ll be so,
likewise, on account of the sociability of the inhabitants. The Romans are
a jovial people. But even their joviality is as admirably subject to good
order as it is graceful, and does not impair the natural goodness of their
disposition. But perhaps I am wrong; and it were better I should assume a
frowning aspect, and behold only attempts on life, importunate beggary,
useless priests and monks, and reserve my praises for those happy nations
where there are no crimes, no inequality of fortune, no misery.
Impassioned men declaim, exaggerate, lie. For my part, I am neither an
optimist nor a pessimist. It is impossible to speak with certainty of the
moral of a country if we speak of it too soon. I know that here at Rome I
find amiability, science and good sense. It seems to me that everything is
much the same as in other civilized countries."

Such was the people over whom, on the 16th day of June, 1846, Cardinal
Mastai was called to exercise authority in the twofold capacity of Pontiff
and Prince. On the first day of the Conclave several votes were cast for
the liberal-minded Cardinal Gizzi, and some in favor of the
highly-conservative Lambruschini. The second day all joined for Mastai.
And thus was elected to the Papal Chair, by the unanimous voice of the
Sacred College, one of their body, who, in all the positions which he had
held, as Priest, as Archbishop, as Cardinal, had shown his determination
to promote reform and improvement. No better proof could be required that
the Cardinals perfectly understood the state of the country, its urgent
wants, its relations with the Church and the rest of the world.

There was much rejoicing in the Papal City. It seemed as if, with the
elevation of a great character to high authority, the days of the
Millennium had at length dawned on the distracted world. There was now
question only of forgiveness for the past. Order and peace only were
possible in time to come. The new Pontiff was resolved that there should
be no element of sorrow to mar the general joy; and so he amnestied the
political offenders who had borne arms against the government of his
predecessor. Only one condition was required, viz.: that, in the future,
they should fulfil the duties of good and order-loving subjects. Thus were
fifteen hundred exiles restored to their families, who had lost all hope
of ever seeing them again. The cases only of a small number of the
ring-leaders of the rebellion were reserved