ce and
security." He ended his letter by most humbly soliciting, once more, the
apostolic benediction. There is more plain speaking in the reply of Pius
IX. than could have been to the liking of the _Re galantuomo_. "I could
say that the pretended universal suffrage was imposed, not voluntary. I
could say that the Pontifical troops were hindered by other troops, and
you know well what troops, from restoring the legitimate government in the
provinces." The Holy Father then bewails the increasing immorality
occasioned by the usurping government and the insults constantly offered
to the ministers of religion. Even if he were not bound by solemn oaths to
preserve intact the patrimony of the church, he would, nevertheless, be
obliged to repel everything that tended in this direction, lest his
conscience should be stained by even an indirect sanctioning of, and
participating in, such disorders, and justifying, by concurrence, unjust
and violent spoliation. The Pope concludes by saying, emphatically, that
he cannot extend a friendly welcome to the projects of his majesty, but
that, on the contrary, he protests against the usurpation, and leaves on
the conscience of his majesty and all who co-operate with him in such
iniquity the fatal consequences which flow therefrom. Finally, he hopes
that the king, in reperusing his own letter, will find grounds for
repentance. The Pope, far from being actuated by feelings of resentment,
prays God to give his majesty the grace he stands so much in need of in
such difficult circumstances. The letter is dated at the Vatican, 2nd
April, 1860.

It is related that Victor Emmanuel bedewed with tears this letter, which
so gently and tenderly rebuked him. It must have reached him at one of
those moments of remorse which, more than once, interrupted his scandalous
career. It hindered him not, however, from fulfilling the promise which he
had given to the revolution, when, at the beginning of the war of 1859,
placing his hand on his sword and looking towards Rome, he said: "_Andremo
al fondo_" ("we shall go on to the end").

On the 26th of March of the same year, Pius IX. issued a Bull,
excommunicating all who took part in wrenching from him so great a portion
of the patrimony of the church. Some parties received the intimation of
this sentence with such noisy demonstrations of delight as to cause their
sincerity to be doubted. Others, and of the number was King Victor
Emmanuel, were struck with ind