LlFB 01' G.Llll:B.LLDl,

CHAPTER X.

Causes of the Italian War-Popular Excitement-Austria and Piedmont-French
.Aasistance- Garibaldi to the Rescue -The Action at Varese-Retreat of the
Austrians·-Garibaldi at Como-Our own Correspondenta--The Attack on San
Fermo--Ciomo.

BnoBB we proceed to narrate the memorable achievements of our
hero dming the Italian war, we will venture to offer some explanation as
to the character of that war, and the motives which induced the rest of
Italy to call on Piedmont for help.

Since the 11bdication of Charles Albert, Piedmont had slowly advanced
in the path or constitutionalism, and the new king made a most resolute
stand the pretensions of the Pope. Toleration became the rule
in Piedmont, and all the Italian people, comparing it with the cruel per­
secutions COinmitted in the name of religion in Tuscany, formed vows
for the prosperity of the House of Savoy. All this while Victor Ema­
nuel and Count Cavour had not forgotten the humiliation their country
had snfl'ered at the hands of Radetzky, and the Crimean war enabled
them to sectlre a powerful ally in France. During the sitting of the
Congress of Paris, the affairs of Italy were brought forward, and Cavour
took occasion to make a very sml\rl attack on Austria. This was followed
by an active controversy in the papers, and the minds of the Sardinian
people were so excited thata contest appeared inevitable. On March 16,
1857, the Turin Chamber of Deputies, by a majority of 110 against

LIFE OP G.A.BIBALDI.

diplomatic relations between the two countries, and Italy gave way to
intoxicating joy at the thought of the coming contesl. The provinces
most held in subjection by the Croats evinced their affection for the Re
galantwmto and his Ministers, by means peculiar to the I talian character.
The cign.rs preferred by smokers were called Ca11ourini, and the cry
wasevery where raised of "Vxv.A. VBBDI," for those letters typified the
lavouritAit sentence, V itta Victo,. Emmanuele Re D'ltalia.

In the> meanwhile, France attempted a reconciliation between the hro
sulking powers, but her efforts availed nothing. Under these circum­
stances, she took the part of Piedmont decidedly, and several sharp
notes w1ere interchanged, followed by that memorable address to lf.
de Hubner, on January 1,1859, which created a consternation throughout
Europe.

On JB,nuary 3rd, 8th, 14th, 185!l, an order of tho day, addressed to tho
National GuardofTurin, by the Commander·in·ehief, foreboded grave eom­
plicatioills. Two days later, Victor Emanuel, on opening Porlia!llent,
delivered a discourse, in which there were several signifil'ant passageJJ.
Tho DE,puties, in their reply, displayed their perfect confidence in the
king, and promised tho aid of the nation, whate¥cr C\'entualities might
arise. Austria, howe,·er, was making formidable preparations; abe had
already 84,000 men, of all arms, in Lombardo. Venetia, and \\'as
or enlarging t.he fortificationR of V crona, Man tun, Milan. and Pavia. The
Sardinizm lea¥ing the maintenance of publir order to the
National Guard, massed ita regular troops along the frontier. The
marriage of Prince nod the PrinN·ss Clotilda in the same
month, was, however, a more valuable defence than any tho country
could supply.

We need not dwell on nil the c\·cnts which preeeded tho war, or the

vain efforts made by the whole diplomatic body to prevent it. Cavour

had m&Ale up his mind to fight, nnd it is possible that the Emperor of the

French was fully prepared to aid him, in spite of his pacific efforts.

Dnring the diplomatic crisis, however, It11ly was growing greatly agitated,

and manifestations took place which the reinforcement of tho Austrian

garrisons could not prevent. While the students refused to learn Ger.

man, Milan, Verona, Modena, and Pnvia, pronounced energetically

against tho foreigners, and the small prinl'es whom they held under their

thumb. At the same time, the National Society of Turin '\\·as actively

engage(l in paving the way for a revolution, by Sl'nding printed manifestos

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