Roman affairs are still to be settled, but not settled.
In Paris, M. de Falloux is really ill—and no wonder ; while General Ran- don is not to supersede General Rostolan. The representatives of tie Pope and certain Italian Princes were going to meet Prince Selis.4rtzenberg at Laybach—town of happy ...ineniory, whence Ferdinand the First "of the Two Sicilies " returned with an Austrian army to coerce his beloved subjects ! It is asserted that Liberal counsels will prevail ; but in point of fact nothing is really known : the lackeys of diplomacy may be gossiping, but diplomacy itself is holding its tongue.
Meanwhile, strange pranks are played here and there, to show the sort of respect entertained for Italy by the personages who are undertaking to settle her.. French officers have gained a victory over an Italian cantatrice in the Argentina Theatre, who refused to pick up a bouquet flung to her by a French applauder : the gallant officers laid hands upon the woman, and forced her to accept the compliment ! Spanish soldiers are treating the people of the Campagna like those of a conquered province. And, to complete a round of unexpected sallies, the young Duke of Parma has expelled the Benedictine monks from his state ; possibly not a bad, but certainly a very unaccountable step.
