date "Young Italy" had only used them as a
threat. They were now an arm in its hands. And so it governed in the
streets, making a tribune of every milestone.

There was only wanting to them at this moment a common centre or general
headquarters of insurrection, from which should go forth the word of
command, the signal for every rising of the people. This was found in the
celebrated _Roman Circle_. This circle was a kind of convention without
commission--a travelling cohort of two or three hundred agitators, who
carried from town to town the dread and dismal flag of the Red Republic.
This mob-power had, in opposition to the wishes of the Holy Father,
brought into office the Mamiani ministry. This weak and irresolute
minister broke the ranks of his own party, and passed over to "_Young
Italy_". This party now dictated to him on all occasions. They urged on
him with special earnestness war with Austria, knowing full well that the
Pope would never agree to it, and so by his refusal would decline in
popularity.

The constitution was now in abeyance, the minister being at the orders of
a party out of doors, and no longer the organ of the Sovereign and the
representative body. The Pontifical authority, although still venerated by
many, was no longer obeyed. It was only a name.

The republic reigned, and only waited for the moment, too surely to come
at last, when it should be openly recognized. In such circumstances the
Mamiani ministry rapidly lost ground. Now in its death agony, and impotent
for good, it persisted, with a degree of perverseness which nothing could
moderate, in reiterating its declarations of war against Austria. This
only added to the confusion which prevailed. The ministers and their more
ardent adherents were ready, as became patriots and heroes, to fight for
their country. Nevertheless, with all this boasting, they made no haste to
be enrolled. Whilst these men were indulging in such idle and
vain-glorious talk, the few who had volunteered and taken the field,
returned from Vicenza, which, during two days, had been bravely but
fruitlessly defended. The forum warriors had only set out in time to meet
their defeated and wounded fellow-countrymen, and give them the honors of
an ovation on their return to the city. The war agitation was evidently
nothing else than a weapon of offence against the Holy See. In its results
it was most unprofitable, every day bringing news of fresh disasters.
Circumstances now