THE HARMONY OF VIRTUE

X. Conversations of the Dead481M AZZINIItaly is one, Italy is free, but in the body, not in the soul. Garibaldi,you gave united Italy to a man, not to the nation.G ARIBALDII gave it to the King and hero, Italy's representative. I do notyet think that I did ill. The nation said, “He stands for me”, andas a democrat I bowed to the voice of the nation.C AVOURIt was the best-inspired action of your life. If there are problemsunsolved, if there are parts of the body politic that are stillailing, that was to be expected. Only the dreamer demands arapid convalescence from a disease so long and wasting. We didthe work of the surgeon, that of the physician is being done quietlyand without ostentation.M AZZINIItaly has not fulfilled her mission; my heart is full of sorrow whenI look upon her. She whom I would have educated to lead theworld, is only an inferior Power leaning for support upon theselfish and unscrupulous Teuton. She who should have reorganisedgovernment and society into a fit mould for the ideas of anage of emancipation, is a laggard lingering in the steps of theGaul and the Saxon. She who should have been the fountain ofa new European culture, hardly figures among the leaders ofhumanity. The semi-Asiatic Muscovite is doing more for mankindthan the heirs of the Roman.C AVOURThe statesman must have patience and work quietly towards hisgoal, securing each step as he goes. When the economic ills ofItaly have been removed and the Church no longer opposesprogress, the ideal of Mazzini may be fulfilled. The brain andsword of Italy may yet lead and as of old refashion Europe.M AZZINIIt is not the diplomatist and the servant of the moment who can