6 



JOURNAL OF THE PLTMOUTfi INSTITUTION. 



Minister, I shall justify my ambition. In my dreams I see myself 

 already Minister of the Kingdom of Italy." This was a remark- 

 able anticipation, seeing that at this time Italy was **only a geogra- 

 phical expression." It shewed, too, that Cavour's predilections 

 were for a political career. He never allowed his enthusiasm to 

 lead him into any of the dangerous political conspiracies which 

 were so rife at that time. Mazzini was then seducing the most 

 ardent young patriots ; but he could not seduce Cavour, who, as he 

 said, loved the juste milieu. During the years that he waited for 

 better times he was a man of pleasure. But not only this. He 

 became an agriculturist, and spent much time and money in culti- 

 vating a large farm. Though little fond of the pen, he wrote on 

 political subjects ; and among others, the condition of Ireland, and 

 Pree Trade. He took enlightened views of both matters. At the 

 end of 1847 he helped to start a Liberal paper — the Risorgimento. 

 A few weeks later came the time for action. A new thing was 

 seen in the land — a reforming Pope ; and the Italians were nearly 

 mad with joy and passionate expectation. Then came the darken- 

 ing of all their hopes at ISTovara, where Charles Albert was hope- 

 lessly defeated, and abdicated. Cavour did not despair. 



By this time Cavour had become known as a politician, and 

 during the next five years he filled almost every important minis- 

 terial office. The Russian war gave him the opportunity which he 

 needed for ''making" Italy. He felt certain that the Western 

 Powers would win, and he was equally certain that if the little 

 kingdom of Sardinia would but throw in her lot with England and 

 Prance she would then be able to get the Italian ''question" 

 recognised. It was with the greatest difficulty that he could per- 

 suade Sardinian politicians or the king to incur the pecuniary 

 burden involved by sending an expedition to the Crimea. But he 

 succeeded, and the victory of Tchernaya rewarded his efforts, and 

 laid the foundation of the Italian kingdom. 



It was not immediately after the Peace of Paris, however, that 

 he was able to turn the victory to account. Lord Palmerston gave 

 him the cold shoulder, because he supported France rather than 

 England at the Congress. It needed the Orsini conspiracy to force 

 Napoleon into action. That took place in January, 1858. In July 

 of that year there occurred the celebrated interview, at Plombieres, 

 between the French Emperor and the Sardinian minister which led 

 to the war of 1859. The programme of the war was "Italy free 



