BALBO, CyESARE, an Italian statesman and author, was b. 21st Nov.. 1789, ct Turin, When 18 years old, 13. whose father had enjoyed the patronage of Napoleon. was appointed auditor of the council of state in Paris, and in 1812 he was made commissioner for the Illyrian provinces, ceded to France by the peace of Vienna. After the fall of Napoleon, B. went to London as secretary of the Sardinian embassy. After leaving political affairs, he devoted himself to the study of history, and among other works pro duced during the years 1821-43, were a History of Italy, which, however, extended only to the reign of Charlemagne; and a translation with commentary of Leo's Development If the Constitution of the Lombardie Towns. His Speranze d'Italia (Hopes of Italy), pub lished in 1843, first extended his literary reputation to foreign countries. One of its main objects was to prove that national independence must precede the enjoyment of constitutional liberty; and that to strive after the latter, however good in itself, so long as the former had not been secured, was both foolish and reprehensible. It gave a vivid
and intelligent picture of the political condition of Italy, its aims and prospects. His compendium of Italian history (Della ,.S'toria a'Palia, etc.) was also successful. B. took a prominent part as a moderate liberal in the political movements of 1847-48, and subse quently supported the ministry of Azeglio. lie d. 3d June, 1853. Ile was a man of strict morality and unspotted character. In all his writings, B. adhered strongly to the Roman Catholic Church, whose truth he conceived to be the healing of nations as well as of individuals, and the only source of true culture.