the road between Brescia and Verona by Lonato, and affords an excellent base for operations either against Verona or along the valley of the Adige. The attack was commenced by artillery, and the Piedmontese troops, under General Bès, having formed trenches during the night, opened a heavy fire from four batteries. The place, how ever, was not taken until the 30th of the month, after a long-continued cannonade, and when the provisions were almost entirely exhausted.

On the previous day (May 29th), Marshal Radetzky, who had been concentrating his troops at Mantua, made a simultaneous attack on the two extremes of the Tuscan and Neapolitan line, stretching from a point in advance of Goito on the Mincio to Gozzoldo. The object was to turn the flank resting on the river, and by crossing the river and ascending its right bank derange the siege operations against Peschiera. The Austrians succeeded in their attack, and General Bava was forced to retreat with his left to Goito, but he did so in good order. His right was defeated completely, and nearly disorganized. Next day, Charles Albert came up from Vallegio, and the engagement was renewed. The Austrians, after a day's fighting, were dislodged from Goito (the first houses of which they had entered), and driven along the right bank of the Mincio to the gates of Mantua.

The King of Sardinia was equally successful in his attack upon Rivoli, which he took after a sharp engagement, and had he been efficiently supported by the Italians, for whose cause he professed to fight, the issue of the campaign might have been very different. But it soon appeared that he had to maintain the struggle single

handed against the resources of the Austrian Empire. Whilst he was strengthening his position at Rivoli, Radetzky suddenly appeared with 30,000 men before Vicenza, where General Durando, with 14,000 or 15,000 Papal troops was quartered, and, after bombarding the town for eighteen hours, he compelled them to capitulate on the terms that they should forthwith recross the Po, and not take up arms against Austria for the space of three months. The old Marshal then hurried back with his troops to Verona, and entered it almost at the moment when the King of Sardinia, thinking the place was abandoned, was about to occupy it with the great bulk of his force.

In the latter part of June the Austrians captured both Padua and Palma Nuova, and their communications with Vienna, through the passes of the Tyrol, were now undisof an enemy. presence turbed by the The line of the Piedmontese army at the beginning of July extended for about thirty miles, from Mantua on the right, to Rivoli on the left. The object of the King at this time seemed to be to collect his forces and invest Mantua, where his troops were gradually accumulated, and weeks were spent in a fruitless blockade of a place of impregnable strength, where they suffered not only from the cannon of the enemy, but the pestilential exhalations of the marshy swamp that lies on one side of the town.

On the 22nd of July, however, a sudden and unexpected attack was made on the Sardinian lines

by General Aspre at Rivoli, and they were without difficulty forced. The yielding columns retreated upon Peschiera and Villafranca, and across the Mincio to Vallegio.

HISTORY.

Before Charles Albert could effectually concentrate his forces, he was attacked at different points in the north and east, and the Austrians made a resolute attempt to cross the Mincio and cut off his retreat to Milan. 24th and 25th, the contest raged On the with varying success in the country that lies between the Adige and the Mincio; and it was evident that the Italian cause depended almost wholly on the bravery of the Sardinian troops, who were most inefficiently supported by their Italian auxiliaries, especially the Tuscan and Roman troops. On the 26th, the Sardinian force had partially retrieved its position, and after a gallant action at Somma Campagna, which lasted the whole day, the result was still doubtful, when the Austrian army was suddenly reinforced by a body of 20,000 men, drawn chiefly from the garrisons of the Venetian territory, and the King's right flank was turned, and the Austrians were completely victorious. This decided the struggle, for Charles Albert immediately commenced his retreat, and, on the morning of the 27th, prepared to recross the Mincio. He found, however, that the Austrians had been beforehand with him, and they were drawn up in strong force at Volta, on the other side of the river, so as directly to intercept the line of his retreat. It therefore became necessary to fight; and an engagement took place, the result of which was upon the whole favourable to the Italians, who were enabled to pass Volta and continue their retrograde march.

On the evening of the 27th, the whole of the Sardinian force, excepting the garrison that occupied Peschiera, had abandoned every

[325

post on the line of the Mincio, and the King passed the night at Asola. paign was a mere flight on the The rest of the campart of the Italians. trians steadily advanced, and ocThe Auszighetore, and Lodi, following close cupied, successively, Cremona, Pizupon the heels of the retiring army.

Milan with his fugitive troops on Charles Albert entered the 3rd of August, and at first seemed disposed to make a stand idea, and continued his retreat to there, but he soon gave up this his own territory.

which determined Charles Albert The exact nature of the reasons to abandon Milan without a struggle is not very accurately known; but the following account published with every appearance of authenticity:

was

the Committee of Public Safety "The King called the chiefs of which he had established, before him, and declared to them that, if his army alone were left to bear the burden of the war, Milan would after, these chiefs went and presoon be carried. A few hours sented a proposal of capitulation Albert. The Austrian commander to Radetzky, unknown to Charles imposed conditions, and signed the capitulation subject to the ratification of the King. The Milanese then carried it to Charles Albert, dissatisfaction, and affixed his who expressed his surprise and signature, saying, I cannot defend large body of the Ultra-Republicans you in spite of yourselves.' then came to complain to the King of the capitulation. • What are of your Government have capituyou?' was his reply: The chiefs lated without my knowledge. Come to an understanding amongst yourselves; let me know what the

A

The the kid the Ang beriw Berween both armies shall be the

CHAPTER XI.

ITALY, continued.-PAPAL STATES.-New Organization of the Executive at Rome-The Pope promises a new Constitution to his Subjects-His unwillingness to engage in the War against Austria-New Ministry at Rome-Programme of its intended Policy-Assassination of Count Rossi, at Rome-State of the Capital at this Juncture-Formation of a Radical Ministry-Flight of the Pope from Rome-He takes Refuge in the Neapolitan Territory.

NAPLES AND SICILY.-Outbreak of Insurrection at Palermo-Conflict between the Populace and the Military-New Ministry appointed at Naples-The King promises a Constitution-Enthusiasm of the People-Insurrection at Messina-Disturbances at Naples-Sanguinary Conflict in the Streets-The King victorious-Downfal of the Bourbon Dynasty-Decrees by the Sicilian Chamber at Palermo-The Sicilian Throne offered to the Duke of Genoa, and declined by him— Expedition sent from Naples against the Sicilians-Bombardment and Capture of Messina-Energetic Measures of the Revolutionary Government at Palermo.

DENMARK AND SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.-Death of Christian VIII., King of Denmark, and Succession of Frederick VII.-Plan of new Constitution promulgated-Narrative of Events leading to a Quarrel between the Crown of Denmark and the two Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein— Deputation sent from the Meeting of the States at Rendsburg to Copenhagen-The King's Reply-Explosion of the Revolution at Kiel-Strong Feeling in Denmark against the Separation of the Duchies-Proclamations by the King-The Prussian Troops cross the Holstein Frontier-Conduct of the German Assembly at Frankfort— Protest of the Danish Ambassador-The Danish Forces attacked by the Prussians-Schleswig and Flensbourg taken by the latter-General Von Wrangel invades Jutland-The Danish Army retires to Funen and Alsen-Interference of Sweden in the Struggle-The Prussian Troops withdrawn from Jutland-Blockade of the German Baltic Ports by the Danish Fleet-Note addressed by the Danish Government to Foreign Ministers-Termination of Hostilities by Armistice concluded at Malmö-Provisions of the Armistice-Speech of the King of Denmark at the opening of the Diet. NETHERLANDS.— -Appointment of Committee to revise Constitution. BELGIUM.-Abortive Attempt of French Democrats to excite a Revolution-Speech of the King on opening of Session of the Chambers.

OME. At the beginning of

R the year the Pope issued a

new plan for the organization of

the Executive at Rome, which was in future to consist of nine departments, namely, Foreign