mperor found it convenient
to recognize this extended sovereignty. In doing so, no doubt, he was
consistent with himself, although quite at variance with the professions
of him who had so lately withdrawn his ambassador from the Court of Turin.

(M81) Count de Cavour lived not to enjoy this recognition. He died on the
6th of June. This minister was a politician to the end; and he had no wish
ever to be anything else. He was anxious, however, at the close, to have
the merit of reconciliation with the church which he had so cruelly
persecuted, both in the ancient State of Sardinia and in the newly-annexed
territories of the "Kingdom of Italy." Finding that his latter end was
approaching, he desired the presence of Friar Giacomo, Rector of the
Madonna degli Angeli. This Friar, with whom, as is related, the Count had
had a previous understanding, faithfully came. M. de Cavour remained alone
with him for half an hour; and when the priest was gone he called Farini,
and said to him: "My niece has had Fra Giacomo to come to me; I must
prepare for the dread passage to eternity; I have made my confession and
received absolution. I wish all to know, and the good people of Turin
particularly, that I die like a good Christian. I am at peace with myself.
I have never wronged any one." It is a trite saying that the ruling
passion of a man's life asserts its power at the hour of death; and the
last recorded words of Count de Cavour would seem to show that to the end
he was more bent on politics than prayer. As Friar Giacomo was reciting
solemnly by his bedside the prayers for the departing soul, "Frate!
Frate!" he exclaimed, whilst he pressed the Friar's hand, "_libera chiesa
in libera stato_!" (a free church in a free state). Admirable, no doubt.
But how was the great idea to be realized, since the church could only be
free when her ministers were dictated to, imprisoned, banished, and
otherwise tormented? And what freedom for the state, unless it were free
to tyrannize over and persecute the church? Judging Cavour and his party
by their acts rather than their fine speeches, such was their idea of _a
free church in a free state_. If it be true that, as men live so they die,
it is not true that Count de Cavour died like a good Christian. None will
be inclined to dispute with him the comfort which he claimed of being at
peace with himself. But they who are aware of the violence, the
spoliation, the rapine, bloodshed, and unspeakable suffe