Death of Panizzi’s Sister; At Rome; Naples; Mr George Fagan; Interview with Ferdinand II; Spies; The Vicaria.
Panizzi being, as Lord Palmerston stated, a British subject, would have been perfectly safe anywhere on European soil, saving that portion of it occupied by the diminutive but to him important State of Modena, yet with such extensive range he found it impossible to suppress a patriotic yearning for his native town, and determined to visit it on his way southwards. The reader must now bear in mind that we have, in order to avoid confusion, gone back to the year 1851; whereas, in a former chapter, treating of the British Museum and other matters, Panizzi has been described as being at Brescello in 1857.
The fact that Francis V. in 1848, had granted an amnesty to all political offenders, encouraged Panizzi in his resolve. But to be perfectly certain before proceeding he applied to the proper authorities to know if his name was mentioned in this Act of Amnesty, lest it might perchance have been excluded. To this application the answer was in the affirmative, but it was penned, not, as in common courtesy it should have been, by the Minister himself, but by his secretary.
This example of official disrespect filled the recipient with “righteous indignation,” and he wrote (18th of August, 1851) to a near relative of his at Modena in these words:—“His Excellency!!! does not condescend to write himself; perhaps he has more to do than Lord Russell or Lord Palmerston, both of whom always find time to write to me on the very same day.” Thus, notwithstanding all the assurances of the Modenese Government he continued his journey, not caring even to pass through his native country, if he were likely to incur the risk of becoming an object of displeasure and suspicion; conscious, too, that either he himself or the authorities must have very much changed if he were not so.
On reaching Genoa he received news of a sad loss that had befallen him in the death of his sister; and how deeply he was affected by the intelligence may be gleaned from the annexed letter:—
“Rome, 28th October, 1851.
“My dear Haywood,
I have not had the courage even to write to you, owing to the great distress of mind that I have been suffering under since I arrived at Genoa, where I found letters informing me incidentally, and supposing I was aware of it, of the death of my sister, whom I hoped to see a few days after the letters themselves reached me. The news of her death was addressed to London, and has reached it since I left. I felt strongly inclined to give up my journey, and return to England at once. I could not, however, do so, for reasons I need not trouble you with, and so here I am, very melancholy, and not enjoying this most wonderful place as I otherwise should. I arrived here the night before last, and have, of course, seen little; but I have seen St. Peter’s, and what more could I have seen, or can I hope to see one tenth as magnificent? Lord Shrewsbury is here, and had made arrangements to present me to the Pope before I arrived....
Yours, &c., &c.,