those measures which are being successively matured in the neighbouring Grand Duchy of Tuscany, so as to enable you to enjoy, by anticipation, the advantages that may thence result. Meanwhile, we announce the establishment of the Civic Guard, necessary to insure public tranquillity, and we have already given the requisite instructions to our Council of State, all the members of which are animated by the best sentiments, to propose to us, with the greatest solicitude, any reform which may tend to appease your just demands, and to satisfy our own most ardent desire to render you happy, now and for ever.

"Repose, therefore, full reliance on these affectionate words of your father and sovereign, who is animated by a sincere wish for the welfare of you all, and who is taking counsel for that purpose with those of your fellow citizens whom you most love and esteem.

"Given at San Martino in Vignale, this 1st day of September, A.D. 1847.

"CHARLES LOUIS."

The Duke however repented of this step as soon as it had been taken, and almost immediately afterwards he fled from the city and retired to Massa in the Modenese territory.

This announcement caused the greatest excitement. The inhabitants of Lucca rose en masse, constituting themselves a civic guard. A numerous deputation, headed by the Marquis Mazzarosa, who recently resigned his post as President of the Council of State, proceeded to Massa to request the Duke to return to his dominions. The Duke replied by a decree

establishing a regency, with M. Mazzarosa as president; but the Council of Ministers refused to publish it, and entreated the Duke to return. The agitation meanwhile increased; and, to compel him to return, it was proposed to seize his revenue, and place his palace under sequestration. Crowds of people kept pouring into Lucca from all quarters, and each train from Pisa and Leghorn brought hundreds more. A band of women paraded the streets, carrying the pontifical colours to encourage the men. A body of volunteers were enrolled to march to the deliverance of Ferrara. Such was the condition of Lucca on the afternoon of the 2nd and the morning of the 3rd, when, suddenly and unexpectedly, at one o'clock in the afternoon, the Duke and the Hereditary Prince returned from Massa, and presented themselves at the gates of Lucca unescorted, in the midst of the populace, by whom they were received with enthusiasm.

The consequence, however, of these proceedings was, that negotiations were immediately set on foot between the Governments of Lucca and Tuscany for the annexation of the former to the latter Duchy. This was for some time kept secret, in order that Austria might not interfere to prevent it. When however it became known, the announcement was received with universal joy by the populace. The negotiators were a Mr. Ward, an Englishman, on the part of the Duke of Lucca, and M. Bomfil on the part of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. As an indemnity for this cession of territory, the Grand Duke of Tuscany was to pay to the Duke of Lucca an annuity of

48,000l., until the Duchies of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla, held by the Archduchess Maria Louisa, should descend to the latter prince, which they would do in virtue of the Treaty of Vienna, on the demise of the Archduchess. The Duke was to retain his title until his succession to the title of Duke of Parma. Formal possession was taken of Lucca on the 10th of October by Count Gheradesche in the name of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

TUSCANY. -The Grand Duke of Tuscany likewise yielded to the impulse of the popular will; and one of his first acts, to prove the sincerity of his wish to govern in conformity with the demands of his subjects, was the creation of a Council of State invested with new powers. It was to consist of nineteen members, ten ordinary and nine extraordinary individuals named to compose this body were eminent for their learning and liberal opinions. Among them were the Marquis Gino Capponi, the Marquis Cosimo Rodolfi, Signor Buonaroti, and Signor Lamporecchi, the head of the bar at Florence; Signor Grannini, an eminent lawyer, was nominated president.

By a decree dated the 26th August the new Council was directed to take into consideration, at its first sittings, a petition presented in favour of establishing a civic guard.

By another decree, a department of Justice and Grace was created, having equal prerogatives with the other departments of State, Finance, and War. It was invested with the supreme judicial powers formerly belonging to the Consulta,

the superintendence of the courts of justice, and the decision of appeals from the resolutions of the higher police department.

Simultaneously with these measures, a change was announced in the Cabinet of Tuscany. The new Cabinet was composed of members of the Liberal party; Signor Baldasseroni was Minister of Finance; Prince Corsini, Minister of Foreign Affairs and War; and Signor Cempini continued President of the Council.

The events that took place at Lucca greatly accelerated the progress of liberal measures in Tuscany. Numbers of the Livornese had been present at Lucca; and, on the evening of their return to Leghorn, a strong demonstration was made in the theatre in favour of a national guard. A deputation of the municipality started immediately for Florence to demand its organization; and the Government replied at once, by a decree ordering the instant formation of the National Guard, and a declaration that the Consulta would only have to consider the questions of its constitution. This new concession was attended with demonstrations of the most lively joy. Above ten thousand men assembled with the national flag, preceded by the busts of Pius the Ninth and Leopold the Second. A procession took place through the city by torch-light, the windows of all the houses being illuminated and decorated with flags. These rejoicings continued for seven hours, notwithstanding which no disorder took place, and the whole population seemed filled with the liveliest rapture.

GREECE. In the month of

Coletti, Minister for Foreign Affairs and President of the Council; Riga Palamides, Minister of the Interior; Corphiotaki, Minister of Finance, in the room of M. Ponyropoulos; Constantine Colocotroni, Minister of Justice; Glarakis, Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Public Instruction; Boulgari, Minister of Marine. General Tzavellas retained the Department of War.

On the 30th, the Chambers were suddenly and unexpectedly dissolved. Coletti had, on the 22nd, in the Chamber of Deputies, proposed a direct land-tax, professing a wish to promote a change from the bad system of farming the taxes. But, no budget having been submitted to the Chamber, the opposition demanded a financial statement before a vote of taxes; and Coletti's proposition was only carried by a majority of 1-55 to 54. He rose, left the Chamber, and made a sign that all his party should follow him; which broke up the Chamber, the residue not being enough for a quorum. On the 26th, the Minister of War entered the Chamber, and in the name of the Minister of the Interior, who was absent, read a royal ordinance dissolving the Chambers, and convoking the Electoral Colleges for the 22nd of June in order to the general election. The meeting of the new Chambers was fixed by the same ordinance for the 23rd of July.

The elections that took place gave the Ministry a considerable majority in the Chambers, and on the 9th of August they were opened VOL. LXXXIX.

by King Otho in person, who delivered the following Speech:

"Gentlemen Deputies and Senators,

"At the moment of entering into the career of a new legislative period, in order to continue the great and difficult task of the establishment of a free Government on solid and unshakable foundations, let us begin by addressing our fervent prayers to Almighty God, invoking His divine assist

ance.

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In the contest of opinions and various sentiments which took place within these walls (in the preceding Session), and which has not failed to furnish useful instructions, symptoms of a fatal disagreement on points having an essential influence on the interests of the people were manifested-a circumstance which made me deem it advisable to appeal to the sentiments of the nation; and it is now for you, gentlemen, in your capacity as its representatives, to declare whether the nation justifies my Government or not.

"From the facts themselves, gentlemen, you will admit that my Government, notwithstanding the circumstances in which it has found itself placed, has respected the rights of the nation, and taken every precaution to guarantee the interests of the State, and to maintain tranquillity and public order. The measures adopted for this purpose will be submitted for your approval.

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Happy should I have been, gentlemen, to be in a position to announce to you that a disagreeable difference with a neighbouring State (Turkey) had been definitively settled, as I wish with all [2 D]

my heart; I believe, however, that this difference will speedily be terminated in a manner conformable with the dignity of both States, whose interests are identical.

"The amelioration of our financial condition, in favour of which my Government has made the greatest efforts, is an object of high importance, which ought to excite your peculiar solicitude; moreover, the fulfilment of our engagements to the protecting (bienfaitrices) Powers renders it a matter of duty. It is on this very subject that my Government will submit to your deep deliberations important projects of law, which, without compromising the interests of the Treasury, or those of agriculture and navigation, will contribute to the regular payment of our debt, and thus preserve the national credit and honour.

"My Government, impressed with the importance of these considerations, and although very awkwardly situated, has been compelled to satisfy the persevering demands of one of the three protecting Powers as regards the interests and the extinction (amortissement) of the half-yearly period ended in the month of March.

"Several other projects of law will be submitted to your deliberations by my Government. As for those of the budget, which, according to the constitutional order, ought to take place previous to the commencement of every year—a matter which I last year especially recommended to the attention of the Chambers-I again recommend it to your zeal, as essentially necessary to the strengthening of our institutions.

"I do not hesitate to repeat, gentlemen, that our task is a great and difficult one, but not superior to our patriotism and our magnanimity. With a lively and conjoint appreciation of our duties for the well-being and the glory of the country, let us advance with more courage for the future, and hope that the Most High will shadow us with His divine protection.

"I proclaim the opening of the first Session of the Second Legislative periods.'

The country was disturbed during great part of the year by insurrectionary movements in different places, but no event of importance occurred.

On the 12th of September, Coletti died.