[2262]
not dishonorable to Rome; then Oudinot refused to ratify it, saying, the plenipotentiary had surpassed his powers: Lesseps runs back to Paris, and Oudinot attacks:—an affair alike infamous for the French from beginning to end. The cannonade on one side has continued day and night, (being full moon,) till this morning; they seeking to advance or take other positions, the Romans firing on them.
The French throw rockets into the town; one burst in the court-yard of the hospital, just as I arrived there yesterday, agitating the poor sufferers very much; they said they did not want to die like mice in a trap.
to M. S.
Rome, March 9, 1849.—Last night, Mazzini came to see me. You will have heard how he was called to Italy, and received at Leghorn like a prince, as he is; unhappily, in fact, the only one, the only great Italian.
It is expected, that, if the republic lasts, he will be President.
He has been made a Roman citizen, and elected to the Assembly; the labels bearing, in giant letters, ‘Giuseppe Mazzini, cittadino Romano,’ are yet up all over Rome.
He entered by night, on foot, to avoid demonstrations, no doubt, and enjoy the quiet of his own thoughts, at so great a moment.
The people went under his windows the next night, and called him out to speak; but I did not know about it. Last night, I heard a ring; then somebody speak my name; the voice struck upon me at once.
He looks more divine than ever, after all his new, strange sufferings.
He asked after all of you. He stayed two hours, and we talked, though rapidly, of everything.
He hopes to come often, but 