This is part of a series about why Hortense broke the law. When we last left off, Hortense was being asked to improve a constitution for the Pope.
- [“What will we] tell them [the priests, asked Hortense]? Each change will appear to them a sacrilege. However, let's read your project; but, I tell you in advance, it is wasted effort.”
We discussed, however, article by article these new concepts, which gave all the Romans the means of arriving at opportunities, and which could still satisfy, to a certain point, the nobility and the clergy.
I made him change several things capable of shocking the sacred college, by appearing to touch on spiritual matters. He approved of all my observations, and left enchanted with his work.
I have always noticed that young people, animated by the need to be useful, judge by their noble ardor, and never doubt success. I too have shared these illusions; but experience has disillusioned me.
After seeing the greatest genius often so little understood, even by distinguished people, should I believe that good religious types, completely ignoring new ideas that are ready to upset the world, used to the self perceived omnipotence received from a God, why would they want to change anything?
They should have rendered themselves redundant. I was not mistaken. The next day, there was a great party at King Jerome’s; he said to me: "I have just learned that this young Belgian who is going to your house is frightening the Papal government; they believe him to be a revolutionary whom one is beginning to mistrust.
There is even talk of "dismissing him from Rome." This is how he was paid for his good advice. At that time, there was much discussion about the nomination of my brother's eldest son to the Belgian throne. As soon as the people are masters, they seek, as a guarantee of their independence, these new illustrations to which they owe their glory, and which owe them everything.
But it was not the policy followed by the French government, and besides, for a long time, all the personal qualities of Prince Leopold made the Orléans family wish him to become the husband of Princess Louise; it was therefore to be desired that Belgium be ruled out. As for my nephew, this crown was only ambitious for him if the -
Cela fait partie d'une série sur les raisons pour lesquelles Hortense a enfreint la loi. La dernière fois que nous nous sommes arrêtés, on a demandé à Hortense d'améliorer la constitution du pape.
