submission of Central Italy, unless he had openly acceded at the proper time, and acted frankly in conformity with his utterances. Silence in this case might be termed prudent; but it certainly would not be very generous, particularly if it be considered that these people are determined to fight to the last against anybody who would wish to prevent them from _belonging to him_. According to your plan, I conclude that King Victor Emmanuel must not only accept the surrender and nominate a Vicegerent or Lieutenant who will govern under his guidance, but must also prepare himself to protect and sustain the annexed provinces to the utmost of his power, and at the same time declare himself ready manfully to repel any aggression. It would, in truth, not only be strange, but indecorous, in a King invoked and proclaimed if he were to act negligently and look on with indifference at the cruel sacrifice of his new people, who are ready to shed the last drop of their blood to preserve their fidelity to him. But this sacred duty will not be performed, and it is vain to hope for it, because just now a timid rather than a spirited policy prevails in the Piedmontese Cabinet. I do not wish utterly to condemn it, because I know but too well the gravity of affairs generally, and the difficulties of such a perilous situation. Possibly the requisite boldness would amount to temerity, but it is none the less true that when a man cannot, or does not wish to, run any risk or leave anything to chance, he has no right to look for brilliant or glorious results, neither can he expect to add four millions of people to his own proper subjects without incurring any risk, and merely by remaining a careless spectator of the dangers to which others are exposed.... Let us suppose that the Piedmontese Government can do nothing to display a large amount of energy and tenacity of purpose; let us suppose that, notwithstanding the safe remission, the amalgamation of the four States, the single Assembly, and the unanimous declaration, are matters of supreme importance to the future of Italy, but how can one ever hope for this fusion in the midst of such discordant elements? It is true that the four States have formed a military confederation for mutual defence, but this fact of itself clearly shows that there is no intention of proceeding further, and of forming a single State....