Viewed only as a theatrical
performance of parts learned to order--and it was nothing more--it was
deserving of nothing but contempt. There was in this display, besides, a
sinister and melancholy feature--a set of actors practising on the popular
mind to-day, in order to discover what they might safely attempt
to-morrow.

Near the tribune which overlooks the arena were ranged all those agitators
who were destined to become, at a later period, so notorious in the
commotions of the time. Among them was observed Padre Gavazzi, a Barnabite
monk, whose puerile vanity made him aspire to distinction, and whose
career was already marked by pretentious eloquence, a bombastic style,
confused ideas, and a mind still undecided as to the limits of orthodoxy,
which, a little later, he stepped beyond. He was the preacher of _the
crusade_. Next came the shepherd poet, Rosi; Prince Canino's Secretary,
Masi; a young French monk of the order of Conventualists, Dumaine;
Generals Durando and Ferrari; the journalist, Sterbini, afterwards so
fatally popular; and, of course, the demagogue, Cicerruacho, who had been,
at first, enthusiastic in the cause of the Pope, but who now burned for
war, and, ere long, imparted to the revolution a character of fitful
fanaticism and absurd sympathies. The day was spent in magniloquent
addresses, which affected the style of ancient types, urgent exhortations
to war, poetical orations, rounds of applause, rapturous demonstrations.
The result was, lists for the enrolment of volunteers; the establishment
in the different quarters of the city of tables for receiving patriotic
offerings, and a threatening demonstration against the Quirinal Palace,
where it was intended to force the Pope to bless the colours for the
expedition against Austria.

The movement was now beyond all control. The orders of the Pope were
treated with a sort of respect, but not obeyed. The spirit of rebellion
was abroad, although the people still made a show of reverence. They were
no sooner from the presence of the Pontiff than they transgressed his most
sacred commands. Pius IX. had distinctly specified, when he authorized the
enrolment and the departure of volunteers, that it was his intention and
his will that the expedition should be exclusively defensive; that it
should protect the territory, but avoid passing the frontier. The leaders,
notwithstanding, adding perfidy to rebellion, made use of the Pontiff's
name in order to deceive t