ed most in the Emperor's designs beginning to confess
that he can't mean ill by Italy.

Possibly you and dear Mr. Martin think more just now of America than of
this country, which I can understand. The crisis has come earlier than
anyone expected. It is a crisis; and if the north accepts such a
compromise as has been proposed the nation perishes morally, which would
be sadder than the mere dissolution of States, however sad. It is the
difference between the death of the soul and of the body.

There might and ought to be a pecuniary compromise; but a compromise of
principle would be fatal.

I am anxious that before we go too far with the Minghetti project here
(separate administration of provinces) we should learn from America that
a certain degree of centralisation (not carried out too far) is
necessary to a strong and vital government. And Italy will want a strong
government for some years to come. There is much talk of war in the
spring, and if Austria will not cede Venetia war must be, even if she
should satisfy her other provinces, which she will probably fail to do.

This is a dull lecture, but you will pardon it and me.

I know all your goodness and sympathy. Do not think that _I_ think that
_any bond is broken_, or that anything is lost. We have been fed on the
hillside, and now there are twelve baskets full of fragments remaining.

May God bless you and love you both!

Your ever affectionate and grateful
BA.

* * * * *

_To Miss I. Blagden_

126 Via Felice, Rome: Tuesday, [January 1861].

Ever dearest Isa,--I wrote a long letter, which you have received, I do
hope, and am waiting for a long one from you to tell me that you are not
suffering any more. This is on business merely--that is, it is merely to
give you trouble, the customary way for me to do business in these
latter days. Will you, dear, without putting yourself to too much
inconvenience by overhaste, direct the 'Nazione' people to send the
journal, to which we must subscribe for three months, to _S.E. le
General Comte de Noue, Comandante della piazza di Roma. No other name._
The General, who can do what he pleases, pleases to receive our paper
(our kind Abbe mediating) on condition that we do not talk of it, and so
at last I shall attain to getting out of this dark into the free upper
air. It is insufferable to be instructed by the 'Giornale di Roma' as to
how Cialdini writes to Turin that his Piedmontese a