all the representatives of
Protestant states, together with a numerous concourse of sympathizers and
lookers-on, were present. This great innovation upon the long reign of
intolerance was not accomplished without considerable effort. In the first
place, it was necessary to obtain the authorization of the government, and
this was the more difficult from the circumstance that liberty of
conscience and public worship were not _formally_ inscribed on the
"_Statuto_," so that the government might have refused the authorization,
and yet not have violated the strict letter of the law. Happily, however,
the president of the council of ministers at that time was the Count
Cavour, whose influence procured the necessary permission. Many attempts,
however, were made to undo this concession, and even when the royal
sanction had been obtained these efforts were so numerous and influential
that nothing but the proverbial justice of the sovereign, and the
constancy of his minister, availed to secure success. The last piece of
opposition to the desire of the Vaudois and their friends was made by a man
whose name remained as the living incarnation of the former regime, the
Count Solaro Margherita, who, during the long years under the reign of
Charles Albert, had held the helm of the state, and was completely in
bondage to the Jesuits. Though infirm in body, he betook himself to the
presence of the successor of his ancient master, and falling on his knees,
said to him, "Sire, do not refuse one of the most faithful servants of your
dynasty the last favour that he will ask of you before he quits this earth,
viz., that you do not allow the good and loyal city of Turin to have the
grief and shame of seeing erected within its walls an edifice set apart for
the preaching of heresy." (See MEILLE'S _Life of Gen. Beckwith_.) The king
referred the suppliant to his ministers, who never dreamt of recalling
their decision, and the good work proceeded. So that within a little over
two years from its commencement the dedication of the temple took place, on
the 15th of December, 1853. There was a great gathering of all ranks of
society, including the greater portion of the diplomatique body resident in
Turin, the senators, the deputies, a delegation from the national guard of
the city with their officers at their head. This last circumstance seems to
have given special umbrage to the more bigoted Romanists, inasmuch as their
organ, _L'Armonia_, wrote as fol