LIFB OJ' •
.After lunch we sent in our carda, and a meuage came from the aide-de
camp, saying that the general waa aaleep, but that aa soon aa he awoke
he would present them, and had no doubt he would be happy to receive
us. After an hour'a aaunter among the Tolunteera, we were informed
that the general would he happy to wait upon the ladies, and in a short
time he was shown in. He proved as different from what we expected,
as was the ·state of the town from that reported. From his portraits and
warlike exploits, I had pictured to myself a very tall large man, of
sallow with long black hair and beard, with something of
the romantic air of those Spanish guerilla chiefs, who sung their 01rn
songs to the guitar, or killed people with equal gusto. Just the revene.
I oould 1!carcely believe that the quiet, unaffected, gentlemanly man who
entered and 1111t down with us, was Garibaldi. He is of middle height,
not more than five feet seven or eight inches, I should think ; a square
shouldet·ed, deep-cheated, powerful man, without being at all heavy. He
has a W!althy English oomplexion, with brown hair and beard, rather
ight, both slightly touched with gray, and cut very short. His head
shows a very fine development, mental as well as moral, and his face is
good, though not remarkable to a casual observer-nothing to show the
man who could form and carry out such plana ns the retreat from Rome
or the of Como ; but when he spoke of the oppression and
sufferings of his country, the lip and eye told the deep long
suppressed, and the stedfast daring character of the man. A. child would
stop him in the street to ask him what o'clock it was, but the man con
demned to be shot in half.an.hour, would never, after a look of that calm,
determined face, waste time in asking mercy upon earth. During our
long interview, he spoke much of passing events (excepting his own
share), hut without southern gesticulation. He has the calm manner
and appearan'!O of the English gentleman and officer; it wu only when
he spokcl of the generous sympathy of the people of England with the
suJferings of Italy, that hi& Saxon-like calmne&s gave away; then, as he
assured us again and again, how thoroughly it was appreciated by Italiaus
of every class, and how grateful they were for it, he ahowed that the
warm blood of Italy burned in his veins. My impression had been, that
his open1tions were more the result of rash impulse than military calcula
tion; but it was palpable that, atrong as may be his impulses, they are
thoroughly under control. Bold, and enterprising even to apparent rub
ness he i1 no doubt, but he is also oool and calculating ; and, 88 I watched
hun on tb.e opposite aide of the table, telling the ladies of his voyages to
ChWa and tho Antipodes, as pleuantly and calmly 88 if in a London
