a on the
28th of January 1825. From 1848 until the completion of Italian unity in
1870, his whole activity was devoted to the Risorgimento, as Garibaldian
officer, political refugee, anti-Austrian conspirator and deputy to
parliament. He commanded a volunteer company under Garibaldi in 1859 and
1860, being wounded slightly at Calatafimi and severely at Palermo in the
latter year. In 1866, with the rank of colonel, he assisted Garibaldi in
Tirol, in 1867 fought at Mentana, and in 1870 conducted the negotiations
with Bismarck, during which the German chancellor is alleged to have
promised Italy possession of Rome and of her natural frontiers if the
Democratic party could prevent an alliance between Victor Emmanuel and
Napoleon. The prestige personally acquired by Benedetto Cairoli was
augmented by that of his four brothers, who fell during the wars of
Risorgimento, and by the heroic conduct of their mother. His refusal of all
compensation or distinction further endeared him to the Italian people.
When in 1876 the Left came into power, Cairoli, then a deputy of sixteen
years' standing, became parliamentary leader of his party, and, after the
fall of Depretis, Nicotera and Crispi, formed his first cabinet in March
1878 with a Francophil and Irredentist policy. After his marriage with the
countess Elena Sizzo of Trent, he permitted the Irredentist agitation to
carry the country to the verge of a war with Austria. General irritation
was caused by his and Count Corti's policy of "clean hands" at the Berlin
Congress, where Italy obtained nothing, while Austria-Hungary secured a
European mandate to occupy Bosnia and the Herzegovina. A few months later
the attempt of Passanante to assassinate King Humbert at Naples (12th of
December 1878) caused his downfall, in spite of the courage displayed and
the severe wound received by him in protecting the king's person on that
occasion. On the 3rd of July 1879 Cairoli returned to power, and in the
following November formed with Depretis a coalition ministry, in which he
retained the premiership and the foreign office. Confidence in French
assurances, and belief that Great Britain would never permit the extension
of French influence in North Africa, prevented him from foreseeing the
French occupation of Tunis (11th of May 1881). In view of popular
indignation he resigned in order to avoid making inopportune declarations
to the chamber. Thenceforward he practically disappeared from political