ad not the shadow of pretence for our interference; that
the acts imputed occurred in a land over which we had no control, and
in the person of an individual in whom we had no interest; that this
Sebastiano Greppi--this image boy, for so with a courteous pleasantry he
has called him--was a Neapolitan subject, the affiliated envoy of I know
not what number of secret societies; that his sculptural pretensions
were but pretexts to conceal his real avocations,--the agency of a
bloodthirsty faction; that his crime was no less than an act of
high treason; and that Austrian gentleness and mercy were never more
conspicuously illustrated than in the commutation of a death-sentence to
one of perpetual imprisonment.

"'What a rude task is mine when I must say that for even one of these
assertions there is not the slightest foundation in fact. Greppi's
offence was not a crime against the state; as little was it committed
within the limits of the Austrian territory. He is not the envoy, or
even a member, of any revolutionary club; he never--I am speaking with
knowledge, sir--he never mingled in the schemes of plotting politicians;
as far removed is he from sympathy with such men, as, in the genius of a
great artist, he is elevated above the humble path to which the learned
gentleman's raillery would sentence him. For the character of "an image
vendor," the learned gentleman must look nearer home; and, lastly, this
youth is an Englishman, and born of a race and a blood that need feel no
shame in comparison with any I see around me!'

"To the loud cry of 'Name, name,' which now arose, Sir Horace replied:
'If I do not announce the name at this moment, it is because there are
circumstances in the history of the youth to which publicity would give
irreparable pain. These are details which I have no right to bring under
discussion, and which must inevitably thus become matters of town-talk.
To any gentleman of the opposite side who may desire to verify the
assertions I have made to the House, I would, under pledge of secrecy,
reveal the name. I would do more; I would permit him to confide it to
a select number of friends equally pledged with himself. This is surely
enough?'"

We have no occasion to continue our quotation farther, and we take
up our history as Sir Horace, overwhelmed by the warmest praises and
congratulations, drove off from the House to his home. Amid all the
excitement and enthusiasm which this brilliant success produc