Ticino is a small Canton, but from the days of Athenian greatness small States have been the instructors of the world, and Englishmen, hesitating over a political leap in the dark, would do well to study the Ticinese revolution of September 11, 1890.

The Radicals of the Canton rose in insurrection, and deposed the lawful government by violence; as Englishmen may remember, the contest though short involved at least one murder.

The Swiss Executive (called the Federal Council) forthwith took steps to restore order and to reinstate the lawful Cantonal government.

Their own commissioner, a military officer, in effect declined to put the overthrown government back in power.

Order was restored, but the law was never vindicated.