memorable words: 'The temporal
sovereignty of the venerable head of the church is intimately connected
with the lustre of Catholicism, as also with the liberty and independence
of Italy.' Grand idea! perfectly in harmony with that of the august Chief
of your dynasty, who said in regard to the temporal power of the Popes:
'_The centuries made it, and they did well._' " The only reply of the
all-powerful Emperor was a refusal to reply. "I cannot here," he said,
"discuss all the weighty matters, the development of which would be
required by the serious question to which you have alluded. So I confine
myself to reminding you that the government which restored the Holy Father
to his throne can only give him counsel inspired by sincere and respectful
devotedness to his interests. But he is anxious, and not without cause, as
to the time, which cannot be far distant, when our troops must evacuate
Rome. For Europe cannot allow the occupation, which has already lasted ten
years, to be prolonged for an indefinite period. But when our army shall
be withdrawn, what will be left behind? These are questions of the
importance of which none are ignorant. But, believe me, in order to solve
them, we must, considering the age in which we live, avoid appealing to
ardent passions, calmly seek truth, and pray Divine Providence to
enlighten both peoples and kings, in order that they may wisely use their
rights and fully discharge their duties." From these last words the
Emperor appeared to have forgot that when there are duties to be fulfilled
prayer alone will not suffice. His speech at the opening of the
legislative session, 7th March, 1860, showed that either irresistible
illusion or a foregone conclusion of complicity guided his Italian policy.
He accused the Catholics of becoming excited without grounds, and of
ingratitude towards him. The logic of events, so plain to all besides, was
a dead letter to the imperial mind, blinded as it was by the habit of dark
manoeuvres.

"I cannot pass unnoticed," said he, "the excitement of a portion of the
Catholic world. It has accepted, without reflection, erroneous
impressions, allowed itself to become passionately alarmed. The past which
ought to have been a guarantee for the future has been so ignored, and
services rendered so forgotten, that profound conviction, absolute
confidence in the public good sense, was necessary for me, in order to
preserve, amid the agitation which was industriously occa