Senator of Italy—Correspondence—Illness—“Priests” Athenæum 297 to 309. Club—Knighthood—Friends—Death—Etching—The End Appendix 311 to 336. [Illustration] ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. II. PAGE. CAVOUR (COUNT) 192 FERDINAND II. 55 FOSCOLO’S TOMB AT CHISWICK 251 GARIBALDI (GENERAL) 249 GLADSTONE (THE RIGHT HON. W. E.) 70 MACAULAY (LORD) 15 MERIMEE (PROSPER) 273 ORSINI (FELICE) 154 PANIZZI (SIR ANTHONY) THE END. PIUS IX. 57 POERIO (CARLO) 64 PRINCE IMPERIAL 291 SETTEMBRINI (LUIGI) 67 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration] CHAPTER XIV _Retirement of Sir Henry Ellis; Selection of Principal Librarian; Securities; Mr. Kenyon; Appointment; Proceedings in the House of Commons._ An important phase in the life of Panizzi has now been entered upon; but before detailing the facts, we premise that the high position then within his grasp was not achieved without considerable pain and heartburning, owing to the ungenerous statements of the Press. Sir Henry Ellis having attained, in 1856, his seventy-ninth year, it was not a matter of surprise that his failing energies became inadequate to the duties entailed upon him as head of the British Museum; indeed, he must himself have felt the necessity of retiring. He was, however, forestalled in this intention by a private request, delicately conveyed to him with liberal terms attached. The understanding was that he should voluntarily resign, and should receive the full amount of his salary and emoluments as a superannuation allowance. Complying with this offer, he accordingly tendered his resignation, and, on the 9th of February, 1856, the Trustees passed a resolution thanking him for his long services. No sooner had this decision been made public than a certain newspaper, having received information of his probable successor, was guilty of publishing the annexed ungenerous paragraph, eminently calculated to wound, as it did, the susceptible feelings of Panizzi:— “February 25th, 1856.