at once arises of determining who, in an uncertain stream of strangers
who suddenly flow into a land, _is_ so situated! I may go to Italy,
accompanied by two friends; we may hire the same house between us
(to use a homely illustration); there may be no external evidence of
difference in our attitude; yet I may have determined to live and die
in Italy; I may feel a most intense affection for its people and its
institutions, and a great solicitude over its future. The first man who
accompanies me may feel perfectly indifferent to land and people, and
be there merely for health, leaving again as soon as it is restored.
The second may be animated by an intense hatred of Italy and Italians;
he not only may not wish well to the nation, but may desire to see it
downtrodden by Austria, and its inhabitants destroyed. By enfranchising
me the moment I arrived, the Italian nation would gain a faithful and
devoted citizen, who would sacrifice all for her in time of danger,
and devote thought in times of peace; in enfranchising immediately the
second man, they would perform an act entirely negative and indifferent
without loss or gain either way; in enfranchising the third man,
they would perform an act of minor social suicide. Yet it would be
impossible at once, and from any superficial study to discover our
differences!