Page:Harper's, "Diplomatic society" (1907).djvu/6

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FIRST GLIMPSES OF DIPLOMATIC SOCIETY.
787

for the war had cost 300,000,000 francs, or about 12.000,000 sterling' (an overwhelming sum for a small state), and the whole country in a disturbed and agitated condition. Soon. however. the Piedmoniese began to realize that God had given them a king quite different all the other rulers of the peninsula. While these all profiled by the reaction which followed the revolutionary times of 1848 to tear up the constitutions they had given, to break all the oaths they had taken, and to govern,under the protection of Austrian garrisons, Victor Emanuel upheld the "Statuto" his father had granted, resisted all Austrian attempts at interference, and went his own independent way, doing his best, to heal the wounds of his country.

Then a new figure soon appeared on the scene, destined nnt only to guide to prosperity the little state of Piedtaunt, but to be the future maker nf the kingdom of italy. Like mose of Victor Emmanuel's advisers. Count Camillo di Cavour came of a noble Piedmontese family, but he was distinguished from the others by broader and move advanced views and by the gift of genius. After rapidly coming to the front in Parliament. Cavour became Prime Minister for the first time in 1852. and thenceforth directed the destinies of his native country

"March, 23"

"C. is at present at. the legation quite a solemn occasion. Count Paar, the Austrian minister, is giving up all the paper's of his legation to, the care of the Prussians, as the, Austrians leave, Turin on Friday. Diplomatic relations between Italy and Austria have been broken off, Count. Paar is delighted; it is sure promotion for him, for if he did not get a better post it would look as if he were disavowed. C. is not delighted. They will have much more work as they take charge in part of the Austrian affairs and will gain nothing by it ."

"Yesterday I was alone, as C. was at the chanceilerie taking over the Austrian papers, when Bentz announced the Marquise d'Arvilars. She is one of the greatest ladies here, and was Grande Maitresse to the late. Queen. We had called on her the day before without finding her at home, so that I had not seen her. I felt much dismayed. In she came, however, with her daughter. Mlle. d'Arvilars. She said she hoped to find Mr. Bunsen at home; I devoutly wished she had, but explained about the Austrians, and by degrees we got on better. She said she would be very glad to be of use to me, and was very polite. The manners here often remind me of reading St-Simon.

"In the, evening we went to, Mme. de Grammout's; that was another ordeal to go through, but it went off better than expected. I had on my green velvet with the point d'Argentan. C. said was very neat which from him means the highest approbation: at least, he never says anything stronger'. On entering I was introduced to the Duke, who is exceedingly tall and majestic; he waved us on to the Duchess. who is quiet and agreeable-looking, but shy. She was very kind spoke English, asked what people I had seen as yet, and introduced me to some ladies. Nearly all the gentlemen of the corps diplomatique asked to be presented, and C. brought, them up at intervals throughout the evening. Then the Duke came and conversed a little; he has just been at Nice, and told me he had first, heard of C.'s arrival in these parts from the Empress."

"March 27"

"Yesterday I had another visit from people I had not yet seen—a count and Countess Sclopis. They are, great friends of my father-in-laws. They were most kind, and after the first embarrassment I liked them particularly. They begged that we would make us of them in way and the Count said we must have had offers of that kind already. 'Mais comme amis de la famille. nous vous prisons de nous donner la préférence, comme disent les marehands.' They don't go out much which I am sorry for, but receive at home. I hope we shall go there. Soon after they had gone. C. came in and we paid various visits. To the Marquise Palavieini who is very handsome and very clever. We found the chief there and M. Uebel. so that she had the entire legation at her reception. The whole corps diplomatique here seems very