HUMBERT IV., b. 1844; King of Italy, eldest son of Victor Emmanuel. At an early age he obtained an insight into political and military life under the guidance of his tallier, whom he attended during the war of Italian independence, although lie was then too young to take an active part in the struggle. The youthful heir to the throne was more closely connected with the movement for the unification of Italy, which fol lowed the events of 1859. In particular he took part in the work of recrganizing the ancient kingdom of the two Sicilies, and in July, 1862, he visited Naples and Pa lermo, where he shared the popularity of Garibaldi. When the war between Prussia and Austria was imminent, prince Humbert was dispatched to Paris to ascertain the sentiments of the French government in reference to the alliance between Daly and Prussia. On the outbreak of hostilities he hastened to take the field; obtained the com mand of a division of gen. Cialdini's army with the title of lieut.g,en.; and took a
gallant part in the disastrous battle of Custozza, June 23. 1866. On April 22, 1868, he married, at Turin, his cousin, the princess Marguerite Therke Jean ne of Savoy, daughter of the duke Ferdinand of Genoa, brother of king Victor Emmanuel. This union resulted in the birth of a son at Naples, Nov. 11, 1869, who received the names of Victor Emmanuel Ferdinand Nary Januarins, and the title of prince of Naples. After the seizure of Rome by the Italian troops in 1870, prince Humbert took up his residence there. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his father, ;Inn. 9. 1878. As he was entering Naples. Nov. 17, 1878, a man named Giovanni Passanante approached his carriage mid attempted to assassinate him with a poniard. but the king escaped with a slight scratch. Signor Cairoli, however, the prime-minister, who was with him, WAS seriously wounded.