The settlement of Italy goes on almost too literally "like
a house a-fire." Pope Antonelli has thrown away the scabbard. The Pontiff has been advised to decline the arrangement pro- posed to him by the Emperor Napoleon, and to signify that he will not surrender Romagna. Yet he cannot help himself. Ile has surrendered the Romagna. He cannot recover it without foreign troops, and it is very improbable that any foreign as- sistance will be available to the Pontiff. The course which is recommended to him, therefore, is an incendiary course, and one involving the most imminent danger for the Papacy.
Meanwhile the Italians continue to prosecute the organization of their own independence with the energy that has characterized them. Rieasoli has put forth a proposition that the four pro- vinces of Tuscany, Modena, Parma, and Romagna should hold a general election in order to choose Deputies, who shall proceed to Turin and ask to take their seats in the Parliament of Northern Italy. As our readers are well aware, the four pro- vinces have already adopted Victor Emmanuel as their King, passed their public acts in his name, and spontaneously paid obedience to the Regent who has accepted the Regency with the sanction of the King. The Tuscans are now, after the manner of our own people in early days, adopting measures to secure their own representation. Every step that they have hitherto taken has been recognized as a fait accompli. If Victor Emmanuel should not accept the Deputies of the four provinces, they might hold a meeting—a provisional assembly ; and, if they have sagacity and firm purpose enough to act constantly in concise parallelism to the Parliament in Turin, --they might, although separated by a few miles, constitute them,selv.esrde facto, a portion of the Parlia- ment of Northern Italy. - ' "a ' • - _- The reception given to Abe. proposal in Turin is not yet re- ported; but it is a great filet that _Cavour has been recalled to the Councils of King Victor_ Emmanuel. We prepared our readers three weeks back for tthis' event ; and indeed we have stateolThroughout that Caveur lied only in part retired from the duty -of advising his Sovereign, his Counsel being sought on every critical occasion. His return, however, is evidence at once that the Government of Northern Italy has resumed a more active policy, that the reserVes maintained in deference to the Emperor Napoleon are no longer required, and thatthe Government of
Northern Italy is of accord with the Western Powers ; all facts' . .
• of the very,utmost importance -for; the progress of the Italian
• settlement.' • '
The immediate question is, What will be the issue of the vio- lent position assumed by. the Papal Government ? It is impro- bable that it would have' committed itself to a policy so rash if it had not counted upon' support from certain. quarters. What quarters? There can scarcely be any other than Austria and Naples. By this time, no doubt, the Pontiff has received warn- ing that should he persevere in his contumacy the French troops, which alone sustain him on his throne in the Vatican, will be withdrawn, and he will himself be a fugitive. To, Gaeta ? Why the very first movement of the Romans towards the independence thus left to them will be the signal for a similar movement throughout the kingdom of :the two Sicilies. Will Austria ad- vance to the support of the' Pepe? At this present moment, ;Hungary can scarcely be restrained from rebellion ; and in the .very hour that Austria should engage her bands in the South she Would- have new work made' for her in the East. "
Reports have been industriously circulated lately, that Prussia , was doubtful, and that Russia had decidedly reprobated the course taken by France against Austria. We have 'throughout, exFessed our disbelief of these reports; and we see that a Cologne paper now. declares Prussia and Russia both favourable to the claims of the Italian people.
In other words, all the Powers of Europe, Austria alone ex- cepted, are in the main agreed as to the general character of the
settlement which the Italians should be permitted to make for themselves ; and Austria has, pro tempore, ceased to be a Power.
