The news of the affair reached the palace before the King. When he reached there he was greeted with shouts of welcome, and had to bow again and again to show the people that he was safe and sound.
He appears to have treated the matter very lightly, and is reported to have said to those who congratulated him on his escape:
"Oh, it was only one of the little accidents which happen to people of my profession."
There was the greatest excitement throughout the city of Rome.
A large number of workingmen made their way to the palace, and asked to be permitted to congratulate their sovereign.
Special thanksgiving services were held in the churches, and the entire city gave itself up to rejoicing.
The excitement and enthusiasm must have been very great.
Crowds stood around the royal palace, and both King and Queen were obliged to come out on the balcony to bow to the people, who cheered frantically, and then joined in singing the royal hymn.
A friend of ours witnessed just such a scene as this in England many years ago.
It was just after Queen Victoria had come to the throne.