2-995-603 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Proclaiming the result of the vote on the annexation question before the Royal Palace, Naples, 1860. 'Three sides of the square were occupied by the National Guard, and the fourth by a booth, on the top of which floated three or four national flags. Up and down the hollow square were scattered a few hundreds of persons, waiting for the long-deferred proclamation, and many appeared thoroughly tired out, when at last a flourish of trumpets announced that the Judges of the Supreme Court were coming...The President made a speech, which was received with occasional vivas. At last the number of the voters was proclaimed amidst the usual Neapolitan demonstrations. The comparative want of enthusiasm on the occasion may be explained by the fact that all high and generous feeling has been crashed out of the people; they have to be raised like those sunk in the mire; carefully tended like the sick, reared and developed like plants of great promise which have been placed out under the worst possible influences. If all that be done, they will become a people, and a fine people; but at present the looker-on must not be disappointed if he finds noise instead of hearty enthusiasm'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860