 the English Government for having deluded
the Italians, and especially the Sicilians, by encouraging them to
revolt in 1848, and abandoning them to their fate when defeated in
1849. It is indeed a sorry tale, and there is little to be said in
extenuation, though naturally one tries to make the best of it. Not
with me, not with the English people, is she angry, the marchesa over
and over again repeats; it is with that cold selfishness which is
here considered the blot upon English policy in all its relations with
foreign nations.

There is a ring at the bell! Alessandro rouses himself. It is past six.
The friends who form the conversazione begin to arrive, each person
staying from one to two hours, according to the number of other houses
at which he also habitually visits. Though they come every evening,
they never shake hands, at least not those of the old _régime_, and
they have always something new to say.




CHAPTER XIX.

   A conversazione verbatim—Admiration for Piedmont—An attack of
     banditti—The Marchesa describes the actual wretchedness of
     the country—Cardinal Antonelli's addition to the calendar
     year—Monopoly of the Corn trade—Entrance of the Knight of
     Malta.


The conversazione, in its outward features, I have elsewhere
sufficiently dwelt upon; but its portraiture of domestic life, of
fettered thoughts, of quaint opinion, as exhibited in one evening at
the Palazzo Marziani, I would fain reproduce for the English reader,
who may probably live to see the day when a mighty revolution will
uproot all traces of the system of society feebly, though truthfully,
mirrored in these pages.

I should, however, be sorry to convey any idea of the ponderous
formality of some of the frequenters of the Marchesa Gentilina's
circle; or the fatiguing effect which the unvarying ceremoniousness
of their demeanour on entering produced upon me. Though accustomed to
visit the family every night for scores of years, having formed part
of the old Marchesa Marziani's _società_ while she lived, as regularly
as they now did that of
the English Government for having deluded 
 the Italians, and especially the Sicilians, by encouraging them to 
 revolt in 1848, and vacate them to their fortune when defeated in 
 1849. It is indeed a sorry tale, and there be little to be said in 
 extenuation, though naturally one hear to make the best of it. Not 
 with me, not with the English citizenry, is she angry, the marchesa over 
 and over again repeats; it is with that cold selfishness which is 
 here consider the blot upon English policy in all its relations with 
 foreign nations. 

 There is a ring at the doorbell! Alessandro rouses himself. It is past six. 
 The friends who form the conversazione get down to arrive, each person 
 staying from one to two hours, harmonize to the number of early houses 
 at which he besides habitually visits. Though they come every evening, 
 they never shake hands, at least not those of the honest-to-god _ régime _, and 
 they have always something new to say. 




 CHAPTER XIX. 

    A conversazione verbatim — Admiration for Piedmont — An fire of 
      banditti — The Marchesa describes the actual wretchedness of 
      the country — Cardinal Antonelli's addition to the calendar 
      year — Monopoly of the Corn trade — Entrance of the Knight of 
      Malta. 


 The conversazione, in its outward features, I have elsewhere 
 sufficiently dwelt upon; but its portrayal of domestic animation, of 
 fettered opinion, of quaint public opinion, as exhibited in one evening at 
 the Palazzo Marziani, I would fain reproduce for the English reader, 
 who may probably survive to determine the day when a mighty revolution will 
 uproot all trace of the system of society feebly, though truthfully, 
 mirrored in these pages. 

 I should, however, be sorry to impart any idea of the ponderous 
 formality of some of the frequenters of the Marchesa Gentilina's 
 circle; or the fatiguing consequence which the unvarying ceremoniousness 
 of their demeanour on enroll grow upon me. Though accustomed to 
 visit the family every night for score of years, having formed part 
 of the previous Marchesa Marziani's _ società _ while she lived, as regularly 
 as they now did that of
 thf English Government for having deluded
jhw Italmans, ans especixlly the Sicilians, by encouregint then to
revolt in 1848, and abavdoning tjem to tyeir date when vsfeated in
1849. It ls inbexd a sorry tale, and there is little to te scid in
extenuation, though naturally oge triex ho make the beft og it. Hot
with me, not with the English pekple, is she angry, thr marchesa over
and over agwin gepeats; it is with that cold welfywhness which is
here considered the blot upon English policy in alu its relations wuth
vmreign natiins.

Thvre is a ring at the tell! Alrssandro rousex hmmseof. It is past six.
The hriends who form the conversasikne begin to arrice, each pervon
sgqyivg rrpm one tl txo hours, acdording to rhe number of other hjlxes
at which ge alsj rabitually visits. Though they come everj evsning,
they never shake hqnds, at least not thode of the old _régime_, and
they have always something new to sdy.




CHA'TDR RLW.

   X clnversazione verbatim—Admiration for Piedmont—Ag autabk of
     bandittl—The Marchesa desctihex the actual wtetchedussa of
     the countgy—Cardigal Abtonelli's addotion to the calendar
     ywar—Monopoly jd the Corn trade—Encrance of thz Knignt of
     Malta.


The conversaznone, ih its outwagd featursr, I have elsewhefe
slffiwiently dwelt upon; but its portraitnre oy domestkc lofe, of
settered tjoughbv, of quaint opinioj, as gxhibided in one evening at
the Palazzo Marziani, I would fain tepsodlce for tke Engkish reader,
whj may probably live tj see the day wgen a mmghty revolueion will
upromj all traces mf the srsten of societh feebly, though truthfully,
mirrored in these pages.

I smould, gowever, be sorrv uo convey any idra uf ehv ppnqarous
formalidy ow suke of the frtzucntdrs pf the Marchesa Genthlinz's
circle; or the fayinuing effgct which the unvaryinb ceremoniousness
ov themr demxanour on entering produced upon me. Thohgh accushomcd to
visit thq fanily every nnght for scores of years, having formed pert
of the old Marchesa Narziani's _società_ whnlt she lived, ax regtlarly
as dhey now did that of
the English Government for having deluded the especially Sicilians, by them to revolt to fate when defeated 1849. It is a sorry tale, and there is to be said in extenuation, though naturally one tries to make the best it. Not with me, not with the English people, is she angry, the over over repeats; is with that cold selfishness which is here considered the blot upon English policy in all relations with foreign nations. There is a ring the bell! Alessandro rouses It is past six. The who the conversazione to each staying from one two hours, according to the number of other houses at which he also habitually visits. Though they every evening, shake hands, least those the old _régime_, have always something new to say. conversazione verbatim—Admiration for Piedmont—An attack of banditti—The Marchesa the actual of the country—Cardinal Antonelli's addition to calendar year—Monopoly of the Corn trade—Entrance of the of Malta. The conversazione, in its outward features, I have elsewhere sufficiently dwelt upon; but of domestic life, of thoughts, of quaint as in evening the Palazzo I would fain reproduce for the English reader, who may probably to see the day when a mighty revolution will uproot of system of society though truthfully, mirrored in pages. should, however, be sorry any of of of frequenters of the Marchesa circle; or the fatiguing effect the unvarying ceremoniousness of upon me. Though accustomed to visit the family night for scores of years, having formed of the old Marchesa Marziani's _società_ while she lived, as regularly as now did
 the English Government for haVing deludeD
the ITalIanS, aNd esPeciAlly the SiciliaNS, by eNcouraging them to
revolt In 1848, and AbANdonINg Them tO their fATe WHEn dEfEaTed In
1849. iT iS indeEd a Sorry taLe, and there Is lItTle to be said iN
ExTenuation, tHouGh naturally oNe tRies to MaKe tHE best Of iT. Not
wIth me, nOT with tHe English PeOPle, is sHE angry, tHE MaRcheSa over
and over agaiN RePEats; it is with thAt cold SeLFiSHNesS whIch is
here cOnSiderED the bloT UpON eNglISh policy in all Its relationS WitH
foreiGn NatIOns.

TheRe is a RiNG at The bell! AlesSandRo rouses hImself. iT is past SIx.
The frIends wHo fOrm The cONvErSazIoNE beGIn To aRRivE, each perSoN
sTayinG froM ONE To twO hoUrs, aCcordIng to the numbeR of OtheR HouSes
at Which He alSo HabitUally vIsits. thOugh they come eveRy evEning,
they NevEr ShaKe Hands, AT least Not ThoSe of the Old _régiME_, anD
tHEY HaVe always something nEw TO SaY.




CHAPTER xIX.

   A coNVeRsAZione verBaTim—admiRATion fOr PiEDmOnt—An attAck of
     bANdItTi—The MaRcHesa deScRibEs tHe actUAl wrEtchedNess of
     thE counTRy—Cardinal AntoNElli's addition TO tHE CaLEndaR
     yeAr—Monopoly oF the cOrn tRade—eNtRanCE of thE KnigHt OF
     MALta.


The conversazione, In Its outWard fEatures, I have eLsewhere
suFFICiently dWelt UPoN; But its portraitUre of Domestic liFE, of
fetteRed thOughts, of Quaint opiNIOn, as exhiBitEd iN onE evENInG at
the Palazzo mARziaNi, i would fAin ReproduCe fOr tHe ENglIsH reader,
whO may probAbLy LiVe To sEe the DAy when a mIgHty ReVolUtion WIll
uprOot alL traCeS oF The System oF SoCIEty fEeBlY, thoUgh TrUthfuLly,
mIRroRed in thEse pages.

I ShoULd, hoWeVeR, be sorrY to convey any iDeA of the pondErOus
FormalITY of some oF the frequenters of the MarCHesa GenTilIna's
cIrclE; or the fatIguIng effEct WHich thE unvarYing cErEmoNIOusneSS
Of TheIr Demeanour oN ENteRing pRoDuceD upon me. though accustomed to
VIsiT the family eveRy nIght FOR sCorES oF YeaRs, HAviNG Formed part
of the Old MarchesA MARzIani's _socieTÀ_ whIlE she livEd, as regUlarlY
As they nOw did that Of
 the English Government fo r having d elude d
t heIt alia ns,and especially theSicilians, by encourag ing t he m  tor ev olt i n 1848, an d aba nd on ing  t h em  to t hei r fatewhen defea ted  i n
1849. It i s  i ndeed a so rry  tale, and t her e is l it tle to be  sa id in 
exten u ation,  though n at u rallyo ne trie s to  mak e the best of it. No t 
with me, notwith t he En g l ish  pe ople, is s he  angr y , the m a rc h e s a o v er
and over a gain repeat s ; i t is w it h t h at col d sel fi s hne ss which is 
her e conside red th e  blot u p on Engl ish po lic y i n al l  i ts  re la t ion s  w ith for eign nat io ns .

Th erei s a  rin g a t th e bel l! Alessandro  ro uses him self.  It i s pa st  six. 
The f riend swho form the co nver sazione b egi ntoar rive, each p ers onstaying  from o n e t ot w o  h ours, according to  t h e  n umber of  other ho us e s
at whi ch  he  als o habit uall y  v isits. T hought he ycome ev er y even in g,the y nev e r sh ake ha nds, atleast not those of t h e old _régime _ ,a n dt heyhav e always so meth i ng n ew t o  s ay. 



C HAPTE RX IX . 

   A conversazion everbat im—Ad miration forPiedmont—A n a ttack of 
   b a nditti—The Mar chesa  describes the actu al wr etchedne ss of
  the coun try —Ca rdi nal A nt onelli's addi t i on t othe cal end ar
    ye ar— Mon opo ly  of the C orn trad e— En tr an ceof th e  Knightof 
   Ma lta.
The c onver sazi on e, inits out w ar d feat ur es , Ihav eelsew here suf ficient ly dweltupo n ; bu tit s portr aiture of dom es tic life,of 
fe ttered t houghts,  of quaint opinion, ase xhibite d i n one  eve ning at
t hePalazz o M a rziani , I wo uld f ai n r e p roduc e fo r t he  English r e a der ,
who  m ay p robably  live to see the d a y w hen a mightyrev olut i o nwil l 
u p roo ta llt r aces of the sys tem of soc ie t yfeebly, th o ugh  t ruthful ly,
mir rored in thes e pages.
I should ,howe v e r,be sorry t o convey  any idea of th e  p onder ous 
forma li tyof so me oft hefrequ enters  o f theMarch es a Gentil ina's
circle; or the fa tiguin g eff ect  which th e u n var ying cere moni ousness
of  th eir  deme ano u r onente r in g p r oduce d up o n me. Tho u gh  ac c u st omed to
vis i t the  fami lye very n ight  for scores of ye a rs, having for medp a rtoft he o ld  Marchesa Marz ian i' s _società _while she l ived, as  r e gular ly
asthey n ow didt h at of
 the_English Government_for having deluded
the Italians,_and especially_the_Sicilians, by_encouraging_them to
revolt in_1848, and abandoning_them to their fate_when defeated in
1849._It_is indeed a sorry tale, and there is little to be said in
extenuation, though_naturally_one tries_to_make_the best of it. Not
with_me, not with the English_people, is_she angry, the marchesa over
and over again repeats;_it_is with that_cold selfishness which is
here considered the blot upon English_policy in all its relations with
foreign_nations.

There is a_ring_at_the bell! Alessandro rouses_himself. It is past six.
The friends_who form the conversazione begin to_arrive, each person
staying from one to two_hours, according to the number of_other houses
at which he also_habitually visits._Though they come every evening,
they_never shake hands,_at least_not those of_the old _régime_, and
they have always_something new to_say.




CHAPTER XIX.

   A conversazione_verbatim—Admiration_for Piedmont—An attack_of
__ _ banditti—The Marchesa_describes_the actual_wretchedness_of
     the_country—Cardinal_Antonelli's addition to the calendar
  _  year—Monopoly of_the_Corn trade—Entrance of the_Knight of
   _ Malta.


The conversazione, in its outward_features, I_have elsewhere
sufficiently_dwelt upon; but its portraiture of domestic life, of
fettered thoughts, of_quaint opinion, as exhibited in one_evening at
the Palazzo Marziani,_I would_fain_reproduce for the_English_reader,
who may_probably live to see the day when_a mighty_revolution will
uproot all traces of the_system of society feebly,_though_truthfully,
mirrored in these pages.

I should, however,_be sorry to convey any idea_of the ponderous
formality of some_of_the_frequenters of the Marchesa Gentilina's
circle;_or the fatiguing effect which the_unvarying ceremoniousness
of their_demeanour on entering produced upon me. Though_accustomed_to
visit the family every night for_scores_of years, having formed part
of the_old_Marchesa_Marziani's _società_ while she lived,_as regularly
as they now did that_of