Volume I Part 24 (2/2)
In the forties, Signora Aurora Vertelli was the owner of a place near the Scala, at Milan, called the Casino The Casino was the -place of the Austrian officers, for at that tiarrisoned by Austrians, under the special command of Marshal Radetzky
Count Joseph Wenzel Radetzky is a celebrated historical personage, and the words of a contereat hunter before the Lord; he drives the people before hiame,” describe him sufficiently If Radetzky was a tyrant, his officers were a torture to Italy, and it often happened that the Bohemian and Croatian officers whipped woer through the body of some peaceful citizen
Aurora Vertelli, however, enjoyed the protection of the Austrian police!
What the services were that she rendered the State is not known; but, nevertheless, the ”handsoreat favor at police headquarters The eating at the Casino was celebrated, the wines were second to none, and dice and cards were provided for the ”spiritual” auests
An Italian was seldoenerally those who had taken to the Austrian arht of the 15th to the 16th of March, 1848, lively scenes were being enacted in the Casino, and neither Aurora Vertelli herself nor old Major Bartoloular custouests
”What is going on at Vienna, Lieutenant Pasky?” asked a young officer
”Have the riots there any importance?”
”No, thank God,” replied the lieutenant; ”the _canaille_ will soon be brought to their senses”
”H'm, if the emperor would only be strict,” said another
”Ah, bah! the enerally prove it”
”Coroup, ”I think the affair is serious”
”How so? What has happened?”
”Well, the emperor has made concessions”
”But that would be a shame”
”They want to repeal the censorshi+p--”
”That's good The newspapers could then print what they pleased”
”The new press-bill is said to be very liberal”
”A bullet and a rope are the best laws”
”Besides that, the delegates of the Ger to be called in--”
A storh Austrian nobleman, Hermann von Kirchstein, passionately exclaimed:
”Comrades, the emperor can do what he wishes, but we shall do ish, and if the Italians make a move we shall crush them”