confederation, the Pope, the King of Sardinia, the Grand Duke
of Tuscany and the other Princes would have been united in an offensive
and defensive league. Based on these principles, and provided that nothing
were admitted in its details which could interfere with the sacred
character and office of the Sovereign Pontiff, the proposed political
arrangement would have found favor generally with all who held
constitutional views. Eminent authors, at least, have written concerning
it approvingly. M. Laboulaye, in his learned work on Count Balbo, says:

"It was necessary that the Princes should be induced to take an
interest in the independence which concerned them so much, by
forming a confederation like the _Zolverein_, which has so
powerfully contributed to the union and the greatness of Germany.
A confederation is undoubtedly that organization which is most
suited to the character and the history of Italy, and it is also
the best means of reviving Italian nationality and of checking
Austria."

Need it be added, that when there should have been question of restraining
Austria, there would have been at hand an influence which Austria
respected, and to which that mighty empire and its disciplined armies
would have yielded more readily than to all Italy in arms. Without a
confederation, or an arrangement equally good, there could be no better
lot for Italy than civil war and national ruin.

Events, meanwhile, were hastening on with alarming rapidity. The Red
Republic persisted in maintaining its idea. The danger with which the
country was threatened from without did not, in the least, moderate its
efforts, and they were attended by the only results which they were
calculated to produce. Italy remained divided. The sword of Charles Albert
could not cope alone with the formidable arms of Austria. A united people
might have stayed the tide of battle. The imposing spectacle of their
union might even have influenced the German Cabinet, and the legions of
Radetsky might never have presumed to cross the Mincio. But it was fated
to be otherwise. Excess followed on excess, and the inevitable consequence
was speedy chastisement. "_Perish Italy rather than our idea_," was the
watch-cry of the Socialist leaders. And as if fate had combined with their
phrenzy to destroy a people, Italy was crushed by the invader. What cared
they? What imported it to them that their country was brought low, and its
P