decision. Yet Victor Emmanuel never hesitated. Though
confronted by a victorious enemy, from whom it was necessary
to gain terms that would leave the state and the constitution
intact; though obliged to meet at home a radical party and a
radical parliament that were unwilling to consider any com-
promise with Austria, and were ready to reject the monarchy
and establish committees of public safety to continue the war;
though England and France were inclined to discourage further
affronts upon Austria, and Europe as a whole was against him;
nevertheless, Victor Emmanuel, largely on his own responsi-
bility, and depending less upon his advisers than upon his own
good sense and honesty, rejected the policy of reaction and of
submission to Austria, and took up the cause of the constitution
and of Italy.

But the king's position was stronger than it seemed. Al-
though prejudiced by all the traditions of his house and the
experiences of his early training in favour of the aristocracy
and the church, Victor Emmanuel was ever ready to sacrifice
his personal inclinations in the interests of his people and his
state; and though ignorant of the arts of diplomacy and gov-
ernment, was imbued with a spirit of bravery and truth, and
possessed judgment and tact and a frankness of manner and
speech that stood him in excellent stead during the important
crises of his career. Furthermore, his advisers, d'Azeglio, de
Revel, Balbo, and others, though men of varying opinion,
all supported a constitutional form of government and were
devoted to him and his dynasty; while the hardy and well-
disciplined people under his sway, Savoyards, Piedmontese,
and Sardinians, accustomed to a simple and frugal life and to
a healthy activity, were, though faithful to the church, more
faithful to the house of Savoy, and formed a compact social
element, which, in certain emergencies, proved a source of
singular strength to the king and his government. Then, too,
the doctrine of European equilibrium aided the king and pre-

-92-