Entry of Victor Emmanuel. 823 



the Prato, very near the gate the king was to enter. On 

 each side of it stages were raised like steps in an amphi- 

 theatre, which were densely crowded, every window 

 decorated with gaily-coloured hangings and the Italian 

 flag; the streets were lined with " guardie civiche," and 

 bands of music played from time to time. The people 

 shouted " Evviva ! " every time a gun was fired. In the 

 midst of this joy, there appeared what resembled a 

 funeral procession about a hundred emigrants following 

 the Venetian, Boman, and Neapolitan colours, all hung 

 with black crape ; they were warmly applauded, and 

 many people shed tears. They went to the railway 

 station just without the gate to meet the King, and when 

 they hailed him as " Re d' Italia ! " he was much affected. 

 At last he appeared riding a fine English horse, Prince 

 Carignan on one hand and Baron Bicasoli on his left, 

 followed by a numerous " troupe doree " of generals and 

 of his suite in gay uniforms and well mounted. The 

 King rides well ; so the effect was extremely brilliant. 

 Then followed several carriages ; in the first were Count 

 Cavour, Buoncompagni, and the Marchese Bartolommei. 

 You cannot form the slightest idea of the excitement ; it 

 was a burst of enthusiasm, and the reception of Cavour 

 was as warm. We threw a perfect shower of flowers 

 over him, which the Marchesa had provided for the 

 occasion ; and her youngest son Cino, a nice lad, went 

 himself to present his bouquet to the King, who seemed 

 quite pleased with the boy. I felt so much for Madame 



de Lajatico herself. I said to her how kind I 



thought it in her to open her house ; she burst into tears, 

 and said, though she was in deep affliction, she could not 

 be so selfish as not offer her friends the best position 

 in Florence for seeing what to many of them was the 



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