The Emperor of Austria has furtively abandoned his capital conveyed
away by his Empress, on the plea that his health required a removal. This may be more than a pretence ; but the movement, if it have no other consequences, is such an exposure of the Imperial, weakness that it cannot fail to exercise a serious influence on the Austrian mid :rity, especially, in Italy, Hungary, and Bohemia.- It is a confession of anarchy at head-quarters. It all but annuls the very commissions in the armies of Austria, and at any rate enfeebles the Imperial authority even among those who remain faithful to it. In Italy such an incident appears likely to have rather a prompt effect. Already an active canvass is proceeding in Lom- bardy to collect the public suffrages in favour of summing that province to Piedmont. This movement is imputed to the in- trigues, or at least to the concealed wishes, of the King of Sar- dinia: , we have no authority to deny the imputation, but neither have We seen a shadow of evidence to support it; while it is ad- mitted that the King of Sardinia scrupulously abstains from any ostensible interference in the matter. But what are the substan- tial merits of the question? Austria is all but ejected from Italy;'
and although her hold on the North-eastern part is not quite cast oft; it is improbable that she will ever be restored to actual sove- reignty.. For all prateicattpurpomek therefore, Lombardy is un- appropriated. Three ditemativeeousees are before it : it may be- come a republic, it may become a.rate monarchy, or it may be annexed to Piedmont. A repuW in that quarter would seriously interfere with the contemplated Italian League, and would
keep open questions which we hope to see finally closed in a few years.' An independent monarchy would be weak, and would be dangerously exposed to the regretful glances of Austria. It would be far better if Lombardy were merged in one of the Italian states. Piedmont is naturally the sentinel of Northern Italy : Charles Albert, by restoring to its efficiency the army which 'Charles Felix had suffered to fall into disorganization has re- stored the function of Piedmont. The annexation of Lombardy would augment his resources, while it would extend to the fair province the military strength of Piedmont. It would also help the process, which already makes way, of simplifying the politi- cal geography of Italy and aiding to establish a well-balanced federation. The annexation seems likely to be facilitated by the collapse of the Imperial authority. From Naples we have the shocking news, that the King, en- gaged in actual conflict with his people, had turned the scale by giving up the city to be pillaged by the Lazzaroni ! Can this be true, and he retain his crown?
