[Illustration:
_ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH, (PHIL^A) FROM A DAGUERROTYPE BY M.A. & S.
ROOT._
G. Garibaldi
]
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THE LIFE
OF
GENERAL GARIBALDI,
TRANSLATED FROM HIS PRIVATE PAPERS;
WITH
THE HISTORY OF HIS SPLENDID EXPLOITS
IN ROME, LOMBARDY, SICILY AND NAPLES,
TO THE PRESENT TIME.
BY
THEODORE DWIGHT,
AUTHOR OF "A TOUR IN ITALY IN 1821,"
"THE ROMAN REPUBLIC OF 1849,"
ETC. ETC.
Embellished with a Fine Engraved Portrait on Steel,
AND
AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO THE TRANSLATOR.
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NEW YORK:
DERBY & JACKSON, 498 BROADWAY.
1861.
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ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by
DERBY & JACKSON,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States
for the Southern District of New York.
W. H. TINSON, Stereotyper.
GEO. RUSSELL & CO., Printers.
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INTRODUCTION.
THE following pages are principally written by the pen of the hero of
our age, that pure-hearted man—that devoted patriot, and noble,
generous, and disinterested philanthropist—that spirited, undaunted, and
indomitable warrior, whose splendid deeds have dazzled the world, and
whose career, according to his own recent declaration, will be brought
to its close by a final triumph, for which he is now preparing, to be
gained early in the present year.
While General Garibaldi resided in New York and its vicinity, in the
years 1850 and '51, the author of this book enjoyed his acquaintance,
and the favor of receiving from him his private memoirs, with permission
to translate and publish them.[1] They had just been prepared for the
press, when Garibaldi requested that they might be withholden from the
public while he remained in this country, probably because he preferred
to be unnoticed, being at that time employed in making candles on Staten
Island, and naturally fond of retirement.
The first part of this volume, to page 210, contains a literal
translation from his original private manuscripts, in which a clear,
unadorned English style was adopted, as nearly corresponding, as the
translator's abilities would allow, to the manly and pure Italian of the
author. No attempt was made to change, by dilating or polishing, as the
translator believed it to be almost as hopeless to improve his style as
to rival him with the sword. That portion of the volume relates to his
early life, and the fourteen years he spent in the service of the
Republican cause in South America.
The succeeding pages are devoted to his services in Italy in the
revolutions of 1849, 1859 and 1860; and a large proportion of their
contents is occupied by his proclamations and other documents of his
own, in translating which the same efforts have been made to render them
correctly.
The author has received assistance from some of the countrymen of
Garibaldi in New York, for information not otherwise to be obtained,
several of whom have been his fellow-soldiers. Many extracts have been
taken from the most authentic and interesting descriptions, by
intelligent eye-witnesses, of scenes in the two last campaigns in Italy.
A personal acquaintance with Italy and Italians has enabled the writer
to select, arrange, and explain the vast amount of materials presented
by those most extraordinary seasons, in a manner perhaps best adapted
for his readers. Some omissions were necessary, in composing a work of
this kind, but nothing of essential importance.
The reader can hardly fail to bear in mind, while here reviewing the
life of this wonderful man, the most formidable of modern times, who is
at the same time one of the most gentle and amiable at heart, that even
now the present pause in his career is a solemn one, as it is speedily
to be followed by a scene of excitement, conflict and consequences,
perhaps unequalled by those which are past. The results none can
foresee: but it is evident that they must be momentous and extensive,
whether prosperous or adverse; and no intelligent American can
anticipate them without deep emotion. Well may we look to heaven for the
protection and success of the noble hero of Italian independence and
liberty, the avowed enemy of the Papal Anti-Christ, whom he unmasks and
denounces, and for the diffusion among his countrymen of that pure and
undefiled Christianity, of which he declares himself a believer, and
which he so earnestly claims for the religion of Italy.
The efforts, sacrifices, and sufferings of thousands of Italians for the
independence, freedom, and happiness of their country, have been such,
in past years, as to present pages worthy of record in history for the
honor of mankind, and lessons for other nations. Many of the purest men
have been suffering the pains and sorrows of exile in our own land, some
of them after long and cruel punishment in the dungeons of Austria,
those of the brutal kings of Naples, or of the Pope of Rome. With a
patience and magnanimity astonishing to witness, they have justly
excited the respect, love, and admiration of Americans who knew them,
and ever showed themselves sincere and cordial friends of our country,
our institutions, and state of society. Unlike too many other
foreigners, they have been content with the protection which they
enjoyed, and never sought for office or power, much less to act as the
servants of European despots, to undermine American liberty. Some of
these noble men, on returning to Italy, left with us records of their
lives, which may, perhaps, hereafter be published, according to their
desire, to promote a warm attachment between our countrymen and their
own, for which those writings are admirably adapted.
The following pages contain the translation of one of the collections of
manuscripts here referred to, and it is most gratifying to the
translator to bring before the American public, at this time, so
appropriate, interesting, and authentic a biography of the admired man
of our age, under his own authority, and from his own pen.
Could there be a character better adapted as a model for American youth,
in training them to just views of the value of what has been called the
humble virtues of common life? The example of Garibaldi displays those
virtues which adorn every pure, honest, and disinterested character, in
happy contrast with the false and selfish principles which are too
generally approved, admired, and recommended to the young. How much the
world owes him, for his disinterested career, his devotion to the good
of others, his refusal of rewards of every kind, and his preference of
simple life in a lonely, rocky island, with only his son and daughter,
and a few true friends, to all the honors, riches, and luxuries of the
European capitals!
And how noble an example, also, have the Italians given us of union!
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION, 3
CHAPTER I.
My Father—My Mother—Her Influence on my Life—Incidents of my
Childhood—My First Schoolmasters, 13
CHAPTER II.
First Impressions of a Young Sailor—My First Voyage—My Accomplished
Captain—My Second Voyage—First Visit to Rome—Impressions—My Prayers—Join
the Secret Society—Sentence of Death—Escape to France—Incidents at
Marseilles, 17
CHAPTER III.
Voyage to Brazil—First Meeting with Rosetti—We Engage in
Trade—Zambeccari's Arrival—The United Provinces—Engage in the Service of
Rio Grande—Sail—My First Prize—Conduct of my Men—My Rule for Treating
Prisoners—Reception at Maldonado—Sudden Departure, 23
CHAPTER IV.
Two Brazilian Vessels—My First Battle—My First Wound—Results—My own
Condition—Burial of my Friend Fiorentino, 29
CHAPTER V.
Arrival at Gualaguay—Reception—My Wound Healed—My Sudden Departure and
Return—Cruel Treatment—Señora Aleman—Tribute to that Noble Lady—Go to
Bajada, 33
CHAPTER VI.
At Montevideo—Incognito—Departure for Rio Grande—March with the Army of
the President, Bento Gonzalez—His Character, Family and
Friends—Agreeable Society, 38
CHAPTER VII.
At the Galpon of Charginada, Repairing the Launches—My Friend, John
Griggs—A Battle—Results—Tribute to a Fair Friend, 44
CHAPTER VIII.
Description of the Lake or Lagoon Dos Patos—The Enemy Command the
Lake—Plan to Enter it—Transportation of Launches Over Land—Results of
the Experiment—Breakers—Shipwreck—Sad Catastrophe, 50
CHAPTER IX.
Treatment Experienced by the Survivors of the Shipwreck—Expedition of
Canabarro to Laguna—Results—Effects on my mind of the Loss of my Old
Friends—My Resolution—Remarkable Meeting with Anna—Our Marriage—New
Launches Built—Leave the Lagoon—Cruise at Sea—Prizes Taken—Fight with a
Brazilian Ship of War—Results, 57
CHAPTER X.
Discontent of the People of St. Catharine's—Revolt at Jamaica—Attack on
that town—Conduct of the Troops—Retreat to the Lagoon—Pursued—The
Imperialists Gaining Strength—Col. Terceira's Expedition Against
Mello—Our Disaster—Rally, 65
CHAPTER XI.
The Enemy still held in Check—Necessity of
Retreat—Preparation—Commencement—Progress—Result—Arrival at the Town of
Lages, 76
CHAPTER XII.
My High Estimate of the "Sons of the Continent"—Defects in Discipline—I
Descend the Serra—Difficulties of the March—Reach Malacara—General
Jorge—Gens. Netto and Canabarro—Two Large Armies Meet at Pineirino, on
the Taguare—Patriotism of the Republicans—A wish for Italy—Result of the
Expedition, 81
CHAPTER XIII.
San Jose Del Norte—Its Capture—Ill Conduct—Its Results—Disasters of the
Republicans—I go to San Simon—Birth of my First Child—My Solitary
Journey to Procure Necessary Clothing for my Little Family—Trials and
Oppressions—Sad Discovery on My Return, 92
CHAPTER XIV.
The River Kapivari—My New Camp—Canoe Voyages to the Lake Dos Patos—State
of the Republican Army Declining—Death of my Bosom Friend,
Rosetti—Retreat—Difficulties and Sufferings—Anna's Exposure—Our
Infant—Kindness of the soldiers, 97
CHAPTER XV.
Hunting Horses—Catching Wild Colts—Enter the Province of
Missiones—Headquarters Established at San Gabriel—Love for my Parents—I
turn Cattle-Drover—Results—Reach Montevideo—Teach Mathematics—Warlike
Preparations—Join the Oriental Squadron, 104
CHAPTER XVI.
Origin of the War between Montevideo and Buenos Ayres—Character and
Conduct of Rosas, Ouribes—The Centralists, called Unitarians, Opposed to
the Republicans, 109
CHAPTER XVII.
Condition of the Italians at Montevideo, and elsewhere—My Wishes and
Designs for their Benefit—In Command of the "Constitucion"—At Martin
Garcia—A Battle with the Enemy—Providential Results—Proceed to Bajada—At
Cerito—Another Fight—Cavallo-Quattia—Low Water—Join the Republican
Flotilla—Labors and Difficulties, 114
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Enemy Appear under General Brown—We Fight—Labors and Fatigue by
Night—Desertion—Preparations to Renew the Battle—Another Fight—Vessels
Burned—Landing in Small Boats—Land Travel—Treatment by the
Inhabitants—Traverse the Province of Corrientes—Reach San
Francisco—Notice of the Battle of Arroyo Grande, Dec. 6, 1842—Sent by
Gen. Aguyar to Versilles with the Vessels—Strange Presentiment—Catching
Horses—Bad News, 122
CHAPTER XIX.
Public Dismay—Enthusiasm of the People Rising—I Return to
Montevideo—Ourives Coming to Besiege it—Preparations for Defence—General
Paz—I am Ordered to Collect a Flotilla—A Fortunate Accident, 134
CHAPTER XX.
The Enemy reach Montevideo—Gen. Rivera's Movement on their Left
Flank—Gen. Paz Commands in the City—Services by the French and Italian
Corps—Treachery—Mismanagement—Gen. Pacheco Corrects it—Attack on the
Besiegers—Italian Legion Distinguished—Anzani—Services of the Flotilla—A
Providential Event—Commodore Purvis—British Intervention—Negotiation,
139
CHAPTER XXI.
Exploits of the Italian Legion during the Siege—Tres Cruces—The Pass of
Bojada—The Quadrado—General Rivera Defeated at India Muerta, but without
Discouraging Efforts, Intervention Continued—An Expedition in the
Uruguay, the Flotilla being under my Command, 148
CHAPTER XXII.
The Expedition Proceeds for the Uruguay—Colonia Taken by It—Burned—Page,
a Suspicious Frenchman—Martin Garcia Taken, 154
CHAPTER XXIII.
First Meeting with a "Martrero"—Description of his Habits and
Character—Another Martrero, Juan de la Cruz—The Rio Negro—Joseph
Mundell—The severity of the Enemy Drive the Martrero and People to us,
157
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Expedition Proceeds—Surprise Gualeguayechu—Reach the
Hervidero—Accompanied by an English and a French Officer—A large
Estancia, and its numerous Horses and other Animals—I leave the Vessels
in Charge of Anzani—Go with the Martreros—La Cruz and Mundell—Attack on
the Hervidero—Battle of Arroyo Grande, 163
CHAPTER XXV.
The Province of Corrientes calls General Paz from Montevideo—Alliance
with Paraguay—I go to Salto with the Flotilla, to relieve it from a
Siege—With La Cruz and Mundell attack Lavalleja—Return to Salto, 171
CHAPTER XXVI.
Urquiza Besieges us in Salto with all his Forces—Our Defences
Incomplete—A sudden Attack—Repulsed Sorties—Bold Operation on the
opposite Bank of the River—Surprising Feats of the Horsemen—Their
Habits, 178
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Siege of Salto Continued—Night Attack on the Enemy's
Camp—Successful—General Medina approaching—Send Gen. Baez and Anzani to
Meet him—A Great Surprise—Almost Overwhelmed by the Enemy—Fight till
Night—Retreat, 184
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Preparations for our Retreat—Attacked on the Way—Bravery of my
Italians—I never Despaired of Italy—The noble Character of Anzani—Reach
Salto—Kindness of French Physicians—Collect and Bury the Dead, 191
CHAPTER XXIX.
Effects of the Revolution in Montevideo—Change of Duties of the Italian
Legion—No Important Military Movements—My Occupation with the
Marine—Diplomatic Negotiations—The Temporizing Policy of Rosas—Change of
English and French Agents and Admirals—Evil Consequences—Rivera in favor
in Montevideo—My Operations at Salto Continued—Surprise Vergara's
Camp—Leave it to Return, 196
CHAPTER XXX.
On the March Back to Salto—Sudden Attack—Desperate Defence—Flight and
Pursuit—The "Bolla"—Excellence of the Horsemen—Incidents, 203
CHAPTER XXXI.
I Return to Montevideo, with the Flotilla—Rosas Gains Strength—The Army
of Corrientes Destroyed by Urquiza—Rivera's Mismanagement—The
Intervention Misdirected—Fall of Salto—Defence again reduced to
Montevideo—High Deserts of its Defenders, Natives and Foreigners, not
yet appreciated—An interval occurs, not marked by important events—The
Revolutions in Europe, 208
OUTLINES OF GENERAL GARIBALDI'S CAREER IN ITALY DURING THE YEARS 1848 &
1849, 211
Principles of the Italian Republicans, in opposition to the claims of
Popery, 213
The Condition of Rome, 216
Official Report of the Repulse of the French advance of 8,000 men, under
General Oudinot, under the Walls of Rome—The First Battle: April 30th,
1849, 221
From an Account of the same Battle of April 30th, by Carlo Rusconi, 227
Spirited Proclamation to the People of Rome, by their Representatives,
the day after the first Battle, 228
Proclamation by the Committee of the Barricades, two days after the
first Battle, 229
The Neapolitan Invasion, 230
Proclamations of the Triumvirate, at the time of the Neapolitan
Invasion, 231
The Battle of Palestrina, 232
General Garibaldi's Account of the Battles of Palestrina and Velletri,
234
The Battle of Velletri, 235
General Garibaldi's Account of the Action of June 3d, 1849, with the
French, at Villas Corsini and Vascello, 238
Official Bulletin of events which took place on the 25th and 26th of
June, 1849, 243
THE BATTLE OF JUNE 30TH, 249
The City to cease her resistance, 250
Roman Republic, 251
The Constitution of the Roman Republic adopted—The Constituent Assembly
Dissolved, 253
Proclamation of the Minister of War, 255
Garibaldi's Departure from Rome with his remaining troops, and his
Celebrated Retreat to the Adriatic, 255
TEN YEARS LATER.
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CHAPTER I.
Garibaldi Waiting his Time—The Island of Caprera—His Confidence in the
Approach of Italian Deliverance, expressed in his preceding
Autobiography, and at New York—His Personal Appearance—Injustice Done to
his Character and Style of Writing—M. Dumas' Book—Preparation of the
Italian People for Union and Liberty, by Secret Societies—Changes Of
Policy—The Principles of the Italian Patriots adopted by France and
England—Consequences, 257
CHAPTER II.
Policy of Louis Napoleon since 1849—His Position in 1859—Causes of the
War in Lombardy—Austrian Army Threatens Piedmont—French Troops sent to
the Aid of Victor Emanuel—Garibaldi called into Service—Marches
North—Apprehensions of his Friends—His Brilliant Successes at Varese and
Como, 263
CHAPTER III.
Como—Approach of General Urban with 40,000 Austrians—Garibaldi
Retires—Como Taken—Count Raimondi's Daughter—Garibaldi Returns and
Expels the Austrians—The Battle of Camerlata—The Austrians Demand the
Disbanding of Garibaldi's Troops—Refused—They Advance—The Canals
Opened—They Retire—The Battles of Palestro, Montebello, and Magenta—The
Mincio and its Banks—The Battle of Solferino, 270
CHAPTER IV.
The State of the Contending Parties—Specimen of the Barbarity of some of
the Austrian Officers—The Armistice, 279
CHAPTER V.
The Character of Italian Patriots—How it has been Displayed by Exiles in
the United States—Ignorance of Italy in America—Garibaldi's Appearance
and Character—His Band—His "Englishman," Col. Peard, 287
CHAPTER VI.
Garibaldi with an Army at Rimini—General Lamoricière at Pesaro—Victor
Emanuel Apprehends a Premature Collision—Garibaldi goes to Piedmont—Nice
and Savoy Ceded to France—Garibaldi at Caprera—The Sicilian Revolution
Commenced—Garibaldi's Expedition for Sicily—The Island—The People, 292
CHAPTER VII.
Accounts of the Expedition for Sicily—Voyage—Touch at Talamone, in
Tuscany—Proceed to Marsala—Landing—March—Occurrences on the way to
Palermo, 298
CHAPTER VIII.
Preparations to Attack Palermo—Night March—Attack—Battle—The
Bombardment, 311
CHAPTER IX.
Journal of an Eye-witness Continued—Palermo after the Capture—Garibaldi
in a Dangerous Crisis—The Archbishop of Palermo and many of the Heads of
Convents with Garibaldi—Address of the Corporation—Incidents in
Palermo—Garibaldi's Decree for Poor Soldiers and their Families, 319
CHAPTER X.
Garibaldi Solicited by the Sicilians to Accept the Dictatorship—Demand
for Arms—Garibaldi's Proclamation Establishing a Government, etc.—His
Different ways of Treating Good Priests and Jesuits—Reasons—The King of
Naples' Liberal Decree—Rejected, 326
CHAPTER XI.
Medici's Expedition from Piedmont to Aid Garibaldi—Preparations,
Departure, Voyage, Arrival, etc.—Capitulation of Messina, etc.—Garibaldi
at Messina—His Reception, Manners, and Simple Habits—Difficulties in
Arranging his Government—Letter from Victor Emanuel Forbidding him to
Invade Naples—Garibaldi's Reply, 332
CHAPTER XII.
Garibaldi's Position—A Pause in Hostilities—A Period of
Preparation—Public Anxiety—The Sicilian Fortresses—Catania—Milazzo
—Boats, Men, and Arms Collected at Faro—Landing Attempted at Scylla—A
Small Body Succeed, 340
CHAPTER XIII.
The Uncertainty of the Prospect—Apprehensions—Garibaldi's Mysterious
Disappearance—The Expedition Prepared in Sardinia—His Change of
Plans—Sails from Giardini, and Lands at Reggio, 348
CHAPTER XIV.
The Condition of Naples in past Months—The Government Crisis Royal
Decree—How it was Received—Cruelties Practised—First Movements of the
People, 354
CHAPTER XV.
The Condition of Naples since the Reign of Terror in April—Agitation on
Garibaldi's Approach, 368
CHAPTER XVI.
Garibaldi's Journey through Calabria—Reaches Palermo—Enters
Naples—Enthusiasm and Good Order of the People—The New Government—The
Army and Navy—Various Occurrences, 374
CHAPTER XVII.
The Good Order in Naples—Its Causes—Garibaldi Visits Palermo—Returns—The
King and his Army at Gaeta and Capua—Description and History of Gaeta
and Capua—Present Condition of Gaeta, 396
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Royal Palace and Gardens of Caserta—Change of Times—The River
Volturno—Position of the King's Troops and Garibaldi's—The Battle of
Volturno, 403
CHAPTER XIX.
The Pope urged by France and Sardinia to Dismiss his Foreign
Troops—Inconsistencies of Louis Napoleon—Marked Changes of Times,
Doctrines, and Measures—Victor Emanuel's Demands Pressed on the
Pope—Conspiracies and Insurrections in the Pope's Remaining
Dominions—The Ultimatum Refused—General Cialdini Marches—Battle of
Castelfidaro—Capture of Spoleto, Ancona, Perugia, and other
Places—Victor Enters the Kingdom of Naples, 416
CHAPTER XX.
The Present Position of Things—Doubts Respecting Garibaldi—Descriptions
of the Camp at Capua—England Declares for Victor Emanuel—Garibaldi's
Proclamations—Meeting of Garibaldi and Victor Emanuel, 431
CHAPTER XXI.
Garibaldi's Announcement of Victor Emanuel's Approach to Naples—They
Enter Together—Garibaldi Resigns his Dictatorship—Capitulation and
Surrender of Capua—His Address to the Hungarian Huzzars—His Farewell to
his Troops—He Sails for Caprera—Unexpected Changes—Letters Describing
them, 439
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[Illustration:
_FAC SIMILE OF GARIBALDI'S LETTER TO THEODORE DWIGHT
CONFIDING TO HIM HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY._ (SEE INTRODUCTION.)
_LITH. OF SARONY, MAJOR & KNAPP, 449 BROADWAY. N. Y._]
]
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Footnote 1:
(TRANSLATION.)
STATEN ISLAND, _30th October, 1850_.
"DEAR MR. THEODORE DWIGHT:
"According to what I have promised you, I send you the first
biographical sketch; and do not be surprised that it is that of my
wife. She was my constant companion, in good and bad fortune—sharing,
as you will see, my greatest dangers, and surpassing the bravest men.
I wish you to consult Foresti, respecting the manuscripts and
translations, and frankly express to me your opinion.
"YOURS,
G. GARIBALDI."
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LIFE OF
GENERAL GARIBALDI.
CHAPTER I.
MY FATHER—MY MOTHER—HER INFLUENCE ON MY LIFE—INCIDENTS
OF MY CHILDHOOD—MY FIRST SCHOOLMASTERS.
In commencing an account of my life, it would be unpardonable in me to
omit speaking of my kind parents. My father, a sailor, and the son of a
sailor, educated me in the best manner he could in Nice, my native city,
and afterwards trained me to the life of a seaman in a vessel with
himself. He had navigated vessels of his own in his youth; but a change
of fortune had compelled him afterwards to serve in those belonging to
his father. He used often to tell his children that he would gladly have
left them richer; but I am fully convinced that the course which he
adopted in our education was the best he possibly could have taken, and
that he procured for us the best instructors he was able, perhaps
sometimes at the expense of his own convenience. If, therefore, I was
not trained in a gymnasium, it was by no means owing to his want of
desire.
In mentioning my mother—I speak it with pride—she was a model for
mothers; and, in saying this, I have said all that can be said. One of
the greatest sorrows of my life is, that I am not able to brighten the
last days of my good parent, whose path I have strewed with so many
sorrows by my adventurous career. Her tender affection for me has,
perhaps, been excessive; but do I not owe to her love, to her angel-like
character, the little good that belongs to mine? To the piety of my
mother, to her beneficent and charitable nature, do I not, perhaps, owe
that little love of country which has gained for me the sympathy and
affection of my good, but unfortunate fellow-citizens? Although
certainly not superstitious, often, amidst the most arduous scenes of my
tumultuous life, when I have passed unharmed through the breakers of the
ocean, or the hail-storms of battle, she has seemed present with me. I
have in fancy seen her on her knees before the Most High—my dear
mother!—imploring for the life of her son; and I have believed in the
efficacy of her prayers.
I spent my childhood in the joys and sorrows familiar to children,
without the occurrence of anything very remarkable. Being more fond of
play than of study, I learned but little, and made but a poor return for
the kind exertions of my parents for my education. A very simple
accident made a deep impression on my memory. One day, when a very
little boy, I caught a grasshopper, took it into the house, and, in
handling it, broke its leg. Reflecting on the injury I had done to the
harmless insect, I was so much affected with grief, that I retired to my
chamber, mourned over the poor little creature, weeping bitterly for
several hours. On another occasion, while accompanying my cousin in
hunting, I was standing on the side of a deep ditch, by which the fields
were irrigated, when I discovered that a poor woman, while washing
clothes, had fallen from the bank, and was in imminent danger. Although
I was quite young and small, I jumped down and saved her life; and my
success afforded me the highest pleasure. On that occasion, and in
various other circumstances of a similar kind, I never hesitated for a
moment, or thought of my own safety.
Among my teachers, I retain a grateful recollection of Padre Gianone and
Signor Arena. Under the former I made but very little progress, being
bent more on play than on learning; but I have often regretted my loss
in failing to learn English, whenever I have since been thrown in
company with persons speaking that language. To the latter I consider
myself greatly indebted for what little I know. The ignorance in which I
was kept of the language of Italy, and of subjects connected with her
condition and highest interests, was common among the young, and greatly
to be lamented. The defect was especially great in Nice, where few men
knew how to be Italians, in consequence of the vicinity and influence of
France, and still more the neglect of the government to provide a proper
education for the people. To the instructions of Padre Gianone, and the
incitement given me by my elder brother Angelo, who wrote to me from
America to study my native language, I acknowledge my obligations for
what knowledge I possess of that most beautiful of languages. To my
brother's influence, also, I owe it, that I then read Roman and Italian
history with much interest.
This sketch of my early youth I must close, with the narration of a
little expedition which I attempted to carry into effect—my first
adventure. Becoming weary of school in Genoa, and disgusted with the
confinement which I suffered at the desk, I one day proposed to several
of my companions to make our escape, and seek our fortune. No sooner
said than done. We got possession of a boat, put some provisions on
board, with fishing tackle, and sailed for the Levant. But we had not
gone as far as Monaco, when we were pursued and overtaken by a
"corsair," commanded by good father. We were captured without bloodshed,
and taken back to our homes, exceedingly mortified by the failure of our
enterprise, and disgusted with an Abbé who had betrayed our flight. Two
of my companions on that occasion were Cesare Tanoli and Raffaele
Deandreis.
When I recur to the principles which were inculcated at school, and the
motives used to encourage us to study, I am now able to understand their
unsoundness and their evil tendency. We were in danger of growing up
with only selfish and mercenary views: nothing was offered us as a
reward for anything we could do, but money.
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