Asmodeus and the Incognito. 515 



reflecting, like mirrors, the scenery of the environs, dazzled my sight. 

 Towards the south-west the Valtelline and the Grisons formed a 

 prospect both attractive and romantic. As I continued attentively 

 surveying the majesty of nature, Asmodeus said, " Well, I see that 

 you would willingly remain much longer here, but as you have 

 already sufficiently satisfied your wishes, I think we had better re- 

 sume our voyage," " If it be your pleasure," answered I, " I am 

 ready ;" consequently we re-embarked and steered towards Italy. 



While we were sailing over Turin, Charles Albert was just going 

 out in state, preceded, surrounded, and followed by numerous horse- 

 guards. I could easily see the waving of hats and handkerchiefs, 

 and even hear the cheers and hurrahs of the multitude through which 

 his carriage passed. " Faith !" said I to Asmodeus, " 'tis truly very 

 strange. I see that his Sardinian Majesty is much applauded, how 

 happens it then that he is generally represented as a tyrant hated by 

 his subjects?" With a sardonic smile on his lips the devil replied, 

 "Yes, the king of Sardinia is indeed a tyrant, and deserves the hatred 

 of his people, but I am much surprised at finding that you have not 

 yet learned why kings and princes are always well received in 

 public in all countries where tyranny and despotism are their only 

 support. Well, I will tell you by what means this mock popularity 

 is obtained. The Sardinian minister of police, whenever his master 

 goes out of his palace, or rather of his royal prison, stations all his 

 secret paid spies and satellites in the streets, through which the king 

 must pass ; those hirelings, supporters, and slaves of absolutism, 

 receive strict orders to cheer and hurrah the monarch with all their 

 might; and as a great portion of the lower classes of Italy, I may also 

 say of almost all countries, often act rather like monkeys than as 

 reasoning and reflectingbeings : when a man is cheered and applauded 

 they cheer and applaud him ; when he is hooted, hissed, and pelted, 

 they also hoot, hiss, and pelt him, without considering whether he 

 deserves it or not. However, the middle classes and all those who 

 have had the good luck of acquiring some instruction, bear with in- 

 dignation the Sardinian yoke, repeating within themselves that verse 

 of Alfieri, 



" Siam servi, si, ma servi ognor frementi." 



" Ah ! ah ! " quoth I, " if that is the way that kings and princes 

 are popular, I wish them joy, and especially to Charles Albert, whom 

 I remember to have known at Rome in 18 1 7, when H. R. H. the Prince 

 of Carignano, openly professed very liberal opinions both on religious 

 and political subjects, nay, he was there regarded as a republican 

 and a carbonaro." 



" And such has always been the cunning policy of all young princes 

 who are to succeed to a throne," retorted Asmodeus ; " they act so 

 for two motives ; 1st. by so doing they gain, during their youth, the 

 approbation and esteem of the patriots ; 2d. when they obtain the 

 crown and power, they know how to deal with theirTormer friends and 

 partisans. Consult the annals of the world, and you will find that almost 

 all those apparently liberal young princes have become, during their 

 reign, greater tyrants than their predecessors were." While Asmo- 

 deus was thus instructing me, I perceived through the telescope in 



