Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/445

Rh “If the devils inspire the Cardinals,”—it is related that Cardinal Micara said to Abbé Lambruscini—“then one of us will be elected; but if the Holy Spirit rules the choice, good Mastai Feretti will be the Pope!”

When, shortly afterwards, Cardinal Mastai Feretti ascended the Papal throne as Pio Nono, and began his government by purely liberal acts of generosity—a magnanimous amnesty, together with the gifts of various rights and immunities which the people had wished for, then of a truth people believed that the Holy Spirit had ruled the new election. Italy saw in Pio Nono that spiritual primate and liberator whom Gioberti had beheld in his enraptured vision. All Italy sang the praise of Pio Nono. Foreigners and princes sent greetings to him. There was a universal jubilee, a universal complimenting and festivity.

Pio Nono had given the firstlings of popular freedom, and of free constitution in his States. The temporal sovereigns of Italy could not do less if their people asked it from them. They did so, and now follows that which history and the world knows. The conceded rights were celebrated with great festivities; then came new demands, new concessions, and new festivities; then again demands for the fulfillment of promises, or for new concessions; then procrastination or denial from the princes, clamor on the part of the people, and by degrees, ever more and more uneasy relationships. The liberal party divided itself into two camps, and in these there were many sections. The moderates desired reform and freedom, but gradually, and with the maintenance of the religion