CHAPTER CXCVIII.

CASTELCICALA.

Turn we now to the State of Castelcicala--that lovely land which lies

between the northern frontiers of the Neapolitan dominions and the

southern confines of the Papal territory.

It was a glorious morning--and bright and varied were the hues which

the sea took from the rosy clouds, as a splendid war-steamer advanced

rapidly over the bosom of the waters.

The Royal Standard of Castelcicala floated from the main-mast; and upon

the deck was a group of officers in magnificent uniforms, gathered

around a young man of tall form and noble air, who was attired in deep

black. But upon his breast a star denoted his sovereign rank; and his

commanding, though unaffected demeanour well became the chieftain of a

mighty State.

That gallant steamer was the _Torione_, the pride of the Royal Navy of

Castelcicala--that young man was Richard Markham, now become the Grand

Duke of the principality which he had rescued from slavery--and amongst

the aides-de-camp in attendance was his enthusiastic admirer, the

erring but deeply repentant Charles Hatfield.

Shortly after ten o’clock on this glorious morning the steamer came

within sight of Montoni, the capital of Castelcicala; and as soon

as the Royal Standard was descried by those in that city who were

earnestly watching the arrival of their new monarch, the artillery of

the batteries and the cannon of the ships in the harbour thundered

forth a salute in honour of the illustrious prince.

In an hour and a half the steamer swept gallantly into the fine port of

Montoni; the yards of all the vessels were manned; and the welkin rang

with enthusiastic shouts of welcome.

Richard--or, as we should rather call him, Ricardo--was deeply affected

by these demonstrations, which he acknowledged with many graceful bows;

and when he landed amongst the greatest concourse of multitudes ever

assembled on the quays of Montoni, and amidst the most joyous cries

and the thunder of the artillery, he retained his hat in his hand as a

proof of respect to that Sovereign People from whom his power emanated.

The royal carriages were in attendance; and as he rode along the

streets towards the palace, the vast crowds kept pace with the

vehicles, cheering and waving their hats and handkerchiefs all

the way. The windows and balconies were filled with gentlemen and

elegantly-dressed ladies; and flowers were thrown forth by fair hands

in token of the general delight which attended upon the arrival of the

warrior-prince.

As on the day after the memorable battle of Montoni, which gave peace

and freedom to Castelcicala, the bells were ringing in every tower, and

the cannon were still vomiting forth their thunder, their fire, and

their smoke, when the Grand Duke Ricardo alighted at the entrance of

the palace. There--upon the marble steps--stood the joy of his heart,

the charming and well-beloved Isabella, with their two children, the

little Prince Alberto and the Princess Eliza--so called after a valued

friend.[31] In company with Isabella were her mother (now Dowager Grand

Duchess), Ricardo’s sister the Princess Katherine, and her husband

Prince Mario. All were dressed in deep mourning: but the presence of

Ricardo evoked smiles as well as tears,--and those who wept for the

loss of the late lamented Grand Duke, found consolation and experienced

a source of ineffable joy in the possession of him who had become his

successor.

Moreover, the funeral of the departed one had already taken place; and

there was consequently no sad ceremony to be performed which might

revive the bitterness of grief.

That evening Montoni was brilliantly illuminated; and the streets were

thronged with multitudes who made a general holiday on the occasion of

the arrival of that excellent prince to whom they owed so much.

And it was a glorious spectacle to behold the appearance of the people

in that capital of the most prosperous country in the whole world. Not

a mendicant was to be seen: the loathsome rags and hideous emblems of

poverty which meet the eye in every thoroughfare and in every corner of

London, had ceased to exist in Montoni. The industrious classes were

all cheerful in looks and neat in attire; and instead of the emaciated

women, and pale, sickly children observable in such appalling numbers

in the British metropolis, the wives of the working-men were all comely

and contented, and their offspring ruddy with the hues of vigorous

health. Oh! it was a blessed--blessed thing to behold those gay and

happy multitudes--rendered thus gay and thus happy by means of good

institutions, honest Ministers, and a Parliament chosen by the entire

male adult population!

Though the streets were thus thronged to excess, and the houses

of entertainment were crowded, the utmost order, sobriety, and

tranquillity prevailed. There were no police visible: because none

were required. Every citizen, whether employer or employed--whether

capitalist or mechanic--whether gentleman or artizan--whether

landowner or labourer, was himself a policeman, as it were, in his

own good conduct and excellent example. _For from the time that

liberal and enlightened institutions, involving the true spirit of

Republicanism, were applied to Castelcicala, the regular police-force

had been abolished and no necessity arose for its revival._

Such was the aspect of the capital of Castelcicala--that model State

where Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality were acknowledged principles,

practically known and duly appreciated.

On the ensuing morning the Grand Duke Ricardo proceeded to the Chamber

of Deputies, where the Senators were also assembled on the occasion.

The galleries were crowded with ladies and gentlemen; and the whole of

the diplomatic corps were in the seats allotted to them. Even though

all present were in deep mourning for the late sovereign, the aspect of

the spacious hall was far from gloomy, though solemn and imposing.

The arrival of the new Grand Duke was expected with the most intense

interest. It was well known that not only had he suggested the

principal reforms which Duke Alberto had applied to Castelcicala, but

that he was even far more liberal in his political opinions than his

departed father-in-law. It was consequently anticipated that on the

present occasion he would enunciate the line of policy which it was his

intention to adopt; and every one felt convinced that this would prove

a day memorable in the history of Castelcicala.

We should observe that on the platform of the Chamber, instead of the

throne being placed for the reception of the Grand Duke, a simple

arm-chair was raised about three feet higher than that occupied by the

President of the Deputies; and instead of the royal standard flowing

with its graceful drapery over-head, the tricolour was suspended to the

wall. These changes, it was well known, had been effected by order of

the Grand Duke himself; and all present were aware that his Sovereign

Highness was not the man merely to displace the symbols of royalty

without having some congenial and practical object in view.

At half-past ten o’clock the Ministers entered and took their seats

amidst loud applause from the galleries; for this was the same

Cabinet that Ricardo had nominated five years previously, during his

brief Regency; and its policy had been such as to gain for it the

enthusiastic affection of the nation and the admiration of the whole

civilised world.

Shortly after the arrival of those high functionaries, the Royal Family

appeared in the Chamber, amidst deafening cheers, and took their seats

upon the platform, behind the President’s desk; and in a few minutes

the roar of the artillery on the ramparts announced to the capital that

the Grand Duke had quitted the palace on his way to the legislative

assembly.

It was precisely at eleven that Ricardo, attended by his staff, entered

the hall; and his presence was the signal for a more hearty renewal

of the cheering, while the ladies in the galleries waved their snowy

handkerchiefs in unfeigned welcome.

But it was almost immediately noticed that the Grand Duke appeared--not

in the royal robes worn on such occasions by all his predecessors--but

in the uniform of a Field-Marshal, with a black crape round his left

arm in token of mourning for the late monarch. He was decorated only

with the Castelcicalan Order of Knighthood, and did not even wear

upon his breast the star that denoted his sovereign rank. These

circumstances gave a sharper edge to the keenness of curiosity; and

when the cheering, which was loud and long, died away beneath the lofty

roof of the spacious hall, the silence that ensued was deep and solemn

as that of the tomb.

Then the Grand Duke, rising from the arm-chair which he had for a few

moments occupied, addressed the assembly in the following manner:

“MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,--You have recently experienced a great and

grievous loss in the death of a wise, enlightened, and virtuous

Sovereign, whose brief but glorious reign was devoted to those measures

best calculated to ensure the happiness, prosperity, and morality of

the Castelcicalan people. The name of Alberto will live in history so

long as the world shall endure; and his memory will be cherished in the

hearts of this and all succeeding generations of the inhabitants of

that clime which his wisdom and his example have so supremely blessed.

“Had I consulted my own private feelings, I should have allowed some

time to elapse ere I appeared before you to shadow forth that line

of policy which it is my duty to recommend to your deliberations: I

should have craved leisure to weep over the loss of my illustrious

father-in-law, and meditate upon those grand lessons which his

memorable reign have taught us. But I feel that the welfare of an

entire people is too solemnly important and too sacred a thing to be

for even a moment lost sight of; and that when the head of a State is

called away to the tomb, his successor must devote no time to a grief

which cannot recall the departed, but must at once take up without

intermission the grand work of reform that was progressing at the

period of Death’s arrival. For it is a great and flagrant wrong for

those who are entrusted with power, to interpose delays in the proper

exercise thereof; and that man is a traitor to his country and deserves

execration who dares to intimate that there is no need of haste in

accomplishing a great national good.

“These are the motives which have induced me to appear thus before you

even at so early a period that the remains of my lamented predecessor

can scarcely be said to have grown cold in the tomb: but I repeat that

if men accept the responsibilities of power and office, they must

permit no considerations to retard them in the performance of their

duty and the fulfilment of their high vicarious mission.

“Last evening I assembled the Ministers around me, and submitted to

them the views which I had some time ago matured, and which I proposed

to put into practice so soon as the natural course of events and the

will of the Sovereign People should place me at the head of affairs.

The Ministers were unanimous in adopting those views, and cheerfully

undertook to lay them in the usual manner before the Legislative

Assemblies. But in the meantime, it behoves me briefly to detail the

nature of these plans which are thus deemed suitable to the interests

and in accordance with the just rights of the Castelcicalans.

“In the first place I propose that the form of Government shall be

Republican, not merely in institutions, but likewise in name; and in

order that this idea may be fully carried out, it will be necessary

that certain sacrifices should be made in particular quarters. I

now especially allude to the class denominated the _nobility_. The

existence of aristocratic titles is totally incompatible with the

purity and simplicity of Republicanism; and the country therefore

expects from the patriotism of the nobles a ready concession of these

invidious distinctions,--distinctions which are nothing more nor

less than the relics of feudal barbarism. For my part, I cheerfully

undertake to set the example, if example be indeed required to induce

men to the performance of their duty. With this determination I have

come before you to-day,--not as the Grand Duke of Castelcicala--not

as a Sovereign-Prince,--but as the First Magistrate of the State,

retaining only that military rank which I have won upon the fields of

victory. From this moment, then, you may know me, and I wish to be

known only, as General Markham; and this same abnegation of title I

proclaim on the part of my beloved wife, my revered mother-in-law, and

the rest of the Royal Family.”

[Illustration]

During several parts of his speech, Ricardo had been frequently

interrupted by outbursts of enthusiastic cheering: but when he reached

this solemn and important climax, the whole assembly rose and greeted

him with the most joyous shouts--the most fervent applause that ever

expressed the unfeigned admiration of a generous patriotism. The ladies

in the galleries absolutely wept in the excitement of their feelings:

for never--never was seen so sublime a spectacle as this of a mighty

Prince casting his crown, his sceptre, and his titles at the feet of

the Goddess of Liberty!

“I accept with ineffable pleasure this demonstration of approval,”

resumed Ricardo, after a long pause; “and it gave me unspeakable

delight to behold the Peers themselves joining as enthusiastically as

the rest in those evidences of assent. When all titles are abolished,

save those which properly and necessarily belong to the various grades

of naval and military rank, the vanity attending upon the pride of

birth will perish through a deserved inanition, and emulation will

point to the only true aristocracy,--namely, that of VIRTUE and of

MIND. The Ministers will accordingly propose to you such measures as

may tend effectually to establish Republican Institutions in this

State. They will recommend the abolition of the Upper House, and the

retention only of the Chamber of Deputies, which must be numerically

strengthened. They will propose that the Chief Magistrate, to be

denominated _President_, shall be chosen for a period of three years,

and liable to re-election. The power of _veto_, the privilege of making

peace or declaring war, and other attributes purely monarchical, will

not he conceded to the President, but must exist in the Chamber itself;

and instead of the effigy of the ruler upon the current coin, the arms

of the Republic should be impressed. Every public act and deed must

be accomplished in the name of the Sovereign People, the President

serving the purpose of the executive agent, as responsible for his own

conduct as the Ministers themselves are held to be for theirs. These

and other reforms, all tending to the prompt and complete establishment

of pure Republican Institutions, will be at once submitted to your

deliberations.

“I have not the slightest doubt that the moment the news of all

that is passing within these walls, shall reach the ears of the

other potentates of Italy, remonstrances will be poured in by their

diplomatic agents resident in Montoni;--and perhaps even menaces may be

used. I however feel convinced that no argument which may be adopted

in such remonstrances can possibly blind your eyes to the beauty of

Freedom and the excellence of Liberty: and as for the menaces, I need

only observe that a Castelcicalan army, animated by a republican

spirit, would prove invincible.”

These words again elicited the most tremendous cheering: and after

another long pause, Ricardo wound up his address in the following

manner:--

“All of you who are here present well remember the condition

of the country previously to the accession of the late Grand

Duke. Poverty, and its invariable handmaids--squalor, filth and

demoralisation--presided over the lot of the industrious classes.

Oppression was felt everywhere--happiness existed only in the mansions

of a favoured few. The people were looked upon as the serfs and

slaves of the rich oligarchy; and the very vitals of a healthy state

of society were thus corrupt and rotten. But a change came over the

country: it was decreed that every man should have fair wages for fair

work; and that all able and willing to work, should have work found

for them. In order to accomplish these aims, it was necessary to set

about reclaiming the waste lands in those districts where they lay;

and in others, the owners of estates were by a just law compelled to

throw certain portions of their parks and pleasure-grounds into a

corn cultivation, and to level all their game-preserves for the same

purpose. What have been the results of these measures? Labour has been

abundant, and wages high: employment has extirpated mendicancy; and

squalor, filth, and demoralisation exist no longer within the confines

of Castelcicala. But what would I have you infer from these facts? That

if the people of this country have already so largely and so admirably

profited by liberal institutions,--if the reforms hitherto accomplished

have so materially enhanced the general prosperity, producing

abundance, happiness, and contentment,--who shall be able to divine

to what point that prosperity may arrive, under the pure, simple, and

truly Christian institutions of republicanism.”

Having thus spoken, with the tone, manner, and eloquence of deep

conviction, General Markham--for so we must now denominate him--bowed

to the assembly, and withdrew amidst applause which was prolonged for

some minutes after he had quitted the spacious hall.

His wife and illustrious relatives left the platform at the same

time;--and now behold this illustrious family returning to the palace,

attended by the grateful and rejoicing myriads, who, having assembled

round the Chamber, had already received the intelligence of the

memorable proceedings that had taken place within;--proceedings which

in a single hour had accomplished the most effectual and yet utterly

bloodless revolution ever known in any age or in any country!