[443] A month before the Pope fled from Rome to Gaeta, the author had a conversation with Joseph Mastai, the Pope’s brother, who had been an exile and a political prisoner during the last reign. He, to excuse the change in his brother’s conduct, said, “I warned you not to attack religion, or you would ruin the cause of liberty. You have not listened to my advice, and you must abide the consequences.” When I asked him in what respect we had shewn disrespect to religion, he answered, with great earnestness, “You have driven the Jesuits from Rome, and attempted to deprive the ecclesiastics of all authority.” These words speak volumes. They express the true sentiments of the Pope, which were adopted, it seems, by his brother, who had formerly been a Carbonaro.
[444] The author was a member of this second deputation. Oudinot was at first indignant that we should think of offering opposition to his troops. “How!” said he, “two armies, the Neapolitans and the Austrians, are marching against Rome! We come to succour you, and you speak of fighting us!” And half an hour after this, when we pressed him hard, forgetting himself, he exclaimed, “Eh bien! nom de Dieu nous venous pour remettre le Pape sur le trône.”
[445] Mather.
[446] Murray.
[447] Newton.
[448] Oudinot was named by the Pope Duke of St Pancrace, in commemoration of his having destroyed a church dedicated to that saint, and also that part of the wall by which the French entered, which bears the same name.
[449] Many public officers were dismissed or imprisoned for refusing to be present at the Te Deum.
[450] Murray is of this number.
[451] When nothing can be invented which may at least have the appearance of criminality, and the man is punished merely for his opinions, he is not interrogated at all, but is kept a prisoner as long as his persecutors please, and released after five, six, or more years, without ever having been interrogated, or even seeing the face of a judge.
[452] English readers must be aware that in France, as well as in Italy, murder does not necessarily and inevitably import capital punishment. There are certain extenuating circumstances admitted. In the Roman states, indeed, very seldom is the common assassin executed.