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 il giorno 
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 Arte 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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