
57 
“was a man of genius and virtue, of sterling veracity and 
nobleness of mind,’ called forth during the clamour over the 
opening of the exile’s letters, was quoted. The brief glories 
of the Roman republic of 1848-9, and Mazzini’s statesmanlike 
and able rule during that troubled time, received their share 
of attention. 
A brief account was given of the rival parties within the 
peninsula during the succeeding twenty years of struggle with 
Austria, and Mazzini’s passionate pleadings for a republican 
ideal were related. His influence on Italian life and thought 
were well brought out and it was stated that ‘‘ many of the 
men who became prominent at this time, or who, when the 
victory of unity was finally won, guided the national affairs, 
were members of his ‘ Young Italy’ Party.” 
But though in 1870 the Italians realised their cherished 
dream, and the “geographical expression’’ became the 
modern Kingdom of Italy under Victor Emanuel as first 
monarch, Mazzini was bitterly disappointed. He _ passion- 
ately desired a republic ; with him unity was but a means to 
an end, and only under a republican banner did Mazzini 
conceive to be possible that social brotherhood which it was 
his life-long aim to establish. To an English friend he said, 
“‘T want to see, before dying, another Italy, the ideal of my 
soul and life, spring up from her 300 years’ grave; this is 
only a phantom, the mockery of Italy.” 
Though pardoned, and elected to the national Parliament, 
he refused to accept the position, and lived for the last few 
months of his life under an assumed name at Pisa, where he 
quietly passed away on March 10th, 1872. 
The love and appreciation of his fellow countrymen was 
shown in the homage paid to him on his death, 80,000 sorrow- 
ing Italians following him to his grave in Genoa. 
Last year, the Centenary of his birth, great celebrations in 
his honour were held, not only in Italy, but throughout 
Europe, and to-day the influence and power of his personality 
and teachings is more potent than during his lifetime. He 
was one of those pioneers who, advancing—too often alone— 
into the tangled forests of ignorance and social injustice, 
give their life’s blood in cutting a way for the progress of 
their fellows. 
“While men and women live who would be true to them- 
selves and their call, who value sacrifice and duty above 
power and worldly success, so long will there be those who 
will love him and be taught by him.” (King). 
