Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women - Wise Acres Yearbook (Ambler, PA)

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of Austria, which was naturally opposed to any increase of Russian control in the Balkans. Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria, hesitated between this natural inclination and the alternative of appearing ungrateful to the Czar, who had helped him to put down the Hungarian insurrection in 1849. While Francis Joseph wavered, Cav-our watched the negotiations anxiously. He realized that if the Western Powers and Austria reached an agreement, the Austrian power would be supreme thenceforth in Italy. At last Cavour was able to bring France and England to acceptance of the aid of Piedmont in the war, the offer of which he had made in a desperate effort to thwart Austria’s opportunity. In January, 1855, Cavour made a treaty with England and France, by which he agreed to send troops to Crimea against Russia. The treaty offered Cavour no rewards, except the friendship of the Powers. The reasons he gave for joining the war on the side of England and France were: that it was an opportunity to make the Italian question.an international one; the Western Powers would be put under obligations to Piedmont for its aid; that he believed the Italian question to be closely bound up with the Near-Eastern problem; that he felt it was an opportunity to show Europe that Italy could send forth an army when necessary—R. B. Merrapace. (To be continued). %[}t Omuent of urpljn (D’ osermubc The great sun rises, red, red, red, The great sun sets in a fiery blaze, When the sun leaps up or sinks to bed My clear voice I in triumph raise. In a wired coop I restless strut, There is something wrong in the ominous air, Could they be planning the throat to cut, Of the great cock Murphy (they'd never dare.) Whose comb is like a budding rose. And wears on his leg a band of lead, That I am King Murphy each chicken knows, And all obey what I have said. My voice is ever raised in song, At morning, evening, and at noon, No others crow so clear and strong, No others greet the rising moon. That my end is near I cannot think 'Tho my comrades were taken one by one, Surely, man's baseness cannot sink, To take the -songster of the sun. —Phoebe Hoffman. 11

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tution. The municipalities of Turin, Alles-sandria and Novara took up the demand and the king was forced to grant a constitution on February 8, 1848. A ministry was formed by Balbo. Cavour was left off the ministry because of his too liberal tendencies. Revolts in Venice and Milan, and the setting up of republics in these two cities caused Austrian troops to pour into Lombardy-Venetia. Cavour urged the king and ministry to go to the aid of the cities, and to take the opportunity of fighting Austria and forever expelling her from Italian soil. Piedmont declared war on Austria and sent armies to help Milan and Venice in their struggle for freedom. This was a momentous step in relation to future events. Piedmont's position in the war made her appear as the savior of Italy, and this stand was made stronger by the fact that she was the only part of the peninsula which enjoyed a national independent government. The battle of Novara, in 1849, settled the fate of Piedmont and Lombardy-Venetia. The Italians were crushed, and the defeated Charles Albert abdicated his throne immediately after the disaster of Novara, his son Victor Emanuel II taking his place. But Cavour was not discouraged by the turn of events. He maintained that so long as the constitution was kept intact in Piedmont, the cause of Italian liberty and union was safe. Meantime another part of Italy resounded with the clash of arms. A revolt in Rome in 1849 resulted in the setting up of a republic of which Mazzini was the head. The Pope called upon the powers to aid him. Spain, Austria and France responded, and the French re-established the Pope's rule, after being obstinately opposed by Garibaldi's volunteers. Louis Napoleon was President of France, and he persuaded the French Assembly that France s', oid 1 fight the growing power of Austria in ltdy. The French troops remained in Rome as the protectors of the Pope's government. In Piedmont Cavour was constantly obtaining concessions for the people. He loomed up as the leader of the new movement for Italian nationalism, with Piedmont at the head. He was elected to the Parliament in 1849, and in 1850 became Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce. A year later he also assumed the office of Minister of Finance. He reorganized the finances of Piedmont, and his offices gave him predominance in the Cabinet, because of his bold schemes and his courageous frankness in stating his views. He left office for a few months because of a disagreement with the Premier d’Azeglio. When he returned to the Cabinet he took up the premiership. In the interval he visited England and France. At London he became intimate with Lord Palmerston, who told him that if the constitutional experiment in Piedmont succeeded, the Italian despots were doomed. Sir James Hudson, who later became British Minister at Turin also became a close friend of Cavour’s. In Paris Cavour had a long interview with Louis Napoleon, President of France. He returned to his native land filled with new vigor and encouragement. He assumed the office of Premier in 1852, and also took the Ministry of Finance. He increased taxation, drawing popular censure on himself. But he satisfied the people that the extra money was being devoted to the strengthening of the State, commercially, industrially and in a military way. He built railroads and many public works. An event now occurred which gave him the opportunity for action in the plan of bringing on another struggle with Austria. The Austrian authorities at Milan confiscated the properties of some Lombards who had become naturalized Piedmontese citizens. Cavour protested to the Powers, whose indifference prompted Austria to reply unfavorably. Cavour at once recalled the Piedmontese minister from Vienna, causing astonishment among the European courts. Things remained in this condition until the Crimean war approached. England and France declared war on Russia in 1855. They tried to get the help 10

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J cijool Totes January nth.—Mrs. Martha Falconer, Superintendent of Sleighton Farms, gave us a very interesting talk on “One of the Avenues Open to Graduates of the School of Horticulture ' January 25th.—A lecture on poultry by Mr. Witman of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, was well attended and enjoyed by all. January 28th.—“Susie” camel February 1st.—Mrs. Jean Kane Foulke, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, was with us and gave a most interesting talk. She chose as her subject “The Horticultural School Student as a Home Missionary.” After the lecture, tea was served by the Seniors. February 8th.—The students and faculty attended the Rural Progress Conference in Philadelphia, held at the Widener Building. On Monday evening Dean Bailey, of Cornell University, addressed the audience in his usual delightful way; and many other interesting speakers told of the needs and conditions of the country communities, in later sessions. February 9th.—Lecture by Mr. Moore, followed by demonstration of pruning and spraying fruit trees. February I4th-2ist.—Is this an examination that I see before me? Yes, and another and another and still they cornel Will they never cease? Long ones, hard ones, dreary ones and fatal! Enough said, but in the future we will remember the motto of the boy scouts and “Be prepared.” February iyth.—Discovery of the eighth wonder of the world. It wears a green sweater and made 99J 2 in a fruit growing exam! February 22d.—A real live holiday! What do you mean you like George Washington ? February 26th.—Professor Schlehner gave an illustrated lecture on “birds.” The lecture was well attended and much appreciated by all until, the electricity gave out. February 28th.—Lucy Lee Richardson, 1915, has returned to the school for a brief visit. February 29th.—Miss Mary Youngs, of the Shedowa Garden Club, gave a very instructive lecture on the Use of Color in the Garden. 12 1