CHAPTER I

PAGE EARLY LIFE

Early Life--Enters Diplomatic Service, 1839--Appointed unpaid attaché at Athens--Unfavourable prospects--Paid attaché at Rome, 1853--Condition of the Papal States--Life at Rome--Appointed Secretary of Legation at Florence--Question of the 'Tavola di Stato'--Sent to Naples to deal with the case of the _Cagliari_--Success of his mission and appointment as Minister at Florence--Succeeds to peerage on death of his father--Appointed Minister at Washington, 1858 1