by a
respectful address to the Holy Father. It was well known to Pius IX. that
the creation of this institution had awakened exaggerated and premature
hopes in the minds of a portion of the people, and that some of the
Deputies were not disinclined to encourage them. So he considered it
necessary, in his reply, to define, in a very decided manner, the true
character and functions of the National Representative Body. "It is
chiefly," said he, "in order that I may become better acquainted with the
wants of my people, and that I may better provide for the exigencies of
the State, that I have called you together. I am prepared, in time, to do
everything, without, however, diminishing the Sovereignty of the
Pontificate. That man would be grievously mistaken who should behold in
the functions which devolve on you, or in your institution itself, his own
Utopias, or the commencement of anything incompatible with the Pontifical
Sovereignty." In concluding, he spoke in a still more determined tone, and
reproached his people with the ingratitude which they had already begun to
manifest. "There are some persons who, having nothing to lose, wish for
disorder and insurrection, and go so far as to make a bad use even of our
concessions."

There was in this Council a commencement of representative government.
Deputies from the Provinces assembled--deliberated. They heard a Speech
from the Throne. They presented an address in reply. In due time this germ
of constitutional monarchy would be developed. But the Sovereign would not
proceed rashly. The full measure of reform, he was well aware, must, like
all great works, be the fruit of time, of much labor and patient
consideration.

Count Rossi, the French Ambassador, considered that it was already time to
introduce a lay element into the political administration of the Papal
States. The Holy Father, accordingly, after due consideration, appointed
some distinguished laymen to the Ministry. In so doing, no doubt, he
sacrificed time-honored usage; but not so much to the wishes of his
friends and allies, as to the spirit of the age, which, whether right or
wrong, will have men of the world to deal with the world.

Italy, although divided into several States, looked to Rome as its centre
and its capital. Whatever occurred in the city of the Popes was at once
known throughout the whole peninsula. Such important and unlooked-for
measures of reform as were now carried into effect could not fail