The language of Baron Ricasoli in the Italian Parliament also
in- volves a check to the Emperor of the French. In the most emphatic language the Premier denies that any cession of Italian territory can, or will, be made to France. As he is not one of the men who believe in the doctrine of mental reservations, this assurance has been ac- cepted throughout Europe as conclusive. Even more haughty is his statement that Italy is arming to restore her ancient and legitimate boundaries, an assertion which, as it stands, would justify an imme- diate declaration of war. The Austrian Empire has, however, enough already on its hands. The Emperor, after a long hesitation, has re- fused to receive the Hungarian address, condemned it as disloyal, and ordered the Diet to forward another and more respectful paper. The rescript was read in the Diet amidst profound agitation, and obedience is of course out of the question. The Diet will be imme- diately dissolved, and the Government, for the second time in twelve years, will rely on force alone. For the moment, the Hungarian regiments having been skilfully buried amidst hostile populations, resistance seems out of the question, but the Hungarians look to Italy, and they will find in Baron Ricasoli at least as bold an ally as they lost in Count Cavour. No vote on the subject has yet been taken iii the Reichsrath, but the current of feeling is said to set strongly against the Hungarians. Popular bodies invariably hate anything which defies their authority, and the Germans, besides, re- gard Magyars as an almost uncivilized race. That impression strikes Englishmen, accustomed to regard the Germans as dreamers and the Magyars as men of action, as an almost ludicrous incongruity, but it is only too real, and will have an important influence on the contest.
