The entertainment given by the Representative Chamber of Sar- diuia
to General La Marmora and the officers of his army bound for the Crimea is an event as eloquent in its signification as any that has taken place in Turin. When the Government asked the assent of the Sardinian House of Commons for the convention with England, the subject underwent a very long and very careful de- bate ; the House was divided, and the motion was carried with only a small adverse minority. The banquet in honour of the departing soldiers was now given by the Representative As- sembly without distinction of party. After the division the whole body seems to have become of one mind. This is not really so surprising as it looks. The debate was remarkable for the ele- vated feeling and the high ground upon which all sides stood : the objections to the convention turned upon questions of time, of trust in Austria, or of going further than Ministers proposed to go; and all objections were stated with earnestness. Diversity of views, therefore, has been proved by the sequel not to involve division of feeling : as soon as the convention becomes a national act, General La Marmora and his officers and men are followed to the scene of war by the prayers not only of the majority but of all parties whatsoever.
It is interesting to observe that the country which we call " Sar- dinia" comprises four states as different in the origin of their people and in personal feelings as any four states of Italy ; the two principal being peculiarly noted for their diversities of aspect, their almost opposition of qualities, and their jealousy of each other —the Piedmontese and the Genoese. Yet sound government, basing itself upon a trust in the people, and taking the initiative in their material improvement, has operated so successfully as to bring about a real unity of feeling, of action, and of sacrifice. It has been too often presumed that Italy could never be united : we here see in how few years the result can be attained by beginning at the right end and acting in the proper way.
