ossi accepted."

At the time of his accession to office Count Rossi was sixty years of age.
He was no stranger to politics. His life, indeed, had been spent in the
midst of political turmoil. As may be supposed, he suffered much in the
course of his checkered career. He had, at the same time, learned much at
the stern school of experience. He had been several times an exile, and
had thus become the citizen of more than one country. In 1815 he was
banished from the Peninsula, on account of the part which he had borne in
the cause of Italian liberty; and having resided at Geneva and Paris, he
had made for himself, in those cities, a brilliant reputation. He wrote on
the important subjects of political economy and jurisprudence, displaying
intimate knowledge of these sciences, great intellectual power and
superior penetration. Although relying on principles and theory, he did
not ignore facts, nor refuse to accommodate the lofty forms of science to
practical requirements. He was versed in the knowledge of mankind, and was
far from being one of those, who, adhering rigidly to theories, would
force nature itself to yield to their opinion. At a time when the affairs
of Italy were in a most dangerous crisis, and anarchy actually prevailed
at Rome, he was the ablest counsellor and auxiliary that Pius IX. could
have placed at the head of his ministry. Possessing many rare endowments,
Count Rossi was not gifted with those outward graces which tend so much to
win favor for public men. His manner was such that he appeared cold and
reserved; and his keen, searching lynx-like eye, was calculated to cause
embarrassment. Familiarity with the objects of science and habits of
diplomacy had imparted to him a gravity of demeanor which was easily
mistaken for superciliousness and disdain. Withal he cared not to please,
preferring to exercise influence by strength of will and the authority of
superior intellect, rather than by attractive and amiable qualities and
the charm of the affections. He had the mind of a statesman, but owned not
that winning exterior which gains the crowd and disarms hostility. None
but his own family knew how good he really was, and how tender-minded, so
completely was all this excellence concealed by his cold and repulsive
manner.

The new minister was resolved, above all, to preserve the sovereignty of
the Holy See. "The Papacy," he wrote at the time, "is the last living
glory of Italy." His conduct was in perfe