Margaret of France - Duchess of Savoy, 1523-74 #260881

Noland has ever been the friend of Italy; and before Italy existed, save as a geographical expression, England was the friend of that royal house of Savoy which has rendered a united Italy possible. From early times down to those dark and more recent days when in Italy but to think was to be suspect, to speak was ruin and to act was death, the sympathy of England, expressed in manifold ways, alike by poets and novelists, by statesmen and diplomatists, has meant much to Italy. And, during the last sixty years, many a link has been forged in the golden chain which unites the two countries. To-day to utter the names of Lord John Russell, or of Mr. Gladstone, or of Mrs. Browning, is to make a patriotic Italian's heart thrill with joy.