The Italian Ministry has been overthrown. On the 22nd December
S. Bonfardini proposed a resolution expressing con- fidence in the Ministry, affirming the right of Italy to Rome, but rejecting "illegal means" of attaining it. This resolution, chiefly in consequence of a speech by Rattazzi acknowledging that he had intended to seize Rome, was rejected, and General Menabrea resigned. Rattazzi, however, refused to form a government, as did Ricasoli and Cialdini, and the King sent for General Menabrea again. Up to Friday he had not succeeded, the statesmen shrink- ing especially from the Home Office or from secret conditions, and no Ministry has been formed. It will probably be necessary to summon a purely administrative Ministry and to dissolve the Chamber, which evidently does not thoroughly know its own mind, and is too equally divided.
