Pio IX. 283 



We also saw the new Pope's coronation, and 

 witnessed the beginning of that popularity which 

 lasted so short a time. Much was expected 

 from him, and in the beginning of his reign 

 the moderate liberals fondly hoped that Italy 

 would unite in one great federation, with Pius IX. 

 at the head of it ; entirely forgetting how incom- 

 patible a theocracy or government by priests ever 

 must be with all progress and with liberal institu- 

 tions. Their hopes were soon blighted, and after all 

 the well-known events of 1848 and 1849, a reaction 

 set in all over Italy, except in gallant little Pied- 

 mont, where the constitution was maintained, 

 thanks to Victor Emmanuel, and especially to that 

 great genius, Camillo Cavour, and in spite of the 

 disastrous reverses at Novara. Once more in 1859 

 Piedmont went to war with Austria, this time with 

 success, and with the not disinterested help of 

 France. One province after another joined her, 

 and Italy, freed from all the little petty princes, 

 and last, not least, from the Bourbons, has become 

 that one great kingdom which was the dream of 

 some of her greatest men in times of old. 



We went to Bologna for a short time, and there 

 the enthusiasm for the new Pope was absolutely 

 intolerable. " Viva Pio Nono ! " was shouted night 

 and day. There was no repose ; bands of music 



