Rome: April 2, [1860].

Ever dearest Isa,--Here are the letters! I am sorry I wrote rashly
yesterday; but from an expression of yours I took for granted that the
packet went by the post; and I have been really very anxious about it.

No, Isa; I don't like the tone of these letters so well. I can
understand that what is said of Belgium and the Rhine provinces is in
the event of a certain coalition and eventual complication, but it
doesn't do, even in a thought and theory, to sacrifice a country like
Belgium. I respect France, and 'l'idee Napoleonienne'; yes, but
conscience and the populations more.

As to Napoleon's waiting for the bribe of Savoy before he would pass
beyond Villafranca, this is making him ignoble; and I do not believe it
in the least. Also it contradicts the letter-writer's previous letter,
in which he said that Savoy had been from the beginning the _sous
entendre_ of Venetia. No, I can see that an Italy in unity, a great
newly constituted nation, might be reasonably asked by her liberator to
shift her frontier from beyond the Alps, but for Victor Emmanuel to be
expected at Milan to put his hand into his pocket and pay, without
completion of facts, or consultation of peoples, this would be to 'faire
le marchand' indeed, and I could write no odes to a man who could act
so. I don't sell my soul to Napoleon, and applaud him _quand meme_. But
absolutely I disbelieve in this version, Isa. If the war had not stopped
at Villafranca, it would have been European; _that_, if not clear at the
time, is clear now--clear from the official statement of Prussia. By
putting diplomacy in the place of the war, a great deal was absolutely
attained, besides a better standpoint for a renewal of the war, should
that be necessary. 'Hence those tears'--of Villafranca!

The letter-writer is very keen, and evidently hears a good deal, while
he selects after his own judgment. _I_ am glad to hear that 'L'Opinion
Nationale' represents the efficient power. That's comfortable. What's to
be done next in the south here rests with _us_, it seems. But what of
the occupation of Rome? And what is the meaning of Lamoriciere being
here 'with the consent of the Emperor'? Lamoriciere can mean no good
either to the French Government or to Italy; and the Emperor knows it
well.

My dearest Isa, let us make haste to say that of course I shall be glad
to let my book be used as is proposed. How will we get a copy to M.
Fauvety? I enclose an order to Chapman and Hall which M. Dall'
Ongaro[83] may enclose to his friend, who must enclose it on to England,
with a letter conveying his address in Paris. Then the book may be sent
by the _book post_. Wouldn't that do?

I shall give a copy to Dall' Ongaro (when I can get a supply), and one
for the Trollopes also, never forgetting dear Kate! (and I do expect
copies through the embassy) but I have not seen a word of the book yet.
I only know that, being Caesar's wife, I am not merely 'suspected' (poor
wife!), but dishonored before the 'Athenaeum' world as an unnatural
vixen, who, instead of staying at home and spinning wool, stays at
home[84] and curses her own land. 'It is my own, my native land!' If,
indeed, I had gone abroad and cursed other people's lands, there would
have been no objection. That poem, as addressed to America, has always
been considered rather an amiable and domestic trait on my part. But
England! Heavens and earth! What a crime! The very suspicion of it is
guilt.

The fact is, between you and me, Isa, certain of those quoted stanzas do
'_fit_' England 'as if they were made for her,' which they were _not_,
though....

According to your letters, Venetia seems pushed off into the future a
little, don't you think?

Still, they are interesting, very. Get Dall' Ongaro to remember me in
future. The details about Antonelli shall go to him. I am delighted at
the idea of being translated by him....

Write to me, my dearly loved Isa. You who are true! let me touch you!

Yours ever from the heart
BA.