two latter, which were of the guards, and together amounted to 10,000 men.

The cavalry, as before stated, amounted to 7009 men. The train of artillery consisted of 90 pieces of cannon.

A passage was demanded for the divisions of Livron and Pignatelli Strongolf through the Roman states, and on its being refused, they notwithstanding passed the Roman frontier on the 22d of March. The Pope retired into the Genoese territory, and Cardinal Somaglia, who had been left in charge of the papal government, protested against this infringement of its rights.

The King established his head-quarters at Ancona with the remainder of his army. The division of General Carascosa, with a few pieces of artillery, was the first to advance on the great road towards Bologna: it was followed by those of Lecchi and Ambrosio, with 3000 cavalry and some artillery, which, together with that attached to Carascosa's division, amounted to 30 pieces of cannon. On the 29th, the head-quarters of the King were at Rimini,

and on the 30th he issued a proclamation", calling upon the Italians to assert their independence, promising them a national representation, and a constitution adapted to the age, by which their individual liberty and property would be guaranteed.

The inhabitants of the north of Italy, governed by a nation totally different in language, manners, and every characteristic quality, looked on the approach of the Neapolitan army as that of their liberators: their hatred of the Austrians, which they had long with difficulty suppressed, now broke out into open violence in some of the principal towns. Many of the nobles, fearing the success of the independents, sent a deputation to Vienna, expressive of their attachment to the Austrian government, and of their determination to support it.

This

raised the indignation of the people to the highest pitch; the Austrian Generals were openly hooted in the streets of Milan, and placards were posted in many parts of the town, with "Death to the nobles! Long live the independence of Italy!" inscribed on them.

*See Appendix, No. III.

Numerous arrestations followed; a military tribunal was established; and many of the military, who had refused to serve under the Austrian government, were sent under escort into Germany.

On the 5th of April, Marshal Bellegarde issued a proclamation, in order to counteract the dangerous effects which might be produced by that of Murat; and the Austrian government, now seriously menaced in this part of its possessions, rapidly reinforced its army, the command of which was confided to Baron Frimont. This general, aware of the facility that presented itself to Murat, of marching direct upon Milan, established his head-quarters at Piacenza, and concentrated the Austrian forces between that place and Casal-Maggiore, for the purpose of defending the line of the Po, till reinforcements should arrive.

On the 30th of March, the advanced guard of the Austrians under General Bianchi were driven back in an engagement between Savignano and Cesena, and the Neapolitan headquarters were established on the 1st of April at Faenza, and on the 2d at Bologna. Bianchi

retreated upon Modena, and took up a position behind the Panaro; a smart action ensued between his troops and those of Carascosa, who made a vigorous attack upon his position; the King of Naples sent a column by his left upon Spilembergo to turn the right flank of the Austrians, and having supported the attack made by Carascosa, drove the Austrians from their position, and compelled them to seek safety behind the canal of Bentivoglio and the tête-depont of Borgoforte on the Po. This victory threw open Modena, Reggio, and Carpi, to the Neapolitans; the two latter places were immediately occupied by Carascosa's division, whilst the king, with those of Lecchi and Ambrosio, moved on Ferrara and the tête-de-pont of Occhiobello. The citadel of Ferrara withstood the efforts of the Neopolitans to take it, and on the 8th of April, Murat made an attempt to pass the Po at Occhiobello: he was repulsed, and a renewed attack on the following day was alike unsuccessful; the obstinate defence of the Austrians under General Mohr, joined to the advantageous position of their artillery, compelling the Neapolitans to retreat with the loss, it is said, in these two days, of near 2,000 men.

Meanwhile the divisions of Livron and Pignatelli Strongoli had passed unmolested through the Roman States and through great part of Tuscany on the 7th and 8th of April they occupied Florence. General Nugent, with a small body of Austrian and Florentine troops, was compelled to retire upon Pistoia, followed by the Neapolitans, with whom he had partial engagements on the 8th and 10th; but having received reinforcements and occupied a strong position, he was enabled to hold the enemy in check.

This was the critical moment of Murat's campaign, having neither flank supported; with the Austrian army of Frimont in his front, and with that of Nugent in his rear; a wavering policy must of necessity fail. It was on the left bank of the Po that he must look for support from the partizans of independence; his arrival at Milan was confidently looked for, and near forty thousand Italians, the greater part of whom had served in the armies of Napoleon, were ready to join his standard the moment of his arrival; whereas, on the line of operation which he had chosen, he met with difficulties which he was unable to surmount, and the fatal delay