The ship I was in was stationed at Civita Vecchia, the sea-port of Rome, partly in order to protect British interests--that is, the persons and properties of British subjects--partly with the object of taking that half-hearted part in religious politics which has always been such a humiliating role for England.
We had an accredited agent, a nondescript sort of person, representing England at the court of Pope Pius IX.

This gentleman's duty was to watch and report, but not to act.

It was through him that England's idea of the policy to be pursued by the Pope was conveyed.

We did not, and we did, want to interfere.

The question of the balance of power of Italy as an independent nation was too important to neglect; it was impossible to separate altogether religion and politics.