will kindly let me know, I can call upon you at any time for better advice as to what I have said here. On political affairs I know nothing positive, but keep myself (as I told you) independent of every one, and should the Sardinian Government deem my slender services available for any enterprise, however daring, I am, and always shall be, ready, I mean, of course, for the independence of my native land; for that, since I could understand the idea, I have ever been restless, and have sacrificed all. In saying I am ready to lend a hand to the Sardinian Government, I am influenced solely by the love of my country and by the conviction that at the present time, if it will, it is the only Government that can render Italy _independent_, _united_, and _great_; and I shall think myself happy if, by devoting all my energies in an important act, fraught with _serious consequences_ to the oppressors of Italy, I can at the same time put an end to a life which has so far been for me but sad, passionate, and melancholy. Pardon this expression of my feelings. From what I hear, it appears that my little book has met with some success, even in Piedmont and with all parties; certainly I have in no way exaggerated, but endeavoured to impress the necessity of sacrificing all political principle to the National Independence. I have done so myself since my first imprisonment in 1844. Nothing remains for me now but to beg you to excuse this long letter, and with every respect to assure you that I am, Dear Sir, your very humble and devoted servant, FELICE ORSINI.” In another letter, dated “Glastonbury, 7th February, 1857,” he says in further development of his political dreams:— “The book, with the documents, &c. ... is now finished.... In an introduction I insist on this point, that all our efforts should be directed towards the national independence. “While thus engaged, every thought of political theories must rest in peace; we are bound to be on the side of that Italian Government which, excluding the Pope and any foreign dynasty, will furnish us with the means of making war on Austria. All this I say with the frankness that has been natural to me throughout life, with the patriotic ardour that ever burns within me, and with the firm _conviction_ that by such conduct alone can the Italians work their redemption.” To refer to the hideous, and, it may be said with justice, the vulgar crime of which Orsini and his accomplices were guilty, is not here necessary, further than will suffice to refresh the memory of the reader. The attempt took place on the evening of the 14th of January, 1858, at the moment when the Emperor Napoleon III. and the Empress arrived at the Opera. The details are too well known to need repetition. On March 13th following Orsini was guillotined.