LIFE OF G.I.BIBALDI.
cause of Italian independence. At the same time Colonel Samuel Colt,
the in>cnter of the revolver, offered the gift of 100 muskets on his private
account. The Italian patriot thanked the American patriot in the
warmest terms.
There were abundant signs that Garibaldi was not inclined to remain
tranquil while despotism still ruled rampant in Naples and Rome. He
evinced this feeling very plainly in a letter addreaaed to the workmen of
Milan:-
" As a son of the people, and dnoted to their aervice for my whole life,
I am proud whenever any expreuion of sympathy ever reaches me from
them . You feel faith inme, you the men of the four daya, and I have faith
in you. The day, perchance is not fAr distant when we shall again have
the good fortune to fight the enemy of our country shoulder to shoulder.
On that day, ifmy duty does not call me amid other Italian combatantd,
I will seek a place in your ranks, robust children of toil, sure of finding
you at the spot where men are fighting with honour for the most holy
ca.use of Italy.
" I am gratefully and affeetionately ever yours,
"G. G.!.BIB.!LDI."
This letter, however, was not the sole sign of the approaching renewal
of hostilities. On the date of January 20, we read in the Ost Deutclte Post,
" We do nM conceal from ourselns the which are preparing for
Au.atria in Italy. The popularity and indefatigable activity of Garibaldi
seem called on to render fresh servicea." The correspondence from
Italy, if cuefnlly studied, shows that the descent on Sicily was already
quietly a.rrangcd in the general's mind. Still, as the old commander of
the Ch.russeura of tho Alps would not consent to servo as an instrument
for views contrary to the welfare of Italy, calumny continued to gi,·e
itself full scope. Tho Nord did not hesitate to publish a correspondence
in which: the honour of Garibaldi waa atrociouely attacked, as well as thnt.
of Rata2w and the Deputy Bro1ferio. In a letter addreSBed to thut
journal, and which we regret our space will not allow us to reproduce,
Brofferio energetically refuted the unworlhy falsehood. of the anonymous
writer, s.nd he said markedly, 'General Garibaldi is not only next to the
king, the first soldier in Italy, but also her first citizen.' "
In fact, Garibaldi has become ao important a personage that all his
actions fLre the subject of solemn discuasions. The Emperor of the French
even mentioned the genernl in his letter to tLe Pope ; and his name hu
u. izedbyGooglc
