Louis Fagan

“ C’est une folie que de prétendre diriger l’Espagne. Pour moi, je n’y voudrais pas voir la contre-révolution, parce que ce serait une tendance inévitablement hostile, et antipathique d’une manière permanente; mais sauf cela, je suis d’avis que tout moyen employé pour dominer Madrid, à la distance de Paris ou de Londres, est une folie, ou une duperie. Il ne faut done pas voir dans ce mariage, collatéral, que d’ailleurs on ne peut pas défaire, une cause de brouille permanente; autrement tout devient inarrangeable. La France et l’Angleterre aux prises, tout est perdu pour la bonne cause en Europe. ”

“ In saying I am ready to lend a hand to the Sardinian Government, I am influenced solely by the love of my country and by the conviction that at the present time, if it will, it is the only Government that can render Italy independent, united, and great; and I shall think myself happy if, by devoting all my energies in an important act, fraught with serious consequences to the oppressors of Italy, I can at the same time put an end to a life which has so far been for me but sad, passionate, and melancholy. ”

“ Though your dear and beloved England may in some measure have slackened your chain, I will nevertheless tell you that I still prefer the Duke d’Angoulême, open enemy as he is, to that vile and infamous Sir William A’Court, who has betrayed the rights of hospitality by supporting a Government which, if unable to save itself, ought at least to have saved others. I can make a distinction between the generous people of England, whose hearts beat with noble enthusiasm at the war-cry of the liberal Spaniards, as well as the aspiration for Greek independence and self-government. ”

“ Thus thwarted and impeded at every step, Panizzi at last succeeded in once again proving that right can contend successfully with might; and though years have elapsed since this unseemly treatment at the hands of a great and learned Society took place, it is well that the occurrence should not pass into oblivion, as it forms a conclusive proof of the determined astuteness of the man, of his endurance of character, and of his ability to judge of the weak points of his adversaries, a foretaste of his prowess in many a subsequent struggle in his oft-times arduous career. ”

“ J’étais en Espagne au moment où cette guerre s’est faite, et s’il y a à Madrid un ministre anglais avec des yeux et des oreilles, il aurait pu dire que la guerre a été faite par l’explosion du sentiment national, et que les lettres de Lord John Russell ont eu pour résultat d’exalter ce sentiment et d’exciter à la haine contre l’Angleterre. Il n’est pas moins étrange de prétendre que la France qui a aidé l’Angleterre à retarder la destruction de l’empire Ottoman, pousse maintenant à sa ruine. ”

“ Labouring under immense difficulties, without books or assistance of any kind; writing in a room of Cyclopean horrors, on the deal boards of my bed, distracted by the hammering of a cobbler next to me, I am indeed unable to offer anything of genuine worth, such genius as I may have possessed being dead within me; but as an Italian, and a man of letters, you will judge my work, understand my intentions, and tell me truly whether you deem it worthy of presentation to my noble friends and yourself. ”

“ Ce sont ces discours qui feront son opinion; il faut même réduire la question au vrai; Les deux personnages en action, M. Guizot et Lord Palmerston, décideront l’opinion, plus que personne, par leurs discours. Celui qui mettra le mieux les faits au clair aura le plus d’influence: peut-être Lord Aberdeen, comme arbitre entre les deux, sera-t-il aussi fort écouté.
Il se passe ici, dans l’opposition, un fait qui a peu d’importance en lui-même, mais qui fournit beaucoup de bavardages. Il y a dans tous les partis, mais surtout en France, des seconds qui veulent être les premiers. ”

“ Amongst the number of those in the highest rank who devoted their lives to the achievement of the noble end, stand Poerio and Settembrini.
Their patriotism extended beyond the circumscription of their native town, province, or State; they felt that each subordinate nationality must blend with the others, to enable their common Italy to take her due place in the assembly of nations—to speak with undivided voice on the affairs of Europe; to be, in fact, the one Italy of their aspirations—strong because united. ”

“ Reform succeeds reform; revolution, revolution; all is labour in vain, spent only on forming material for fresh change. Not that we should blame the race for declining to accept even good government from any alien authority had it either the wisdom or the power to construct for itself a stable administration, or the foresight to submit to the necessary control of the authority so created.
The Spanish Marriages affair, though of itself the meanest and most miserable of plots, nevertheless left results behind, the ultimate effect of which has, perhaps, not even yet been felt. ”

“ Tyranny has this superiority over luckless poverty that it renders those on whom it presses dangerous as well as ridiculous. This peculiar form of danger, the Secret Society, which tyranny calls into existence, is commonly less formidable to the powers against which it is organised than to the causes which it is intended to protect. Had the modest programme of the “Giovine Italia” been carried into execution, a despotism would have been created more unbearable than the yoke of Austria, the Vatican, and King Bomba united. ”

“ As this generation has passed away other aspects of the Italian question have come into greater prominence; the stately tree of Italian unity has covered the soil in which it originally took root. Even more as a picture of contemporary national feeling, than as an exposure of the fraud and cruelty of an extinct tyranny, is Panizzi’s youthful work, worthy of being rescued from the oblivion to which he for so long condemned it. ”

“ Such a policy, if it be a policy, appears inhuman. I admit that, notwithstanding the unhappy affair of Savoy, and especially of Nice, the great acts done by France for Italy last year have rendered to that country an inestimable service. I do not enter into any comparative question as between the path pursued by France and that taken by England. I assume no right to be her judge. I merely write in the interest of peace, and of a fervent desire that there should be constant and cordial goodwill between France and England. ”

“ It has been, and doubtless for some centuries to come will be, a matter of regret that the unrivalled collection called the British Museum has not, after the incalculable labour bestowed, and the vast sums of money spent upon it, found a home more worthy of its invaluable contents than the present building. Of this huge pile—an irregular oblong—but little appeals to the eye, less to the power of discussion. The Eastern and Western Wings still remain partially exposed to view in all their normal hideousness of yellow brick, unadorned by aught save a few meagre mouldings. ”

“ If this interference by sea and by land continue, it is evident that it is intended to allow a civil war to kindle in Italy, to have a pretext for interfering, not certainly for the good of the country. Is it possible that the three Emperors and the supporters of the Pope and of despotism in Germany have agreed to settle matters to their own advantage, leaving Prussia, England, and Italy out? Allowing Russia to act as she thinks best in the East, France on the Rhine and in Italy, and Austria in the outer provinces of the Turkish Empire, close to Hungary! ”

“ Le texte vrai répondra à tout. J’ai dit que les Whigs étaient détestés de l’Europe. Cela est vrai; c’est le motif qui doit nous porter à nous unir les uns et les autres. J’ai dit cela pour faire sentir à la France que les Whigs et nous étions des frères en Jésus-Christ, c’est-à-dire en révolution. J’ai laissé échapper un mot que j’ai repris: c’est que Lord Palmerston était odieux à l’Europe, c’est-à-dire aux trois Cabinets signataires de l’acte de Cracovie. Veillez à ce qu’on n’abuse pas de ce mot. ”

“ If it be true that the people had no reason to be dissatisfied; if it be true that in Sicily, for instance, they were guilty of the atrocities laid at their door; if the chambers of representatives were formed out of needy lawyers and brawling demagogues, how is it, my Lord, that the Government which has always been strong and despotic has not produced better results? Whose fault is it that people don’t know when they ought to be satisfied, that when they can they are cruel, ferocious, and all that, that needy lawyers and demagogues carry the day?... ”

“ In a letter to a mutual friend, Panizzi describes Linati, as a man of turbulent spirit, on whom nature had bestowed a robust constitution, proof against all changes of climate; full of energy, though without any decided aim, an adept at all employments, and well versed in literature; a painter and a poet, a writer of plays, too, both comic and tragic, many of which he delighted to read to his friend. ”

“ He will do so in the House of Commons, as far as he can, but the details are so horrible, so revolting, so indecent that he will not be able to tell before an assembly of gentlemen the whole truth. But what he will and can say will produce the proper effect in Europe, not on Republicans only, but on statesmen of Conservative principles, who feel these principles disgraced and compromised by such abominations. No Government can be formed in England, should the present one be forced to make way, without Mr. Gladstone, who, in office as out of office, will not spare the guilty. ”

“ The issue was eagerly awaited, when, on the evening of May 14th, 1822, Besini perished by an unknown hand. Besini was taken home, surgeons sent for, and the blow declared mortal. Quick as lightning the welcome news spread through Modena, and the people heard with joy that there was a man in the town who had been bold enough to rid the land of a miscreant. With his dying breath he denounced a certain Gaetano Ponzoni, who, he said, had cause to be his enemy, “as if,” observes Panizzi, “Ponzoni were the only such person in the duchy.” ”

“ These letters to Panizzi must not, however, cause us to lose ourselves in a labyrinth of quotations and remarks.
It is to be feared that enough has already been placed before the reader to spoil his enjoyment of the collection itself, and more than enough to fulfil our own purpose of throwing light on Mérimée’s life and opinions from the letters themselves. By no means always, but certainly sometimes, it has happened that absolute dependence on some more solid reward than popular applause has tended to fetter the pen of a brilliant writer. ”

“ But liberty in Italy, as elsewhere, must have taken time to grow; even under the most patriotic of leaders a nation does not become suddenly ripe for the blessings of freedom. Nor can it be doubted that by the spirit that moved in 1820-1822, and which burst forth so brightly in aftertime, were laid the first foundations of that structure of Italian unity finally completed by politicians more skilled but not more patriotic than the revolutionists. ”

“ My honour and conscience are my own, no power in the world can rob me of these my last possessions. I am thoroughly convinced that in asking for a reprieve I should injure both myself and our common cause, therefore I have decided not to make an application on any terms. There still remains one honourable way of leaving my prison. By going to America my personal dignity would not suffer, for it is the Government who offers, not I who ask. It will do no harm to the common cause ”

“ Confront the British Museum for one moment with the Madeleine of Paris, and how great is the difference! In the latter is seen the nearest approach to true Grecian architecture, combined with admirable proportions, and tasteful and correct ornamentation; by admission of light from the roof, the unsightliness of windows inserted in the walls is avoided, and, in its entirety, the building fairly represents that which it purports to be. ”

“ My dear Panizzi,
You seem to doubt whether, in the event of my resignation of office, you would be likely to succeed me in it. I cannot help thinking that you must be mistaken, although I have certainly heard that a candidate or two are either in the field, or intending to apply when the resignation becomes a reality. At the same time I must tell you I have heard no names.
I think it quite impossible that anybody who has not had experience in the Institution should be appointed. ”

“ I have the greatest satisfaction in your appointment to the office of Principal Librarian, and offer you my warmest congratulations on the attainment of a post in which your abilities will be exercised so advantageously.
You cannot doubt that I concur most entirely in the sentiments of your letter—that I shall always consider it my first duty to devote myself to the interests of this Institution, and to satisfy the Trustees by punctuality, diligence, and general zeal in their service.
Without harmony of action and due subordination, all must be confusion in such an establishment as ours. ”

“ Where, on the other hand, despotism, uncontrolled by law, exercises an uncertain and galling tyranny, or being acquiesced in by the majority, reduces sovereign and subjects to the lowest moral and intellectual, and it might almost be added physical level, whatever there is of life and spirit in a nation will be forced into some plan of action for the preservation both of itself and the country ”

“ When in England, I was imbued with a mania of being useful to my country. I witnessed ridiculous attempts being made by Mazzini, who sent 15 or 20 men to Italy, where they lost their lives. I tried loyal means; I went over to England, and in all the meetings which I addressed, advocated the principle of non-intervention.... After the fall of Rome, I felt convinced that Napoleon would no longer assist us: and I said to myself, that man must be killed.... ”

“ Mais quand le Roi croira la question aussi grave qu’elle l’est, il abandonnera M. Guizot. Le Roi est un empirique en politique: l’une de ses idées favorites, c’est que, moyennant qu’on sache attendre, surtout dans les pays libres où tout est mobile, on a cause gagnée. Il emploie cette recette comme les médecins voués à l’eau chaude et à la saignée; il l’emploie pour toutes les maladies. Il ne croit pas à la solidité des Whigs; il croit que l’un de ces jours naîtra une question qui emportera celle des mariages, et qu’il aura acquis une Infante sans perdre M. Guizot. ”

“ It is a pity no one else has the same interest; but, if no one will do the trick, even he is welcome. I see that after all he is the only one who does something for that country. If the Pope and Austrian influence are done for, what is to come after it is of less importance. If the European powers will aid and abet Austria in keeping Venice, and in preventing a united kingdom of North Italy being formed under Victor Emmanuel, I am sorry for it, but they cannot complain if Plonplon is preferred by the Italians to the Austrian and priestly tyranny. ”

“ I am acquainted with a man of the highest excellence, and very famous in his art, his name is Francesco da Bologna, otherwise Franza; he forms or engraves on a diminutive orb or plate of silver, so many men and animals, so many mountains, trees, and castles, and in so many various shapes and positions that it is wonderful to behold or describe.’”
“And here I might stop,” continues Panizzi, “were it not that the direct testimony of Leonardi is corroborated irrefragably by a very remarkable circumstance.... ”

“ The Bourbons will be crushed, and to the great benefit of every one, since their detestable Government is incompatible with Italian independence. The most disastrous error of the times would be that of wishing to maintain them on the throne at any cost, because it would outrage the moral sense of the whole of Italy. Neither do I see the necessity of supporting and bolstering up a race which is the very incarnation of perjury. If the Bourbons were to remain in Naples, even with a fictitious constitution, they would sooner or later be supplanted by a Napoleonic régime. ”

“ La Reine d’Espagne est libre; elle fera bien, dans l’intérêt de ses relations avec la France, de choisir l’un des deux Princes Espagnols, et, entre les deux, l’Infant Don Henri.
Lorsque la dépêche de Lord Palmerston, du 19 Juillet, a été communiquée à M. Guizot, on l’a envoyée à Madrid, et on a décidé la Reine Christine en faveur de l’Infant Don François, par la crainte d’avoir l’Infant Don Henri et les Progressistes. Je crois que c’est la Reine Christine qui a proposé le mariage Montpensier, pour n’avoir pas l’Infant Don Henri comme gendre de sa seconde fille. ”

“ Vos ministres sont comme les malades qui ne veulent pas que leur médecin leur dise que leur état est grave. Ressusciter ou même faire vivre longtemps la Turquie est impossible, et il serait insensé de se quereller sur les remèdes à lui donner, lorsqu’illorsqu’il faudrait au contraire s’entendre sur la manière de l’enterrer. Que la France ait de l’ambition, je ne le nie pas. C’est une idée ou plutôt un préjugé national, qu’elle s’est amoindrie en perdant une partie des conquêtes de la révolution. ”

“ The publication of the Treaty, in which the Emperor has behaved so admirably, will do an infinity of good—or will, at any rate, lay the ground for it—and this will grow as the terms of it are better understood. Why is an opportunity to be made for the light-minded and the evil-minded to point to other ambiguities or conduct on questions in which it is of such vast importance that France and England should have a common feeling? ”

“ Y a-t-il quelque chose de plus misérable que sa politique à Naples et en Vénétie? Comment M. de Rechberg peut-il avoir la moindre confiance en des gens qui encouragent Garibaldi et Kossuth et qui ne veulent pas l’affranchissement de la Vénétie? Tout se fait en Angleterre en vue de conserver des portefeuilles. On fait toutes les fautes possibles pour conserver une trentaine de voix douteuses. On ne s’inquiète que du présent et on ne songe pas à l’avenir. Il est certain qu’il y a dans ce moment en Europe un malaise général qui amènera une catastrophe et une grande modification de la carte. ”

“ Passing on to the constitution of the Congress, I do not hesitate to declare for the exclusion of the minor Powers. If only the Duchies and Tuscany were concerned their intervention would be advantageous; but as the most difficult—I will say too the most important question—is that of the Romagna provinces, I fear the Pope would find vehement defenders in Spain and in Portugal.
The Congress once assembled, there can be no doubt as to the course of England. She would first of all propose that the wish of the people legally expressed should receive the sanction of Europe. ”

“ Unless we wish to see the now stifled revolution revive, menacing and powerful, it must not be confronted by feeble Governments without root in the soil, destitute of both physical and moral force. If we wish to see thrones respected, we ought not to fill them with despised and despicable princes, whose very names are in irritating antagonism to the sentiment—the national sentiment—now dominating in Italy. ”

“ To another party, formidable in numbers if not conspicuous for wisdom, it was but labour lost to proffer anything in the shape of reform; these men would be content with nothing short of destruction. Of them and their adherents Panizzi has, as will be observed, expressed his fear and abhorrence in no measured terms. Hence his alienation from Mazzini, who, in his egregious selfishness, would have destroyed the elements of power that existed, but had never displayed the ability to provide a substitute. ”