, a long and laborious journey. There was no
time for mere pleasure and amusement. Nevertheless, whenever a new scene
or landscape opened to their view, they stopped to rejoice, and gave
themselves up, without control, to the intoxication of delight. In so
doing they laid themselves open to the snares and attacks of many secret
enemies, who availed themselves of their frequent gatherings to sow the
seeds of discord and corrupt their minds with false political doctrines.
Far better would it have been if they had left to the Sovereign in whom,
at first, they placed unbounded confidence, and the wise Ministers whom he
called to his counsels, the care of forwarding the cause of reform. It had
been most benevolently and successfully begun, and was proceeding, in the
estimation of all but an impatient people, with rapidity which had no
parallel in the history of nations. The people, by assembling tumultuously
on occasion of every popular measure, no doubt meant no more at first than
to show gratitude and affection to their pastor and prince. Such meetings,
however, were not without danger to the cause of reform. The political
enemies of the Pope easily foresaw that, by his wise and popular
improvements in the State, he would certainly secure to himself a
peaceful, strong and glorious reign. So, laying hold of the general
enthusiasm, they trained and disciplined to their will a people who were
naturally good and unsuspecting. These men came at length to give the
watchword, and, according to their wishes and the views which it suited
them to insinuate into the popular mind, the uneducated and fickle
multitude expressed satisfaction or discontent, as they defiled in
imposing masses before the mansion of the Pontiff. Thus was formed a sort
of government out of doors, which, if it did not yet oppose or appear to
oppose at least, powerfully swayed the official authority. Cardinal Gizzi,
whose ministry was so popular, deemed it necessary to require by
proclamation that these noisy demonstrations should cease. It was too
late. The people, defying the Cardinal's mandate, hastened in crowds to
the Quirinal, saluted, as usual, the Pope with enthusiastic _vivats_,
expressing, at the same time, their detestation of his ministry, which
they were wont to applaud so loudly, and which, if it had not by any great
activity done much to acquire, had certainly done nothing to forfeit their
favor. "_Viva Pio Nono! Pio Nono Solo!_" was now their cry.