Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/605

 Unification of Germany and Italy 567 arose from the imperialists and what yells of despair from the rebels, whose offers of a conditional surrender were now scornfully rejected. Two months before the overthrow of Metternich and a month before the February revolution in France, it was clear that the Austrian government was likely to have trouble with its subjects in Italy. The English consul general writes from Venice, January 18, 1848 : Though the Venetian provinces have hitherto been much more tranquil than the provinces of Lombardy, they appear now disposed to make common cause with the latter, and it is surprising to see the change that a short time has brought about. When I left Venice, early in November last, everything was perfectly quiet, and although some little excitement had been produced by the speeches delivered by a few persons during the sitting of the Scientific Congress, society was upon its accustomed footing. Now, however, it is quite dif- ferent ; the Venetians have adopted the system of the Milan- ese, and there is hardly a Venetian house into which an Austrian is admitted. This determination has been come to very unwillingly by many, but they act under a system of intimidation that is carried on to a degree scarcely credible. Persons supposed to have a leaning towards the government are held up to public execration, and their names are written upon the walls as traitors to their country. . . . Should a collision ensue between the troops and the people, — and a very slight thing may bring it on, — the conse- quences, I fear, would be extremely serious. The government at Vienna, however, had been warned by disturbances in Milan early in the month, and Mar- shal Radetzky encouraged his troops by the following declaration, issued in Milan on the same day that the above letter was written from Venice. Situation in Italy. 473. The signs of revolt in Venetia and Lombardy (January, 1848). The Aus- trians ostra- cized in northern Italy.