12

ACTIVITY OF THE PROPAGANDA.

In December, Piedmont, through her minister at Naples, urged the Neapolitan Cabinet to enter into an offensive and defensive alliance for the common weal of Italy, hoping by an interchange of garrisons to enable the King to grant the Constitution of '48, which his father had suspended; and thus avert the probability of armed foreign intervention in this portion of Italy.

The offer of this alliance, possible then, was scornfully rejected, as were the many other overtures on the same subject-not wholly without reason, as the presence of Piedmontese troops in Naples would have indirectly fostered that idea of nationality which had become a mere question of time.

During the winter the secret committees commenced an elaborate organisation in Sicily and the Calabrias; and, through the activity of their agents, managed, in spite of the vigilance of the Government, to introduce large quantities of arms and ammunition. The propaganda for a united Italy was pushed with redoubled vigour by the refugees, and as the screw was applied in the South, so men became more determined in the North.

The spring advanced; and Victor Emmanuel made his state progress through Central Italy, which he had annexed apparently in defiance of France. At Florence a deputation from Rome did him homage, and pre

THE SOUTH ITALIAN CRISIS.

13

sented him with a sword of honour, in spite of the major excommunication against some "invaders and usurpers of some of our provinces," dated "St Peter's, under the Ring of the Fishers, March 29, 1860." The Neapolitan Government, conscious of their danger-made more prominent by the wide circulation of the famous despatch of the British minister, which briefly predicted their speedy dissolution, unless certain constitutional measures were taken-made a bid for Changarnier to command their army, and offered to assist Lamoriciere in Umbria and the Marches if necessary; whilst Austria, their evil genius, counselled no surrender, and on March the 31st, "resolved to protest solemnly against the annexation of Tuscany, Parma, and Modena."

The crisis was fast approaching: blood warmed as the barometer of oppression rose in the South; and though enthusiastic minds were perturbed when Victor Emmanuel, in his speech of the 2d of April, announced the surrender of Savoy and Nice, "out of gratitude to France," they were refreshed when he concluded by telling them that "henceforth Italy must be the Italy of the Italians." In the beginning of April the Sicilian insurrection, which had been smouldering for some time, developed itself prematurely in the Guancia Convent at Palermo, and though stifled in its birth, inoculated the whole island, and 10,000 insurgents

14

PREPARATIONS OF FRANCIS II.

took possession of the inaccessible interior. In spite of all this, the ostriches at Naples placed their heads in the sand, and at 9.40 P.M. on the 7th, announced through their organ, "perfect tranquillity throughout Sicily, and the Government prepared for all emergencies." Their friend at Paris, M. Franchant, in the Patrie, also confirmed the account of the tranquillity in that island, "in spite of English attempts to create agitation, which were too apparent."

The Neapolitan Cabinet, nevertheless, redoubled their rigour in Sicily, and reinforced its garrisons, until that at Palermo alone numbered 28,000 men, whilst its shores were confided to their entire marine, for isolated "filibusters" had penetrated here and there, the forerunners of the one greater to follow.

Castilucala was made governor of Sicily, and Salzano Commander-in-Chief, with his headquarters at Palermo, which he placed in a state of siege. But "too late" was written everywhere; even at Aversa, close to Naples, a demonstration took place in favour of Victor Emmanuel, and at the threshold of the palace men discussed the shadows of coming events. In Sicily columns of troops traversed the country in pursuit of the insurgents, who of course became the victims of every atrocity that Neapolitan soldiers can be capable of. At Carini, near Palermo, they met with a stout resistance, but eventually carried and burnt the town. Rape

GARIBALDI DECLARES HIMSELF.

15

and robbery were rife, and brute force seemed once more omnipotent in this unhappy island. At Alcamo, the insurgents forced the troops to retire, but though the country was comparatively in their hands, the towns could not rise with any chance of success, owing to the large garrisons and fortifications. The only hope was in the North, where men were already banding together to go to the relief of their country

men.

On the 14th, thirteen insurgents, taken with arms in their hands at the Guancia Convent, were shot by sentence of court-martial at Palermo. By this act the Neapolitan Government blew away every prospect of reconciliation, for it determined Garibaldi to come to the rescue. With difficulty restrained by his friends from a last visit to his Nizzard home, which might have been attended with untoward results, he now decided upon organising a Southern expedition; for, though he had never counselled the insurrection in Sicily, he had promised to help all Italians that would assist themselves; and no longer able to remain a passive spectator of their sacrifices, he summoned his followers of the old Cacciatori once more; at the same time sending word to the Sicilians to confine themselves to the mountainous portions of the island until his arrival.

To Italians he appealed in the following

16 GARIBALDI'S PROCLAMATION TO THE ITALIANS.

"PROCLAMATION.

"Italians! The Sicilians are fighting against the enemies of Italy and for Italy. To help them with money, arms, and especially men, is the duty of every Italian.

"The chief cause of the misfortunes of Italy has been disunion, and the indifference one province showed for the fate of another.

"The salvation of Italy dates from the day when the sons of the same soil hastened to the support of their brothers in danger.

"If we abandon the brave sons of Sicily to themselves, they will have to fight the mercenaries of the Bourbon, as well as those of Austria and of the priest who rules at Rome.

"Let the people of the free provinces raise their voices in favour of their brethren who are fighting-let them send their generous youth to where men are fighting for their country.

"Let the Marches, Umbria, Sabine, the Roman Campagna, and the Neapolitan territory rise, so as to divide the enemy's forces.

"If the cities do not offer a sufficient basis for insurrection, let the more resolute throw themselves into the open country.

"A brave man can always find a weapon. In the name of Heaven, hearken not to the voice of those who cram themselves at well-served tables.

"Let us arm. Let us fight for our brothers; to-morrow we can fight for ourselves.

"A handful of brave men, who have followed me in battles for our country, are advancing with me to the rescue. Italy knows them; they always appear at the hour of danger. Brave and generous companions, they have devoted