The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-04-12 00:00:00

THE ARRIVAL OF GARIBALDI IN
ROME.

The Correspondent of The Times, writing from Rome on
the 6th, gives the following particulars respecting the arrival
of Garibaldi in Rome :

General Garibaldi arrived in Rome yesterday after-
noon at forty minutes past one. The intense appre-
hension aroused in all quarters, the wild rumours set
afloat regarding the cause of his coming, have turned
out to be as grousdleeis as those which attended his
arrival in January, 1875, Now, it is said, he has come
here to die in the city to attain which for Italy all his
strivings were directed. Although the time of his
arrival was not generally known until close upon the
hour, an immense crowd had assembled at the station to
salute him with acclamations and cries of "Viva Gari-
baldi " But their enthusiasm was speedily changed to
sorrow and tears were shed instead. Shouts were raised
as the train ran into the station, buten ominous "Hush!
the General is ill,' from those who had received tele-
graphic intelligeme of his state from Civitta Vecchia,
speedily silenced them. The crowd on the platform
was such that it was impossible to move the General
from his carriage, and those present, except a few inti-
mate friends, were begged to go outside. A more moving,
more pathetic steno than that when Garibaldi was
brought out front the dation I have never beheld. He
was carried on a large, flat litter covered with a mat-
tress, on which he lay extended—motionless—at full
length; his eyes closed, and a red handkerchief around
his head. It almost seemed as though it were his life-
less body being carried openly in state to its last
resting-place, as one often sees in Rome. It was with
great difficulty he was placed in, or rather upon, the
carriage—a landau made to close. To move • him
from the litter on to beds placed within the carriage
was found impracticable, and finally the litter, with
the General lying upon it as he was, was lifted on to
the carriage, the foot being placed on the front seat
and the head resting upon the folded hood at the back.
The litter restmg thus upon the carriage, the General
looking more dead than alive, and raised inclined aloft
In the sight of everybody produced an effect that was
almost awful. It could not be helped; no other ex-
pedient could be adopted. Signor Parboni eat on the hood,
holding an umbrella above Garibald's head, and, thus
exposed, he wts driven, accompanied by a mournfully
silent crowd, through the Piazza dei Termini, down
the Vi., San Nicolo da Tolentino, the Piazza Bar-
berini, -i don through the Piazza di Spagna to his
son Me totti's house in the Via Vittoria. So im-
possible was it to move him that at Civita Vecchia
the side of the saloon carriage had to be cut to
admit the litter. It was much remarked that not
one of the municipal or political authorities was
at the station to receive him. No doubt they were
embarrassed by his coming and uncertain what to
do. Signors Cairoli and Zanardelli were at the
house in the Via Vittoria to meet him, and, with
that exquisite appreciation of what is due from
him, King Humbert sent General Medici to salute
Garibaldi and inquire regarding his health imme-
diately he arrived. The Syndic, Prince Emanuele
Ruspoli, went to see him later, and on asking to
what cause they were indebted for his visit Gari-
baldi replied thAt he did not himself know. From
what Garibaldi's friends narrate it appears that
about a week ago he suddenly told Fazzari and his
son, Menotti, who had gone to Caprera to consult
him regarding the New Guinea expedition, that he
intended to return to Rurne with them. They repre-
sented to him that so unannounced a step might
give rise to much misconception, and he asked them
in reply if it was necessary for his movements to be
announced by a herald. The day afterwards he was
prostrated by a severe attack of gout, from which he
suffers so much, but that did not shake his resolu-
tion. He had made up his mind, and nothing could
change him. A heavy storm came on on the morning
of his departure; but although the steamer was at his
own disposal, he would not listen to any delay. He was
carried on beard perfectly helpless, and arrived here
yesterday in the condition I have described. His friends
distinctly assert that politics have nothing to do with
his coming. He found that his health was not im-
proving at Caprera, was wearied there, and thought
the mineral springs near Civitia Vecchia might benefit
him. There are, however, many who think these
reasons too simple to be true. He slept well last
night, and is reported to be in good spirits.