GIOVANNI COSTA 



the Dying Day." The sea-gulls circling in the 

 stormy sky above the wild waste of waters, and the 

 waves breaking on the desolate strand, all help to give 

 the same impression of dreariness and regret for a 

 past that can return no more. "Che paia ilgiorno 

 pianger che si muore ! " But the hour of deliverance 

 was nearer than he dreamt. Once more the call to 

 arms sounded, and in 1870 Costa, true to the old cause, 

 enlisted in the ranks of the Italian army which marched 

 upon Rome, and was the first to enter the breach in 

 the walls of Porta Pia. At the head of his troops he 

 fought his way through the streets and was the first 

 to enter the Capitol and sign a decree for the release 

 of political prisoners. The dream of his youth was 

 at length fulfilled. Costa felt that his work was 

 done, and although he remained a member of the 

 Municipal Council during the next seven years, he 

 took no further part in politics. " The fact that I 

 worked with all parties in turn," he wrote in 1882, 

 " has left me the goodwill of none, but at least I am 

 free to devote myself to the study of my art." With 

 true patriotism he sought to raise the tone of national 

 art, and formed the society of " In Art Libertas " 

 in the hope of drawing the artists of the rising genera- 

 tion into closer union, and inspiring them to emulate 

 the triumphs of the mighty past. Meanwhile his 

 own efforts after higher perfection never slackened. 



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