o the ordinary
formulas."

The representatives of the European Powers received respectfully, and with
feelings which found expression in tears, the protestation of Pius IX.,
who was now a prisoner in his own mansion, and a hostage of the
revolutionary faction.

Pius IX. was in imminent danger. A prisoner, and surrounded by implacable
enemies, he had no power to protect his own life or that of any faithful
citizens. Many who were devoted to his cause had been obliged to leave the
city. The Cardinals, indeed, were all true to their illustrious Chief. But
several were driven by threats of assassination to go into exile. The
children of Saint Ignatius withdrew, at the request of the Holy Father, in
order to escape the wrath of the excited multitude. The Pope himself knew
not whither to direct his steps.

(M3) The revolution was everywhere. It had not yet conquered, but it
disturbed all Europe. The representatives of the Powers remained devotedly
with the Pope. But the countries which would have sustained them were
distracted by political commotions. The King of Naples was threatened on
all hands by revolution. Lombardy and Venice were in a state of
insurrection. Piedmont was making war on Austria, and all Hungary was in
rebellion. The Emperor Ferdinand was compelled twice over by civil
commotion to abandon his capital. Unable to face the revolutionary tide,
he handed over his tottering throne to a youth of eighteen years. The King
of Prussia and other German Sovereigns, who hoped at first to direct the
revolutionary movement as to derive from it new strength, were obliged
either to fly before it or to struggle against it in the streets. France,
who commenced the disturbance which was now so general, was compelled to
fight for her existence against her own children. Her chief city, Paris,
had become a battle-field, where wicked men and equally wicked women slew
the soldiers of the country with poisoned balls. A greater number of the
best officers of France fell in a single fight against Parisian anarchy
than during the whole time of the war with the wild Bedouins of Africa.

(M4) At Rome the revolutionary faction was gaining strength, and the
position of the Pope was becoming every day more perilous. It was the
opinion of his most devoted friends that he should leave the city. But to
what country should he repair? All Europe was agitated by revolutionary
troubles. The Holy Father was still undecided, when he received from