“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31256, 31 December 1966, Page 10

“The Press” In 1866

January 1. In the smoke and confusion of the battle of life it is hard to form a correct judgement of the real importance of the events in the midst of which we live and of their influence upon the time to come. And yet we cannot but think that in the after history of the world, the year which breathed its last a few hours ago will be marked as an important epoch in the march of time. It has seen almost the last chapter written, perhaps by this time the very last, in the astonishing history of the restored unity and regeneration of Italy, an* the creation of a new power promising to stand in the

first rank among the nations of the world. When we look to the character of the Italian people, to the extraordinary ability they ha~e displayed throughout so many ages, in science, in literature, in art, in commerce, in navigation in agriculture, and in war, and recollect how their energies have been wasted in intestine feuds and crippled by foreign misrule, it is hard indeed to say what may not be the influence upon Europe and European civilisation when those great powers are concentrated in a common nationality, fostered by the consciousness of liberty, and directed by a strong and popular