Revolution on the Verge in Italy
ITALY, say our latest dispatches, is just on the verge of a revolution. The only influence of any worth or strength connected with the sunny peninsular to-day is that of the Vatican. The London Times correspondent says: "I have good reason to believe that during the coming fortnight or three weeks there will be a more or less concerted attempt at revolution in various portions of Italy." "There seems to be a most incongruous union of various elements hostile to the house of Savoy." It is supposed that the Radicals, Clericals, and partisans of the dethroned Bourbon dynasties are in some way united in these things. Vatican officials are said to believe that the revolution will be successful, and that the Quirinal will be tenantless and the Savoy family in exile before spring. The report, however, thinks that, in case Rome were sacked, the Vatican would fare even worse than the Quirinal. And in the madness of the mob this may be true, but in time of sore trial, plague, or calamity, Italy will return to the Church of Rome. The Church of Rome holds winning cards in the politics of Europe, and there are no more astute or crafty diplomats, nor those in better situation to dictate terms, than are the emissaries of the Vatican. Even proud, imperial, and Protestant Germany has been forced to yield.