Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I GARIBALDI IN EXILE, 1849-54 We who have seen Italia In the throes, Half risen but to be hurled to the ground, and now, Like a ripe field of wheat where once drove plough, All bounteous as she Is fair, we think of those Who blew the breath of life Into her frame: Cavour, Mazzlnt, Garibaldi: Three: Her Brain, her Soul, her Sword; and set her fre From ruinous discords, with one lustrous aim. . . . Georcb Meredith. For the Centenary of Garibaldi. Times, July r, 1907. The hopes of the revolutionary leaders of 1848-49, after a brief period of fufilment, were shattered in Italy as elsewhere by the military force of the powers of reaction. The idealists, patriots, and demagogues who had for a few weeks borne rule in half the capitals of Europe were crowded into prisons or huddled into nameless graves, while in little towns overlooking the waters of Swiss lakes, and on board steamers bound for America or England, groups of emaciated and ill clad men, their faces scarred with misery, could be seen dividing among themselves scanty sums of money with more than fraternal affection, and imparting in whispers some new tale of disaster and death. The most memorable of the closing scenes of the European tragedy had been the defence of the Roman Republic, which the patriots from the north Italian provinces, led by Mazzini and Garibaldi, had inspired with heroism and invested with an imperishable glory. From the moment when the flag of the degenerate French Republic was victoriously planted on the Janiculum among the corpses of the Bersaglieri and the Red-shirts, the Catholics of France enjoyed that coveted occupation of Rome which was 8 ESCAPE OF GARIBALDI, 1849 9 destined by a bitter irony to involve them and their cause in irreparable...
