ENTHUSIASM FOR GARIBALDI

thousands who do not care to examine historical évidence ; and so the romancist wields a mighty power over the sympathies of his fellow-men. Uncle Tom's Cabin excited the indignation of the whole world against Negro slavery ; and Giovanni Ruftini's exquisite story, Doctor Antonio, in which he depicted so feelingly and truthfully the wrongs of his country, did no small service to the Italian cause, The sympathies of the English nation were now entirely with the révolution ; subscriptions were collected in aid of the Sicilian rebels and the volunteer army ; and the great pirate himself became the idol of young English enthusiasm to an extraordinary degree, considering that he was a total stranger. When Englishmen felt so strongly on the subject, what must hâve been the feelings of young Italians when this last great struggle for nationality was going on !

A frenzied enthusiasm took possession of the population ; young men of ail classes left their employments and their studies, and hastened to take part in the great Work of Italian rédemption. The camicia rossa was the most glorious of uniforms ; Garibaldi was a matchless hero, to whom the history of ancient or modem times presented no equal ; he was a Cincinnatus, a Belisarius, a Washington, a Kosciusko, ail in one. In fact the gallant chief, ail unconsciously on his part, began to rival the soldier-king in the affections of the nation. Victor Emmanuel, so far from being jealous, felt nothing but intense pleasure in ail this feverish enthusiasm, in which he shared as warmly as any one of the

volunteers. His only trouble was that he could not show his sympathy more openly ; but Cavour as usual restrained him. The count could bear, for the sake of the cause he had at heart, to be misunderstood by the public, and blamed for checking the king’s generous impulses ; but he wished to set himself right with Garibaldi, for whom he had a great admiration, and many kind messages he sent him through Admirai Persano.

* Assure General Garibaldi,’ he writes, ‘ that not less than he do I desire to complété the great enterprise ; in order to succeed it is indispensable that we work in concert, at the same time adopting different means.’ Again : —

Turin, July 13.

Signor Ammiraglio, — This moment I received your letter, for which I thank you. Déclaré formally in my name to General Garibaldi that it is a solemn falsehood that there exist other secret treaties ; and that the rumours of the cession of Genoa or Sardinia are set on foot by the arts of our common enemies.

Cavour.

Turin, July 28.

Most esteemed Admirai, — I received your letters on the 23rd and 24th. I am rej’oiced by the victory of Milazo, which honours the Italian arms, and must help to persuade Europe that the Italians are now determined to sacrifice life itself to recover liberty and country. I pray you to give my sincere and warm congratulations to General Garibaldi, etc.

Cavour.