Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/57

Rh work, and the independent labor of women is one of our century's greatest benefits to society. The seed which the struggle for freedom in the year 1848 sowed in the soul of the nation, shall not perish. When Italy gains independence and unity, she will shoot forth into new life. “Christian nations may fall sick, but not die!”

How pure are these ideas! A kingdom of justice, goodness and morality, founded upon the free decision of the people, of the nation itself—which is the aim of all free people,—this it is which Tuscan patriots desire for their land and people. And this beautiful Tuscany, remarkable also for the good-heartedness and natural amiability of its people, seems well worthy to be conducted to such a noble fate. But must the people for this purpose become of necessity a free, a self-determining people? Most assuredly, if it is to become free and to advance towards the accomplishment of the grand object. There are virtues, which may be acquired under pupilage, nay indeed, which require it, as during a period of education; but there are also virtues—and some of the highest—which never can be acquired excepting by the nobly dangerous lot of independence and self-responsibility. This applies to the individual man, as well as to the nation. And the most paternally kind government cannot compensate for that which is lost, if that which has inwardly attained to man's estate be prevented from asserting its right in its social condition; if it be compelled in this also, to remain in a state of pupilage. And this ought soon to be the stand-point taken by Tuscany.

Abbé Lambruschini, and Signor Buoncompagni,