‘Naples, January 15th, 1852.’
On the subject of poor Settembrini and his family, Panizzi wrote in these terms to Mr. Haywood:—
“B. M., March 20th, 1852.
“You may recollect the name of Settembrini among those of the persons condemned to death, and then to an Ergastolo for life, of whom Gladstone spoke in his publications, and I myself more at length in my article in the Edinburgh Review, in which I inserted the letter which he (Settembrini) wrote to his wife whilst the judges were deliberating on his fate. When at Naples, I became acquainted with Settembrini’s wife and his two children—a boy and a girl. The persecutions to which that poor woman and those children have been subjected are incredible. Among other things, no teacher dared give instruction to the boy for fear of losing the permission which every teacher must obtain from the Government to be allowed to follow his profession.”
On February 21st, 1852, Lord Shrewsbury wrote to Panizzi:—“We were glad to hear of your safe return, and sincerely trust your visit to Italy will not pass without its fruit, both at home and abroad, by removing some English prejudices in favour of the Revolutionary party, and by aiding in the expected reform of the Prison discipline and Police Government at Naples.” On both these points, and more especially the first, his Lordship may be pardoned for having been somewhat sanguine.
There was but little need for Panizzi to seek the aid and support of Mr. Gladstone in his present plans. On his co-operation he could ever count, even without asking; nor was the continued maintenance of that tyranny and injustice, which he had so distinguished himself by denouncing, likely to diminish the great statesman’s sympathy for its victims.
“Liverpool, November 5th, 1853.
“My dear Panizzi,
Be assured[assured] that if anything like an opportunity shall offer, I will not be slack in seizing it on behalf of the poor Neapolitans. Were I inclined to halt, the recollection of your journey, undertaken for the love of them and of truth, would shame me into activity. I will not fail to communicate with Clarendon.
Yours, &c., &c.,