For that, some sudden flare of passion, strong enough to overcome the sturdy calmness of the race, would have been needed.

But what would have been the use of it?
The wretchedness had lasted for so many centuries, the sky was so blue, the siesta preferable to aught else during the hot hours! And only one thing seemed positive--that the majority was certainly in favour of Rome remaining the capital of Italy.

Indeed, rebellion had almost broken out in the Leonine City when the cession of the latter to the Holy See was rumoured.

As for the increase of want and poverty, this was largely due to the circumstance that the Roman workman had really gained nothing by the many works carried on in his city during fifteen years.

First of all, over 40,000 provincials, mostly from the North, more spirited and resistant than himself, and working at cheaper rates, had invaded Rome; and when he, the Roman, had secured his share of the labour, he had lived in better style, without thought of economy; so that after the crisis, when the 40,000 men from the provinces were sent home again, he had found himself once more in a dead city where trade was always slack.