Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-08-09

General Garibaldi first arrived in North
America in 1862, when he landed at New
York. Being in feeble health, and suffering
from rheumatism, lie was unable for some
weeks to engage in any laboriouS employ
ment, but he eagerly expressed his intention
to undertake some kind of business TOR his
support, as he had barely escaped with life
from the long series Of struggles and dangers
which he had passed through. He resided
for several weeks in the house of Signor Pas
tacaldi in Irving place, a distinguished Ital-
ian merchant, where the noble hearted profess
or, Felix Foresti, was an intimate. Garibal
dis retiring habits and state of health both in
cllned him to avoid public observation, and
only few visitors found their way to his re-
treat. On entering for a first interview, an
American gentleman found Foresti alone, in
his own apartment which was the front room
on the second floor, and there heGwas soon in
troduced to Garibaldi, who came from his
apartment in the rear.
Not above middle size, the first impression
made by his broad, full forehead thick brown
Beard and very wide chest, was that of some
thing below the common stature but the at
tention was Immediately drawn from his figure
by the mild cordially of his address, the mild
dance of his eyes, the friendly smile which
spread over his face, and the winning tones of
his voice, which is as soft and musical as a
ladys The next moment the subjects Of his
conversation began to engrosS the mind Of the
writer, for he entered at once, and with great
animation and fuency, into the state of Italy,
to which allusion had been made and com
mented on the condition of other European
countries and their governments i'll manner
which showed that he had clear views and de.
clded opinions. 1t was impossible however,
to induce him to speak of his own exploits or
and g IL
quent interview. The impression which he
made on the mind of his visitor on that occa-
sion was very peculiar and very difficult to de-
scribe. On reflection it appeared that the
effect was in great measure owing to the
striking contrast presented. 1t seemed impos-
slble that he could bel Garibaldi. His whole
aspect and demeanor was exactly the opposite
OF the conceptions formed of him from his DIES.
perate deeds, his splendid exploits and over
whelming calamites. 1t was as difficult to
look upon the two as one character, as to real
lie the ocean is the same in a calm as in turi-
Gus storm.
During a second visit, when Foresti was
again found alone, lying on his couch suffering
from a dreadful carbuncle on his leg, he said,
"Garibaldi opens that door every morning at
daybreak, kindles q fire, warns water ir
pan, and then coming to me. says, "Caro, let
me battle it with this cloth, and his touch
Is as soft as womans. Oh, my dear friend
wish you could have been here yesterday !
Garibadi talked to me and Signor about
his mother, until he set us both weeping
Alter short time Garibaldi entered with
companion, whom he introduced as Captain
Bowl. He had lost one of his hands while di-
recting the fire Of the cannon on the walls of
Rome, against the French. A copy of the H.
Illustrated London News was exhibited by the
t-icitD
quarters i'll Rome, on his first arrival.
Captain Bow pointed at a very youthful
figure III the dress of soldier, saying, 81 be-
believe | know that one. When the first can
non shot was fired at San Pancrazio, it passed
through the ancient Roman walls, which were
quite too weak for artillery. | Immediately
heard soldier near me cry out, They have
killed my wife ! and he ran to the spot where
a young woman, in her male military dress,
had been knocked down, with a terrible wound
IN her limb. She placed her hands upon it.,
lhen bent forward, kissed it, raised her head,
cried Viva Ia republica Romano = and fell
back and died. l think" added Captain
Bowl, 'that young soldier in the picture is the
same"
There were such instances" remarked Gar.
ibaldi. "Wiyes sometimes accompanied their
husbands in disguise, as fellow soldiers, dur
ing the seige of Rome"
Invitations were given to Garbaldi, short
time after the arrival, from the foreign socie
ties, to public reception; and the city gov
eminent, or else the citizens united in the re.
quest. But he was soon found to be absent;
and it was difficult, even for some Of his
friends, to ascertain where he had gone 1t
proved that he had retired to a country place
to avoid the numerous visitors who were be.
ginning to press upon him. He respectfully
declined the public honorS offered him, on the
ground of his feeble health, and their inappro.
prlateness under existing circumstances
TO such Of his fellow exiles as called upon
him, he urged the duty of making every
effort for their own independent support, say
ing that he would advise them to accept any
usual employment which they could obtain,
even ii it were sweeping the streets. AS soon
as he recovered his strength, he engaged in
daily labor in Signor Meacci's candle factory
on Staten Island.