine , when I feel cold and dried up , and when I find I cannot get rid

w S of the torpor hich oppresses me , without tears hed

he e for some worthy object . At t s times I can hardly believe that we never saw one another. That book has been every where with me ; and I Shall never forget how, one day, I was so buried to the eyes in its pages, that I do not know how I ever recovered the better part of myself. Have I not, then , reason to w protest, ith all sincerity, that

I am most affectionately yours .

Professor Gio van Battista Giorgini j oined Giusti at

u ff the baths of Lucca, in Aug st, and o ered him a place in w his carriage , to convey him to La Spezzia , here h ’ w they met t e M arches e d Azeglio again ith her sister.

The t o r n n ladies were , however, preparing retu to Mila ,

r and r by Genoa , and pe suaded Giusti his f iend to

l r o na fo rce . I d onda a se his fa e t o its ea es e and rigi l g r i d m gr t t h ight , o o we I Lom ba d i aIIa r ma eroc ial a As was f ll d by r p i . a rival t o

’ ’ Manzo nis P omess i S os i oss w o e Mar o I wco nt t and t he o e r p , Gr i r t c , p m ' ’ c Lida o e e his wo s l l o f LIrico c mpl t d rk . t aha Letteraria ed Arti s lc l t iea er o e a 1. De c uzc . , p p r di

1 7 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

good news ; and I was not mistaken . The letter he brought is a precious pledge of your friendship and courtesy, and of the kindness you entertain towards 1 me . Who could have told me, ten days ago, that I should have been so near you , and still more near you in spirit than on the road ? When these ‘ ladies hooked me at La Spezzia, they knew what bait the fish would take ; for they were a ware how I had revered you from my youth upwards, and they had heard me say, more than once, that when led astray by youthful follies I was led back by your book . One day ,

in I recollect, I was a place where the conversation was anything but noble or refined ; where all were

in in occupied drowning their senses, or sleep ; and

I was dull, languid, incapable of anything but a yawn . I do not know how a copy of the P romessi Sp osi had

1 o fesso on ane o f sa wh o h ad s c o m e f o anzo n Pr r M t lli , Pi , ju t r m M i , he had ee n ade was t he n a e f r e n o f G s . A s e fo e s a e i tim t i d iu ti b r t t d, b m a o fesso at n ne e en ea s o f a e and was a o e s an and pr r i t y r g , p t , mu ici ,

' d o cto r o f law ; h e h ad b es ide s c o ntribute d articl es t o V ie sse ux s “ ” l o n o ns we e s o ew a a e o Ant ho lo ia. s o a g Ili p litic pi i r m h t v gu , th ugh al ways in favo ur o f pro gres s ; but h is l eani ngs to wards t h e fanci ful and s i a we e in o n as w t he ra a o o n se nse w my t c l , r c tr t ith p ctic l c mm hich

' e w e Mo utanc s a a e o na o n n oe a n s . llis Giu ti , by r r c mbi ti , u it d ith p tic l g iu wa m ea en e anne s and a e s o s o n a e ea r h rt , g tl m r , pli bl di p iti , g v him gr t

e Hi o o a i nflu e nc e o ver t h y o u ng m en o f t he Unive rs ity . s pi ni ns t

s e o f his fe le d t o n e w t he o e a e a but h e thi tim li him u it ith m d r t p rty ,

' was al ways o pposed t o G io hert is views o f t h e temporal supremac y o f

I he o ne n a h e af e wa s a e in 18 48 h e a a . n t t P p cy pr mi t p rt t r rd pl y d , be se a a e se f f o G s i t he a ese a o n and o e s to p r t d him l r m iu t , M rch C pp i , th r wh o m he was warmly attached . MILAN . 17 9 found its way into that house I know only that it fell into my hands ; and that I no sooner came upon Father Cristoforo than I recovered that part of myself which

I thought lost or left outside . I will frankly confess that I have also a great fancy to read Gingillino to you . I wrote it in the midst of the most atrocious and agonizing spasms I have ever experienced, and after having had for two years to lament the absence of my poetic inspiration and even of common sense . When I first returned to compo sit ion , I worked by fits and starts, stopped, went on slowly, j erked forwards, like a windmill which had been l standing stil for ten years, but which was forced to move because the spring breezes set it going . I wrote ill or well , feeling my way in the dark, uncertain which way to go without falling ; and when I had finished, and

u and touched it p, I had to read it over, to chafe at it again and again, at one moment thinking it might pass w u ith its fellows, and the next trembling lest I sho ld

r have made a g eat mistake . I had been buried four ia teen months a corner of our town, half dead ; and,

i S as I ntended to how my nose again in the world, I wished to bring along with me something to make m y friends recognise me , in case , after such a discipline as l I had undergone, they should hard y tell who I might

. ill be The thing did not turn out so as I feared, which , believe me , was a great consolation . These little vanities may be pardoned in a poor fellow who N 2 18 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

has nothing else to recommend him , especially when

he finds himself set upon a candlestick , against his will , and without feeling any pride in the position in wh“ich he is placed . I regret that I have not a string of proverbs with me which I have been collecting for the last five or Six

years in the streets and in booths , and in which you would find real gems of language and of practical wisdom ° of that wisdom which does not figure among

v gold coms, but which is of admirable ser ice in the ffi sm“aller tra c of life . Giorgini sends you a thousand greetings : you will

find him a young man you will like , and who only wants encouragement to make him value himself a little more U if i rge him on a little , as he can do much he w ll .

From Genoa , Giusti and Giorgini were persuaded to

proceed to Milan , from whence they paid a visit of

t o some weeks Manzoni , enj oying the society of Grossi , and of other literary and distinguished friends of the

novellist . In October Giusti was again in Genoa on his

w z n o way south , when he rote to Man o i t express his

n o sorrow at leavi g his hospitable ro f, and the friends he had made whilst there

eno a 5 O o e 5 18 4 . G , th ct b r, MY DEAR ALEXANDER ,

o have us t r I write to you from Gen a , where I j ar ived, and I can hardly believe that I am still able to hold a l 8 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

a claim on our gratitude and love . Adieu my good

l u . A exander, my disting ished friend

f In November, Giusti came to Pisa to try the e fect upon his health of a milder climate during winter . He i took up his abode w th his friend Giovanni Frassi , his

- fellow student when a youth , and who, after his death , became his biographer . Here Giusti was surrounded by an agreeable and choice society of friends . Pro fesso r i Giuseppe Montanelli , Giovann Giacomelli , of

Leghorn , mentioned in a former letter to Manzoni , and the Advocate Adriano Biscardi . They met alte rnate weeks at the houses of Montanelli and of Frassi, where i m read ng aloud, the letters they had received fro Man

an zoni , Grossi , and the Marchese Capponi , formed agreeable variety in their lively evening conversation . Giusti was occupied at this time with his collee tion of proverbs, for which he derived much assist ance from the Marchese Gino Capponi . He had for many years had his attention called to the pu rification of his native language , as a means towards the future exist ence of an Italian nation .

r An eminent modern German philologist info ms us , that the sources of I t alian are not to be found in the

s classical literature of R“ome , but in the popular dialec t N e e—L s of Italy and again , Many of the atin dialect m ust be sought fo r in the ancient dialect s of Italy and

1 en e o f an a e Max e . . . 59 . Sci c L gu g , by Mull r, M A p ITALIAN LANGUAGE . 18 3

her provinces . As soon as the literary language of l Rome became established and classica , the first start

d in was ma e the future career of those dialects which , l l even at the time of Dante, were sti l cal ed vulgar or ” 1 popular. The subj ect had occasioned the foundation of the Academia della Crusca in the sixteenth century , but in the beginning of the nineteenth century had been applied to a political aim, as the Academicians, whilst endeavouring to banish every foreign idiom from

n l the la guage, hoped ikewise to produce a spirit of unity in the nation, and form the strongest barrier h against foreign encroac ments . Monti, whose pliable genius seems hardly to have comprehended the word i country as appl ed to his own people , attempted to stem the native stream which threatened to sweep m — l away ti e honoured Gal icisms, and accordingly wrote

P ro ost a u his p , in which he endeavo red to prove the i i fall bil ty of the decrees of the Academia della Crusca . i i T Manzon , in an opposite spirit, v sited uscany for the express purpose of reforming his language and style , and under the tutelage of the Academy, to make it

u s p rely Italian . A few years later we find Giusti de

n i l voti g h mse f to the same study, and in order to ui di acq re a more correct knowledge of his native i om, he conversed much with the common people . From them he learned and applied words and expressions of purely Italian origin, worthy, as he considered, to

1 ien f n g e Ma . 183. o a a e x l e . . Sc c L gu , by Mu l r, M A p 18 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . be restored to the language of educated persons ; he introduced them in his conversation , and even in his

n letters to ladies . These studies led to his bei g sub sequently elected a member of the Academia della Crusca

r 18 46 o ccu In Februa y , , he gave an account of his pati e ns in Pisa, in a letter to Manzoni

SA N DR o MY DEAR ,

t ’ i I intended to send you , by the Lit a s, a few l nes with my little book , but at that time my ink was dried up .

Pisa suddenly filled with Milanese , who spoke of you to

- me every half hour, so that I expected every moment to l see you appear . But the Mi anese departed and the gentleman to whom his friends paid so m any compli ments when absent, never arrived to make the choir

I r complete . . have unde taken to write a short notice

n ne w of Pari i for a new edition of his works, which is

in the course of preparation . Ask Torti if he can give me any particulars which have been e m it t ed by his

biographers . Good wine does no t need the S ign of t he

r Tavern Bush to recommend it, but a f ame imp roves

w s every picture , provided it be introduced ith ta te .

Torti ought to know his life , death, and marvellous

t he m an works , and I do not think he is to keep it

. t o a all to himself Beg him from me gr nt this request, t and , if he consen s, I shall be able to say I have hit

18 6 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . of light ought to help the people and the rulers to understand one another . To see them stand with i i teeth set, look ng at each other in so can ne a manner, would make one suppose that they were equally inca all pable of acting . What fools we are when we cease i n to follow the gu dance of reason , and, hopi g to recover

we l f its trace , on y increase the con usion and intricacy

Europe appears to me just now like a great caldron, a chaotic mass of discordant elements, boiling up all

e together, and from whence , some day or other, a b tter l w state of things wi l emerge . But what may e not see

i ? us before the pudd ng is ready Let trust in Providence , who watches over the caldron . I , for one , have not ” much confidence in those who want to handle the ladle .

Giusti was engaged with his notice of Parini s life

18 46 18 50 e from to , but left the work incomplet at his 1 death . The Lombard satirist, poet, and moralist found

a worthy biographer in a fello w- labourer in the same

who . 1 29 e t o field Born in 7 , of poor parents, wish d

t t e t o bring him up as a priest, Giuseppe Parini is s a d

a n a e h ve e tered life when false taste reigned in liter tur ,

’ as well as corru ption in morals ; but even here Giust is true and philosophic mind discerned good in the midst

a r of “evil . He thus describes the It ly of that pe iod . People , there were none ; citizens, only by name ;

e en l s e w his ine e wo s Le onn e o f R c tly pub i h d ith dit d rk by M i r,

o en Fl r c e . 18 M ANZ O NI . 7 n i u f eff em inat c obles, w thout infl ence , pu fed up by pride , ,

haughty, idle , and vicious ; and yet out of the class of

Filan ieri these very nobles came Verri , Beccaria, and g

in names which will always be held esteem, as long as n ii lear ing, order, and the growth of civ l zation are honoured . Science had Spallanzani, Mascheroni, Oriani ,

La ran ia and g g ; philosophy, Genovesi ; history, Giannone

and and Muratori , greater than all , though least known ,

V ice d , who stan s forth like a solitary and rugged

n r mountain, where grow either lau el groves nor flower w gardens , but here and there a great oak, and ithin whose caverns are precious veins of solid metal , which wait to be tested and turned to profit . The masses

S lept, the few were awake ; the princes who, more than wi the people , were in love th novelty, agitated reforms,

In but which were to emanate from themselves . short, amidst much that was superficial was also much that all was sound, and on sides the germs of better men i and better times were unfold ng . Some say the last century was the century of destruction, I say it was the

u cent ry for clearing the ground . The all usions to the state of Tus cany made by

Giusti in his letter to Manzoni , refer to events which preceded the revolution of 18 48 . The death of the i M nister, Neri Corsini, the worthy successor of Fossom 18 45 brini , in , had occasioned a complete change in the

Cabinet of the Grand Duke . Corsini was succeeded by

O em ini u Al r Francesco p , Gi seppe Paver, essand o Hum l 8 8 G 1USEPPE GIUSTI .

Baldassaroni bourg, and Giovanni , all of whom had held office in various capacities during the administra tions of Fo sso mbroni and Corsini but the characters of these men raised doubts in the minds of the public , who waited in anxiety for the first acts of the new i Counc l of Ministers . The policy of the Austrian Court j ustified the alarm created by the danger of a weak Ministry . The position of Austria in Italy is thus described in a pamphlet

already referred to . Austria planted in Lombardy,

derived her title for dominion from an act of injustice,

and was therefore constrained to rule by violence . The good government of other countries bordering o n Lombardo—Venetia was dangerous as an example Austria only obeyed the logic of her condition in Italy

ru when obliged to maintain cor ption in Naples, misgo

vernm ent Duclries in Rome, and to keep the and ” 1 Tuscany under her rule . As long as Tuscany thus continued under secret

o subj ection to a foreign power, no substantial ref rms could be nrade in the Government : ostensibly an inde

A . pendent State , she was in reality an ustrian Province There was perpetual vac illat io rr on the part of the

S w Grand Duke , who started at every hado he felt his

hands tied whenever he attempted to act for himself,

' 1 n s a— C enu i o — o e a v e e a ano To sc a ae Au tri p litici Bibli t c ci il d ll It li ,

b i a e r e a dei S no a es e o s o Rido lfi c o mpil ata e pu l c ta p ur ig ri M rch C im , " rre e no aso a a e e a no e zz &c . drc . Baro B tti Ric li , C v li r Ub ldi P ru i , l 9 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

n indig ation , at discovering on how insecure a foundation

v their boasted toleration and pri ileges rested . Con

fidence D in the Grand uke, even where it existed before,

was now completely shaken . Another act followed to

fill the measure of his misdeeds . A proposal was made by the Government to admit t he nuns of the

Sacre Coeur into Pisa . As these nuns only confess to

Jesuits, this was supposed to be merely a cover for the introduction of this most dangerous Order . Professor Montanelli was the chief instigator of a petition to the

Government to prevent their intrusion , and this peti tion was the first legal , organized, and open resistance offered to the acts of the Italian governments subj ect to Austria . Giusti writes on the occasion to the Marchese Gino

his Capponi, who, it appears had given support to the act

sa 3d a 1846 . Pi , M rch , O MY DEAR GIN ,

lV e were all happy in having done a good action but since receiving your letter our Jubilee has greatly

. in increased I have read it to as n ny as I could , and, in accordance with t he desire o f those t o wlro nr I have

n it I show , have left copies of it with all who wished for it . Montanelli embraces yo u again and again ; the Marchesa Areo nat i shed tears of j o y ; all bless and

. i are thank you Cease to say, my dear G no , that you l 1 CA PPO N I . 9

1 dead ; you live in yourself, and you live still more in our hearts . The first merit of this act is due to Montanelli and to Rinaldo Ruschi (the gonfalonier or mayor of Pisa) after him (you may tell all who wish to know it) that everybody hastened to take part in it heartily . Ask yourself if I did not rej oice , and if I do not now rej oice, to hear you blest for those few lines . One word such w as you kno how to say when your heart dictates it, is worth a thousand of ours . 2 Areonat i I write to you in the house of the , sur rounded by twenty people who wish you were here , to tell you that which the intensity of my feelings perhaps l forbids my expressing as I shou d like .

i . Accept an embrace from all, including the lad es — ” Adieu l this has been a happy day .

1 n The March ese Gino Cappo i h ad been afflicted with blindness . 2 o n se e Areonat i and his fa we e anese es n in C u t Giu pp mily r Mil , r idi g h e nr era in o i H e h ad sa and es ee e t o d t e a s. Pi , highly t m d by p rty p l tic been o n e ne t o ea t he s an o e n en in 1821 and in c d m d d th by Au tri G v r m t , , s e o f t h e a nes o f 1838 s an was fo en s a t o pit m ty , Tu c y rbidd by Au tri

O d . 144. a in 1 46 G a e o a II. . . o 8 . h rb ur him u lt ri , P rt l p CHAPTER XIII .

— O CCUPATI O N O F FERRARA BY THE AUS TRIANS DEMAND FO R A — S NATI O NAL GUARD LETTER .

AM O NG the friends and correspondents Giusti had

To nrm aso acquired in the house of Manzoni , we find

Grossi, the Milanese poet, and author of the novel of ” Marco Visconti , one of the few compositions in modern Italian literature which has become popular in

England . Giusti writes to him from Florence

h ne 8 46 o en e 2 5t 1 . Fl r c , Ju , O S MY DEAR GR S I , How many events have taken place since last

o ne o ! e we wrote to an ther If I were to count th m ,

w n and e there ould be no end of their umber, ther fore I had better let them alone , and turn to the marriage of Vittorina with Giorgini I augur well fo r this union for

o r many reasons . I h pe Vitto ina will recover her h ealth in o f and o Tuscany, and that the new ties wife of m ther

t o fo r s o may compensate her being far from her fathe r .

w in e Giorgini ill find his centre her, and that swe t and

19 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . the pain of seeing him cut o ff and almost separated from himself. Born of a truly illustrious family, rich , a learned, possessing a noble mind, and most noble heart ; in excellent health, strong, handsome, in the

flower of his age, you see him reduced to a struggle not to bend beneath the misfortunes which have rained w w l upon him, and hich ou d make him despair were n he not the man he is . When we see such thi gs , we

have no longer a right to complain of our e m trials . ” God knows best what He has ordered .

t he 5th On of December, of this year, the Genoese celebrated the centenary of the expulsion of the 1 46 Germans from their city in 7 ; and rej oicings , and

Re fireworks, throughout Tuscany , and even in the

magnas, expressed the sympathy of the people in all parts of Italy with the cause of independence, and

The their hatred of foreign intruders . Tuscan Govern

ment, however, took alarm at these repeated demou

s t rat io ns y in favour of nationalit , which , associated with the late resistance offered to t he attempt t o intro

n t he lay duce Jesuits i to Pisa , determined Ministers to

. o o The o a fresh embarg n t he press . c nsequence of

o this act . however, was a wider circulati n of seditious

rrreans rnenac es papers by secret , as well as of robbery

D o and arson . isturbances occurred in Monsumman ,

o o o and o B rg a Buggian , Pistoia , ther places ; and

r t o be l r agitato s , pretending Libera s , were eve y E O BY TH E S 1 5 F RRARA CCUPIED AUSTRIAN . 9 where to be found in the disguise of priests and lawyers . l 6 th On the of June , Cardinal Mastai succeeded

Pope Gregory, and assumed the name of Pius the Ninth . d He began his reign by reforms in his househol , and

few a system of stricter economy . A days after his accession he was seen attending mass , in a church in

un re the neighbourhood of Rome , in so simple and p tending a manner as to form a contrast to his prede

e cess rs, and the people augured well from such a commencement . He gave audience to all persons, and pardoned several of those condemned for political ff o ences . Not a day passed without some act of bene fi H cenc e or charity . e likewise called a council of prelates , to consider the introduction of railroads into the States of the Church , which it had been sacrilege to mention a few months before ; and he promised to

S how favour to scientific men, and to encourage scientific

: be meetings finally, issued an edict of a general

ri amnesty, which raised his popula ty to its greatest height . In the provinces, however, the legates who had been appointed by Pope Gregory began to demur at these proceedings, and either altered or postponed the publication of the edict, diminishing its value, or

An rendering it a dead letter. inundation of the

in D Tiber, which took place ecember, gave another

fo r opportunity the Pope to exhibit his philanthropy, by calling upon his Roman subjects to aid their suffering O 9 I 96 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . brethren ; and the beginning of 18 47 was hailed as the dawn of the first new year of an auspicious reign .

The acts of Pius, however, began to create a feeling of i uneasiness in the princes of the other Ital an States, and he was watched with j ealous eyes by the Court of

Austria .

Hatred of Austrian rule , and of Austrian interference

n throughout Italy, had become so stro g, that it was

necessary for that Power, if she meant to retain her l ho d in the country, as well as to obtain that increase w m of territory at hich she was aiming, to aug ent her — physical force the only force , except that of intrigue , by which she had maintained her position in the Penin

l — ff r su a whilst, at the same time , to repress every e o t

r . n for refo m and progress The Austrian Gover ment, l therefore , was stil further incensed by a demand for a

T he e national guard in the States of the Church . Pop

nu wavered between refusal and consent, as, though l f l wil ing to o fend an al y and protector, he could not perceive the danger to hinrself or to Austria in an insti

t ut ion r e for the prese vation of order, and for the defenc

of the country from foreign invasion . The influence of

z Gio ac clrino two priests , Gra iosi and Father Ventura of

d r Sicily, succeeded in efeating that of the Aust ian

Lut zo ff a t he Minister, Count , and Cardinal Ghi zi ; and edict for the organization of a national guard was h o n 6 t . issued the of July To punish this act, though emanating from a nominally independent sovereign and l 98 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . legate ; the messenger was likewise the bearer of com m unicat io ns r to Vienna and to other cou ts , protesting

’ against the act of Austria . Metternich s only reply

ri was, that the Emperor had a right to retain gar sons

C o rnacclrio in Ferrara and , whilst orders were con ve e d y to the troops from Marshal Radetzky, to occupy all the gates of the city . But the expected result, that of striking terror into Italy, wholly failed and far from

- t o being panic stricken, the Italian people were roused indignation at so flagrant an act, in violation of the rights of an Italian State and of a Pope who had j ust begun to prove himself worthy of the name of an Italian sovereign . The agitation which had prevailed in the Roman

States, from the time of the accession of Pius, had w spread to Tuscany , hich had long been preparing for

D was reforms . iscontent at the existing Government openly expressed in the C afes and drawing- rooms of

Florence, and the walls of the houses were found every morning covered with placards emanating from t he w w a clandestine press . The police , hich as at th t time under the direction o f a nran of the rrarrre of Giovanni

tlrenrs clves Bologna, whilst making odious to the w i people , ere too imperfectly organ zed to be of use to

who lrarrr erc d a their employers, even p their ctions, from

B aro n overim a jealous fear lest the power of the G , as f o wn . it was called , should inter ere with their Mean

O f r t he time , the leaders the moderate pa ty perceived FER RARA O CCUPIED BY THE AUSTRIANS . 19 9

necessity of coming forward, to prevent the whole

n Government falli g to pieces . The current of agitation could not now be stemmed ; it could only be allowed to run o ff by opening channels of reforms and good

rinci a laws, so much needed in a country where the p p error lay in the rulers having begun to mould a free ia State , and stopped short, leaving the constitution

complete . The moderate party were sincerely desirous

to preserve the sovereignty and the Lorraine dynasty, b y suggesting the only means of safety . Towards the latter part of February some of the wisest and most distinguished citizens in Florence to ok council together

how to act . The three who first met for this purpose

V incenzio Salva noli were the advocate g , Baron Bettino

ff Lambrusclrini. Ricasoli , and the Abate Ra aello They proposed to lay a memorial before the president of the

l C em ini Counci , Francesco p , exposing the deplorable ff ad state of a airs , and to suggest reforms in the law ministration, and, above all, a wise by which the press should be allowed greater freedom, and thus

offer no apology or pretext for clandestine publications . The Marchese Gino Capponi refused to j oin this con

few clave , because he obj ected to the thus taking upon

t he and themselves the initiative for many, he preferred

on principle an open , steady action , to secret meetings

e i and consultations . Some tim afterwards he j o ned

other friends, whose views were like his own, and who advocated making a less demand upon the Gove rn 2 00 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

’

. Ricasolis ment This party were ignorant of projects, which were only known to Capponi , and they thought it wiser not to expose themselves to rej ection or d isappointment, and that the time had not yet arrived for energetic enterprise . They proposed to overcome the evils caused by the clandestine press, by counter instructions, and by teaching the true principles of political economy ; they thus hoped to combat the follies of communism , whilst preparing the public mind m for the enj oy ent of liberty, and dispelling the fears of the Prince and of his councillors . The moderate party i was thus spl t into two ; the leaders of which , Ricasoli

in and Capponi , whilst act g separately for the common f end, were ready to unite their e forts again when the occasion should present itself. Montanelli , meantime ,

t he advocated use of the clandestine press, condemned

t he alike by Ricasoli and Capponi , and even claimed

n merit of bei g its founder. Capponi was supported by

Ridolfi the Marchese Cosimo , the Advocate Leopoldo

e rdinarrdo Arrdreuc c i Galeotti , the Advocate F , the

V inc enzio Ant ino ri o o Marchese , the Adv cate Marc

Gu lielnro a D Tabarrini , Count g Cambr y igny, Giuseppe

V inc enzio u e rr Giusti , and the Cavaliere Per zzi , the G w falo nie r of Florence . These citizens dre up a peti

fo r o tion to the Government permissi n to edit a j ournal , in which t hey proposed to enlist the services of the most eminent writers in Tuscany ; the airrr o f t he

n a and j our al was to be moral rather than politic l ,

2 02 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

interrupted by his being called to the Imperial Throne , the old corrupt system of his predecessors had been

ne w : abolished, whilst the system was as yet incomplete

Tuscany, besides, had the elements of reform and of — self organization , and therefore it was the more easy to

frame a statute , constituting a representative or Parlia

mentary Government . In the Memorial drawn up by

t he Baron Ricasoli, principal causes of discontent were

thus enumerated . The number, ignorance, and inutility

who of the clergy . The monks, neither instructed others nor themselves ; their idleness and incapacity ; private a instruction discour ged , and public instruction imper

feet ; a want of primary as well as of secondary schools , and the University was compared to t he top of a pyramid

wi h u t out a base . Imperfectly trained and intrig ing f o ficials in the Government ; who, always inert, always

in discontented , their pretensions increased a ratio with their incapacity ; ignorance and irregularity in the

o f f icials in the provinces, to the injury of the public t service , and prej udice of the S ate , weakening the respect for Government as well as m orality ; the want

of a better organi zed administration : Cosmo I . had

o : t he founded the State ; Leopold I . had ref rmed it

o I organization was left to Leop ld I . The munici

alit ies w s p wanted more po er, and were only u ed as

t o n e machines by which raise money , u der the Financ

Minister ; whilst internal custom dues made intercourse

difficult between cities of the same State . FERRARA O CCUPIED BY THE AUSTRIANS . 2 03

w Besides these grievances, the hole conduct of the interior Administration was defective, including the power confided to obscure subaltern officials . A sincere and upright desire for reform was confounded with sedition and rebellion , enthusiasm with evil intentions . The means were wanted by which the sovereign could be made acquainted with the real

t he necessities of country, or to assist him to provide for them, and enforce a prompt execution of the laws .

The constitution of the Government itself was unsound, and impediments were thrown in the way of the right of petition . A municipal code, a code for the regu lation of the customs, another for the regulation of ff ecclesiastical a airs, and a civil and penal code , were all needed ; the judiciary system was incomplete, and the censorship of the press, instead of being conducive

m o rals l to public , was on y an impediment in the way of progress and knowledge . The answer to this petition was the publication of a t h law on the 7 March , which was far from fulfilling the promise of its announcement . By admitting criticism on the acts of the Government, the evil it was intended to mitigate was increased ; for by enabling the people to discuss laws after they had been irrevocably passed, discontent was promoted, and the authority of those

d t he . in power weakene , without benefit to State Any concession at that moment was, however, hailed as a be e n t he , and people collected beneath the windows of 2 0 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

the Palazzo Pitti , to express their gratitude to their sovereign, whilst newspapers immediately appeared , directed against old abuses, and demanding more reforms . 3d On the of August, the young men of Pistoia celebrated the anniversary of t he death of the favourite

Tuscan hero of republican memory, Francesco Ferruccio . Giusti thus describes the excitement in his city on the

Farinola - in occasion , in a letter to Francesco , the son law of the Marchese Gino Capponi

MY C HEec o DEAR , I found Pescia in a state which would make Leg

in . s horn appear, comparison, a perfect mortuary Thi w m b does not, ho ever, stagger me in y deli erate convie — — tion indeed it confirms me in it that the Tuscan

w t o people ill not be guilty of disorders, unless driven

s a extremity . If treated j udiciou ly, above all , if th t w y bad custom of besto ing things b halves be given up ,

o n there will be no cause f r complaint . With the oce

at io n o f o i p Ferrara almost bef re their eyes, and w th

n n fe w o ff the Pope armi g his people o ly a miles , how could Tuscany avo id feeli ng t he reverberation ? It is

o o s s . (In o t expect imp sibilitie the ther hand, the Government itself call s upon us to awaken t o a new

s ff life , and this new life mu t necessarily di er from the

\V hat o f o o t o old . sort d ct r would that be , who ,

wo restore us to health , uld keep us in bed like

2 06 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

1833 18 46 from to , I have often heard the custom of f reading out newspapers in shops and public o fices, as

practised in other countries , lauded to the skies ; but will now that this custom begins to prevail with us, it be ? of any continuance All nations, whether their voices i be cracked or nasal , in times l ke these which sound é the r veille, croak, bark , or screech their patriotic

who hymns ; and we , belong to the country of music, ? ‘ and of silver voices, shall we not sing ours Keep w quiet, do not pretend to kno anything ; when the

o u w opportunity arrives, then y may speak , act, and sho yourselves capable of understanding and of sustaining

’ is t h r new your rights . This e prog amme and the order of civilization which is perpetually droning in

the noddles of certain tortoises, who like the spirits D in the Inferno of ante , whenever they see the people

n make a step forward , co clude , judging of them by

their own slow pace , that they are running a race . I

t he t o ra have more right say this, as I have been p ising

o d r up m e ation and caution .

o o f o e e Ab ut the end the m nth of August, the p opl

o f o e e Florence , foll wing the example of Rome , d mand d

a r s o o f e a nation l gua d ; me the students , who w re

o o o Z annet t i supp rted by the eminent surge n , Pr fessor ,

b fe w o s o t he s b ec and y a ther , drew up a petiti n on u j t \ n t o the Grand Duke . s difficulties were always thro w

wa esso in the y of the presentation of petitions, Prof r N I NA L 2 0 DEM AND FO R A A T O GUARD . 7

Zannet t i himself underto o k to see the Minister of the i Inter or, Paver, and inform him that this expedient had

in been resorted to by some faithful citizens, the hope of preventing dangerous assemblies of the people , and to beg him to use his influence with the Grand Duke in their favour. Paver, though in his heart adverse to

no t . the demand contained in the petition , dared refuse Meantime Leghorn was in a state of commotion the m Livornese assembled tumultuously, and de anded a national guard . Their example was soon afterwards l fo lowed in Florence , the people collecting beneath the d windows of the Palazzo Pitti, with the same deman . D 4t h The Grand uke at length yielded, and on the Sep t ember the petition was granted . The following morn

y e verv ing, upwards of twent thousand persons, of a e n e g and conditio , adorn d with the Tuscan colours , marched through the greater part of Florence , and , after again assembling before the Palazzo Pitti , and i D cheer ng the Grand uke, returned peaceably to their

n homes . In the eveni g the cathedral was crowded with ff worshippers, when the archbishop o ered up a thanks giving for t he auspicious event . A rumour was now circulated that a change was about to be made in t he constitution of the Cabinet ; but i o f r th s hope soon vanished , when the salaried fice s of the Crown were reinstated with the s o le addition o f M one unsalaried minister, the archese Gino Capponi

i was but this appo ntment so popular, as to reassure 2 08 GI USEPPE GI USTI . the people respecting the future measures of the Govern ment . Another important subject engaging public attention 18 4 during the summer of 7 , was the position of the

D . 18 0 5 R uchy of Lucca In , the epublic of Lucca had been granted a free constitution by the Emperor

18 14 . Napoleon , which lasted until At the Congress

five PO WC I‘S of Vienna, the were desirous of creating

c x - m - D a State for the E press, the Arch uchess Maria

The Louisa . y accordingly restored the ancient Duchy

u o n of Parma , and bestowed it p her, for her life It w f time . was, ho ever, necessary to o fer some com

ensat ion p to the Spanish Bourbons, thus deprived of their hereditary dominions, and Lucca was assigned to their representative , Carlo Ludovico, with one con dition , that he should preserve the Constitution granted

n by Napoleo , and with the promise that on the death of Maria Louisa, Carlo Ludovico was to be restored to

Parma , and Lucca to revert to Tuscany . Such were the conscientious scruples with which the contracting

Powers deal t with royal and plebeian interests . In order

less wa e not to be generous to rds other Italian princ s , it was stipulated that when Tuscany obtained this

o f r accession te ritory , a small district , called the Luni D giana, was to be taken from the Grand uke , and to

D o a as o be bestowed on the uke of M den , a c unterpoise for t he acquisit ion by Tuscany o f the imp o rtant p o sition

in t he D a. of Pietra Santa , now included uchy of Lucc

G 1 US EPPE GIUSTI .

MY R O DEA GIN ,

e r i I r j oice with the count y, and w th those who

o have conferred thi s fresh responsibility upon y u . I

l m e shal wait to rej oice with you, when you can tell the shoe does not pinch .

s so n Thi is what has occurred at Lucca . The of

e i the Duke caused some arrests to be mad in the n ght, a sc ssisting in person , and urging them on, like a hool

i e boy . The next day, w ser heads than his ordered thos arrested to be released from prison ; but wh en the

was Prince, on his return to the city in the evening,

e a the received with hisses and stones, he hast ned fter messengers who had been despatched to Viareggio t o

i u da liberate the prisoners sent there on the prev o s y,

e and forbade their being set at liberty . This happen d a on a Tuesday . Wednesday morning there was a gre t f and hubbub in the city . The chief o ficials resigned,

ducal a c the people crowded before the pal ce , in whi h

M i in e a the in sters were sitting council, to d liber te w m th e e hat eans to adopt . At four in aft rnoon, a deputation of the Council starte d from Lucca to wait

D his i in the o on the uke , who was at v lla neighbourh od, and a t n who had not made his appear nce a the Cou cil ,

d r as he had promised . Har ly had the mob learnt whe e

t r e the Ministers w ere going, than they immedia ely fo m d

nd in procession, a followed the carriage , their numbers

r f r increasing as they went along, until they a rived be o e 2 LETTERS . 1I

the villa, to await the answer of the Duke . The Duke

m tu ro rio issued the o p p , which you have read, and which, being carried to Lucca, converted that city from a p erfect hell to paradise . The news was sent on to Pisa T and Leghorn , and yesterday ( hursday) Livornese and Pisans poured into Lucca by thousands ; the rejoicings

t he were universal , and without slightest disorder.

e They say that the Duk and his son have gone to Massa,

t o -da but that their return is expected y. I think the people did very wrong to accompany the deputation of

n h all the Cou cil but w en a city is in commotion, who l can prevent the mob giving the s ip . Speaking dispas sionat el y, they may have committed a few follies, but they have been the first cert ainly to get the better of that profligat e rogue . I must inform yo u that our provin ces are likewise determined on obtaining a national guard, and I repeat that there is much t o be said on both sides respecting this measure . Remember that the Government wishes

l e h to lay the responsibi ity on you . The peopl are at t e boiling point, and it would not be amiss to subj ect d them to iscipline , and give them something to do .

c I confess this matter gives me much anxiety. I an answer that there will be no ris ing in the V aldinie vole , but who can say as much for other parts of the

r ? count y Without boasting of being a popular man , I may t ell you that I have spoken a few words which have set the people here on the right track . 2 12 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

8 th S m of On the epte ber, the feast of the Nativity

D c ort é e as the Virgin, the Grand uke and his g went,

r t he was customa y , to attend mass in the church of

. o Santissima Annunziata Theyhad all, on this occasi n ,

t h m t he laid aside e hated Austrian colours, and assu ed

T h red and white of Tuscany . e people lined the whole

z way from the church to the Pia za dei Pitti, and followed

u the Grand Duke to his palace with cheers , which Gi sti ,

’ C on resso (le B irri in his new poem , the g , supposes to

have been listened to as a knell by the agents of police . The poet was that very day writing from Pescia to

Farinola Francesco , as follows

h e e es a 8t e 184 . P ci , S pt mb r , 7 R C nncco MY DEA , i R e u m ( t rnam . o n q e e e At last the old rags are g e.

Gazet ta (li F irenze no w The , that a national guard

has o has been established, begun t speak out, and has

o i D o n w r bec me loquacious , l ke Abbondio hen he lea nt

' Don the death of Rodrigo . But the G azet te de Firenze is no t the only Don Abbondio who has ap eared t his p now that measure is carried . This is t he

t t and m r time for he resusci ation of ghosts extinct o tals,

who t s art into life, after having wholly disappeared 0 sin“ce the year 18 3 . o ac t ivit v There is a m vement and , a distribution

o f banners and cockades impossible to describe . And

what order, what peace, what happiness, on the faces

2 14 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

of Gioberti, and of the Florentine patriots of old ,

riar Ferruccio, and Piero Capponi . Even priests and j oined in t he celebration of this event . Not less than fifty thousand persons met in t he Piazza dei Pitti to i greet the Pr nce . Such was the j oyful welcome given to the first dawn of a better government, and of the hope it held out, that the nation might become independent of foreign dictation .

Among other poems of this year, Giusti produced

’ I l C o n r o irm? g ess de B (the Congress of Police Agents) .

Beginning with a description of the assembly, which he compares to a meeting of Parliament, composed of right, left, and centre , he gives the oration of a

the violent speaker on the left, who advises that pesti lence of free opinions should be stopped by cutting o ff u a few heads, as by nursing this fung s of liberty , or allowing it to grow and to compromise the State and the monarchy, the vessel will be swamped, to the sound of lullabys . Why speak smooth words to a people

m eas s who would play the asters , or suppose that b t c an have right and reason

Li s ci are nu po pol o C he fa il padro ne S uppo rre in be stie Dritto e ragi one

as t he Concluding by advising, soundest of maxims, the galleys and the headsman N FO N R 2 15 DEMA D R A NATIO AL GUA D .

Ece o la m assim a Spedi ta e vera G ale ra e boia

B o a e al i g era.

The next speaker is from the centre, an easy per e wi h s nag e, in love only t his salary ; he blames the i d violence of the orator on the left, rem n ing him that the times are gone by when the word Italy was only

n t he no w u know to learned few, since every n rse teaches it to her nursling . Dung eons now do more harm than good, as the liberal, after fattening there, comes out as

t are a martyr, and hose who put him in denounced as assassins . The speaker declares that he would not have uttered opinions such as these in public, and that in the streets he plays the cannibal ; but in that

Chamber, there are no liberals, and every honest man may therefore say what he likes

In piazza fo il cannibale ;

Ma ui S no ie q , ig ri m i,

ui o e e es bie Q , d v pr umi l

Che non s an e a i lib r li , Un galantuo m o e in oblige a a Di dirle t li e qu li .

He advises in the present crisis that they should be ever in on the watch, ready to act when they discover what direction the country leans, and, without caring for

Prince or Republic, be on that side which secures for

s them the best means of livelihood . The centre applaud 216 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

this speech, the left condemns , when a third Demosthenes rises on the right . The new speaker observes, the

o ne i question is not of salary, but of reta ning the power in their own hands ; and the first thing necessary is to prevent the ruler and the rul ed from understanding one another, for should a reconciliation take place, farewell to the golden age . When a State is sound and all t ? agreed, what par can the police play

Quando uno Stato e sano e in arm onia Che fig ura ci fa la Polizia

Time was when the police were the base instruments of j ustice , but since kings have taken them into favour,

c onfidant s and made them their ministers and , they , the servants of servants, have at once become masters of their masters . As he is speaking, the sounds of cheers for a Prince in unison with his people, reaches a them from the streets below, with shouts for It ly and the national guard . All turn pale as death , and t he genius of that enlightened agent of police dies upon his lips .

’ Ten thousand copies of I l C o ng resso de B irri sold in three days .

A l s r o To es and o P o eri .

MY A O DE R SANDR ,

o O f o w After so many m nths silence , y ur lette r as a great consolation to me , and the more so that it

2 18 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

have discovered the remedy, simply because they have

. i not yet been tried Thus the attack being organ zed , the sharpshooters began to pick out the new Ministers i by obscure notices, wh ch were followed immediately

i - by the clandestine press, giv ng them no breathing time .

To increase the fever, the Government committed the

z blunder of giving up Ren i, and then the skies opened

upon them . The abuse, the discussions on their con

u duct, were universal and endless . T scany became

like a man with a nervous disease, who after a torpid

and lethargic sleep , wakes up excited, and almost in l convu sions . Pisa protested against the introduction

of female Jesuits ; and Florence, Siena, and Pistoia,

the were roused to demand reforms ; when, to decide

balance , there arrives Pius the Ninth . The Ministers,

was attacked on all sides, gave way ; the Grand Duke

confounded ; and the police , accustomed to gather their m advantage from every disturbance, fro mistakes and

se panics , as much in the people as in their rulers, rai d D their crests . The Grand uke, it seems, partly from the

t a e fear of his own people , par ly from seeing his st tu s few in number compared with those bearing t he name

s s and of Pius, began to coquet a little with the Au trian ,

who in e a little with the police , are reality identifi d with himself ; and they say that the ghost of the former pre~

s ident C iant elli was , , seen in the palace, and that he had

been there retained from 18 33 as a quondam pension e r .

s ers who Meantime, months rolled on , and the Mini t 2 1 LETTERS . 9

n had been attacked, perceivi g that the attack had failed, l n and fearing for themselves as wel as for the cou try, that i the Austrians or the pol ce might gain the upper hand, t i and wished to reinsta e themselves in public opin on , to take revenge on their assailants but aware that the

ul Grand Duke was the only power they co d move , which

able was to act, they set to work hand and foot, parti cularl Baldasseroni y , who was younger and bolder than

s the re t, and by the single act of the new law on a the press, they got rid of their dversaries, silenced those who accused them of having been seduced by a love of power, and once more encouraged the true friends of the public weal , who in the confusion had

a . kept in the background, and almost in corner I will not dilate upon every detail, the gossip, the blunders, the commentaries made and acted upon this occasion

n ab antica by all of us, who are well know , , for opening our mouths and speaking without reflection .

' Enou h t hat ul g , even the most incred ous began to come w i do n from their pinnacles, and to nhale the first breath of a new life . That which is most encouraging

O i n is, to bserve that whilst all confine themselves w thi the limits of prudence, common sense, and modera ill tion, a man, however honest, if he stand st with folded

ll u hands, wi not be secure from the accusation of l ke wa“rmness and idleness . The wheels will creak at first, but afterwards, by ’ il God s help, they w l turn easily ; I am only afraid 2 2 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

. lest the ambitious spirits I have before alluded to should reappear in the guise of liberal ne wspaper

writers, and, under the colour of enlightening the

ne w in country, should attempt to unhorse those the

saddle, whilst saying, Get you out there , I want to get ’ — ‘ ’ ’ ’ o u D ieendo ! esei di 12 ao st ar eo . , , But in that 1 case , we will ring other bells, and the Government as well as the people must be defended from secret

. A lba machinations The (the Dawn) , a newspaper

which ought to appear among the first, from the name

that has been chosen , speaks out loudly and distinctly ,

a e in and when it is set g g, I hope to see it advance

’ no w l I talia steadily and rapidly . We are expecting

P r F niee and the at ice in Florence . The e is to

appear in the course of September, a j ournal in

—c V ie sseux in swaddling lothes, directed by , which , l if my health allow me , I sha l have the honour of

assisting . But to confess the truth , I am less

n anxious about the j our al , than to continue in my old

I bec o m c trade , to which the older I grow, the more att“ached . w I am sorry you do no t feel as well as we all ish . I c an assure you that I purchase life at a high

price, but I pay it, and am silent ; the more , that mv

w no w d no complaints ould be disbelieve , because one w o uld suppose from the envel o pe that the e nclosure is

s o sad .

s Alluding t o t he old war s ignal o f t h e Fl o renti ne .

222 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

r t he 4t h 184 he w ote immediately after September, 7 ,

He to his daughter, married in Bavaria . there desires her to assure the Emperor of his unalterable attach

his ment to his person, and to the interests of house ; that he had been made aware of the preparations for a revolutionary manifestation, to take place in

he the theatre of t Pergola at Florence, and to avoid this he might have feigned sickness , but that it

e would hav been of no use, as the people would have sought him in the palace . He therefore considered it expedient to show himself, and to pretend to sympa

hiz l l t e with this explosion of popular fee ing, which wou d soon blow over, and everything would then return to 1 its former condition .

1 l tt o 21 o See o na e ! D i i 1859 . Gi r l , r , Lugli , CHAPTER XIV .

M—A e rTRI DEL 4 S 1847 — HA I P O E LLI ETTEMBRE , C NGES N TH E — — TO N O O CABINET LUCCA LETTER GE ERAL C LLEGN .

18 4 r IN another poem of the year 7 , Giusti add essed 4th A lli what he called the Spectres of the “ September, t r' i del 4 S ett em bre 18 4 Sp e l , 7 , in which he denounces those who had kept themselves concealed in dangerous i times, and now made their first appearance , l ke ghosts among living men . The poet took for his motto a quotation from

’ Manzonis I P romessi S osi in novel p , which Don Abbondio is described recovering his power of speech upon hearing of the death of Don Rodrigo . He calls

Abbondio s -s upon the Don , or time ervers of this period, a to take cour g e, since, secure from danger, they may now waken up from their sleep and from their fears. He represents the crowd of those who are neither believers nor unbelievers, leaving Limbo to j oin the

s people in the crie for Liberty, and seen towards dusk j oining company with real liberals, who are consulting together and arranging the festivities for the follow ing day, or found walking in the processions, after 2 2 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

the banners of the people . When they see the Grand

Duke reconciled to his subj ects, and the police put w do n , they breathe freely, and lose the fears which have haunted them from their cradles ; they then hasten to place themselves first in the procession , and to make

all dist ribu tin the more noise than the rest, whilst g

J u l sun— a affec y Tuscan expression, signifying an t at io n w of generosity, hilst bestowing what belongs equally to all .

Bravo coraggio Il te mpo daconsiglio ’ C o nsigli ati col tempo all occas ione ? Ma intanto che puo fare anco il conigl io C n uor di Le o e . Don Abbondio calls out that even when he lay w concealed in times of danger, he had al ays been a republican . The Poet compares him to a mollusca enclosed in his shell, to a fungus without a root, to a mask, a shadow, a creature without substance , and to a butte rfly just emerged from the state of larva .

f- e s Bearing himself like a hal intoxicated orator, he r ign C af e supreme over the audience of a , his head filled with absurd ideas about government : he addresse s

r e if hearers, who utter a pe f ct Babel of opinions ,

o not of t ngues , and who pride themselves on their

u ta d unc h. gly mous ches , whilst iscussing cigars and p

e w s Among th m is an unkno n spectre , the gho t of a

a as se e late spy, and looking on t this disorderly mblag , he finds some consolation for the loss of employment.

I 226 GIUSEPPE G USTI .

vulgar who would hasten on, and to the vulgar in

harness .

When the law for the organization of the national

u l guard appeared, the r lers stil hesitated to place arms in the hands of the people they therefore produced so

incomplete a project, that the late rej oicings were con

’ verted into complaints against the Grand Duke s ad

visers . , on whom the odium of this half measure fell 1 Do n i rs Neri Corsini , himself one of the Min ste , de clared his opinion that the late concessions were m dangerous unless a step farther was ade , and the liberties of the people with the privileges of t he crown

consolidated by a statute granting a parliament . He

D e but ventured to suggest this idea to the Grand uk , his proposal only drew down on him the anger of his

c o nst it u sovereign , who declared that to grant such a tion t o Tuscany was as much as to invite Au stria to

o o ( was send tr ps into the luchy . Corsini obliged to

t he t he D his retire from Ministry , but Grand uke and advisers thought it necessary to concede so mething to

o d a e t he ab n t the people , and acc r ingly a ch ng in C i e

o rris o was res lved upon . Count Luigi Se t ri was ap f f “ar o ff rs o o p inted Minister and F reign A ai , and the Marchese C o simo Rido lfl accepted the o flic c of Minister

t he r o f a ne w ne of Inte ior, in place P ver ; the Cabi t ,

o s r m iniste rs. h wever, included everal of the fo er M

1 The lat e a ese a a o o e o f t he n e o rs in . M rch L j tic , br th r Pri c C i H I C ANGES N THE CAB INET . 2 27

Their first act was an alteration in the law respecting the national guard ; but their attention was speedily l ca led to Lucca, as the treaty between the Duke of 18 4 Lucca and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, of June , 7 ,

had proved of so little advantage to either party , and

u was so b rdensome to Tuscany, that the Tuscans were desirous of anticipating the union of Lucca to t he

Grand Duchy, and thus at once relieve themselves, as

they hoped, from a burden their sovereign had incurred, and the Lucchese from a ruler who was as tyrannical in

i r u his government as he was d sg acef l in his life . The Duchess of Parma could have no obj ection to a pro i posal by which she could neither lose nor ga n . The Duke of Modena would at once acquire an accession of

uk i territory, and the D e of Lucca h mself, by receiving

a sum of money in compensation, would be enabled to 5 retrieve his wasted patrimony . On the th October h accordingly, Carlo Ludovico, of Bourbon, resigned t e

t he sovereignty of Duchy of Lucca, which immediately passed into the dominions of the Grand Duke of Tus

Rinuc cin cany, who sent the Marchese Pier Francesco i

to take possession of it in his name . The advantage which the Tuscans had expecte d to

derive from this exchange was, however, wholly can celled by the amount of t he sum which they found

themselves pledged to pay from their exchequer, as a compensation to the late Duke of Lucca ; for they had not only to give him his former stipend, but to grant Q 2 2 28 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . him an additional income of nine thousand scudi a

month , whilst they forfeited to the Duke of Modena,

Pontremoli , Fivizzano , with the whole district called the

di u Lunigiana . The inhabitants of this strict were th s l cool y handed over to the most unscrupulous of masters, who obtained with the mountains of the Lunigiana and

the Garfagnana, the key to Central Italy . This trans action took place at a juncture when there was an alarm i of war with Austria, w th whom the Duke was sure to

be allied . The Tuscans at first only regarded the fact of the D acquisition of the uchy of Lucca, and rej oiced at h their success, but the Lucc ese , who not only per

c eived the danger, but who were discontented at their

capital being converted into a provincial town , saw only

cause for lamentation . The right to their Constitution

I. f conferred by Napoleon , and con irmed by the Treaty

of Vienna, had indeed been left in abeyance by the

- D ex uke, but had at least bee n acknowledged ; it

r n e ceased with their inco poration into Tusca y , th n

governed as an absolute monarchy .

14 o t he D his On the th Oct ber, Grand uke and

in did no family arrived Lucca , but t receive as favour

a as N able reception they expected . auv of the Lue

re r n chese nobles reti d to their villas , to avoid appea i g a D to pprove of the change , and when the Grand uke

t he rn t he named a junta to carry on gove ment, all membe rs of which were nominated from the first

GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

D“EAR FRIEND , The welcome the Lucchese gave the Grand Duke

on the 14th was neither cold nor hot in the morning, him but during the day, when they saw go out on foot,

dressed like other people, many cheered , and some reproached themselves for not having applauded him

Th vi more . e Lucchese naturally regret their city ha ng I been reduced from a capital to a provincial town , and think the Duke ought to show himself there t he more

. I frequently, and remain among them some time If i w am not mistaken, th s is hat most of them desire not

if I f - from any servility, except some hal dozen courtiers , but from that gratification which , without being able to assign a reason, men naturally feel at the pomp and

u splendo r of their native city . i Before the Grand Duke left Lucca, he inv ted the

al w e at Lucchese nation guard to the revie , order d

Pisa for the following day . Towards evening, claudes

rs in are tine papers were dispe ed Lucca, which said to

rn have been sent from Legho , in which the Pisans and

wi L r Lucchese were exhorted to fraternize th the ivo nese .

’ We ought clearly to unde rs t and t he nature o f these

e n. I e ea intrigues said to proceed from L ghor r p t, how u b ever, that s ch occurrences ought not to e impute d te

a L r n rat the whole popul tion of egho , but her t o t he audacity and intrigues of the few who have succeeded 2 LUCCA . 31

in imposing silence on the many, and who, in the eyes o f Tu all w scany and of Italy, thro obloquy on an indus t rious f , thriving city, abounding in tra fic, and inhabited

- . I by a frank , energetic, warm hearted people appeal all to who have known Leghorn formerly, to say if that people are disorderly, turbulent, or violent . For my

I e I part, have found them much the r verse, and declare and maintain that to impute all that has recently

as occurred, to Leghorn , is much as to impute to the whole population the assassinations which of lat e years have contaminated that city . As the assassins were only

in u few number, so the dist rbers of the public peace now can only be few . How is it that eighty thousand souls allow themselves to be overruled by a handful of factious persons ? But you know the power of vague

n ideas, or of a pa ic from causes unascertained, of sus picion and of terror artfully dessem inat ed over the

u minds of the m ltitude, and how dexterous and daring

in u se agitators are, making of these mysterious

i s weapons. The L vornese, after the fir t excitement is e past, have frequently given proof of a desir to main a tain tranquillity, and as often the gitators have returned to excite them again . At one time they spread a

Ge e report that the rmans wer at their gates, at another l in the silence of night they to led the bells, and the bloodshed and feverish excitement which followed was

few all the work of a reckless, ambitious men, who now s trive to throw the blame on others by falsehood and 232 GIUSEPPE GI USTI .

calumny, and who have perverted, ruined, and thrown

h r disgrace on an innocent population . Leghorn e w self will j ustify these words, hen she is allowed to

breathe freely. But for the present, let whoever is

the friend of truth cease to talk of Leghorn, and dare ,

for once, to point out the parricides of Leghorn . My remarks on Leghorn apply nearly equally to

Lucca . The misfortune of Lucca is, that she has

been maltreated and trampled under foot, for years , ‘— by a branch of the Spanish Bourbons , who may God scatter from the face of the earth ! The Spanish

u Bourbons are all cunning ; they are wilf lly ignorant ,

proud by race , and mean by disposition ; super

it i u st o s . , licentious , covetous, and prodigals If an

unhappy people have been subj ected to the meanest, if w t not al ays the mos corrupt, of the family, you may

g i ima ine to what a cond tion they must be reduced .

r Allowing for this , who has not heard of the indust y and activity of the Lucchese ? If you examine into the

state of their cities and land, you would think that, t h instead of e Bourbons, Washington had been there . T he Lucchese might in many ways serve as a m o del t o

n o in eighbouring States . The public r ads Tuscany

w w had w t he ere al ays , hilst those of Lucchese were kept

1 o t he e o f a es o f o o n s ee de his ro e Fr m tim Ch rl B urb , ucc d by b th r

in t he o f a a 17 33 e we e so ns o f . o f Philip Duchy P rm , ; th y r Philip V

a n z a e Farnc The ex - o a o e o f a es are the Sp i by Eli b th sc . r y l h us N pl e an f a es d esc nd ts o Ch rl .

234 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . A violent attack on the police in Florence on the 2 5th October, was followed by a decree from the Grand k Duke abolishing that corps . Meantime the Du e of

wi ac t Modena, thout waiting for the completion of the

Du of cession by the Grand ke of Tuscany, sent commis sio ners to take possession of the Lunigiana in his name . There immediately followed commotions in the

n pri cipal Tuscan cities, where the people were eager to

r in hasten to the aid of their breth en the Lunigiana . 9 th On the evening of the November, a crowd as in sembled the Piazza di San Marco, from whence they proceeded outside the Porta di San Gallo to a public park, where speeches were made, and lists opened for l subscriptions to petitions, to be a lowed to to go in

Fi zz n aid of the inhabitants of vi a a. The petitione rs then marched to the house of the Gonfalonier, who carried their petition to the Grand Duke in his reply he expressed his thanks for their generous proposal , but declared that he had no intention yet of having

w n a t s recourse to arms . The follo ing mor ing ccoun reac hed Florence of atrocities committed by the soldie rs

t he e t he of Duke of Modena in the Lunigiana, wh n people again as semble d beneath the windows of t he

i t e c . Palazzo Ve chio , demanding arms The Min s r,

Rido lfi ss r r D was s e , a u ed them that the G and uke

u a d e t u he r e t t e alon by mo ives of pr dence , and wa n d them that their conduct not only endangere d the caus e

h n ia na sca . of t e people of the Lu ig , but even of Tu ny LUCCA . 235

Satisfied by this explanation , after loud cheers for the

Ridolfi Grand Duke and for the Minister , the people

quietly dispersed . Meantime the Ministers were acc used of tardiness and indifference in the formation of the national guard . i 13th On the even ng of the November, the Tuscan

s militia were sent to Pietra Santa, to su tain, as it was

t he i u as said, d gnity of T scany, and a protest against

The Modenese encroachments . Gonfalonier and the municipal officers Were ordered by the Grand Duke to l i consu t together respecting a reform in the Mun cipality, i i and for th s purpose some of the cit zens, who were inde

o f e . pendent the Government, wer j oined with them w Among them, ere the Marchese Carlo Torrigiani , the

V incenzio Salva noli Advocate g , and Leopoldo Galeotti,

Serrist ori Count Luigi , though he had hitherto been ffi reputed worthy of his o ce as Minister of War, dis l appointed public expectation, by on y increasing the 9 00 i i army by men, wh lst send ng General Giacinto ff Collegno to visit di erent places of Tuscany, to asoer hi i tain w ch were best adapted for m litary operatio ns .

e l e G neral Col egno, a Piedmontes by birth, had been distinguished in the wars under Napoleon, in which he Th had given great proofs of courage . e choice of so able an officer was therefore approved of as one of the wisest that could have been made ; but more energetic preparations were required from the Minister . Meantime the controversy between the Grand Duke I I 236 G USEPPE GIUST . and the Duke of Modena for the occupation of the Lunigiana had terminated by the intervention of t he

Pope and the King of Sardinia . The umpires apolo gized for the Duke of Modena not having shown suf fi D cient regard towards the Grand uke , on the ground, that it is always an advantage in similar cases to enter at once on possession of ceded territory ; but the wishes or the interests of the people who were thus, like slaves or cattle, transferred with the land, to a new master, do not appear for a moment to have ent ered into the con sideration of either umpire . 2 8 th On the November, Giusti wrote to Collegno from Monte Catini

MY O NO DEAR C LLEG ,

I have for many reasons rej oiced whenever I saw your name in our newspapers ; but now that you have consented to bestow on us a part of your military know ledge , acquired by practice and study during so many

I do I years , not only rej oice , but thank you from my

w e heart . Let talkers talk ; what e want are writt n instructions like those you have given ; and if you I w continue , as believe you ill , to impart your views to

o n us , we ought to invoke a blessing your head, and

o no w a even love you m re than we do , which is not

us t he little . You must devote a few lines to teach best method of training the youth of t he country and

I I 238 G USEPPE G USTI .

‘ that a worthy and brave fellow said to me : If they

f I u be make me an o ficer, shall be obliged to ref se, I I cause, though have enough to live on, cannot spend

seven or eight hundred lire , without becoming a

’ burden on my family . This man might happen to

be the only man, or almost the only man , in the country to whom so important a trust could be con

fided Any one making a tour through Tuscany, I would find hundreds of similar examples . have seen i a company of national guards under arms, w thout

uniforms, and who had not only a military air, but

even the appearance of their muskets and belts, all

dr diff alike , and their esses erent, seemed to make them

look more what they really are . In time , we shall

accomplish all we wish , at least I hope we shall aecom

plish much meantime let us attend to the essentials . I There is another unfortunate circumstance , which can

b I e only touch upon slightly, ecause may as well handl

o u r a burning c al . There has not been s fficient st ess

‘ w i N e w ne w laid on that most ise say ng, men for

’ a be r te n things . Pages to dr w tears of shame might w it

o n I a e this topic , and , believe me , though h ve don

s c r a ea e n o thing since la t September but y out, Pe ce , p c ,

rs e d t he peace ! that if complaints and murmu are h ar , people are neither s o impatient no r s o unreaso nable I all s w o rse ves . n as some suppose . But thi bet een u l

f I s e i co uleu r- cl e- ro se public affect to e everyth ng , and

I ca o es u on t he make this a duty, not to ll d wn ston p GENERAL CO LLEGNO . 2 39

- pigeon house . The Government, either because when they began to move in the right direction they had no

fixed plan, or that they were forced to advance by rapid

m e h strides, do not appear to to ave acted judiciously .

re They ought to have begun as they did begin , with a form in the Council of State, and a free press, because,

t he by thus submitting their acts to people, they were

l . w obliged to interrogate pub ic opinion But after ards,

e l inst ad of granting a nationa guard, they ought first t o have abolished the police system , the cause of so

many crooked deeds, and of so much disturbance

they ought, as soon as possible, to have given greater

un i vitality to m icipal reform, and then, when pol tical and communal administration had been purified in their

s n element , and in their chiefs, have i stituted the national

t he r guard, and confided the choice and fo mation to

persons free from all connexion with the dead past, and

who, therefore, would not have infected the new body i from its birth , with the putrid ta nt of its predecessor .

But now that matters have advanced thus far, nothing

t he il remains for us by which to remedy ev , but to

make it our sacred duty to behave like honest m en . And how are you yourself ? The last news I had of

you were very good, and I believe that this fine season

u l must have helped to restore you to your f l vigour.

i and Besides, this new l fe which has arisen among us,

which we have so long dreamt of, almost without hope, m l ust be an exce lent medicine to your rej oicing heart . 2 40 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Areonat i Berchet Salute your wife, the , and , and I continue, beg, to let your voice be heard ; you know how dear it is to Italians

To Giacinto Co llegno .

es a D e e e 4 7 t h 18 . P ci , c mb r, 7 DEAR C oLLEGN o MY ,

Continue to assist our country, you who are so

capable of doing so . For my part, I shall continue the I trade have always hitherto followed, except with a few

modifications required by the times . If I had be en one of those liberals who excommunicate all others

without exception , and who remain nailed to the year

s tat u of their political baptism, professing a kind of

uo r q of republicanism , that which has lately occu red

s would have made me very ridiculou .

The project of an escape to Pontremoli, in case of

are an invasion was known to me . Pity them , they

’ n n sufic ri g from the remains of a chest complaint . O e turn of this earth has thro wn us from a muddy plain

fo t he t o o f o wrapt in g , upon p a high m untain ; and ,

o d accust me as we are to a dense atmosphere , we have

t o r . not yet lungs b eathe a rarer air Therefore , if you see the G o vernment and the pe o ple just at present s ub

o o . j cet to fits of c ughing, lay the blame on the xygen

i fo r r ars a To resist Austr a one qua ter of an hour, appe

o gigantic undertaking . The great car of our J ve

2 42 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Then there is another consideration . Although Austria has plenty of men , she can never send them so far

n from the Alps as to the centre of Italy, as lo g as she needs more than her o wn numbers to defend her pos f sessions foot by oot, especially those of Lombardy and Venetia ; and the same may be said of the Duke of

and m Modena , of that woman who reigns in Par a ;

m and e whilst Ro e, Tuscany , Pi dmont , may distribute b as many ayonets, and as long as they like , without

u s o fear. I do not say this to ind ce certain person to g

o f to sleep , but to put cowardly fears out the heads of

others who allow themselves to be over- persuaded and

v disheartened . To return to oursel es : the Tuscan character is extremely plastic , everything depends on knowing how to bend it in the right direction and t o

L aiss r aller t o keep it there . e and they fall pieces take pains with them and a little puts them in the right

o f way . Besides , allow me to mention one fact to you , which I have been fo r years c o nvinced : we have plenty

o f y no t y abilit , but as it is steadied and directed b

o n - s s o s l g establi hed in tituti n in the State , the critical spirit which lead s us t o dissect everything with the

o n s t o n d e ve r utm st mi utenes , and exami e it un er v

s o f o d s d b ra a pect , instead pr ucing fore ight and eli e

d d s o a c aus es e y an . tion , perpl xit i c ur gement We are

o o s s o f s b rn sceptics , with wh m an exce light dazzle

o r o d r r the brain , we are like r pe ance s , expe t in

b w n s w o n ut ay i air. alking a line , al s the As a la t 2 43 G ENERAL CO LLEGNO .

resource , and almost as if turning against ourselves, in the close struggle between the wavering j udgment and the heart, which has not power to move of itself, we

n — Mea cul a m ea cu l a turn everythi g into ridicule p , p , — m ea m ax im al cu lp a and we are most ready to pick out faults in others , when the moment arrives in which we ought to decide how to act, to nail ourselves down to h some one t ing, and to resolve with certainty on some one measure . If we do not want the requisite ability,

- we want self reliance, and therefore the courage to act . This is why we have so often resigned ourselves into the hands of individuals ; as, for example , Charles 1 D 2 3 of Valois, the uke of Athens, Malatesta, and other more modern rogu es ; and yet we have always ended by declaring we could have done better if we had been left to ourselves . When we have been roused, and have m ade the prodigious effort of using our own paws to scratch with , we have found ourselves more lively and prompt in action than we had given ourselves f credit for ; as , witness, the transformations we e fected

a o . six months g We must continue these efforts, and t if, af er repeated attempts , we discover that we are

a spoilt and useless piece of goods, then, and then

a . only, let us ab ndon ourselves to our old fetters I have an example to offer you of the truth of what I

1 a e s o f a o s e n e e o en e 149 4 Ch rl V l i t r d Fl r c , 2 W a e de 4 enn e e of ens 13 4. lt r Bri , Duk Ath , 3 a a e s a o an e at t h e e e o f o en e 1530. M l t t , c mm d d Si g Fl r c , R 2 2 4 G 4 IUSEPPE GIUSTI .

am . n now saying, in my own poor self Whe , last

be an r o September, we g first to speak of milita y ex r cise , I asked myself, in the midst of so much bodily f w w su fering, sluggish in spirit , and ith the eight of thirty years on my shoulders, what was the use of my j oining the corps only to make myself ridiculous ? l But shame conquered pusi lanimity, and after eight

’ days trial , I began to feel another man ; and now I w ould rather resign my mattress than this gun , which I never supposed I should have been able to shoulder .

The first time that I had to act as sentinel , in that monotonous walk backwards and fo rwards my th oughts f t h s lew back to e bright years of my youth , wa ted in t rifles e , and my ey s filled with tears of sorrow and of t h . e j oy , to find myself where I was This is cause which detains me here ; and as I know that no ne o f w w you ill take it amiss , I ill tell you frankly, that this is the fi rs t time that I have not felt any weariness

o y wh“en away fr m o u . w Tell me if yo u have ten minutes to bes to on m e .

o o o f and I want f ur percussi n guns the best kind, fit

. If are an had in o e e for use there y to be Fl r nc , you will do me a great kindness in purchasing them for me

n as soon as p o ssible . I do no t mi d paying eight o r t e n f r le ss o y f “a a f ancs more or , pr vided the are per ect . h ve

and we s a ac c us t nm none here , mu t h ndle such , and o u rs elves t o the weight ; I wish to he t he firs t to impart

m to o f the in this part the coun t ry .

2 46 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

I thank you for your praise . You confer a pleasure and honour on me by acquainting your countrymen

i . ou r w th our state of feeling I say , because so many in Italy are of my opinion , or rather, we are many who think the same way .

D 18 4 In ecember, 7 , a treaty was signed by the sove m reigns of Modena and Par a with Austria , by which they consented that their States should be included in the line of defence of the Italian provinces belongi ng

: to the Emperor they, further, acknowledged his right to advance Austrian troops upon the Mode nese and

r r c s Parmese territo ies, and to occupy thei strong pla e , i whenever requ red for the common interest, either for D defence or as a military precaution . The two uchies like wise engaged not to conclude any military c o nven i tion , of whatsoever nature , without the prev ous consent o f Austria . The news of this convention was enough to excit e

o o f o r n t t he the apprehensi n neighb u i g Sta es , and on

6 e r s t evening of the th January , L gho n ro e in tumul , demanding arms fro m t he Gove rnor : afte r a vai n

t he. o o e t he effo rt to tranquillize pe ple , he summ n d

n e who o w s e f . G o nfalo i r, was h ever equally un ucc ss ul

The Livornese repea t edly c alled fo r the Advocate

G ué razzi and o his o s t he F. D . , u p n sh wing him elf in

f h m o b es s e t he e midst o t e , and addr ing th m , y qui tly

s s e was e te t he n di s persed . Thi c ne rep a d upon followi g 2 4 REVO LT A T LEGHO RN . 7

morning, when the Governor proposed to send a depu t at io n D to the Grand uke , composed of several of the

n citizens, and amo g them the most popular man of the i Gucrazz . day, The people , meantime , were still further excited by the circulation among them of a paper,

u calling upon all T scans to arm , whilst accusing the M inisters of being cowards and traitors ; and warning the people that their country would soon be occupied by the Austrians . If this paper was seditious, and

t he therefore dangerous to cause of liberty, it found its

u r apology in the encroachments A st ia had so recently. M made , by her treaty with odena and Parma, on the. m borders of Tuscany . The alar of internal division , however, when the danger from without was so immi

u h nent, str ck not only the Government wit consterna

- tion , but all the well wishers of their country, and the Ministers appealed to the loyalty and patriotism of the Tuscan people to stop the rash violence of the Livornese ; the Communes throughout the country responding to

u this appeal , resolved to rally ro nd the throne , and endeavour thus to avoid civil discord ; but these i ff patr otic o ers of succour from all parts, received by

D ho t - the Grand uke , were mistaken by the headed leaders of the revolt for a hostile league, and served to irritate rather than t errify the Livornese into submission . The Government accordingly determined to send troops i to put down the nsurrection , and the General of the a Forces was ccompanied by the Minister of the Interior, 24 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

‘ Rid lfi the Marchese Cosimo o . The Minister thought

it best to stop short at Pisa , and to announce his

a u pproach by ind lgent edicts, which , upon his arrival

in . Leghorn , were followed by two of greater severity wi The follo ng night several arrests were made , and

among those thrown into prison , was the Advocate

G uérazzi w s ent , who was loaded ith chains , and to the

s fortress of Porto Ferraio . Similar arre ts likewise took place in Florence the next day , all Leghorn was in a

v greater state of commotion than e er, at a severity which

t he appeared needless, since the peace of city had already

uerazzi been restored . The friends of G were especiall y

o i o loud in their complaints, and an apol getic ed ct fr m

M n Two the inister proved unavaili g to silence them . m o nths later a decree of the Grand Duke declared the insurrection of the Livo rnese had had no o ther o bj ect than to procure that fo rm of government which had since been pro ved acceptable ; the p rosecutions were a o t t he a cc rdingly s opped, and ccused set at liberty .

This was no t t he first o ccasi o n o n whic h G ué razzi

ro t o s b had taken a p minent par in p litical di tur ances , al t h o ugh he had hithe rto been c hie flv kn o wn as a po et

In o r and romance writer. all his w ks he had aimed at

r o s o f t he a nourishing ideas of pat i ti m , and unity of It ly ,

o a o v A s e and in his m st celebr ted n el , the s dio d i

F iren ze (Siege o f Fl o rence) he had s pread the fame o f

o r o n o Francesc Fe rucci , the republica her o f the six

t e e nt h r . T o o s t o o centu y h ugh tedi u a foreigner, fr m

2 50 GI USEPPE GIUSTI .

— classical authors of Italy Guérazzi had studied law at

r the Pisan University, from the age of fou teen . He

n there k ew and admired the English poet, Lord Byron ,

who became his oracle and prophet . At this early age he was considered by the police of sufficient importance é to be banished, for having read aloud, in a Caf , w Neapolitan ne spapers , at that time liberal , and his

appeal against this sentence , with his bold and remark able reply, after j ustice had been denied him“, showed a l d o a . singular precocity in a of f urteen I pity you , ” Guérazzi o f t he sir, sai“d young , addressing the Chief t Police , if holding a place which obliges you to commi an ac t of injustice which you have not the power to ”

o u ffi e . repair, your conscience allows y to retain o c

a i On le ving the Un versity, he returned to Leghorn , and

began life with brilliant success as an adv o cate . In

18 2 8 as , a member of the Academy of Leghorn

A cadem ia L abro wica w an ( ) , hilst pronouncing eulo

o r n c e gium on a brave Liv ese soldier, he introdu d

o t o n e was observations bnoxious the Gover m nt , and , in

o fo r t he o . zz n c nsequence , banished sec nd time Ma i i ,

o G a t o o t e then a y ung man , walked from eno M n

G uérazzn n ex rm Pulciano , the place of s ba ishment, to p his sympathy with o ne who had had the c o urage to

18 31 w e - attack those in power. In , h n twenty seven

rs o we n t o Le o but yea of age , he was all d to retur gh rn ,

t t e r a d ar s and acc se was almost immedia ely af w r s re ted , u d a y w h he o f having fome nte d a disturb nce in the cit , hic F. D . G UERAZ Z I . 2 5 1

had, in reality, tried to allay . He was thrown into i prison , where the scenes of v ce and horror he witnessed , can only be compared to those described at the same

o N ea oli an dun eo ns . period in p t g Released , as he had

r been imprisoned, without t ial , he found his house and

ff . papers had been searched, and his a airs ruined Spies

1834 he were placed round him , and in was again

i Ferraio se zed, and sent to a prison at Porto , in the l island of Elba . He was there al owed the use of the library left by the Emperor Napoleon, and he spent his

n time writing his celebrated novel . On leavi g prison , he found that he had lost his father, his brother, and the only woman to whom he was ever attached .

e be R turning to his profession , adopted the orphan 18 4 children of his brother, and it was not until 7 that the more important part of his public career com

m eneed.

T he circumstances of his precocity as a boy having

e nurtured a spirit of early independ nce, and of perse eut io n defensw e having placed him ever on the , had produced their natural fruits in a character which f might, under di ferent auspices, have been an honour

- . sufficient to his country Self , proud and daring, he

’ identified his country s wrongs with his personal injuries .

With ambition greater than his talents, a love of power stronger than conscience, j ealousy of others, combined

t he - with cool calculating spirit of self interest, truth and fals ehood were alike employed by him as means to 2 52 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

an end ; and this man of real genius, but unstable

morality, prepared to lead the democratic party in the 1 revolution , which was impending over his country .

D t n The Grand uke had appoin ed a special cou cil , to

ne w propose a law for the press , and a reform in the

Council of State , as well as to suggest any reforms esteemed practicable in the reorganization of the .

Municipality, when news arrived of the Constitutions 1 granted to Naples and Piedmont . On the 7 th

o f February, Leopold, yielding to the wishes his people ,

t o resolved follow these examples, and he published a

new Statute for Tuscany , granting the people a parlia

as w o mentary representation . Science , ell as pr perty ,

was to be represented , and the members of every religious persuasion were e q uallv to enj oy their rights

z e w and o o as citi ens . This n greatest b n was received

in o o Fl rence with banners flying , and all the n isy demonstratio ns by which a people show their gratitude

for rights conceded as favo urs by their so vereigns . A

d n o o f 2 4t h few avs later, the Fre ch Rev lution the Feb r uary to o k all Euro pe bv su rp ris e ; Lo uis Philippe

his fam il t o n d t he and v had fled E glan , and French

natio n had p ro claimed a republic . The news caused

s o o n a panic at Vienna , where the finance had l ng been

e ve o f ru y and t he o r the bank ptc , where liberal dem nst a

o H r o as o r ti ns in unga y had alre ady cc i ned some ala m .

M o s t o f t h e abo ve acco u nt o f G ulf-ran t s care er h as be en t ak en ' "

f o L I a e st e llc la e e (les o s ar Ma o nn e . 386 . r m t lic t rr m rt , p rc M i r, p

I 2 54 G USEPPE GIUSTI .

t rue of action . It is indeed that the applause came

w as from all sides, that every one full of wonder, and that some had a presentiment of the great changes which have since occurred and were then approaching .

The inhabitants of the V aldinievo le were desirous that Giusti should offer himself as a candidate for election for the approaching Parliament , but he de

l n d a o n c i e to st nd , excusing himself, partly the plea of bad health , but partly on a naturally retiring dispo sitiou . Another honour was , however, conferred on him , when he was chosen maj or of a battalion in the a national guard . Meantime, the revolution ry party had been gaining rapid successes in Lombardy . Brescia,

Pavia , Bergamo , Como, Cremona , and Lodi , had driven

a was out the Austri n soldiers , whilst Vienna itself in revolt , and all Germany had caught the infection of

r liberalism . But in Ge many , the people had only to

w m is o vc rm nent in c o ntend ith native g ; Hungary , and

l t alv t he s till more in , y had a strong foreign army to

2 1s t e xpel . On the March , the Florentines again

o t he z a ms ass embled bef re Palaz o Vecchio , dem nding ar to go in aid o f their Lombard brethren . The Go nfa

o o o ro l o nier , Bar n Bettin Ricas li , addressed them , p m is ing t o acquaint the Grand Duke with t he desire o f

t he M n s r no t o . the pe ple But i i te s had the power, if

d t o d ffi they ha the will , provi e su cient arms in a few h o u rs ; and they still he s itated to take such a step 2 55 WA R IN L O MBARDY .

w without the consent of the other powers, and thus dra

Tuscany into a war with Austria . The people then

n became excited, and called again for a cha ge in the w Cabinet , hen the Ministers themselves descended to

z the Piaz a in front of the palace, and the Marchese lfi Cosimo Rido harangued them , concluding his oration

f i n in words to this ef ect Wh lst we are speaki g, the great struggle is being decided on the plains of Lombardy ; banners are therefore already prepared for our brave volunteers, since every delay may prove a source of remorse . The youth of the city accordingly hastened to sub

r sc ibe their names for the army“, and the Grand Duke published the following edict : The hour to complete the resurrection of Italy has unexpectedly arrived, nor

auv can man who loves this, our common country, refuse to her the succour she implores . I have often promised , when the times should become opportune , to second the i mpulses of your generous hearts with all

i in u l l that l es my power, and here I am, ready to f fi that promise . I have given the necessary orders for m y army to march in two squadrons to the frontiers

w . ithout delay One corps is destined for Pontremoli . the other for San Marcello . The city will be meantime confided to the national guard . Those volunteers who desire to follow the troops of the line will receive

d u imme iate organization , and will be placed nder able

a . capt ins But, amidst your ardour for the Italian cause . 2 56 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . do not forget that moderation which adorns every enterprise . I, with my Ministers, am watching over the country, and I shall meantime endeavour to hasten the conclusion of an Italian league , which I have w always desired, and for hich I have begun forming treaties .

Though the troops were to be sent to the frontiers , D to satisfy the demands of the people , the Grand uke had as yet made no declaration of war against Austria. The following day the M archese Rido lfi declared by another edict, that there was no necessity to hasten the departure of the troops , as all the events of the war were hitherto propitious for Italy . Nevertheless , the greatest

in ardour was displayed in every city Tuscany, and in w none more than in Pisa, here the professors placed

o f themselves at the head of companies the students .

Volunteers flocked in from Leghorn , Siena , Lucca and

Pistoia, all eag er for the fight . The march to the frontiers was unfo rtunately c o nducted in a disorderly

o o e e manner, fr m the hurry in which the v lunt ers start d f o r f ro r n the ield , and f m their arriving in g eat umbers in places o n the road where n o thing was prepared fo r

o . D o f d their recepti n Meantime , the uke Mo ena had

o o o f s fled from his d mini ns , and the inhabitants M as a and Carrara were eager t o be u nited t o Tuscany ; the G rand Duke c o nv o ked his Mi nisters t o c o nsider their

o n demand , and the pretext that having been abandoned by their so vereign these people might cause dist urb

2 58 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

in the North , had already furnished a contingent of

several t housand .

- i In this time of ever ncreasing anxiety, and in which l the fate of Ita y hung in the balance, Giusti describes l wi the impatience of the people , in the fol o ng letter addressed to his friend Adriano Biscardi

MY R O DEA ADRIAN ,

who We busy and courageous people stay at home ,

every time that news arrives of the Italian army, and

that we do not find that Mantua, Peschiera, Legnano,

t he and Verona, are taken , Radetzky captured alive ,

Croats cut to pieces, and the last remnant of the Austrian soldiers escaping right and left by the Tyrol a l and Fri li across the A ps , call out that Carlo Alberto

has lead at his heels, that the Pope is irresolute , and that neither Naples nor the Grand Duke are capable of 1 doing anything . Fear is impatient, my dear Adriano ; w fear, which , eager to get rid of that hich keeps her

t he upon thorns, expects men and events to move at

and s o speed of steam , think every h ur a thousand ,

s w o d because she stands till ith her hands f l ed . Fe ar

s ees o G o o a mere pond in the Lag di arda, a br k in the

’ in o in Le uano Mincio, a soldier s barrack Ver na , and g w h a afer on t e map . Fear believes that at a word

1 Subsequent eve nts pro v ed t he fears o f t he peopl e t o have bee n e t e fo n e an s at s b t r u d d th Giu ti this tim e upposed . W A R IN LO MBARDY . 2 59

- eighty thousand men can be put on a war footing, and that it is a mere trifle to send them o ff a couple of hundred miles, whilst to provision the army, we have t only to take up our baske s and go to market . Men and horses have Mercury’ s wings at their heels cannons move of themselves, and, already primed, plant them selves o n the right spot ; and every soldier has a forager i in the ravens wh ch fed Elij ah in the wilderness . What are bridges, trenches, a wide and deep stream to cross,

’ to Fear seated in a Café ? A month s work may be

in accomplished a day, but the work done appears to have taken a year. In short, we warriors of the immovable columns are like bells, which call others

m e to church and never go the selves . If we wer as

such e ul clever as we think, words as thes wo d sound more appropriately from our mouths : here are we at

ase o our c , watching over, or pretending to watch ver

u the welfare of the country ; whilst our co ntrymen, our dear brothers of September, are far away, exposed

ff : to the common enemy, ready to su er and to fight

e we sit down to tabl , thanking God, and from the soup to the salad we eat away without a fly to trouble us ; i wh lst they, with their loads on their backs, have to gnaw a morsel of dry bread, ready for action between l every mouthfu , and have to shoulder their muskets

: before they have done swallowing we, with our well

n i polished shoes, go our rounds, avoidi g d tches and mire ; they have to walk mile after mile, over the S 2 260 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

gravelly beds of rivers, or up to their knees in a bog ; and after a substantial supper, chatting and smoking, we go to our comfortable beds, whilst these poor fellows either throw themselves on a heap of straw, or lie stretched on the bare ground, under the canopy of heaven : our severest fatigues and greatest hardships are to mount a staircase, to read a newspaper, to talk non w sense , and to wear our uniforms ; hilst our brothers

and have to make forced marches, to ford streams, to obey orders ; they have to bear the burning scourge of

and ff all t he the sun , to endure rain wind, and to su er unmerciful wear and tear of the terrible vicis situde s of

n war. Yet in our idle talk we pronounce the night a d

men as e the repose enj oyed by in active service , int r minable . When at the cost of their sweat and the ir

ir blood they have forced a body of the enemy to ret e , or

c have advanced a step, or opened a breach , they pit h their tents with the j oy those feel who have fulfilled a

as t he duty, and who are prepared to do much again on

e e s in morrow we , who read the account of th s action

a and a paper three fingers long , me sure th e ir valour

n and w a e da gers by the length breadth of the ne sp p r, and with long faces wait for the next account in t he

. and succeeding number I am getting angry , so c o nclude with

Poe E o E o m. r i , r i , C he fate voi

Ero i i. S c a a i rl .

CHAPTER XVI .

— — PESC IA N V O LUNT EE RS ENCY C LIC A O F PO PE Pl US C O NDITIO N O F THE — ’ — TUSC AN A R MY LETT E R TO THE MARC H ES A D A ZEG LIO BATTLES O F

— ’ — CURTATO N E AND G O ITO SURREND ER O F I ES C Il l ERA CARLO A LBERTO

PRO C LA IMED K IN G O F ITALY .

A BA N D of volunteers from Pescia started in April to j oin the Tuscan army, which was ordered to encamp

C urt a o ne before Mantua, and guard Le Grazie and t . 2 9 th Giusti writes, on the of April , from Pescia, to

Benvenuto Cheechi , a friend in Florence , engaged with the organization of the Pesc ian volunteers

DEAR O LELL , A letter from the Prefect of Pistoia , addressed to

- t he D the Lieutenant Colonel , announces that Grand uke

r will come in pe son to Pescia to give away the colours ,

are . n as soon as all ready It is ecessary that, on his

no t n o o r arrival here , he should o ly find the c l u s, but

o the man destined t carry them . The Lieutenant

d m e r Colonel , therefore , esires to w ite to you that

h an o e will remit to you attestati n , by which it will

o fo r an be sh wn that you were selected that post, d a that he is constr ined , with regret, to assign the PES IAN C VO LUNTEERS . 263

honour to another. My dear Lello, you know the

hear regard we you ; but ask yourself, if we are not reduced to the necessity of being in readiness for the reception of the Prince , who has thus unexpectedly i announced his v sit . The Colonel or I will come to

few Florence in a days, and we will try our best to help

e - you . Meantim , exhort our beloved fellow citizens to show themselves worthy of the enterprise in which they are about to engage ; and assure them that we

and will do all in our power to serve them , shall always m regard them as brothers . Let them reme ber that the honour of their country is now in their hands, and let i none lag behind . More will arr ve on Monday ; and thus Pescia will have furnished her contingent to the ” Italian army .

He writes again on the same subj ect

MY O O DEAR NICC LIN ,

I hoped to have j oined you at the head of a column of volunteers ; but my health is always worse in the ff spring, and I feel that the o ering of my poor carease ’ m to the army would be like Cain s offering. I send in y

- place Captain Angeli, an able bodied young man , who has a willing spirit, and whom I beg you to befriend , if ever you should fall in with him in Lombardy . Happy are you whose strength allows you to be present where n the eed is greatest ! You are the legitimate sons, the 264 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

u u t rue firstborn of this beautif l land . We m st all bow down before you when you return anio ng us - re

oicin i . j g, and glory ng in the redemption of your country i Every time we see our brethren start ng to j oin you , i our hearts are div ded between fear and hope, and are

drawn first one way, then another .

2 9th . On the of April , Pius IX issued his famous

Enc cliea t he y , the first blow to the hopes of Italy, and commencement and origin of disaste rs which rapidly

e followed . A petition had been addressed to the Pop , 28t h on the of April , praying him to declare war

am iies t he against Austria, as by allowing his to go to frontiers whilst maintaining peace with the common

enemy, his subj ects who had crossed the Po, fighting

under his banners, if captured by the Austrians, were exposed to be treate d as common assassins instead of

prisoners of war. Pius assembled a Consistory of

2 9t h Enc cliea Cardinals on the , and there read his y ,

m a o urt o f in which , employing the for ul of the old C

o e m t he a s wa n R me , he deni d all sy pathy with Itali n gi g

a e e eral war ag inst Austria, and declar d that his g n ,

a sse r his r Dur ndo, had cro d the Po contra y to o ders, which had be en limit ed t o t he prote ction of t he

frontiers .

w a d ec arat o This eak , hypocritical , and cow r ly d l i n, o n the part of one to whom all had look ed up as t he

s reat t he new e h n s was leader, almo t c or, of ord r of t i g ,

66 I 2 GIUSEPPE GIUST .

MY A R H DE MARC ESA ,

God bless you for the letter you have written me . If you were surprised at not hearing from me for five

months, you may imagine how much more surprised I was not to receive a line in answer to three long

letters . I regret the loss of these letters to you

u and to Grossi , the more so as they wo ld now appear

almost prophetic . My dear Louisa, I confess my

- e self love is hurt, and I shall long feel vexed that thes

letters have not reached you . As far back as l as t January I was certain that the Austrians had lost

t th e Lombardy ; and our friends can bear witness tha , in

midst of the general panic , I laughed in the face of our

Ar o nat i B erchet . e 810 . executioners If the , , Collegno ,

e do me justice , they will tell you that I have oft n

e argued the point with them . If you ask me whenc my confidence proceeded , I answer, it proceeded from the utter contempt in which I always hold those who

- m a trample on their fellow creatures . I think you y

r be t he have heard me say, that I consider the ty ant to

w e real victim . The truth of this axiom , hich I hav

o f o has maintained ever since I had the power th ught, been demonstrated to me by a thou s and facts which

see have passed before my eyes ; and , whenever I any

a ta t he e s one making a br vado , and s lking over h ad of

- e t he re u iem mic r his fellow men , I immediat ly sing q ’ 2 6 LETTER TO THE MARCHESA D AZEGLIO . 7 — 7 mm t o -da - . If not y, to morrow but sooner or later he“who sows death will reap death . You will im agine my vexation at not being abl e

Pe scian to head the column of my Volunteers, who m are already half way to the Italian ca p . I had

w e taken every pains to form them , ith mor pleasure

sa than I can express . I need only y it was like raising

e a troop for the protection of my own hearth . W over

we came a thousand obstacles, encountered and sus

t ained t he numberless battles, partly whilst refuting

follies of certain persons, and partly whilst conquering

the dilatoriness of others . Newspaper writers

t he howled and howled and knew nothing of matter.

t he To honour of truth , I must tell you that we had no

t he other aid but the good will of these youths, and

t he l prompt succour of Government, which, as you wi l

see by the papers, is attacked on every side . I thank God that my people of Pescia can show themselves where all Italy now is . Unhappily, I cannot accompany

t he them , because I have not health to meet hardships of a campaign . It is better to remain here, than ex pose oneself to the risk of having to turn back . I never go to bed without thinking of those poor fellows ff on the Adige and on the Mincio, su ering and fighting l for us, and I a most feel remorse at finding myself

are under cover, whilst they passing their night in the open air, on a miserable heap of straw . You will

as believe, I have not the heart to put on my uniform, 268 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . I cannot bear to be seen in that costume only for

. l all show I wou d give my verses, and all my past life to be in the shoes of the humblest volunteer in

Lombardy . Among other honours, they have just made me a member of the Academia della Crusca, a very fit post for a carcase like mine . I believe they intend making me a deputy also ; but if they expect that I

shall stir a straw to gain votes, they are green indeed . I have protested that I do not feel myself capable of the work , and I have pointed out the persons for elec tion in my stead . I have ever loved my country from w f duty, and ith sincere a fection , and not from any vain

o r glory, desire to be conspicuous , and now is the i time to prove my sincer ty in the light of day . From

the hour we began to revive , I have never relaxed my

f no w e fort s to forward everything . But the time is past when I felt the necessity of speaking out t o

e l our oppressors, and I hav begun to tel truths to those who are slaves under the cloak of liberty ; a f more dangerous o fice than , the first, and, in fact, one w fe take upon themselves . I have written nothing

t he wi for newspapers , nor ll I , because I have my

be reasons for keeping clear of them but, lieve me , that to play the j ournalist on the highway is not a less

r . r arduous or less fatiguing enterp ise At Flo ence ,

in our days of trouble, I have been fourteen hours

t w ! r toge her on my feet, and ith these legs Feb uary ,

r h all Ma ch , and April, have been field mont s for of

0 2 7 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

15 On the th May, the Neapolitan Parliament had of been convoked, and that same day the hopes the

Neapolitan people were extinguished . A hideous massacre took place in the streets, ending with the

’ King s resumption of his despotic authority a fe w days

n later, and his recalli g the troops which had been sent

n to Lombardy with Ge eral Pepe . Thus the King of Naples and the Pope had alike proved faithless to the cause of Italian liberty and independence . Their a tre chery, which at the time caused greater bloodshed , and ultimately , defeat, and which postponed the libera tion of Italy, was perhaps a necessary event to make the future unity of the nation under one head possible as well as to j ustify the acts of the Italians in the eyes

who of those , acting on the principle that nations are i the property of ind viduals, have the power if they w have the ill , to crush all free action in the people o f o Eur pe . Italy had, and still has much to endure ,

’ before fulfilling Giu stis prophecy that his native country

o would, sooner or later, be delivered from her f reign

t he who w bondage , and from rulers ere dooming her to

a o o his o wn a moral de th am ng nati ns ; but, in words ,

o ( those who s w l oath must reap death . Union among the pe o ple was no w o f greater impor

n o tance than ever , but u i n at such a juncture can only be purchased by the s acrifice o f individual interests and t o o c views the str nger party, if not to the a tual

a o a m j ority in the nati n . The arriv l in Milan of Maz 2 1 BATTLES OF C URTA TO N E AND GO ITO . 7 z ini , the leader of republican ideas, and almost simul t aneo usl T y, in urin , of Gioberti, who not only desired a m but onarchical head, dreamt of Papal supremacy, helped to increase dissensions and mistrust, already generated by human errors or weakness, by the ambition or lukewarmness of the leaders , and the impatience and rash inexperience of the people . Disturbances too k place in Milan Carlo Alberto was prevented attacking t Peschiera by delays in the arrival of his siege ar illery, t hus giving the Austrians time to strengthen their

’ l the position ; whi st King s adversaries spread reports,

n which were daily gaini g more credit, that he was waiting to prosecute the war, until Lombardy and Venetia should ackn owledge him as their king. Anxious to vindicate

f Carlo k himsel , Alberto resolved on attac ing Verona, but on his approaching that city, met with a severe repulse from the enemy at Santa Lucia . Not dis c oura ed a a g by this defeat he gain dvanced, but by

S n preadi g his Sardinian troops over too wide a surface , and e l s parating them from the other Ita ian troops, who were placed in detachments all over the country without t he means of communication, each army could be at t and e acked destroy d without hope of succour .

The Tuscan troops were encamped as before described, when on the 2 9th May they were attacked at Curta t - one by Field Marshal Radetzky, who left the fortress o f w Mantua ith men , and a numerous train of

a i . s te rt llery The Tuscan camp con is d of men , 2 7 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

most of them raw volunteers, peasants, young men i from the towns , and students from the un versities , with their professors, and was only provided with eight guns . Radetzky, however, met with a spirited y resistance . The Pisan students especiall signalized themselves, as they rushed into the thickest of the fight, where fell many youths , the hopes of their families,

n Pro and with them the distinguished Neapolita ,

f sso r . e Pilla The Neapolitan battalion , quartered

n with the Tusca s at Montanara, likewise displayed great valour . The combat lasted six hours, in which time the Tuscans had to resist a force of three times their number , whilst the accidental explosion of their gunpowder, which happened twice during the battle , added to the horrors of the scene . Their retreat soon

r became a rout, but even amidst the confusion , ma vel lous instances of courage were displayed . Colonel

arm n Chigi , after losing an , rushed amo g the fugitives, and endeavoured to rally them , calling out to them to unite their scattered fo rces and retreat like brave men .

r An artilleryman of the name of Gaspa i , the only

o wh o t o ff man in his c rps had not been wounded , ore

o his burning clothes , and half naked , c ntinued to direct w those guns which ere yet manageable , against the

o Austrians . Am ng the surgeons who were in attendan ce

n upon the wounded and dying, was Professor Ferdina d

Z annet t i . IIe t he o , of Florence shared with c mmon

t he r and e was soldier pe ils of the field , wherever ther

CHAPTER XVII .

S I — TU CANY N THE S UMME R o r 1848 M O NTANELLI .

THE fortunes of war had begun to change , when , a few days after Peschiera had surrendered to Carlo

Alberto, Vicenza fell into the hands of the Austrians .

This disaster was followed by the fall of Padua, and of

w t he other Venetian cities, hose inhabitants , by advice

of General William Pepe , retired into Venice , there to

18 18 48 . abide a siege , which commenced on the th June ,

was The elections for the Tuscan Parliament, which

t he 26 th w to meet on June , ere meantime advancing,

o was and Giusti , in spite of his res lution not to stand,

had in elected a deputy . Some changes been made

n : t he C em ini the Mi istry the President of Council , p ,

d and n t he had retire , had bee named President of

o o Rido lfi a e Senate , and the Marchese C sim had t k n

ur o - e e a his place in the Cabinet ; the Proc at r G n r l , — Cesare C apo q uadri already menti o ned in this bie graphy as the Advo cate with whom Gius ti commenced — his care e r as a la wyer had been app o in t ed Ministe r

o f s o Andrencci Ju tice , and the Adv cate Ferdinando

s Minister of Public In truction . M 2 5 T USCANY IN TH E SUM ER or 18 48 . 7

O n n 26 t h the mor ing of the , the national guard lined the way by which the Grand Duke was to pass from the Palazzo dei Pitti to the Palazzo Vecchio ; and, accompanied by his Ministers, by the senators and deputies, the Sovereign entered the Great Cinque Cento ll Ha , a room built at the instigation of Girolamo Savona 149 4 rola, in , for the reception of the Great Council of the Republic . In the speech from the throne , the Prince assured his people of liberty at home and independ ence abroad ; he thanked God for having permitted him to grant them a constitution heralded by reforms and civil franchises, so well deserved by the Tuscan people ; he informed them that he was at peace with all nations, except Austria ; he urged on them the necessity of prosecuting this war with vigour, so as to lead to complete victory ; and he concluded by in voking the blessing of the Al mighty on their mutual labours . The first question which occupied the attention of

i . the deputies accord ngly was, the conduct of the war The Ministers were interrogated as to the number of the Tuscan forces sent into Lombardy, and what advance had been already made towards the conclusion

D n of a league of Italian States . o Neri Corsini under took to reply, and explained that the reason why the Tu scan forces had not sooner been brought into action was owing to the imperfect state of discipline of the troops, and the neglect of the late Ministers in not T 2 2 7 6 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . providing what was required for the army ; he further informed the Parliament that, though several treaties

t with the Italian S ates were pending, nothing had, as

in yet, been concluded . To this followed a series of consequent queries , wasting time , and making demands

u . on the Ministers, impossible to f lfil One of the depu ties asked , if Italy could be delivered from the Austrian yoke without Tus“can aid ? to which Giusti was pro vo ked w to ans er , that without a spirit of prophecy , none , not even the Ministers themselves, could reply to such a query ; but that to conduct a war directed by

vo c ife many parliaments, a variety of assemblies , and rating newspapers , was, indeed, a desperate under taking . The finances next came under consideration ; when it appeared, by the statement of the late Ministe r

Baldassero ni t o , that the various expedients tried oug ht have produced an income of six million o f lire ; but that the re s istance to an extraordinary tax made by

a in ess those eng ged commerce , and the unwillingn

o z t o s had sh wn by the citi ens lend upon their capital ,

ffi a w b t he made it di cult to r ise half that sum ; hilst, y

t h t he o o 7 July , the expenses of army al ne w uld amount t o upwards o f fo ur hundred th o usand lire . These

t o o w au rv r statemen s were f ll ed by g rec iminations , and several days were thus consumed befo re coming t o a res o luti o n on t he reply to be sent t o t he spe ech

s from t he Throne . Unhappily for the le ader of these

2 7 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Cortona ; and accusations in the Chambers, against the

Ministers, became more frequent and noisy .

Meantime, the news from Lombardy were daily more disastrous . Confusion reigned in the camp of Carlo

r d Alberto, and the Aust ians were stea ily regaining the

’ ground they had lost . Though the King s army was in reality as numerous as that commanded by Radetzky , l Carlo A berto, from not concentrating his forces, always met those of the enemy with unequal numbers . The heat had become excessive ; and the soldiers were

u already exhausted from fatig e , hunger, and thirst (as , from whatever cause , the Italian army was scantily provisioned) , when they encountered the Austrians in

ff e the Val di Sta al , and once more beat them back ; 2 6 th but on the following day, the July, Radetzky attacked the diminished army of the King, with rein

o forcements drawn fr m Verona , and totally defeated

V ll io T h a e . e him in the battle of Custosa , near gg

o o r combat lasted eleven h urs, with en mous loss on both

. o l o e sides Carl A bert retired to Villa Franc , from

o e e whence he ordered a retreat up n Goito , and th nc

s o T h proposed a suspen ion of arms t Radetzky . e con dit io ns f w o t o o o fered in reply ere , h wever, humiliating fo r n o the Ki g to accept, and he c ntinued his retreat t o

o Crem na . The news of t he defeats in Lombardy spread eon s t e rnat io n r t he 30 t h F e eve ywhere , and on July lor nce

o a e was again in commoti n , the people demanding chang IN TH E S MMER or 18 8 TUSCANY U 4 . 2 7 9

i of Min sters . The movement in Leghorn had as yet met with no response in the capital ; therefore, when a native

m ob of Nice, haranguing the , declared the Tuscan n l dy asty deposed, he on y met with derision, and was treated as a madman or fool . A storm of thunder i l i and lightning, accompan ed by rain, final y d spersed all the crowd, and sent to their homes . In the evening,

r however, the distu bances recommenced ; the national l guards were ca led to arms, and the deputies hastily assembled . Towards night the Grand Duke issued

i z a proclamation, entreat ng the citi ens to keep the i peace , and promis ng to take immediate measures

c to provide suc our for the war in Lombardy . The Ministers went in a body to the palace to off er their

resignation, which Leopold hesitated to accept ; but the next day they informed the Parliament that they had only consente d to retain office until the sovereign

was able to provide their successors . No sooner was i Florence restored to tranqu llity, than Leghorn was y again in an uproar ; but, happil , the news of the resignation of Ministers arrived to restore peace there

likewise . The Grand Duke i nvited Baron Bettino Ricasoli to

r n form a Minist y, but he was u able to succeed, and the former Ministers therefore continued in office a few

. ff weeks longer Meantime , England and France o ered

their mediation bet ween Carlo Al berto and Austria ; but before the proposed terms could be submitte d for 2 8 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

approval by the contending parties, the war in Lom

The bardy had become still more disastrous for Italy . t King had re reated to Milan, and had undertaken to

defend that city against Radetzky . But here the com m it t ee of defence and Carlo Al berto quarrelled accu sat io ns and recriminations were followed by attempts

’ to counteract one another s schemes, and thus any

’ eff ectual resistance to an army like that of Radetzky s f was rendered impossible . A ter the King had pro

m ised to defend Milan to the last , the people dis

he covered had already begun to treat for a capitulation , and Carlo Alberto had to escape in the middle of the

o night from the infuriated Milanese , leaving the L mbard

capital to be once again the prey of the Austrian . Radetzky threatened to follow his victorious course l into Tuscany itse f, and was only arrested by the

re mediation of France and England , and by being

o f r minded the respect due to an Austrian P ince . D m The uchies of Modena and Par a were , meantime ,

D o f occupied by Austrian troops ; but, whilst the uke

t o no Modena hastened to return his States, and an unced to his pe o ple that by D irinc Grace their so vereign was

o o who restored to them , Carl Lodovic , had succeeded

t o his hereditary d o mini o ns o n the death o f the Arch

D M o w o uchess aria Louisa , all ed Radetzky t govern

P r b a ma y martial law .

t he G D bad at In Tuscany , rand uke length prevailed o n t he Marchese Gino Cappo ni t o undertake t he for

2 2 8 G IUSEPPE GIUSTI .

on the treachery of princes , their ministers , and their armies alluding to the recent conduct of Carlo Alberto

in Milan ; and he called on poor and rich, women and

priests, to lend their aid for the prosecution of the war

of liberation in Lombardy . As his intention was to

n proceed to Bolog a, permission had been granted to

‘ him by t he Tuscan Government to visit Florence on

his way ; but after these orations, the permission was

withdrawn . On his attempting to proceed in defiance

back of the prohibition , he was stopped and turned , which was no sooner known in Leghorn than fresh l tumu ts broke out . To the credit of the Livornese , it

must, however, be told , that whilst seeking for arms

n and ammu ition , the public bank and private property

were alike held sacred, and there was no attempt at

w s i pillage . A council of citizens a elected to prov de

for the safety of the city , and among those named was

é z i s t he the advocate Gu ra z . This committee per uaded pe o ple to send a deputation to Florence with five demands : that the Tuscan pe o ple should be armed

t he o o f without further delay , for supp rt the war in Italy ; that the nati o nal guard o f Leghorn should be reorga nized ; th at a naiy should be fo rmed ; that t he

ff o a a t he tari s sh uld be better regulated ; and , l stly , th t

price of salt should be lowered .

s a A di turbance had meantime taken place at Lucc ,

o a r De a o f up n the r ival of Laugier, late gener l the

a was m o b ul Tusc n forces , who insulted by the , and wo d O F 1 2 8 3 TUSCANY IN THE SUMMER 8 48 .

have been murdered, but for the interference of the 3ot h national guard . On the of August, the prefect of Florence issued an order forbidding meetings of the people, which presented occasions for seditious persons to conspire , thus obliging the Government to make arrests . The tumults in Leghorn not subsiding, but n rather increasi g in numbers and importance, the Grand D l uke cal ed out the national guard throughout Tuscany , and met them in a camp near Pisa but a report having got abroad that they had been summoned to act against their fellow - citizens and not for the defence of the

m o rt ificat ion country, Leopold had the to find on his l arrival a comparatively sma l force on the field .

ffi u M se In the midst of these di c lties, the arche

Gué razzi Capponi sent for , and requested him to inter pose his authority with the Livornese and persuade

’ Gu é razzis e them to return to obedienc e . eloquenc had ff the desired e ect, the people removed their barricades,

i t he and returned to their usual occupations, leav ng

z care of the city to the council of citi ens . The

n Mi isters at Florence, however, refused to acknowledge this provisional government . In the Chambers, the

alva noli advocate S g , in a long and eloquent speech , denounced the insults which had been levelled against the Parliament, and pointed unmistakably, in his de l scription of disturbers of the public tranqui lity, to

zz Don Gu éra i. Neri Corsini charged the Livornese

t he with plunder, an accusation which was refuted by 2 4 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Livornese deputies , and its injustice commented on by the newspapers of the day . A proposal was next made in the Chambers to increase the standing army by

was men , but the measure steadfastly resisted by the

C a o uadri Advocate p q in the senate , on the ground that large armies are subversive of liberty . Other reforms,

n especially those belonging to the mu icipality, were

e pr posed and carried in the Chambers , by the Marchese

Capponi . Professor Giuseppe Montanelli had about this time become one of the most prominent leaders of public

. C urt at o ne opinion Wounded and taken prisoner at ,

he had , at the request of the Tuscan Parliament, and w of the Ministers , been restored to his country , here he was received with the greater enthusiasm that he had

at one time been thought dead . Elected a deputy to - a the Chambers , he made his ppearance , pale , and with

his arm in a sling , to thank the Assembly for the interest

o g o re they had sh wn in his fate . Whilst his coura e us

s is t anc e t he o f ts to introduction Jesui into Pisa , and his having j o i ned the ranks o f the Tuscan vo luntee rs in

a a his the war, had like made him popul r, intimacy with

t he o G and Marchese Gino Capp ni , with Giuseppe iusti,

w o f o as ua ith others the m derate party , served a g rant ee fo r his p o litical opinions ; he was accordingly selected by Capp o ni fo r the difficult office o f G o vern or

o as o f Leghorn . The appointment was not p pular

as G ucrazzi at might have been expected , as that

2 6 P 8 GIUSE PE GIUSTI . idea was still pending of a Congress composed of the representatives of the various European monarchs, to meet in some foreign city, and there decide the fate of l the Peninsu a, whose disturbances threatened to em broil other nations .

i in The Marchese Cappon , accordingly, had given st ruc t io ns to the Marchese Ridolfi (who had been sent to Paris and London, to watch over the interests of r lhisc an t he D in y) , to claim for uchy a representative the meeting of European Sovereigns . He likewise

him n enforced on , that if it were fou d impossible to oblige Austria, after her recent successes, to abandon

Italy altogether, he should use his utmost endeavours to obtain from that power the cession of Lombardy to w Piedmont, and to place the Lombard cro n on the W’ head of a son of Carlo Alberto . ith regard to w Venice , if the question lay bet een an Austrian Arch

t o duke and Francis of Modena, prefer the latter ; but , if possible , to preserve the Lunigiana and the

n n Garfag a a for Tuscany .

' But meantime Austria herself was in the m idst o f

o . n had and o revoluti n Vie na risen , the Emper r had 6 fled on the th of October. These news filled the

w o no Italian people ith fresh h pes , and in city were the

o n o Th o n s n rej ici gs greater than in Legh rn . e G ver or e t

a o t he 9 0 t h O o a telegr phic message to Fl rence on ct ber, acquainting t he Government that the Livo rnese threat

1 ana s o e a ane R lli , I t ri It li . M O NTANELLI . 2 8 7

ened another revolution, unless a democratic ministry

’ were appointed . The Minister s only reply was to recall Montanelli himself to Florence . He there con firm ed by word of mouth what he had sent by tele

D e graph . The Grand uk accordingly yielding to the desire expressed by many of the citizens, accepted the proffered resignation of the Marchese Capponi , and of i his colleagues, and commissioned Montanell to form

’ Mont n llis a new cabinet . a e first act was to hasten to ffi Capponi , with the request to accept o ce under him ,

re osal no t f a p p which was refused, rom any resent ment at the provocations he had received, but by the advice of his friends ; and Montanelli was equally

i Pro unsuccessful, in an appl cation which he made to

fesso r Z annet ti. rea ed t he The new Minister thus p ,

alone fruits of his own acts, and found himself in a crisis from which there was no escape . His rapid advance in literary honours, and the popularity he had acquired by the courage displayed in his first step in

- public life, appear to have over balanced a mind where imagination predominated over judgment . Singular inconsistencies are to be found throughout his career.

In early life an admirer, if not a member, of the

society of Young Italy, he was at the same time a strict

observer of Church discipline , and in this respect might have belonged to the extreme Roman Catholic party

allied to despotism . After the accession of Pius IX .

he became an enthusiast for the idea of a theocracy, as 2 88 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

ri initiated by Gioberti . In his Aust an prison, after

C urt at o ne the battle of , and when separated from all external influence , he became a confirmed republican . Attachment to that form of government appears in st inct ive m an in the poet and of letters, who is born and bred in a land where all that is great and good belongs to her republican memories— all that is weak and corrupt to her monarchs . The republicanism of i Montanelli was not, however, confined to a bel ef in the m superiority of one for of government over another, n but, like Mazzi i , he wished to impose his ideas on h t e . Italy, without regard to cost Such a man was

a better fitted for a poet, historian , or prophet, than

l e as w statesman , and he fel an y prey to one ith equal ambition, who combined with more practical talent

less and less fewer scruples , generous impulses , sincerity o f purpose . Montanelli separated from his more judi

o f cions friends , rather than relinquish his hope forming

Guérazzi fi a Cabinet, turned to , and with some dif culty persuaded the Grand Duke t o accept the services of a

who o Guérazzi man was peculiarly obn xi o us to him .

ff o r readily grasped at o ice , and fr m that hour secu ed for

n himself a predominance in the Cabi et , which left his

o o f chief only the name and the resp nsibility power.

2 90 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

r whilst w iting to you my hand trembles, and I can t ll hardly e why . I have passed two nights without

u sleep . My dear Checco, I require to summon p all my courage not to despair ; nevertheless, I feel it a duty, and more than a duty, a necessity, for me to

r retu n to Florence , to my post beside my poor friend,

u before whom we shall all bow down , when T scany has recovered her senses . But I do not know when I shall be able to move ; therefore , I beg you to tell him, and

who those among his colleagues care to hear it, that d they must not accuse me of cowardice , or of hol ing back ; that I have been with them in thought during

ri these trying days , and that one of my severest t als has been to have been forced to remain here . I do not

write to Gino, because I will not add to his troubles .

r His own sorrows and those of his count y are enough .

be Write me a line , I g ; I long for news from Florence, and I cannot exist without hearing from you . If you

o n cr c uld o ly hear how, in this little town , they y out

r o s against the infamous conduct of certain pe s n , and how they do justice to honest men ! It is impossible

re eat . a he . but that Tuscany will p Adieu , de r C cco

line n m e . One , one li e , will satisfy

o had s A rep rt been circulated of the death of Giu ti ,

in o n ra o l e and the comments his cha cter which f low d ,

was fo r o s in~ he censured having changed his opini n , fluenc ed by his attachment for his friend the Marchese 4 2 9 1 CONCLUSION or THE YEAR 18 8 .

Gino Capponi . He thus exonerates himself, in a letter to Professor Atto V annucci

E V A N N uccr MY D AR , You will have seen t he D ies 17 08 they have sung on me, in the same metre in which I myself sang it thirteen years ago on the Emperor Francis the First .

D at ro os This ies I rec could not have appeared more p p , as I indeed feel very ill, and am almost more dead than in alive . Hav g made a j est of others, it is only fair that others should make a j est of me, and it is courteous to attack me with the weapons with which I am most

ili D ies I roe fam ar. This has, however, induced me to

in t he e make a conscientious exam ation of myself, mor necessary as that song has reminded me there is no time to lose . I have spent my life in attacking those in authority and their supporters, at a time when authority i was free to g ve me a kick in return, and (let it be i said, without van ty) I did so when others were either

e silent, or spoke in a whisper, or bowed before thos in power . Now that all may freely indulge in these attacks, I do not think it any great display of moral courage to stab a dead man . As to the charge of

ou having changed my opinions, what do y , who know ? all about me, say I myself am not aware of having

O n done so, but a man may find pinions, like wri kles and grey hair, growing, without knowing whence they came . It can only be thus explained : that whilst U 2 2 92 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

others have advanced, I am where I was years ago, and

infer I because they do not see me beside them, they am i lagging beh nd. I do not say this is the case, but that it may be so ; at any rate , they may thank me for

i l. hav“ing made the road, when they were stand ng stil Perhaps they think , seeing me a deputy, and yet i i say ng little or nothing, and not know ng what to

angle for, that I have become a worthless piece of

goods . In this respect they are right, for I am as much fi made to sit in Parliament, or to be an of cial man, as the statue of the Giant in the Piazza 1 is made to play

the postman . They ought to have said this to those who insisted on electing me ; the whole district can t bear witness to the fact, that having taken it in o their heads that to compose a law and to compose a poem

v were one and the same thing, they insisted on ha ing me

here . Please God they may change their minds, and send me home again ! I do not say this from indifference or

indolence , but because I do indeed feel in this place like a c“hicken among the flax !a fish out of water]. in But one of these commentaries on my conduct, I perceive that I have drawn down on myself the disap

s probation of the writer, by the friendship which bind

18 36 fir me to Gino Capponi . In , when I st knew

t he Capponi , I was told I had made acquaintance of a

u o tr e gentleman , and , perhaps , of s mething more than

i The s a e o f a ae n e o in t he azza el a t tu D vid , by Mich l A g l , Pi d l

no a in o en e o o s e t he os - o ff e Sig ri , Fl r c , pp it P t ic

2 9 4 G IUSEPPE GIUSTI .

no mination belongs to the sovereign . Another man was indeed presented to the Grand Duke , of great w talents and capacity, and for whom I have al ays entertained esteem and friendship ; but all the time that he was maj or, my constituents wished for me in

n his place . I hope you will not think me a vai glorious fool , but, for the sake of truth , I must inform you that for three months my constituents grumbled to have me, and were never contented until they had seen poetry in epaul ettes . I was at first vexed at being a

v source of dispute, but I soon perceived, without ha ing l envied any one or aimed at honour, I shou d have to pay the costs of the feast . By going from shop to shop ;

‘ ‘ —- by having t et e dx t et e conversations with this one and with that by telling them that my habits, my health , and

’ in I don t know what besides, would always keep me the rear of my troop , I succeeded in appeasing them , ff and got out of the a air. If numerous occupations had not obliged the other major to resign , I should not

file have been placed on rank and , for I had convinced

my constituents I was in the right, and they had become reconciled to my view of the matter ; t hey thus gave m e t he greatest pro o f o f affecti o n I had ever asked m w fro them . The hole inhabitants of this district can

t he w bear witness of truth of hat I am now saying , and t hey c an likewise declare that we have al ways been

s o goo“d friends, and shall always continue . But now that I think of it, it is quite possible that L I T CONC US ON O F H E YEAR 18 48 . 2 95

I may have been set down as a turncoat, for having

rusea been elected an Academician della C . We have yet to learn, my dearly beloved colleague, if those fifty lire all but five crazie a month were the bone which is l supposed to have stuck in my throat . It wou d indeed be

’ choking on an ant s egg, but we have seen worse thing s

c happen . Let us seriously reflect on this a cusation , and pray remind me of it the first time that we meet in i i l the Palazzo Riccard , for the purpose of throw ng ight

are ou on the dictionary . You aware what pains y ,

Arcangeli, and I took to be permitted to wear the ’ ! l Academician s gown If the Academia de la Crusca,

r o u then, has turned me f om white to black, y must

t he share the blame, since some one who peeped into

l - ba lot box saw that you gave me a favourable vote .

But enough of this nonsense . What I have now

written is partly to open my heart to you, and partly

m v that you may be made aware of all titles, and that not a single one may escape your memory when you

direct an envelope to, the Advocate, Maj or, Deputy , and Academician della Crusca : enough to make ten ” 1 Codini .

Giusti writes again to Professor V annucci

1 o n a na e a e t o t h e e o a e a in o s f o t he C di i , m ppli d r tr gr d p rty p litic , r m o ld i t arl t h e a se n e o f w i in t he a s of t h e en e o on p g , b c h ch , d y Fr ch R v luti , a n was c ons idered sig of liberali sm. 2 I 96 GIUSEPPE GIUST .

arramist a N o e e 11t h 1 48 V 8 . , v mb r , DEAR V A N N UCCI MY , L I could not write the lines for you . Look at ee i’ pard s poem on Italy, and from the words he puts 1 into the mouth of Simonides, take the motto for the chapter which treats O f the dead at Curt at o ne and

h Montanara . T ere were only two natives of Pescia , Luigi Marchi and Cesare Scoti ; the first was an oflicer in the troops of the line, the second a sergeant ; both l of them belonging to good and respectable fami ies, and both very young . As I have always been the enemy of systematic opposition , I cannot approve of those who set their faces violently against anything, especially if influenced by private animosity more than by a desire for the

O public welfare . The pposition , indeed, a few days ago, gave the worst example , by abusing right and left ; but the man who is firm in his principles ought not to allow himself to be shaken by every little j olt. He

Mont azio no t who treats with contempt, should fly into

Mo nt azio a passion upon receiving a blow from . Do you remember our conversation when the new M inisters

r ? were fi st appointed I, who never have asked , and never would ask anything, of any one, who am, and always will be , the warm friend of my poor Gino, and who in

l ’ Beat iss uni voi clr O ff s e il e o a e ne e lance , ri t p tt ll mich Pe a os e h al S l e e r mo r di c t i c e o vi di d .

2 98 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

i w nrost alleg ng motives of health , hich are indeed real

I thanked them heartily, and got out of the scrape . As

I am not good for much , unless it is to stammer out a verse, I ought not to have accepted the first time but ,

d . as the whole istrict are aware, they insisted upon it I was made a deputy as I was made an Academician della

C rusea , and between the Academy and the Chambers, I do not know which has had most to complain of in

danc their learned poet . The poet will now be both e

n and Academician . If the new Mi istry and the new

- Chambers establish the well being of the country, I ‘ l ! ’ ‘ shall cry, Long ive the Chambers and Long live " the Ministers If they make a mess of it, I shall be

l . r disappointed, but I wi l not carry fuel to the fire Eve y

O one has a right to declare his pinion, but an honest man ought to abstain from j oining the herd of news

who r . m e mongers, disturb the count y Remember

n kindly to Gian one , and tell him that we shall soon

s e meet again . You know how earnestly I desire to e him in the enj oym ent of a competence and of an

s honourable subsistence , and that I will do my be t to ” help him to it . Adieu .

The fi rst act of the new Ministers had been t o dis

o Th fo r o s lve the Chambers . e election an ther parlia ment was ap pointe d to take plac e o n t he 2 ot b Nove m

m an r ber. In spite of v endeavou s having been made

f t he all t he i embers to in luence votes , nearly forn er m 2 C O NCLUSIO N O F THE YEAR 18 48 . 99

were returned . Disappointed at this result, certain ill- ff a ected persons got up a riot in Florence, during

Salva noli which the mob attacked the houses of g , Capei ,

Ridolfi . and , and broke the windows As no armed force was sent to put a stop to this violence, the Ministers were accused of having instigated or c ount e l nanced . d it On y late at night a proclamation appeare , threatening the rioters with punishment .

Florence was in this state, when news arrived of the ’ i assassination of the Pope s Min ster, Pellegrino Rossi , e 2 4t h and of the flight of Pius to Ga ta, on the No v m all e ber. Italians from parts of Italy poured into l Tuscany, requesting to be en isted as soldiers, and i greatly adding to the embarrassment of the M nisters . D The Grand uke proposed to form them into a squadron , T d i to be called the Italian cohort, but with uscan iscipl ne

as and rules . The election of Prince Louis Buonaparte President of the French Republic was the next subject i which engaged publ c attention, and was thus commented

V annucci on by Giusti, in a letter to Professor , written 2 5t h 18 48 from Pescia, on the December,

e France appears to me to hav gone a step back .

at t ri The election of Buonaparte is, I believe, to be buted to the little faith that exists in the Republic, and

l O f m i to the dread of Socia ism , and Co mun sm to the hatred these same Socialists and Communists bear to Cavaignac ; and likewise to Orleanist and Legitimist l” cabals . What a harlequinade CHAPTER XIX .

— — LETTER O F GIUSTI THE CO NSTITUENT A SSEMBLY FLIGHT O F THE — — GRAND DUK E THE BATTLE O F NO VARA ABDICATI O N O F CARLO

ALBERTO .

DEAR FRIEND ,

‘ As the proverb says, In due time we shall all ’ li learn to walk ; I, too, be eve that in these days a State may be changed with little noise and no blood shed ; but it must be a State over which despotism and

popular licence has swept by, not a State which has j ust been withdrawn from absolute power. Look at England ; the greatest changes take place there at intervals , which only occasion more or less words .

Cromwell smoothed the way for all this, and now they plough with the ox and the ass . Then turn to Spain w her revolutions have not been ithout violence , and , t perhaps, all the victims have not yet been immola ed ; ill d i l for the wee s sown by Ferd nand and Isabel a , and cultivated by Philip the Second and the Reverend

r i te Fathe s of the Inqu sition , have supplan d all the

flowers of liberty in her fields . Yet, observe , the Spanish people are far in advance of us in the single

302 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

the name of Robespierre you make the sign of the cross, and you weep over the train of Louis the Sixteenth ’ s servants, as if, when they were snatched from this

w . orld, all was desert and empty space You count the

in O f numbers sent to death the name the people, and you forget those sent to death in the name of God, or I rather, to express it better, in the name of that and m ine which peep out in the llI o t up rop rio from the mask of we and o ur. By your laws you pardon the

his man who may kill his enemy to save own life (and, remember, kings have never had any scruple about cut

O ff r ting heads, to prese ve their thrones) , and yet you expect that the people , when they defy their tyrants to the last drop of their blood, are to sheath the sword, ” and pardon .

18 49 r a Early in the year , Giobe ti , who had been p

pointed Minister to the King of Sardinia , sent Ferdi nando Ro sellini to Florence to propose a form of Constituent Assembly for the settlement of affai rs in

r Italy . His idea was to unite the nation in a confede a

o t o n tion , with ut disturbing the es ablished G ver ments

t a o t o of each separate S ate . Mont nelli bj ected this

o set t o t he o o f propositi n , that it no limits p wer the

n who o sovereig s , w uld thus have the destinies of Italy

at o s n their disp al . He was accordi gly regarded by the Grand Duke and his advisers as an o b s tacle in t he way

o f t he a Guérazzi o a unification of It ly , and to k advant ge C N TI EN THE O S TU T ASSEMBLY . 303

ff o of the opportunity, to o er himself to f rm another

Ministry ; whilst, in order to propitiate the sovereign, he proposed to include in it the Marchese Cosimo

Ridolfi. But, meantime, Gioberti had sent a second schem e for consideration , in which he suggested that, at the conclusion of the war, every State should send representatives to two Constituent Assemblies— one ff general, for the settlement of the a airs of the Penin sula ; the other local , to determine the future Govern

O f ment each separate State . Before this idea could be digested, a third proposal arrived from the Sardinian

n his O f Minister, an ulling first a Constituent Assembly b for the nation , and suggesting a separate alliance e w tween Piedmont and Tuscany, by hich both States

Re should act independently, or , in opposition to the publican Government now directing t he affairs of

’ O f Giobert is Rome . With this last proposal arrived the news of the Roman Triumvirate having proclaimed from the Capitol a summons for a Constituent Assembly l to meet in the ancient metropo is of the world, in order to decide the fate of Italy . This news reached Florence in the middle of the night, and the people hastened with

o torches to the open squares of the city, loudly calling n the Ministers to move in Parliament for a law by which members should be elected for the future Italian Consti

Th e tuent Assembly . next morning a crowd collected

’ z in the Loggia de Lan i , an arcade on one side of the i Piazza della Signor a, to listen to addresses urging a 04 3 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

t petition to be presen ed to the Chambers . The people then proceeded in a long procession to the all Cathedral , which they found empty, as the priests

’ o fl r had retired, to avoid being forced to e up a thanks

n giving O the occasion . Aware that their absence was in consequence of an order from the Archbishop , the people were threatening to lay siege to his palace and to seize h his person, w en they discovered he had already fled .

The Ministers met to deliberate how to act . The Chamber had resolved not to delay complying with the wishes of the people , but the dignity of the Government forbade their yielding to outdoor pressure . The Grand Duk e himself was the greatest O bstacle in the way of the proposal of a Constituent Assembly to meet at Rome . Montanelli vainly endeavoured to persuade him to yield

: Guérazzi to necessity but had greater success, as he assured him he had nothing to fear ; that if t he Austrians should conquer, a prince of Austrian blood would be

v n respected ; and that if they were defeated, his ha i g submitted the question O f his right to the crown to the arbitration of his own people would fix it with glo ry

’ O t he upon his head . Having btained sovereign s assent, Montanelli addressed the Deputies in a speech which dre w down t lrundc rs of applause . A maj ority demanded that t he law should at once he discussed it accordingly

o s t he r not nly pa sed Deputies , but was ca ried without a dissentient voice in t he Senate . The G rand Duke had no sooner consented to t he law

306 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

with his baggage the other letter, meant for the public eye, alleged certain reasons for his flight, declaimed against the proposal of a Constituent Assembly, which w w ould endanger his cro n, and declared, that having only the good of the country in view, and a desire to avoid civil war, which motives alone had induced him D to allow the law to be proposed, the Grand uke felt himself compelled to refuse his approbation of a measure which would have called down the thunder o f the Church on himself and on many goo d Tuscans ; w further, that as he foresaw his refusal ould cause dis t urbanc es in Florence , he thought it best to leave the

t he capital , and even Siena, that it might not be said city had through him been plunged in civil discord .

w o Montanelli returned ith these letters t Florenc e . The Chambers were paralysed by consternati o n and

l ' ils w were in doubt how to act . Vh t the Minister as

’ o t he reading the Prince s letter, the pe ple rushed into Palace and demanded the dissolution o f the Parlia~

and o ment, a Pr visional Government t o be compose d o f Guerazzi o o f t he , M ntanelli , and a third member,

M o . G uérazzi o o name of azz ni , desir us that all sh uld

d o law d t ribun be one in acc rdance with , ascen ed the e , and d m o b w s o t h a dressed the ; and , hil t repr aching e leaders wi t h their i nvasi o n o f t he privileges of that

as s o Chamber, sured them their desires h uld be fulfilled

t h s o f o he without e neces ity resorting t violence . T a w Ch mbers ere then all o wed to pro ceed to bus iness . O F FLIGHT THE GRAND DUKE . 307

re o sal The p p of a Provisional Government was moved,

Don and was seconded by Neri Corsini, with the amendment, that to the three above named should be

Z ann t t i added, the Gonfalonier Peruzzi and Professor e but, as both of them declined, the three first were appointed . A j unta was immediately formed for the protection of the royal palaces, and all contained in them . The

u M T scan inisters at foreign courts were recalled, and

V annucci others appointed accordingly, Professor Atto was sent to Rome, and Carlo Fenzi, a young man , son of the banker of that name , to Venice . A less happy choice appears to have been made in a man

O f t he Fra olli name of pp , not a Tuscan, who was sent to the Congress at Brussels . The next act of the

Government was the introduction of certain reforms .

- n The salt duty was reduced, the pensio s already assigned to the soldiers wounded in the late war were imme diat el y paid, and the royal palace of the Crocetta was converted into an hospital for men . Many changes f were made in o ficial persons ; some were dismissed, others sent in their resignations . A junta of public

w . safety was like ise instituted, to assist the prefects The greatest danger arose from a mutiny among the soldiers garrisoned in the fortresses of the city .

uérazzi G and Montanelli hastening thither themselves, entered within the walls at considerable personal risk,

nrcnaces Guérazzi and , in spite of and insults, addressed X 2 G 1USEPPE 308 GIUSTI .

the men with his usual eloquence, which , with an

e exhibition of firmness and mildness, succeeded in st p

ping the mutiny . The Government finally issued a

decree, that all not inclined to serve under the new

order of things might return to their homes . D had The Grand uke , meantime , escaped to the port

of Santo Stefano, on the coast of Tuscany, from whence he addressed a protest against the Government estab

lished in Florence . Popular insurrections had already 1l t h l recommenced . On the the rai road between Flo

rence and Leghorn was interrupted, and the telegraph

c ut . wire was The triumvirs, who did not place entire

confidence in the national guards, attempted to supply

e the place of the soldiers disbanded from the fortress s , by a troop formed of the refugees from all parts of Italy f they inally summoned to their assistance a Council , in which were included the Gonfalonier Peruzzi and Pro

fesso r Z annet t i . The reforms they proposed in the

national guard were , however, limited to a change of

o flic es D , deposing those appointed by the Grand uke ,

Pro and appointing others . The people insisted on

fesso r Z annet t i accepting the post of c o mmander- in

o flice u nc o n c nial o r m ab t s chief, an g to his f er studies , h i ,

a or tastes, but which he ccepted in that spirit of pure

was at patriotism by which he all times actuated . But even he did not escape the carping criticisms of

r as bv t he o o s pa ty spirit, may be seen bservati n of

u who w him s l s Gi sti, rote to on thi occasion as fo low

310 GIUSEPPE G IUSTI .

guard, which ought not to belong to any party, may

beard both parties, and save the country .

Before the Grand Duke had finally quitted Tuscany ,

w e he rot to General de Laugier, who was then at

rr Pietra Santa, that he had refused the aid profe ed

t o him by the Piedmontese, but that he desired him

assemble all his Tuscan forces, and with these, whilst

avoiding bloodshed and civil war as much as possible ,

: r re to advance into the country in plain te ms, to conquer Tuscany whilst sparing the feelings of t he

r u sovereign , who, from a safe place of efuge , co ld shift the pain or the guilt necessarily incurred for his re l st orat io n to power upon other shoulders . Genera de Laugier found himself in a position of much difficulty

and danger. His troops were beginning to vacillate ,

Th t rium and he could hardly maintain discipline . e

r De t o vi s , hearing that Laugier was attempting

c restore the Prince by arms, pro laimed him a traitor to

e . his country , and set a pric on his head General Apice was appointed to the command of the Tus can

o G uém zzi r fo r forces, and, acc mpanied by , sta ted Lucca , h where the triumvir addressed t e soldie rs . Meantime

De s Laugier is ued proclamations protesting that, though he had intended to support the rights of his legitimat e

n sovereig , he had neither been supported by the sol

r m was die s nor by the people his ar y , in fact, reduced

t o 2 50 w men, and his finances ere exhausted . 311 FLIGHT O F THE GRAND DUKE .

Guérazzi was received at Pietra Santa by a deputa

ff De tion from Massa , o ering to mediate with Laugier, and stating that the general and his remaining soldiers were ready to capitulate . The triumvir accordingly

De i promised pardon to all , except Laug er, who , if he

te fell into his hands, he in nded to consign for trial by

- a court martial, which had been created in Lucca . But D ’ i e Laugier s l ttle army was now in open mutiny, and their general had nothing left him but a flight into

Piedmont .

2 1st On the night of the of February, bonfires were suddenly seen blazing around Florence, and there was heard a discharge of mus ketry. Soon afterwards a

r y rabble, a med with pikes, approached the cit , led by

and an Englishman of the name of Smith , a Neapolitan l cal ing himself Ricciardi. All Florence was alarmed ; the gates were closed, and every one hastened to arm

. l for the defence of the city The Government, sti l

’ - more panic stricken , made this night s riot a pretext for

and - was fresh arrests, a court martial instituted for the f trial of the o fenders . The soldiers , however, refus ed to sit in a tribunal which they were as hamed to sanction, but others were less scrupulous . Though no act r d e nu of positive c uelty followe , there wer many j ustly condemned to loss of employment, and among i n these , Professor Giovanni Batt sta Giorgi i , the husband of Vittorina Manzoni and the friend of Giusti . The whole body of the Profess ors at Pisa protested against 3l 2 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

i this sentence , but were only threatened w th being included in his condemnation .

’ n uérazzis O G return from Lucca , he was received i w th the honours of a conqueror ; and soon afterwards, Professor Z annet t i threatening to resign his command of the national guard, if martial law were not abolished, the triumvirs revoked a decree by which civilians had bee n rendered amenable to the summary treatment of a military jurisdiction .

Meantime , the war in Lombardy had recommenced in March , and had terminated that same month , by the

in fatal battle of Novara, which the Piedmontese , after

- a hard fought day, were totally defeated . The terms of f a a truce o fered by R detzky were so insulting, that

Carlo Alberto, summoning all his generals, informed f them, that having failed in this last e fort for the liberation of Italy, he would not be an obstacle in the way of peace ; he therefore resigned his crown to his son , Victor Emanuel , and bade them all farewell .

r Under the name of Count de Barge , he retu ned to d Turin , and from thence procee ed to Nice , which he

2 5t h 18 49 . reached on the March ,

314 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

cerning them in the course of these seventeen years , has been more owing to chance than from prying into their

f n a fairs so that, having always professed liberal opinio s , and yet never belonged to any society, I am now at

t o liberty speak my thoughts openly, and none can rep“roach me with an abuse of confidence . r I look upon exiles, torn from their count y, like trees rooted up from the soil whence they derive their

nourishment . They leave a great part of their roots behind them , and, though felled to the ground , they — always retain a semblance of life a life which d o es not

' W our draw its g from the bowels of the earth , but is

circ u scantily fed through the leaves, by the air which lates round them . Without further metaphor, I main

tain , that, whilst the heart of the exile continues at

he home , is imbibing ideas received in his distant

asylum , without, however, adapting himself to his new

. t he country Hence the feverish anxiety to return ,

thirst for liberty, made more burning by hatred and the desire for revenge : and hence t heo ries which are

neither wholly nor partially fitted for our country .

s who Added to this , these exiles, e pecially those are at

t he no r head of the movement, neither inquire receive

w lac e any information of hat is taking p here , except

t t a from their own par isans ; and these par is ns , either because they do not comprehend the c hanges t he

se country is undergoing before their eyes , or becau they are unwilling t o admit to themselves or to their F V DISASTRO US TERMINATIO N O THE RE O LUTIO N . 315

t he chiefs, that world is slipping from their fingers ; or m perhaps, also, fro party vanity, maintain and foster in the minds of their distant friends the ideas they carried with them when they were forced to leave their country .

Yet all this time they have been standing still, and the world advancing . Exiles always start from the same point ; whilst the people, who have remained behind ,

se are gaining ground upon another road, and e new

fields for action before them . They, therefore, con sider us slaves and themselves free, or they call our ff e orts sluggish or insane ; or, if they do not thus con dem n us, they fancy that it is they who have given the l impu se to a people who walk by themselves . Thus,

i o wn one way or another, each go ng at his pace , we

in r find ourselves a few hou s at the antipodes . The 18 48 calendar is with us at , whilst with them it always 1 1 ret“urns to 8 3 . Thus much is true, that now, when Italy has begun l to comprehend herself, and has renewed her ife like a

in healthy plant, the exiles Paris speak of their plan for remodelling her, either because she has not been

be remodelled according to their particular views, or cause they feel they have had no great share in the h change which has taken place . Last Marc , I saw a

was circular from London, the substance of which , that l to effect anything on a so id basis, we, in the country ,

in or ought to rely all things, and f all things, on our friends abroad ; that for this end we ought to make one 316 P GIUSE PE GIUSTI .

a common purse, and place th t purse in London , to pro r vide for our necessities f om thence . My dear sir, if I had

o wn not seen the letter with my eyes, there is not a living soul who could have made me believe so extraordinary

hav m a fact ; and, I remember, after g read the paper in the presence of several persons who had shown it to

me to ask my opinion , I remained silent, my head sunk

on my breast, struck dumb, and like a man of stone . I

saw beyond it a project to excite the country to arms,

and I caused a copy of it to be given to me , that I

had n might be assured I not bee dreaming, for I felt t ho and cold with pity and shame . If they could re st

satisfied with writing letters and scheming, one might with have some patience them but the worst is , they wish to urge us on towards an uncertain goal by 1 93 violence , such as was tried in 7 , or by disorderly

no w in ri ff means, such as are practised count es di ering

in every respect from ours . The imprudent clamour raised by certain pe rs ons and certain newspape rs may be traced bac k to them ; they occasioned the excite ment which awoke rcprisals in various parts o f It aly it

wi w c a is o ng to them that many have dra n ba k , lmost vexed with themselves fo r having lent a hand to any

o thing so f olish and of so little moment, and that

o a s and edd e others have met t gitate in the street m l ,

t he e s to suit their purposes , troubling wat r , which

perhaps at that moment were flowing pure and limpid .

but t he Some, aware of the evil , unacquainted with

318 G 1USEPPE GIUSTI .

w they arrive sooner or later, hat will they say, do, or bring us ? The language spoken in their days has given place to a wider and more comprehensive language ; the m ode t encndi of that time is no longer adapted to us ; the merchandise they bring us from abroad we

have ordered to be carried to the lazzaretto or, at any

rate , put in quarantine . I am convinced that the more sincere among them , when they see their country again , w and find it wholly renovated, ill lay down the old

Adam and sit down to table with us . The rest must — be divided into two categories the category of th o se who are under a delusion, and the category of those who wish to delude others . I would let these last

we alone, for my stomach revolts against them ; but must watch over those who are under a delusion , and keep them in sight— watch over them to be ready to w recall them to ourselves , hich would be a great gain

es keep them in sight, that they may not make any capades . We want such sincere , good men , who will lv give heart and soul for t he cause . e must find a

fo r r o fo r home the improvident, civil and milita y p sts

who o o those have talents and c urage , and , ab ve all , we must sincerely appreciate t he dange rs they have e o n

o ff o fr nted and the su erings they have underg ne , and never, in the slightest degree , reproach them for the errors they may have c o mmitted . I am never tired of

fo r preaching this to all the common peace and benefit, and I desire t hat in every corner of o ur beloved country 319 DISASTRO US TERMINATIO N O F THE REVO LUTIO N .

the necessity Should be felt of not imposing our own

opinions on others, and likewise of never rej ecting any

persons, whosoever they may be .

To L orenzo Marmi.

o en e 8 1849 . Fl r c , April , DEA R O O MY L RENZ ,

ff w Our a airs have gone do n head foremost, and are in

18 48 . a much lower condition than in July, The nation i is not dead, nor is the idea departed this l fe which first roused her and induced her to attempt her redemption this idea, driven to seek refuge within the soul, is — a i preserved there immutable liv ng thought, purified

l n and refined by misfortune , it wil burst forth agai w hen stronger, more universally acknowledged, and more irresistible . You know I never hoped blindly, but you also know I never despaired, not even in the years

n 18 31 18 4 . of apparent slumber, betwee and 7 Nations, f like individuals, when passing from one period of li e to another, are sometimes seized by a kind of wonder and stupefaction, which makes them appear weaker than ever at the very moment when they are on the eve of a resurrection to a new life and renovated health .

On the other hand, a people who have been struck down by misfortune, after the first grief, the first despair i is past, turn to look around, and when examin ng themselves discover the mistakes and faults which have brought them low learning wisdom whilst taking 32 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

w heart once more, they prepare ith greater prudence

re and greater confidence to repair the evil, and to cover the position which belongs to them . Consider how useful sickness is to young m en in curing them of thoughtlessness and the intemperance of early youth , and that the fact of having mismanaged our private f i a fairs, of hav ng been deceived, cheated, and robbed, teaches us to keep better account of our possessions, and m to guard and defend them fro the claws of others . — Two things have chiefly damaged us too little and

h too much confidence in ourselves . T e first made us too slow, the second too rash . The first nourished and sup a ported numerous herd of unbelievers, of vacillators, and of men who, by always backing, fell behind the second let loose the wild and disorderly haste of the presumptuous and marplots, those who only played at battles ; those

in w who, before they had ascertained the course hich the vessel had to steer, and without compass or lead to

un sound its depths, plunged into a tempestuous and

! who known sea . You are overdoing it cried those were standing with their hands before them . You

’ don t do enough ! bawled out others and fretted to be

w t he - —rnuch do- in action . Bet een do too and the too

we did no t w do r little, know hat to , and made matte s

w r o . o s e than bef re Next time , if we take advantage of

r w ff past blunde s , we shall rest contented ith e ecting what is possible ; and we shall bear in mind that the

wo fe e o o . rld is looking on , and that best is a to g d

322 I GIUSEPPE GIUST .

of members of political clubs, the greedy, the turbulent, the desperate, with a small number of honest men , who

r are wholly under a delusion , sha pen their weapons to be prepared for the last extremity , and are ready to

’ r zz s shake the foundations of Gué a i power, as they did

Ridolfi that of , and of Capponi . Towards the end of a revolution, those who are most alarmed for themselves a are the most ready for desperate acts . The most aud cious schemes are always started by men who , conscious that they have more than any contributed to change

f . the State , fear they will be the first to su fer the penalty

D a e epending on the proverb, that where all are to bl m

r none are punished, they endeavour to involve othe s in

their guilt rather than perish alone , and thus prove they are better friends to themselves than to their e country . A man of sense or feeling, when he perceiv s

e that the country cannot be saved in his way , will sav

o wn it in the best way he can , by renouncing his

e opinions if necessary ; lik the pilot, overtaken by

a storm , who, in order to conduct the vessel to a

o v s safe haven , throws his merchandise and pr i ions ove“rboard . r e I find I have writte n you a ve y long lett r, which

w o wr t e you must no accept as it is . Alth ugh I never i

l o f s a ine for the newspaper press , nor a line my u ual

1 ff s s nonsense , every now and then send my e u ion

r who to my f iends , more indulgent than the public ,

rs a . a e no read and quote , but do not unde t nd me I h v O O O F O 2 DISASTR US TERMINATI N THE REV LUTIO N . 3 3

1 intention of going to the Assembly . I have objected, and do object , to our sending up any members, and I have many friends to whom I am sorry to be obliged

to send a refusal, but I cannot act contrary to my

r conscience . I am , besides, bo n to keep to the pit, and those who would send me on the stage would anni hilat e me . My nerves are shaken and upset by a mere

nothing, and the agitation at my heart carries away

I feel understanding and speech so that, though I have

much I could say, I end by saying nothing . To go

t he there to stammer and play fool, does not suit me ; and though I entert ain no rancour against any living l soul , I have felt the bite of the wo f, and have had enough . They now conf ess we were in the right ; but as I have always remained constant to that moderation il with which they reproached us, I w l take care not to take up the cudgels again to fight those who wished

us to injure us . Let place a stone upon the past, and be“better friends than before . Remember me to Lello, and do all you can to prevent any o ne causing a disturbance in the country . i Whether our rulers wear a crown or a hat, civ l discord is the worst scourge which can afflict a people . ” Adieu .

1 The ons en sse t o e e t he es on o f t h e n on C titu t A mbly, d cid qu ti u i o f s an w o e t o whi s had een e e e t h e in Tu c y ith R m , ch Giu ti b l ct d by a an s o f o o a ano wh o had e a ne fa fu t o ei Old h bit t B rg Buggi , r m i d ith l th r

n es and we e not n e t h e nfl en e of t he a- e o a pri cipl , r u d r i u c ultr d m cr tic party 32 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

T L r o o enzo Marini.

o en e 10 49 18 . Fl r c , April , O O MY DEAR L RENZ ,

I must add another long letter to that I wrote t o you the day before yesterday, as I am anxious to draw your attention to the evil threads interwoven in the web of that plot which transpires in recent events in

Europe .

Two hostile parties, both equally active and vindic tive , had agitated Europe for several years , when Pius

e a e t the Ninth app ared mong us, and when the R volu ion of February exploded in Paris ; I mean the party of

Ret ro radist s r Carlists , or Legitimists, or g ; and the pa ty

s of Republicans, or Socialists , or Communists . The focu of both these parties, has been , and always is, France ,

r which , if I may so express it, is destined to perfo m a the function of the liver in Europe, of that org n on which depends our digestion, and consequently our i good or bad humour. The accession of Louis Phil ppe

e was a severe blow to both parties, as , by strength ning

o and r s e he himself up n the commercial indust ial cla s s ,

o f w put an end to the practices the old Court , hich included that party who had fo llowed pri nciples sug d ft gested by pru ence , but which , after a trial of fi y

s o e r s consecutive year , had fallen int disreput ; p inciple ,

o which really aimed at throwing back s ciety , then in

w l e a state of progre ssion . Satisfied ith foi ing th ir

I I 326 G USEPPE GIUST . after men had seen what harvest was reaped by the sup

of n porters the can on of June, raised their heads, and contended for the upper hand . They perceived that the

Republicans could no longer have their way, and they saw the parties who had suspended a war of blood, preparing for a war of votes they were aware that Cavaignac, a

r l t ue Republican, and adverse to Communism, was equa ly

O l pposed to the Reds and to the Constitutiona ists, they further perceived that it would neither be prudent nor easy at once to proclaim Henri Cinq and , in the hope of dealing a first blow at the new order of things, they j oined the adversaries of Cavaignac to elect Louis

: Napoleon saying, France is by nature monarchical ; the Republic is only a medium by which to pass from one dynasty to another ; the monarchy of battles, a incarnate in the dynasty of Napoleon , cannot e sily

in be grafted on the country again, in a time which peace is demanded at any price therefore , now is the time for the restoration of the elder branch of the

u Bourbons , or, if nothing better, the opport nity for an accommodation, by placing the crown on the head of the Comte de Paris . So much for France ; as to w t the rest of Europe , hich has been in a state of agi a

re tion for a whole year, something of the same kind , mo

r Th u or less , has occurred in eve y nation . e imp lse

t he e i given by Red R publicans roused Vienna, Berl n , and a considerable part of Germany ; it reverbe rate d

l r in in Mi an, and car ied all Italy along the great, spon D O U O O F H O 2 ISASTR S TERMINATI N T E REV LUTIO N . 3 7 t aneous i , earnest, un versal movement, the impulse to

r which was given in our count y by Pius the Ninth , and acquiesced in by all the Princes of the Peninsula ; and i i yet th s movement, from wh ch all promised themselves

r n salvation , has been th ow into disorder, and has de

u u i viated from the right co rse, nt l we have been driven over the precipice and now that our hopes have fallen in the dust, when doubt and disappointment have come

among us, the monarchical party have made converts

everywhere , and reap their harvest from the overcautious, whilst their opponents have only gleaned theirs from wild fanatics and they rest the foundations of their pro j ect ed restorations on the ruin these last have brought

uncon about . As most men of ardent tempers have

iousl r u sc y se ved the ends of the Comm nists, so the luke i warm now almost as bl ndly serve the ends ofthe Carlists, in who have a finger everything. If you ask for proofs

F 18 48 ro between ebruary and March , , the period of p

gress, there were persons circulating among us (persons connected with the revolutionary party in Paris) en deavouring to throw discredit on representative govern

ment . They were sent here to spread the idea that this kind of government was only intended to check the enthusiasm of the people ; that it could not be reconciled with liberty ; that the sovereigns intended to take back fraudulently that which they had granted

: to necessity, and so forth thus, from the commence

ment, they poisoned the germs of the liberty we had 32 8 GIUSEPPE GI USTI .

regained, and, by kindling a desire for something i ff better, they made us ndi erent to the good we had obtained . On the other hand, after the defeat of the l 18 48 Piedmontese armies in Ju y, , and when more than ever the Mazzinian party was let loose here , and all over Italy, when the Ministers, the Chambers, and every name which could give umbrage or offer an impediment had been knocked over, the mass of

who in the people took no part the disturbances, and

r did not like them , and the P inces who had been ready to grant concessions , all began to be alarmed , and to fear the worst . At this j uncture, the Carlists ,

Legitimist or Retrograde party, for they are one and the same, began to show themselves, and, insinuating themselves by the breach opened by the hostile faction , they fomented the fears of the Princes and of the people . They persuaded Pius the Ninth to take a retrograde step, they induced the Grand Duke to fly, and they now surround them both in Gaeta ; and who knows

u ? o what will be the res lt I know little ab ut the Pope ,

c an t he D but I tell you as regards Grand uke, that

D a as far back as last ecember or January, a cert in

r San Marco introduced himself at Cou t, a man who had been one of the followers of the Duchess de Be rri

’ int rz ant clever, cunning, g , allied in close friendship with

a t a s r others of that p r y , and who, ye r before , had st iven h t e . m to make his way to Pitti , but failed This an

u m an t he followed the Co rt to Siena, and this is wi h t

CHAPTER XXI .

S I TU CANY N 1849 .

MAZZINI had left Milan for Florence, and arrived there j ust as the flight of the Grand Duke from his capital had thrown the whole country into embarrassment and confusion : Guérazzi and Montanelli accordingly invited

the republican leader to a conference , in which they discussed the policy of proclaiming a republic for Tus

cany, and immediate union with Rome . Mazzini assured f them no time was to be lost to e fect this junction, and

he was supported in his opinion by Montanelli , whilst t

s ué z i third Triumvir, Mazzoni gave a silent a sent . G ra z

alone O pposed the measure , plausibly alleging that it was neither just nor reasonable to impose this form of

n gover ment on the whole State , in order to appease the

o t he clamours of a single city , alth ugh the Capital ; less

required , since a Constituent Assembly to decide the question by lawful vote had already been dete rmined

o n. an r n Mazzini , who had , at y rate, the me it of bei g

and s sincere in his enthusiasm , without any inist er

o to e ss t motive in his acts, c ntinued urge the n ce i y of ta t imposing a republic on the Tuscan people , cer in tha 9 TUSCANY IN 18 4 . 331 they would learn to appreciate the benefit of such a form of Government, and that even if at first this

ul should occasion some bloodshed , the cost wo d not be

. Guérazzi too great for the advantage gained , however,

his O maintained pposition to the measure, and the

Council broke up without coming to any resolution . A

' few hours later, the mob, with Mazzini in the midst of

u them, crowded the co rts and passages of the Palazzo

Vecchio, and even forced themselves into the room d where the Triumvirs were sitting, emanding an imme diate proclamation of a republic . To a speech from

Guérazzi i l Mazzini, repl ed with bitterness, ca ling him the greatest calamity to Italy, though afterwards apolo

izin if g g for this language . He declared the people would grant him t wo thousand well - armed and well ! tried men, he would not delay issuing the proclama“tion all upon which , shouts resounded from sides, of We will give you five thousand— ten thousand—thirty

s ! thou and A great banquet followed, in the Piazza l i del a Signoria, in the midst of wh ch the bell of the l i Palazzo was sudden y heard toll ng, and the windows of w l the city blazed ith i luminations, whilst trees of liberty were raised, with cheers for the republic . Though the Florentine people looked on in silence at the banquet of democratic leaders and their followers, the members of the political clubs were giving way to loud and exaggerated rej oicings, with extravagant speeches and proposals ; but the general sympathies were inclined 332 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . to favour those who advocated referring to a popular vote to decide the form of Government by which l they were to be ru ed . The noisy patriots of the banquet, however, met with no opposition , as they proceeded to plant their trees of liberty in every

square of the city . The example of Florence was followed in the other

uérazzi cities of Tuscany, but G declared that such demonstrations were unbecoming in a people engaged in the serious task of changing the Government of a

u State ; Montanelli, however, nder the influence of

z Ma zini , insisted that these expressions of republican aspirations should be accepted as the desire of the

nation, and be sanctioned by a decree from the di Government . The democratic party accordingly vided

Guérazzi was into two factions, that headed by , who

secretly working for his own ends, though ostensibly promoting those of the friends of rational liberty and

of popular government, and that led by Montanelli ,

rt z who suppo ed by Maz ini , sincerely believed that they

n r were conferri g a benefit on the nation , and secu ing

t he s future liberty and independence of Italy, whil t forcing on the Italian pe o ple their own ideas of

r Guérazzi s a free Gove nment . at la t succeeded in persuading his c o lleag ues to consent to issue a pro

ra no t ec clamation , that these demonst tions could d ide

the question of union with Rome , which could only be settled after ha ving been submitted to a legally

4 33 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

l Marchese Gino Capponi , in a spirit of conci iation, con him sented to an interview with , and tried to convince him , that to establish a republic in central Italy was at that moment equivalent to invite foreign armed inter

vent ion. Mazzini replied that he was aware of this, but considered the project ought to be persevered in, and that the triumph would be more secure when they had again encountered and defeated the invader. Soon after

n this interview with the Marchese Cappo i , Mazzini left T uscany for Rome, and a few weeks later, the Con st it u ent e Assembly, which was to decide the futur in government of Tuscany, met the Cinque Cento Hall of the Palazzo Vecchio of Florence . Montanelli there proposed the union of Tuscany with Rome in one

l r n repub ic, and might have succeeded in car y i g this

Gué razzi measure , in spite of the opposition of , had d not the isastrous news of the defeat and flight, rather

o than retreat, of Carl Alberto from Milan , of his second w n attempt and failure , ith his resignation of the crow in favour of Victor Emanuel , rapidly succeeding one y another, and finally of Venice being closel besieged by

r a the Austrians , absorbed eve y other consider tion in m that of the common danger. After a stor y debate in

Gué razzi the Constituent Assembly, , though accused by the republican party of having been bought by the

D indi nant lv t Grand uke , an accusation he g repudia ed ,

a D o a i ar was ppointed ictat r, and invested with extr ord n y

r powers t o provide for t he defence of t he count y . TUSCA NY IN 18 49 . 335 The Director’ s first act was to persuade Montanelli to

leave Florence, as he thus hoped to deprive the opposi

tion of their most able, as well as most honest leader . Montanelli was himself convinced that his presence only

added to the embarrassment of the new Governor, with

u e out f rthering his own cause, and therefor consented

to depart for Genoa . He was said to have been sent on

a mission to England, but no explanation has been given

why he did not proceed farther . As the idea gained

’ Guerazzi ground, that was secretly working for the Grand D h uke, those who were favourable to t is measure i became more incl ned to support his administration . A Committee met to compose a letter addressed to

the most distinguished citizens, such as the Baron

i Serrist ori Ricasoli , the Marchese Cappon , Count , the

C a o uadri Advocate p q , and the Duca di Casigliano,

Don i i ff brother of Ner Corsin , to the e ect, that the

country looked to them for preservation, entreating

i i Gué razzi them to unite with the mun cipality and w th , and agree upon the means to be adopted at the present

e juncture to avoid a foreign occupation, at the sam time assuring them that the Prince woul d trust in their loyalty, and the Tuscan people never forget their names

among those who deserved well of their country. The several copies of this letter were enclosed in one en

velo e D - o ffice p , and addressed to the irector of the Post ,

. Guérazzi who carried them to the Dictator , after reading them , sealed and despatched them to those for whom 336 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

i they were intended, add ng a request that they would not enter into any secret intrigue, or thwart his schemes for

r the protection of the count y . The Prefect of Florence , hoping to effect a reconciliation with the Constitutional party, and aid in the restoration of the Grand Duke ,

’ refu sed to listen to Guérazzis assurances that the time had not yet arrived for the reception of the Prince , and held a conference on the subj ect with the Marchese

Serrist ori Capponi, Count , and Giuseppe Giusti , when it

S errist ori ul e was agreed that sho d proceed to Ga ta, and urge the Grand Duke to issue a proclamation , calling

on the Tuscans to return to their allegiance , and that he should resume his throne with the Constitutional

rri ri Statute of 18 48 . Se st o accordingly left Tuscany did to execute this commission, but the Prince not condescend to return any answer. Meantime , secret e intelligence was conveyed to and from Ga ta , by the

' Dem ido fi Russian Prince , whose gold helped to stir up an insurrection in the country in favour of the Grand D uke .

Guérazzi a sent gents to France and England , to obtain their m ediation to arrest the entrance of t he

n a Austrians into Tusca y ; he, at the same time, ende vo ured t to keep the par isans of the republic , as well as those belonging to the absolute monarchy , in check , and thus smooth t he way for the Constituent Assembly t h to restore e Grand Duke , with such guarantees as he considered sufficient for the preservation of the Con

338 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

. Z annet t i Florence Professor , as commander of the

national guard, hastened everywhere, and used every precaution to restore tranquillity ; but j ust as the Livor nese troops reached the Piazza Vecchia di Santa Maria

Novella on their way to the railroad, they were attacked — by a furious mob . The soldiers fired in self defence ,

which increased the rage of the people, who , in return , fired from the windows of the adj oining houses on the

. m Guarduc ci troops The Livornese com ander, Maj or ,

ué razzi endeavoured to restrain his soldiers and G , who

was at all times ready to hasten to the post of danger ,

was immediately on the spot . But he had hardly suc d ceede in stopping this fray, when the report of a more

alarming riot reached him . Some of the soldiers belong d ing to the infantry regiment quartere in the town , had

in j oined the people in an attack on the Livornese , and ,

ff Z annet t i n spite of the e orts of , several of the Livor ese

who had taken refuge in a shop , were massacred .

Guerazzi himself narrowly escaped with his life , and

during the night which followed, cries were heard of ” “ Guérazzi n ! Death to , Lo g live Leopold IL The municipality met to consider what m easures

t he v should be taken to restore the peace , and after

d m w Z annet t i ha sent a essenger to confer ith , it was

agreed that the Constituent Assembly , the municipality, and t he national guard should pro vide in c o nce rt fo r

fo r o f t he the protection of the city , and the return

t he e Grand Duke . As illness of the Gonfaloni r I 1 4 TUSCANY N 8 9 .

Peruzzi deprived the municipality of his assistance , a committee of five of the most distinguished citizens was

named to aid with their counsel . This committee con

sisted of Baron Bettino Ricasoli , the Marchese Gino

a Serrist o ri C pponi , Count Luigi , the Marchese Carlo

u d e Ca o a ri. Torrigiani, and the Advocat p q Giusti gave an account of the anxious suspense of

that day, in a letter to his father, the Cavaliere

Domenico Giusti, who was at his residence in Pescia

o en l 12 1 e 849 . MY Fl r c , Apri , DEAR FATHER, A tumult fell out yesterday between the Fl orentines

and the Livornese volunteers . At one moment we

thought the city was to be all in an uproar. We were

at dinner, and you may imagine the sensation caused

by a sound of musketry, which continued perhaps five

e minutes . Ther were some dead and wounded, but the

affair was no worse . The people , however, continued in a

in i state of agitation , and late the even ng the trees !of liberty] were ordered to be cut down . At the time I

- da am writing , which is about mid y, the trees are all prostrate, the bells are ringing, and I am told they are

z shouting in the Piaz a for Leopold II . I, who am an enemy to all disorder, and abhor civil discord of what

o r o . ever shade c lour, keep out of the way I fear, i however, that poor G no, who would rather remain at ff home without mixing in public a airs, of which he has had so much bitter experience, will be obliged to come forth again . My love to my mother. 0 P 340 GIU SE PE GIUSTI .

all It is now two in the afternoon . The people are in revolt ; the Grand Ducal arms are restored, and they

’ are shouting, Down with the present government . The municipality has taken the reins of the State in

own z their hands, associating with themselves six citi ens,

errist ori among whom are Gino, S , Ricasoli, and Carlo

Torrigiani . The national guard are under arms . If no

one plays the fool , matters will right themselves without

any serious disorder . I wish for nothing except that the country may be preserved from an Austrian invasion ff and we have the means of warding this o . I have received your letter. The order or instruction from the

Prefect of Pistoia is useless for me , as I have resolved

not to put myself forward in anything . Meantime, keep your mind tranquil about me , and I will write to you

with greater ease .

I have re - opened my letter to make you more fully

comprehend the meaning of what has taken place . For three consecutive days the country had Sll O WIl signs of

hollowness and mistrust, as suspense is insupportable

to all , but most insupportable for a people of an excite

a o able temperament . God gr nt that the return ! f the Grand Duke] may not be m ore i njuri o us than his

! who departure I fear the people go back , more than wh o . t t those hasten on The even s from Sep ember,

18 48 t he all , to present day, should be a lesson for ; w if not, we shall fare orse .

342 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . which was sometimes displayed in prompt and daring

acts, sometimes in the boldness with which he faced those before whom a better man would have felt shame . N o sooner was he roused on the morning of the 12 t h

n April , and learnt that the people were agai collecting in vast numbers, than he ordered out the municipal guards ; but counter orders having been given by the municipality, they refused to obey . The President of the Constituent Assembly gathered together the few members remaining in Florence, and persuaded them i to consent to the resolution of the prev ous night .

uérazzi G , in spite of his natural hardihood , showed a i troubled and anxious expression of countenance, wh lst in o i a few w rds , he reproached the Assembly for hav ng

Indif demolished all he had happily accomplished .

a fere t to these remonstrances , they issued a proclamation to the Florentines, declaring that the Constituent Assem bly had resumed the power which they had confided to D the ictator, and promising to shield the people from the

uérazzi . G calamity of a foreign occupation , finding all

u f rther attempts to retain power vain , consented to pro c eed o r to Leghorn , and to use his endeav u s to pacify

was the Livornese , as that city , it feared , would be in a state of insurrection , on account of the assault and

-c z massacre of so many of their fellow iti ens . But mean

n and time , the tumults in Florence had i creased , a

w o rene al of acts of vi lence was threatened . So m e

in G uerazzi of the people were still favour of , though or TH E PR V ISI N AL O FALL O O G VERNMENT . 343

the maj ority were opposed to him . The fury of his enemies at length rose to such a pitch that he was

not w advised to sho himself, or else to leave the city but whilst deputies and others fled, he persisted on

in z u in u remaining the Pala zo Vecchio, ref s g, tho gh

who with courtesy, to accept the advice of those offered to conduct him in safety beyond the walls of

Florence . The municipality proposed to convoke the Parlia ment without delay, and place it on the same footing

C a o uadri as before its dissolution ; but p q , who was i D secretly work ng in the interest of the Grand uke , l objected, saying that they wou d thus deprive the sovereign of a means to ingratiate himself with his

ué z people . How to dispose of G raz i was the greatest difficulty which presented itself at that mom ent ; it ap

eared p dangerous now to send him to Leghorn, as his presence there might create a party in his favour, and

u complicate matters still f rther, by preventing the return of the Grand Duke, whose presence, provided he agreed t to adhere to the Constitutional S atute, would, they believed, alone restore order . A proposal was moved

uérazzi that G should go into voluntary exile, and, his con

was sent having been obtained, money furnished him for

i z w his j ourney . But the people n the piaz a belo were

e calling for his death , and threat ned to break into the Palace ; they were only tranquilli zed by the Marchese al Gino Capponi addressing them from a b cony, and 344 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI. assuring them that the ex - Dictator was in safe custody . The following morning a rabble of peasants arrived w from the country, armed ith scythes and hatch“ets, and i carry ng the banner of the Grand Duke, shouting, Death ” to the liberals, in the name of Pius the Second . To save

’ Guérazzis life, it became necessary to transport him to the fortress of San Giorgio, behind the Pitti Palace ; and the perilous task of conveying him thither was confided to Professor Z annet t i and the national guards .

Z annet t i Guerazzi , accordingly, went to , and persuaded him to consent to this measure, pledging his word that

few he should be only detained a days, he himself having been assured to this effect before undert aking the task assigned him .

Guérazzi t he was confided, in Fortress of San

Giorgio , to the charge of Captain Bonaventura Galeotti, who, instead of treating him as had been expected , maintained , or rather exceeded, all the severe forms of imprisonment used towards criminals, or prisoners of S tate . None were allowed to approach him, and he

r de ri was forbidden books or the means of w iting, a p vation never before practised in Tuscany towards untried

o prisoners . Meantime , disturbances t ok place in various

s r v part of the count y , but the Pro isional Government

in happily succeeded in appeasing all , except that the

r t city of Legho n , which s eadfastly refused to sanction

the r n had the recall of Grand Duke . The Gove ment

3 I I 46 GIUSEPPE G UST . the Grand Duke had assured his friends that the n introduction of Austria troops was impossible . His first act was to post up a placard throughout t he city, containing a letter from Leopold, in which a promise for the restoration of a constitutional form of Government was somewhat neutralized by the sove reign assuming the title of an Imperial Prince of the House of Austria . A few days later, seventeen fi thousand Austrians entered Tuscany, with fty pieces

’ D As re of artillery, under the conduct of General p , and accompanied by the Archduke Al bert and the

. U t he Duke of Modena pon their arrival in Lucca,

u general issued a proclamation , informing the T scan people that he had come to defend the rights of their legitimate sovereign , and to restore peace and order . ' He further exhorted the Ihisc ans to receive his soldiers as friends and brothers, and promised to preserve the

ri strictest discipline , and b ng them only happiness and peace .

n This news caused no small co sternation in Florence , where the Provisional Government entered a protest

Serris t o ri against the measure , addressed to , in which

w a they declared that, hen they ssumed the direction of

' aflairs t he ri t he had in name of the P nce , y pledged their word to preserve the people from the infliction of a foreign occupation . This protest was signed by all

C a o u adri wh w t he o as . but p q , absent The leaders of national guard likewise entered a protest against t he T E R V ISI NAL O 34 FALL or H P O O G VERNMENT . 7

ist ori . err arrival of the Austrians S , accordingly, sent

’ D Arco the Florentine General , Ferrari , to Lucca, to

’ ra D As re confer with Gene l p , to inform him that tran w quillity as restored throughout Tuscany, with the ex

t io n his c ep of Leghorn , and to request him to confine

’ D As re occupation to that city . General p , yielding to

this remonstrance, proceeded, with the larger part of

his army, to Pisa, on his way to Leghorn . At Pisa the Austrians met with an amicable reception on the part of

— sufficient a small number ofpersons , however, to enable them to report that their arrival had been welcomed throughout the city . Meantime, a minority in Leghorn advocated attempting an armed resistance to the in l vaders . The municipa ity proposed capitulation ; and l the foreign consu s, from selfish considerations and

i unc on regardless of the interests of the city, adv sed i dit io nal surrender . But the opin on of the revolutionary party, in spite of the smallness of their numbers, pre l vailed . The shops were shut, the bel s were rung to call

r s w the people to arms, and bar icade were thro n across

. diffi the streets The Austrians, however, found little culty in overcoming these hasty preparations for de fence ; and, after a short but sanguinary struggle , the

u people fled to the port, p rsued by the German soldiery ,

t o who, having taken a few prisoners, put them all

w t r the s ord . erever fi ing had taken place from n the wi dows, the victors broke into the houses, and massacred indiscriminately, men, women, and children . 348 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

White flags were displayed, to deprecate further ven

eanc e e g , and the city was seeking som repose , when the alarm was renewed by the sound of muskets fired

t he . from cathedral, by which one soldier was killed The troops were again called to arms ; and five un happy men found within t he church were mercilessly

’ D As re shot down . General p proclaimed , whoever was i ff found w th arms should su er the punishment of death , and every sign of the late revolution was severely pro

hibit ed. He ordered the shops to be reopened, and

trade carried on as usual, whilst commanding the i citizens, through the mun cipality, to supply his troops

with quarters .

’ D As re F As General p now turned to lorence, he pro m clai ed, from Empoli, that he had been sent by the

Emperor, at the request of the Grand Duke ; for which

Serrist o ri proclamation he was reproached by , as the Grand Duke did not desire his cognizance in this affair w d to be made kno n . The Austrian sol iers marched

w - and into Florence , ith olive branches in their caps ,

n were received by the Flore tines in silence . They were

quartered in the various monasteries , whilst their

general took possession of the fortresses . That same

r D rr day the new Ministe s of the Grand uke a ived .

Baldassero ni rc - Lau ic r had been appointed , with De g ,

C a o uadri w p q , and others, hose retrograde tendencies or treachery had won for them the favour of the restored

was at prince . The institution of the national guard

350 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Z ann t t i and Montanara, amongst them Professor e who

t he i had attended wounded and the dy ng on that field , were deprived of the honours which at the time had been conferred on them by the Grand Duke himself. Such a commencement did not augur well for the pro m is d e restoration of the Constitution .

In September, the Grand Duke made a j ourney to

Vienna, to visit his young cousin, the Emperor Francis the Second ; and, on his return, the Prefect of Florence issued an order for the elections to a new Parliament, which was considered by the people a proof that the Prince intended to redeem his pledge ; but it seems

’ that the Prefect s zeal for the honour of t he Grand

Duke, to whom he was sincerely attached, had over f stepped his prudence, and the Prince with di ficulty forgave his presumption .

Guérazzi , who had been left in prison by the Provi

u sio al Government, was now put on his trial , which lasted four years, to the scandal of all Tuscany . The Grand Duke meantime concluded a convention with the Emperor of Au stria for the maintenance of ten thousand Austrian soldiers in his dominions , for whom

Leopold engaged to furnish quarters and provisions , besides acceding to the condition which plac ed all the

n d fortresses of Tusca y at their isposal . During the

u three years of occupation , the country had to pay p wards o f thirty - six million six hundred and fourteen thousand lire, for the maintenance of these foreign R UR F ET N O THE GRAND DUKE . 351

troops, besides being subj ected to martial law at the a h nds of a tribunal composed of Austrian soldiers .

Persecutions by arbitrary acts followed, besides nume rous executions of innocent persons, and the most

t he galling insults , which people were obliged to suff er without a hope of redress . 5th 18 52 On the May, , the Grand Duke, Leopold II . , issued the following proclamation

O O TH E O We, LE P LD SEC ND,

B the G race o o d ra y f G , G nd D ale of

Tuscan (120 . (Do. y,

When in the midst of extraordinary events which

e wer enacting in and out of Italy, we resolved to grant

u i our beloved T scany wider pol tical institutions, pro m ulgat ing the fundamental Statute of the 15th Feb ruar 18 48 y, , we were not moved thereunto by any other consideration than the desire to preserve the country

h she from the dangers with whic was menaced, to con

o form our G vernment to that of neighbouring States, and to contribute by t he new system to the greater i prosper ty of our beloved subj ects . But the results did not answer our common expec

- t at ions . We did not derive the hoped for benefits, nor did we escape from the evils we feared ; our authority was subsequently obliged to yield to the violence of a 352 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

n revolution which at once overtur ed the Statute, and occ“asioned Tuscany the most deplorable calamities . We were soon afterwards restored, by the courage of those Tuscans who remained faithful to t he lawful

Government ; and, thanking Providence, who has thus consoled us for the bitterness of exile , we accepted the

reservin t o o urselves t o rest o re generous deed, g , not

the o litical o rder withstanding our painful experience , p i titu ted b us in F ebru ar 18 48 ns y y, , so that there might likewise be no fear of a repetition ofpast disorders .

Nevertheless, to restrain the machinations of the several factions which were disconcerted, not subdued, 12t h 18 49 by the happy successes of the April, , it was

di nreasures necessary to use extraor nary , and thus i i secure the tranquill ty of the State, and prov de in an expeditious and efficacious way for the better adm inis t rat io n of the country we have therefore determined to resume the exercise of our full power, until the general condition of Europe, and the particular condition of

Tuscany and of Italy , shall permit the restoration of the system of representative government. Meantime very serious events have succeeded one

Th e another in Europe . foundations of society hav e

nro re rrrerrac ed been or less , and society has , therefore , been obliged to seek , and still seeks, its safety under the shelter of those principles which allo w o f the firm and free exercise of authority . No trace now remains

in rr of representative government Italy, and we are co

54 3 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . words he uttered to a confidential friend when setting foot again in Tuscany The Tu scans have rej ected m e e for their father, they shall hav me for their step father ; and I will only leave them eyes to weep their

misery . CHAPTER XXIII .

— THE AUSTRIANS IN TUS CANY TERM INATI O N To THE H O PES A ND A RATIO N s O F H O S or 1 4 e T E PATRI T 8 8 .

2 2d 18 49 w ON the May, Giusti rote to the Marchese

Capponi, from Pescia

MY A O DE R GIN , h We have the Germans in Pescia . T ey poured in h i unexpectedly t is morning, number ng about two thou sand, and, it appears, they intend advancing upon Pistoia . I have neither heart nor health to bear the sight of them, and I stay at home in shame and sorrow . We i were just going into the country, but fear ng they might make a search for arms, or demand a lodging, or some n thi g of the sort, we have remained here , as we have no one to give the whole in charge, on whom we could depend . ’ ff r It is hard to be obliged to su er for anothe s fault, but we are perhaps deserving of punishment . If we had only had a grain of common sense Meantime, there is ‘ ’ i in m the dev l to pay Ger any, and I believe they are set ting to in earnest . I cannot at all make my way out of it, A A 2 356 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI . and I consider the most ignorant are always the most presumptuous but that Russia should offer her support to Austria is, I confess, the most intricate problem of all that is presented to us among the facts passing before

our eyes . Was it not only to aim a blow at Austria that Russia tried to strengthen herself by her Sclavic population ? Perhaps if the Magyars should be con quered, she will return to the old scheme, or renew Al the Holy liance, or there may possibly spring up some new fungus that will inflict pain , where least expected . Yet there are those who on seeing the

- arrival of these birds of ill omen, expect fair weather

r to return . We shall know the t uth some ten years hence, if the storm has not by that time swept us all away . Meantime here we are , sold like a set of block heads, when we thought that we should have made a l ” se l of all the world .

In another letter of the same month, he alludes to the Marchese Capponi having generously spoken in

Gué razzi behalf of , and adds, I am ashamed that even at a moment like this there should be any who

t he take pride in trampling upon fallen , and I can hardly believe it true that they aff o rd 1110 this oppor ” t unity of declaring that I do not share their baseness .

Writing to another friend , he thus takes a hasty review of the state of feeling produced by the vic issi tudes the country had undergone

358 GI USEPPE GI USTI . few who attempted to speak out to the multitudes were called the enemies of liberty and traitors to their country ; so true is it that there was more talk than substance . An d now what do you say to the cowardly language boldly hurled against the fallen ? Firing away as in

Guérazzi a farce, at Montanelli who has fled, and at who is shut up in a fortress . Certain papers may well 1 take the name of insects ; but, rather than insects , they appear to me carrion crows, fattening themselves V on dead carcases . If L a esp a (The Wasp) or the S t ent erello had stung and ridiculed the Democratic

Ministry when they had the wind in their favour, that would have been an act of courage ; but where is the a d i cour ge , where is the delicacy, where is the ign ty and

n generosity , to add to the bitterness of misfortu e , even if these men did bring the country to trouble and ruin .

O n 19 th the June, Giusti again wrote to the Marchese

Capponi , from Pescia

MY O DEAR GIN ,

I cannot speak of the affai rs of our country without

t urn o r shame and grief, and I continually f refreshment

ri to sc bble , as of old . At times my head gives way, and I feel myself forced to stop at other tinies I wish that

I co uld in write characters of fire . I assure you that

1 O ne o f t he news a e s o f t he da was a l e La anza a The C as t p p r y c l d Z r , , ano e La Ves a Th e as . th r, p , W p EN D To TH E HO O F TH E PES PATRIO TS . 359 every now and then a bitter and profound sensation of melancholy comes over me, such as I have not felt for l years and years . It is ike that which takes the soul i by surpr se in early youth, when the cruel shears of doubt and suspicion suddenly cut the thread of faith i and hope . Then you almost regret hav ng to live , and virtue itself has no longer that charm which first at teched you to life . And what is this future which is i all ? t prepar ng for of us Seeing good in every hing, as w I have al ays done , I feel that I cannot throw myself l l overboard and despair ; but it wou d be fo ly, or worse

l u . than fol y, not to pa se in uncertainty and doubt all Meantime, you cannot imagine into what mistakes those are led who have not watched t he progress of our ff i i a a rs . Newspapers, gossip , and the intr gues of all

e : parties, hav confused the heads of everybody after

i o u et getting a blow by runn ng head foremost, y g another blow by falling back ; one man prides himself in his

errors , from not understanding the consolation there is in calling oneself a fool ; and most are boiling over with indignation under a mistaken idea that we could have

e mf l saved ourselves, and therefore tak co ort in cal ing

out : I said so .

’ ius G t is published poems end with 18 48 . In the 18 49 summer of his health became so decidedly worse ,

that he went to Viareggio, hoping to derive some

- benefit from the sea air, but he did not remain there 360 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

long, and he writes to the Marchese Capponi , from 2 2nd Pescia, on the August

MY O DEAR GIN ,

of I had to leave Viareggio, because in the course a few days I had fallen back in a strange manner . l Next week I shal go to Montecatini, to try everything i before the return of w nter.

’ Galvanis This work of is very remarkable . I am too norant of those studies to venture to say more ; but

I read it with a pleasure I have not felt for long. Rome ,

t he a cosmopolitan city from egg, which all adopt and l all wou d imitate , is a fact which both natives and foreigners should consider somewhat more . Without i j esting, I would say that Mazzin tried to restore the asylum of Romulus ; but t he misfortune was that he found the Vatican in place of the Tarpeian Rock . I can imagine your sorrow at the loss of the brave

Colonel Pepe . I am not surprised that he should not have been able to command in the midst of so many errors and of so much folly and baseness . The account f Massari has given of the a fair is short and incorrect, but I hope that soon one may arise better acquainted i with the matter than he is, and who w ll write as

s j ustice and duty demand . I always seem to ee Pepe in l r his cabin in F orence , or in that gar et of the

’ Loc arrda dell Allegria in Naples . He was certainly not a man of these times . He had a soul like one of the

A CH PTER XXIV .

’ THE LAST DAYS O F GIUSTI S LIFE .

SO O N after writing the letter given in the preceding chapter, Giusti came to Florence , where he was seized w ith milliary fever, one of the most terrible forms of i disease ncident to Italy, which almost exclusively attacks natives . Though he recovered from this illness, the germs of a lung disease appeared, which finally carried him to the grave . He resided as usual, when in i Florence, in the Palace of the Marchese Cappon , from whence his last published letter was written, on the

15 18 50 : th March ,

r To E n ico Mayer.

MY A DE R MAYER ,

A few lines to tell you that I am alive, and that I

s ee a expect to you here , in the house of C pponi , the w first time you come to Florence . You ill see that I have learnt to suff er . I served my noviciate in your — hou“se the milliary fever has c o mpleted my training . If I wish to write to Orlandini , where should I direct my letter ? To Leghorn or to Pisa ? It is an age ’ THE LAST DAYS or GIUSTI S LIPE . 363

since I heard anything of any of you, to whom I owe so much , for so many reasons and now that I can myself i write, I am anxious to send a greet ng to all, one at a time . And what is the Signora Vittorina about ? Remem i hil ber me to her, and k ss the c dren , who, I suppose ,

e seem to grow beneath your eyes . What a pleasur i f yours must be, who, hav ng occupied yoursel so many i years with the ch ldren of others, are able now to occupy yourself with children of your o wn ! It is a real reward which you deserve .

I embrace you from my heart .

After tracing Giust rs life through the troubled sea of

in i his politics, wh ch , by writings, he had taken so active

is a part from the commencement of his career, there repose in dwelling on the closing scenes of his remaining d ff i days on earth, when, ami st great bodily su er ng, his l n inte lect conti ued vigorous as ever. He prepared to a enter upon another st ge of existence, by study and reflection on the great mind, which, many centuries hi before , had preceded s in that world where time and

n . h space, separating them here, are as nothi g W ilst w riting a commentary on Dante, his thoughts were so

e engrossed by the subject, he could speak of little els , and his friends always found him with his bed covered

s hi with book and old manuscripts . T s work was never completed, and the fragments which remain, have only 36 4 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

u recently been published, in a vol me containing his l inedited writings . He appears in them to al ude to the

o wn experience of his life, whilst forming his judgment

on the meaning of the great poet, which has been so fre“quently a subj ect of dispute . Some assert that the scheme of this composition is

a dream of the poet , and thus believe they have given us all a satisfactory answer . I suppose it to be a dream , and he himself calls it a vision , but I believe

and in this dream to be founded on truth, a sublime

duction from the known to the unknown , from the present to the future, by one saddened by present evil , and finding himself, as it were, a stranger here and who seeks consolation in forming out of this real an ideal

’ world . Say that Plato s Republic is a dream say that

’ ’ eb t us C e s Table is a dream ; say that St . Augustine s and Campanella’ s City of God and City of the Sun are dreams ; but you cannot deny that all these great men desired the good of mankind ; and, observe , that in regard to what is possible they are at an infinite dis D a tance from ante , because Dante , instead of iming at remodelling the world , aimed at conducting civil and

Mae religious questions back to their first principles . chiavelli himself was under an illusion when appealing

dc to Lorenzo Medici but who would , therefore , main tain that the book of the Prince was not dictated by

t he the conditions of time in which he lived, and by the mind of a philosopher ?

36 6 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

change his soul in an instant, either in being or in aim

' t or that in depar ing this life , he was to enter , upon a i world alien to ours . As he l ved, so he died, filled with the thought of all that is pure and great and good, and i f w th that per ect Christian charity which , whilst teach l — ing him to love his fel ow creatures whom he had seen , led him to love the Father, whom he had not seen . 18 45 Writing to the Marchese Capponi in , he expressed sentiments which appear to have continued with him to the end of his life I wish that reverence for that which is above us should be united with reverence for great men . Faith

- in God, and in our fellow creatures, go hand in hand ; w and the atheist (if such there be, hich I do not believe) is, of necessity, the first enemy of the human race and of himself. For this reason, charity is the fruit of faith . Such faith could only be attained by the wisdom of that true humility which confesses in our disappointed expectations the limits of human knowledge and fore w sight, and the immensity of that scheme of hich it is only permitted to man to know a part .

’ Giust is last poem was a prayer :

All a mente c onfu sa Di dubbio e di dolorc

S o co o m io S no c rri , ig re

' C o l raggio della fc ; Sot te valo dal peso ’ 36 THE LAST DAYS O F G rusTI s LIFE . 7

Che la ec na al fan o d li g ,

A t e sos i o e an o p r pi g ,

n e Mi racco ma d o a t . Sai che la vita m ia

Si s e a oco a oco trugg pp pp , C om e la cera al foco C om e la neve al sol ’ All anim a che anela Di ricovrarti in braccio

Ro S no e il acc o mpi , ig r , l i ” Che le e ce il vol imp dis .

D 18 50 uring the severe winter of , Giusti was unable 2 5th to leave the Capponi Palace . On the March , a friend who visited him describes him as calm and happy, speaking of his approaching end . Six days later,

31st on the March, he was seized with a sudden rush of blood to the mouth, from the rupture of some vessel , l i and he had on y time to throw h mself on the bed, when he expired . The news spread sorrow throughout Florence ; but the Government made considerable difficulty in grant ing permission to t he request that public honours should be paid to his remains . On the evening of the

1st April, the body was conveyed to the church of San i f f Min ato ; beside the co fin walked, the Gon alonier

n z ff Lam bruschini Ubaldi o Peru zi, the Abate Ra aello ,

Gio van Professor Domenico Valeriani, Professor Battista

r ni Gio gi , and the friend he loved as a brother, the Marchese Gino Capponi and it was followed by a long 36 8 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

r line of mourning f iends . Eulogiums on him appeared

in in the newspapers, and various literary men wrote his praise , whilst, in September of that year, the Academia della Crusca held a solenm meeting in remem brance of him . The highest honour paid him, however, has been the grateful love and veneration with which his countrymen cherish his name , and which may perhaps have afforded some consolation to his sorrowing parents for the loss of their only son . The statue of Giuseppe Giusti by Reginaldo Bilancini has been erected on one side of the entrance to the i beautiful church of San Min ato . Around where Giusti i lies, are the splend d monuments of the art and the

in i wealth of Florence the days of her republ can glory, and from this spot Michael Angelo made the last stand

i . for her expiring l berty On the pavement below, and down in the crypt, are the more humble memorials to the relations of living Florentines, and the little church ff is always fragrant with o erings of flowers, strewing the

ground so closely that .the stranger must walk care fully to avoid desecration ; stepping out of the cool

he n shade of that hallowed temple , looks dow on the

o country of the Poet . Nestling below him lies Fl rence ,

o her cupola and towers , with the Arn , like a silver t thread , winding between her streets ; beyond, stre ches

the wide extent of richly wooded and cultivated plain ,

w w l s ith a border of undulating hills, sparkling ith vil a ,

a o s towns , or vill ges , or crowned by some old m na tic

37 0 GIUSEPPE GIUSTI .

Il C av. Domenico G s i Pad e nfel c ssim o iu t , r i i i , Deponeva in quest o sepolcro ’ L unico figlio m as chio So t n s eg o e gloria del suo nom e .

Here reposes in G od the m ortal remains f G I S P E rr O U E P Gm s , Who from the beaut ies of our living tongue Drew forth a form of poetry

' N ot att em pted by any before h And by a lively style reprovi ng vice Without dim inishing our faith in virt ue raised m en t o the c ulture of the noblest aff ec tions And of generous works

For t s he was ono re and we in I al hi h u d pt t y, When in t he prh e of his manh oo d

w ff an ins i d seas H e as carried o by id ous i e .

H e e in F o ence t he 31st Ma c 1850 di d l r r h , .

T a al Do en co G st his unh a fa e he C v iere m i iu i , ppy th r, Has laid in this sepulchre

His on son ly , i The prop and glory of h s nam e . I N D E X .

B ona a e n e o s 299 . u p rt (Pri c L ui ) ,

Buondelm ont i a azzo 26. (P l ) ,

e one oa t o 108. Ab t (r d ),

a e a. e a s a 184 268 . Ac d mi d ll Cru c , , , C

368 . a a e a 97 . C l m cc ,

l e l an n no a atil da 63. u e 346 349 . a A b rt (Archd k ) , , C dri i (Sig r M ) ,

l e a n e of 1 . 142 . nosa 7 A b rti (Luigi), C (Pri c ) , Anast i 09 a o uadri esa e 26 27 4 28 a nas as o not e 1 . C g (A t i ), p q (C r ), , , An e dr ucei inan 00 335 343 346 . e 2 27 4. (F rd d), , , , n e a 26 a o a ese no 3 27 a n 3. n A g li (C pt i ) , C pp i (M rch Gi ) , , An t inori V incenzio 200 9 14 156 161 1 5 182 19 ( ) , . 13 , 7 , , , 7 , , r o e ra ene a 25 265 —194 199—201 207 209 21( A c F r ri (G r l 7 , . , , , , Areonat i 191 2 69 280 2 81 2 83 2 86 334 335 355 , , . , ,— , , , , s e ene al 306 347 348 356 358 361 366 367 . A pr (G r , , , , , ,

349 . a s s 325 326 . C rli t , , s ia 19 -22 187 188 196 19 a o l e o 18 257 27 1 27 3 Au tr , , , , , 7 , C rl A b rt , , , ,

241 242 2 46 2 6 316 3 2 8 280 312 . , , , 8 , , 17 , 7 , ,

356. a o el e 18 C rl F ic , .

ze o a esa 7 8 109 111 Carm i nani 7 8 . A gli (M rch , , , g , — 16 6 17 0 17 6 181 193 2 65 as ano D a di 235. , , , , C igli ( uc ), 2 6 8. C as tr lia 269 . g ,

a a na ene al 326. C v ig c (G r ),

C em rni es en 201 214. p (Pr id t) , ,

e i en en 262. B . (B ) , Ch cch v uti— hi e es in o 1 3. C ti (C l t ), Bal das saroni 21 219 2 6 346 i i s e 1. 7 7 . , , — , , Ch t (E t r), Bal o n t 112 123 Ciant elli es en 218 . l (C u ry), . (Pr id t) ,

Ba a a a o o in o e s 101 102 . r tt (Gi c m ) , 7 . C i (Br th r ), , B a e l o a a e o f e n ene a 235—238 261 ( ) , 88. o l o ), , rg l P l c C l g (G r l— B a o n s o 2 o nis s 325 327 . 7 81 62. rt li i ( culpt r), , , C mmu t , ’ — B as ianel a o so de Bi 214 216 . 8. on es t li (C rl ), 7 C gr rri, B e a 5 r a 186 . on en Asse 2 8 283. cc i , C stitu t mbly, , B er h e 4 4— 06 c 2 2 69 a e 10 1 . t . o no a e , , C r ll Sc l ,

B an n e a on N e 21 187 189 . ( in o 368 . o s n D il ci i R g ld ), C r i i ( ri), , , Biscardi Adr1ano 1 o s n Don N eri a ese 82 258 . ( ), , C r i i ( M rch d Bo e a 1 2 2 2 5 ns 241. a a o 226 27 7 7 h mi , L i tic ) , , , , B oo t h e 54—56 2 83 30 t ( ) , . , 7 .

o o a ano 194. l ano 108 . B rg Buggi , Cutig i , a e 2 7 281. . a azz 7 D G v i (F th r) , ,

a nana 103 109 . G vi , , — D an e 6 36 365 enoa 1 186 194. 8 3 . 7 7 t , , G , , ,

es 187 . D e o e o f 45. eno cim (bridg ) , G v i ,

D off n e e an 2 54. em 336 . id (Pri c ) G rm y , ' n o n Gu liebono a a Ghi i o an e 308 . Dig y (C u t g C mbr y) , g (C mm d r) , 9 ina 1 6 . 2 00. Ghizzi a (C rd l) ,

Dona o so 87 . a o e 17 4 18 2 . ti (C r ) , Gi c m lli , ,

e 2 ann n i v o 82 83. s o 7 . Dupr ( culpt r) , Gi i i (S l i ) , , 169 17 0 Du an o ene a 257 . Grn rlh no II 167 168 r d (G r l), g ( ), , , ,

17 9 .

. o a ino 19 6 . E Gi cch , G robert i 2 1 7 . — — , a on in al 58 61 6 4 68 . o n ro en a is a 17 3 Educ ti It y , , Gi rgi i (G v B tt t ) , — 1 Enc clica of o e s 26 4. 17 5 17 7 180 19 2 269 31 y P p Piu , , , , ,

Exrles 14 . 36 , 3 7 .

o o o a o f Dan e 86 . Gi tt (P rtr it t ) ,

s o en o 1 11 339 . F . Giu ti D m ic , ,

s o a no 139 146 . Giu ti (Gi v cchi ), ,

Fant achiot ti s o 2 7 . o o a es o f 257 2 7 3. ( culpt r), G it (B ttl ), ,

a n o e a ese an es o 204 az os 196 . F ri l (M rch Fr c c ) , , Gr i i ,

2 12 2 89 . oss o as o 7 8 156 17 5 18 ] , Gr i (T m ) , , , , Fauriel , 185. 18 2 , 192 , 2 69 .

- e nan III . an e 19 G uerazzi 27 109 110 2 46 25. F rdi d (Gr d Duk ) , , , , , , — 30 2 8 . 281 28 3 293 302 304 —, , ,— , e on a ese 89 . 310 331 337 341 344 35 P r i (M rch ) , , , , e a a o e h e s ans t 351 . F rr r ccupi d by Au tri , 63 19 3 19 7 198 2 41. G uicc iardini o n e o 62 , , , (C u t Pi r ) , , e r o an e s o 9 8 101 109 F r ucci (Fr c c ), , , 110 2 1 , 04, 2 4 . H . Filan ieri 186 . g , za 228 229 z no 234 241. Fivi , , , , uln m 16 8 eu . Herc na , o e n e 6 2 6 2 9 2 9 De sc ri Fl r c , , , , 2 . p n a ians o o f 36 3 Hu g r , n 8 6 9 . ti , , n a 252 254. Forno li 45 Hu g ry , , , . 9 o s o o U o 2 . F c l ( g ), Fo ss om bro ni n s e 19 2 0 . (Mi i t r), , , K

189 . irk M 8 — K u R 87 9 . Francioni n ea 5 41 62 , ) , , 1 163. p ( (A dr ), , , an s e o 31 Fr ci (Emp r r), . an s e o f o ena 14 15 Fr ci (Duk M d ) , , , 16 1 18 10 , 7 , , 8 . ass o ann 7 16 1 2 L i 7 8 . a ran a 18 Fr i (Gi v i) , , , g g , 7 . l n M he a a o at m t rc ran 2 7 . Lam brusc hrnr t he at e 27 19 Frul ( ) , ( Ab ) , ,

36 7 .

. an a o 265. G L ducci (M j r) ,

Lan ua 129 182 183. g , , , a e o ti eo o o 200 235 Latin r gprunc o . t t . G l t (L p ld ) , , ) , 87 G a eo o na e n a ( 344 . Lau rer ene a de 26 28 2 8 1 l tti B v tur ), g (G r l ) , 3, , G arducci a o 38 8 . (M j r) , 348 .

— 3 5 327 . o e 22 23. o a is s 2 P lic , , S ci l t ,

o e i 159 163. a anzan 187 . P mp i , , Sp ll i , l 223 on e a e a o 43. e dei4 e e e P t S rr gli , Sp ttri S tt mbr (A li),

ont e o 228 229 238 225. P r m li , , , , 18 o en a o e r 5. Pr v c l P t y ,

o e s a ian 148 . . Pr v rb (It l ) , T

Puccinot t i an es o 60. (Fr c c ),

l a a ni a o 150 151 200 . Pu i io 103. p g , T b rri (M rc ) , , ,

a a e o enzo 6 . T rli (Ab t L r ) ,

o aseo N o o 2 7 . T mm ( icc l ), R . o an a ese a o 15 T rrigi i (M rch C rl ) , 0 235 34 . Ra e z e a s a 19 8 253 , d t ky (Fi ld M r h l) , , , o 181 184 185 19 3. T rti , , , , 1 2 12 349 . 27 , 27 3, 7 8, 280, 3 , en a a eo 85. Tr t (M tt ) , an e 165. R i ri ,

enz 185 188 189 218 . R i , , , , Re o n ss an assa o um t (Pru i Amb d r), 2 48 V . . Re o n en 301 o . v luti (Fr ch) , V aldinievole 1 211 254. aso i a on 150 199 2 00 , , , Ric l (B r ), , , a e an o fesso 367 . V l ri i (Pr r) ,

V al Pa iana 103. Ridolfi a ese o s o 27 200 p , (M rch C im ) , , , V annucci o fesso t o 146 14 2 26 256 2 2 1 2 6 (Pr r At ) , , , , 7 7 , 8 , 8 . 166 29 1 307 . Rinuccin a ese 2 , , i 27 . (M rch ) , as e se e 144 152 . Ro a a e l a 111 V lli (Giu pp ) , , bbi (Lucc d l ), . e ano 103. V ll , o e 158 163. R m , , V ent ure a e 103. R s e n (F th r), os e o 299 . i (P ll gri ) , e 186 . Ros n ofesso 2 V rri , i i (Pr r) , 7 . o n ee s s an 25 265. V lu t r (Tu c ) , 7 , Rosm m i, 18 1.

o an e 312 . R 9 0 Vict r Emm u l , s na o 1 . u chi (Ri ld ) , s V ieus eux , 26 , 27 . s one o n 7 0 7 1. Ru p c i , , orin anzon 17 0 17 3 17 £ Vitt i M i , , , ss a 356 . Ru i , 1 3 9 , 269, 363.

W .

a e oe ns o f 185 189 . a nis e o f e o f a S cr C ur (Nu ) , , W rd (Mi t r Duk Lucc Sal va noli 199 201 2 35 281 g , , , , , 209 . 2 3 8 . Wild e 8 8. Sam m iniat elli 1 , 3 . Sa 102 n a e o 103. M rc ll , , X . San a o n 36 8 . Mi i t , S lo caff aio a e 103 106 . Xirnenes 108 109 (L k ), , , , . o esa e 2 96 Sc ti (C r ) , .

e e o e es 316 317 . S cr t S ci ti , , Z . Se rris to ri o n i 2 26 235 (C u t Lu gi ) , , , Zannet ti (Pro fesso r F erdinando] Ses taio ne e f 1 o 08 . (bridg ) , S e na 229 . 344 50 3 . i , , S s o nd 2 35—40 . 253 93 o n 2 . i m i , , Zichy (C u t) , , S o e f o oun t a 18 19 . Z u a 5 cc ni l o . ci ty Y g I ly , , g (Atti i ) , O H A PLA IN IN O RDINARY TO THE QUEEN ; RECTO R O F EVERS LEY ; AND PRO FES S O R O F M O DERN HI STO RY IN THE UNIVERS ITY O F CAMBRIDG E .

THE WATER BABIES

A FAIRY TALE FO R A LAND BABY . d 6 . Two I l us a ons NO O R . S. . a 4t o. 7 s. i . With l tr t by J EL PAT N, A Sm ll

W E S T W A R D H O I

N ew and ea e i on. own 8 vo . o 63 . Ch p r Ed ti Cr cl th ,

T W O Y E A R S A G O .

ew n ea Edi w N a d e on. o 8vo . o 6s . Ch p r ti Cr n cl th ,

H Y P A T I A °

O R N O I O LD . , EW F ES W TH AN FACE

d on wn vo ou o 8 . o 63 . F rth E iti . Cr cl th ,

ALTON LOCKE, TAILOR AND POET.

4 . 6d ew ion own 8v . o s N d . o . N ew efa e . E it Cr cl th , With Pr c

T H E H E R O E S .

IR FO R N GREEK FA Y TALES THE YO U G .

e n i on w a n R a 6m o 33 o s io s . o 1 o . . S c d Ed ti , ith Illu tr t y l cl th ,

L A EXANDRIA AND HER SCHOOLS .

wn vo o 8 . o 53. Cr cl th ,

T H E L I M I T S O F E X A C T S C I E N C E

AS APPLIED To HISTO RY .

A N INA UGURAL LECTURE DELIV E RED BEFO RE THE UNIVERS ITY O F

own vo . 23 . CAMBRIDGE . Cr 8

P H A E T H O N .

O O O FO R O O HIN R L SE TH UGHTS L SE T KE S .

i io n. o 2s. Third Ed t Cr wn 8vo .