majority of the Milanese require; if they wish it, we are ready to fight to the last extremity.' They demanded from the King a delay of twenty-four hours to collect signatures; at the expiration of which they brought him one hundred and fifty. The King told them, 'All is over; Milan is lost through your own fault."" The convention agreed upon by Radetzky provided that an armistice should exist for six weeks, and that the fortresses of Peschiera and Osappo, together with the city and territory of Venice, should be evacuated, the Piedmontese troops receiving a safe conduct through Lombardy to their own country. On Sunday, the 6th of August, the Austrian army entered Milan almost at the same moment when the Sardinian troops quitted it on their road to Turin. Next day a proclamation appeared, signed by Marshal Radetzky, declaring the city of Milan and province of Lombardy in a state of siege, stating that all offences against good order would be tried by martial law, and nominating the Prince Schwartzenburg Military Governor of Milan. The greatest order prevailed, both on the part of the Austrian troops and the Milanese, and no offensive cries were uttered on either side. On the 10th, the King, Charles Albert, issued a proclamation to the "People of the Kingdom," in which he gave the following account of the cause of his reverses: "The enemy increased; my army was almost alone in the struggle. The want of provisions forced us to abandon the positions we had conquered. With my army I had retired to the defence of Milan; but, harassed by long fatigues, it could not resist a new field-battle, for even the strength of the brave soldier has its limits. The interior defence of the town could not be sustained. Money, provisions, and ammunition were wanting. The courage of the citizens might perhaps have resisted for some days, but only to bury us under the ruins, not to conquer the enemy. A convention was begun by me; the Milanese followed it up and signed it. . . . The throbs of my heart were ever for Italian independence; but Italy has not yet shown to the world that she can conquer alone. People of the kingdom! show yourselves strong in a first misfortune. Employ the free institutions that have arisen among you. . . . Repose confidence in your King. The cause of Italian independence is not yet lost." The result was that England and France resolved to offer a joint mediation between the Emperor and his revolted subjects, and couriers were despatched early in August to the head-quarters of the two armies. An armistice, which continued during the rest of the year, was afterwards concluded upon the basis of the following convention, agreed to on the part of Marshal Radetzky and the King of Sardinia :— "Art. 1. The line of demarcation between both armies shall be the frontier of their respective states. "2. The fortress of Peschiera, Roeco d'Ango, and Osappo, shall be evacuated by the Sardinian and allied troops, and surrendered to those of His Imperial Majesty. The surrender of the place shall be made within three days of the ratification of this convention. In their place all the matériel of war belonging to Austria shall be given up. The troops marching out shall take with them all their matériel, arms, ammunition, and clothing, and shall march by settled distances to the dominions of His Sardinian Majesty. "3. The states of Modena, Parma, and the city of Placentia, with their territorial circles, shall be evacuated by the troops of His Sardinian Majesty within three days of the ratification of this convention. "4. This convention extends equally to the city of Venice and the Venetian terra firma. The Sardinian military and naval forces shall evacute that city, ports, forts, &c., and return to the Sardinian states. The troops shall retire by land by a route and marches previously determined. "5. Persons and property in the place above named are under the protection of the Imperial Government. "6. This armistice is to have six weeks' duration, to give time for the negotiations for peace; it may be extended by common accord, and eight days' notice shall be given of the renewal of hostilities. "7. Commissioners shall be named respectively for the more easy and satisfactory execution of the above articles." CHAPTER XI. ITALY, continued.-PAPAL STATES.-New Organization of the Executive at Rome-The Pope promises a new Constitution to his Subjects-His unwillingness to engage in the War against Austria-New Ministry at Rome-Programme of its intended Policy-Assassination of Count Rossi, at Rome-State of the Capital at this Juncture-Formation of a Radical Ministry-Flight of the Pope from Rome-He takes Refuge in the Neapolitan Territory. NAPLES AND SICILY.-Outbreak of Insurrection at Palermo-Conflict between the Populace and the Military-New Ministry appointed at Naples-The King promises a Constitution-Enthusiasm of the People-Insurrection at Messina-Disturbances at Naples-Sanguinary Conflict in the Streets-The King victorious-Downfal of the Bourbon Dynasty-Decrees by the Sicilian Chamber at Palermo-The Sicilian Throne offered to the Duke of Genoa, and declined by him— Expedition sent from Naples against the Sicilians-Bombardment and Capture of Messina-Energetic Measures of the Revolutionary Government at Palermo. DENMARK AND SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.-Death of Christian VIII., King of Denmark, and Succession of Frederick VII.-Plan of new Constitution promulgated-Narrative of Events leading to a Quarrel between the Crown of Denmark and the two Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein— Deputation sent from the Meeting of the States at Rendsburg to Copenhagen-The King's Reply-Explosion of the Revolution at Kiel-Strong Feeling in Denmark against the Separation of the Duchies-Proclamations by the King-The Prussian Troops cross the Holstein Frontier-Conduct of the German Assembly at Frankfort— Protest of the Danish Ambassador-The Danish Forces attacked by the Prussians-Schleswig and Flensbourg taken by the latter-General Von Wrangel invades Jutland-The Danish Army retires to Funen and Alsen-Interference of Sweden in the Struggle-The Prussian Troops withdrawn from Jutland-Blockade of the German Baltic Ports by the Danish Fleet-Note addressed by the Danish Government to Foreign Ministers-Termination of Hostilities by Armistice concluded at Malmö-Provisions of the Armistice-Speech of the King of Denmark at the opening of the Diet. NETHERLANDS.-Appointment of Committee to revise Constitution. BELGIUM.-Abortive Attempt of French Democrats to excite a Revolution-Speech of the King on opening of Session of the Chambers. R OME. At the beginning of the Executive at Rome, which the year the Pope issued a was in future to consist of nine new plan for the organization of departments, namely, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Public Instruction, Grace, and Justice, Finance; Commerce, Fine Arts, Manufactures and Agriculture; Public Works, War and Police. The chiefs of those departments were to compose the Council of Ministers. State affairs were not to be brought before that Council until the Consulta had examined them, and given its opinion. Ministers were to be responsible for the acts of their respective administrations, and the subaltern officers likewise accountable for the execution of the orders they received. The important affairs of the State were not to be submitted to the approbation of the Sovereign until they had been discussed in the Council of Ministers. The Ministers were to appoint all public functionaries and officers, the Pope only reserving to himself the nomination of the Cardinals, Nuncios, &c. The Council of Ministers was to meet every week, under the presidency of the Secretary of State. The Secretary was to be a Cardinal, and his deputy a Prelate; but the other Ministers might be indifferently clergymen or laymen. Twenty-four Auditors were attached to the Council of Ministers-twelve clergymen, and twelve laymen. On the 14th of March, His Holiness published a proclamation in which he announced the grant of a new Constitution to his subjects, stating that, as "our neighbours have decided that the people are already ripe for the benefits of a representative system of government, not merely consultive, but deliberative, we are unwill ing to think less worthily of our own subjects, or to repose less faith in their gratitude, not only to wards our own humble person, for which we desire none, but towards the Church and this Apostolic See, the inviolable and supreme rights of which have been committed to our custody by Almighty God, and whose presence was and always will be to them a source of such benefit." The Pope was naturally unwilling to engage in hostilities against Austria, one of the most powerful and devoted servants of the Papal See. He, therefore, resisted the demands of the people to send troops to join the army that was fighting in Lombardy for Italian independence. A body of Roman volunteers had, however, left the States of the Church, and formed part of the forces then actually in the field under the command of Charles Albert. One of these, Signor Caffi, an artist of some distinction, was found hanging on a tree near Verona with this written inscription appended to his corpse: "This is the way in which the Crusaders of Pius IX. are treated." The news of this exasperated the Roman populace to the highest degree, and with loud cries they called for a declaration of war. On the 29th of April the Pope addressed the Cardinals in conclave, and disavowed the act of the Papal troops in crossing the frontier, asserting that it had been done contrary to his commands. Next day the mob took possession of the Post Office, and thus gained access to some official correspondence which proved that the Cardinals were meditating flight. Tumultuous demonstrations took place; and at last, on the 1st of May, the Pope yielded to the popular will, and issued a declaration of war against Austria. Early in May, a new Ministry, of an extremely liberal complexion, was appointed. It consisted of the following members : Ecclesiastical Affairs, Cardinal Ciacchi. President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs,-Count Marchetti. Interior,-Count Mamiani. Police, M. Giuseppe Galetti. Almost immediately after entering upon office, they published a programme of their views and policy, in which they said: "The new Ministers whom His Holiness has deigned to call to the head of affairs profess the same sentiments of order, justice, liberty, and patriotism, as their predecessors. The present Ministry will hold especially dear the sacred cause of Italy and the triumph of right, to which all their attention will be applied, convinced that the first efforts of ardour must not be repressed, but, on the contrary, repeated, and incessantly increased, with indefatigable zeal-a zeal which will be extended to the pacific, but frank and progressive development of the new constitutional system. "They will study the evils under which the people suffer, and the grievances of the working classes in particular, and will, with the concurrence of the two Councils, make every endeavour to cure the deep wounds of indigence, abasement, and ignorance. To Italy, and above all to Rome, the august seat of the Catholic religion, appertains the duty, and, we may almost say, the right not to yield to any other country in the world in progress or in the social and civil perfection; moreover, the localities, the history, the traditions, and the legitimate pride of the race inspire the Ministry with the not rash hope of possessing and initiating every one in these new social and political principles demanded from modern science by the impatience of the age. For the attainment of these great ends the confidence of the people, their obedience and respect for the laws, and the union and courage of all good citizens, are required." On the 15th of November a horrible event occurred at Rome. Count Rossi, the Minister of the Interior, was assassinated as he was alighting from his carriage to enter the Chamber of Deputies. He was stabbed in the neck, and died almost instantaneously. The murderer mingled with the crowd, and no attempt was made to arrest him. The Assembly, on the steps of whose Chamber this dastardly act was committed, proceeded with the ordinary business of the day, and took no notice of the occurrence. In the afternoon a mob of persons paraded the streets with colours flying, singing songs in honour of the assassin. The authorities remained passive spectators of all that was going on, and next morning the Ministry resigned. The following account of the state of Rome at this juncture is taken from a despatch addressed by M. Harcourt, the French Ambassador there, to M. Bastide, the Minister for Foreign Affairs in France. It will be found full of interest. "It is difficult to assist at a more melancholy spectacle for the nation than that of which we have been |