years, died, at San Remo, Vittoria, Duchess of Aosta, to the inexpressible grief of her husband and the deep regret of all the royal family.

There had been a general election, and the new Parliament opened on the 20th, the court being in deep mourning on the occasion, and the king delivered his last speech from the throne, from which we take the opening paragraph :

Gentlemen Senators,—Gentlemen Deputies,-Afflicted by a domestic sorrow, in which I see with gratitude my people warmly share, I come to-day to seek the best consolation in the fulfilment of my duty. And in truth I never have to inaugurate this solemnity without feeling increase in my heart faith in the destinies of Italy, and in the future of the free institutions to which we are sworn.

The speech, which is very long, concludes with these words:

For six years we have celebrated in Rome the fête of national unity. Our complete unity has borne fruits of glory and proofs of wisdom. Much has been done, but much remains to do. There remains the work which requires the greatest patience in labour and the greatest harmony of will, that of consolidating, and, where necessary, correcting, the whole the edifice of government. In this we can only succeed by emulating one another in laboriousness and steadiness of purpose, I indicate the way to you, and I feel sure that also in

these battles for our civil regeneration, my voice will find a response in noble sacrifices and glorious victories.

This was the last time that the voice of il Rè Galantuomo was heard to resound in the Legislative Assembly.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

VICTOR EMMANUEL IN PRIVATE LIFE.

A.D.. 1877.

VICTOR EMMANUEL had always been a man of the simplest tastes and habits, and his residence in Rome had in no way changed his mode of life. He rose at a little past four o'clock summer and winter, and took a small cup of coffee before going out for his morning walk. In the shooting season he never went without his gun and dogs; his favourite of the canine species being an English terrier called 'Milord,' a creature of extraordinary sagacity and devotion, and as a protection to his master as good as a regiment of soldiers. When the king died the poor dog, tied up in his house, sent forth the most pitiful cries, and refusing his food almost perished of hunger. On returning from the country the king transacted business of various kinds until his simple breakfast between eleven and twelve o'clock, which was also his dinner, for he tasted nothing more till he took a light supper at a late hour. He then rested for an hour or two, reading and smoking, and afterwards resumed his multifarious duties, of answering correspondence public and private, and giving audiences to all sorts and con

ditions of men, from foreign princes and statesmen down to the meanest artisan in the city. In the afternoon he generally drove through the town and appeared at the fashionable promenade on the Pincian Hill; after which more business was gone through, and late in the evening he drove to the Villa Mirafiore, a beautiful house a short distance from Rome, which he had built for his countess, on whom he bestowed every luxury. It is said that Victor Emmanuel repented of his union with this lady when he recovered from the fever. Be this as it may, after the ceremony of marriage had taken place, though it was in no way legally binding, he always spoke of her and regarded her as his wife. Unless the king were detained at the theatre or a reception or family reunion at the Quirinal, he generally passed the evening with one or two intimate friends at his country home. He supped about ten or eleven o'clock, retired at midnight, was up at the dawn, had two or three hours hard exercise, and was installed in his city palace, ready for work, before many of his subjects had opened their eyes.

A small plainly furnished suite of apartments on the ground floor was all Victor Emmanuel occupied of the magnificent 'palace of the Quirinal, except on state occasions. With the exception of his military uniforms, which were of necessity handsome, his wardrobe was the scantiest which a gentleman could be supposed to manage with by rigid economy. He wore the same cloth, colour, and texture all the year round-grey for morning and black for evening. He seldom had more

than one suit of each, and wore them till they were shabby, which caused a Neapolitan boy to remark, 'The ministry load us with taxes, and yet they have not the heart to buy Vittorio a new pair of pantaloons!"

The king laughed heartily when he heard the observation. The only thing he was particular about was his linen, and of that he liked a great quantity and fine quality. When he was going to Berlin and Vienna, his gentlemen-in-waiting told him that his wardrobe required replenishing. The king replied, 'Very well; order what is necessary.' 'But your majesty must have your measure taken this time, for they are very elegant at Berlin and Vienna.'

What a nuisance! Ask Baron

to be kind enough to have his measure taken for me; he is about my size,' was the response. He never wore gloves but when he was en grande toilette.

Going to the theatre one night in a grey coat, the king observed that the daughter of the Emperor of Russia and the Princess Margherita were in the house. He must pay a visit to the foreign princess, and it was too late to return to the Quirinal to change his dress. 'I am all black but the coat,' he said to his attendants; 'if some one would lend me a coat!' He espied a young marquis, one of his aides-de-camp, near, and sent for him. The coat was quickly exchanged, but a white tie was still wanting. The marquis offered his, but Victor Emmanuel, seeing one of his servants at the door of the box with a fresher one, walked up to him, and silently took off his tie and fastened it on himself; then