The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-09-26
Scenes at Palermo.

The wretched state of the poor sufferers
at Palermo, wLo have lost their all III the
bombarment by the Neapolitan troops, Is
letter from Palermo ''This morning was
determined to witness with my own eyes
the distribution OF bread which is made
daily in Garibaldi's house al O'Clock, and
which takes place literally in his antecham-
Der. The poor creatures enter at one door
two or three at time-each receiving a
loaf weighing about two pounds, and then
:hey go out at another. Ii was indeed a
hearirendering scene for often some one
of the poor sufferers wept bitterly, and,
son, or father, or husband, or wife, who had
been wounded by the falling in of the bonn
barded houses, and who was unable 10 come
in person 10 ask for his or her share of the
charity. You saw mothers with two or even
three children in their arms, just month
old, or a year, or very little more, prey to
shame as they ask for two or three loves /;
but few days ago their little business, or
the industry OF husband, was sufficient
for their support, and now FIVE of the bonn
bardment has utterly beggard them. and
made miserable victims OF these orphans,
these mothers and wives.
s'I accosted well dressed man, who was
waiting there with the others. With tim
id, bashful expression, he assured me that
he was waiting till the crowd cleared away,
in the hope OF obtaining an audience with
Garibaldi. | offered 10 speak TO the senti-
nels for that purpose, that he might pass
sooner and more easily but, with an air OF
embarrassment, he declined the offer, so
that could al once perceive he was wait.
ing only TO receive charity, like the rest
At that very moment his turn came, and he
received three or four loaves, which he
hastily concealed under his coat. Being
aware that had observed him, he said TO
me, with tears in his eyes, "You see, Sir,
10 what am reduced by the cruelty of the
Bourbons." On questioning him further, he
told me that he had FIVE children, all girls,
the eldest only six years old; that he kept
a draper's shop, which had been burned 10
the ground, as well as his house, and that
with the greatest difficulty, he had succeed
ed in saving the lives of his lille ones by
hiding them behind garden wall, where
they remained for three days, with no other
food than little fruit.
'AIl The properly that he had in the world
was destroyed, and as ill-luck would have
il, on that day he happened TO leave even
his purse, which he usually carried on his
person, in the shop, SO that he was left lit
orally without a single farhing, and The two
or three relatives 10 whom he could have
applied for aid was absent from Palermo
| asked him 10 let me accompany him on
his return TO the hovel where, understood
him 10 say, his children had now found
shelter. They were five sweet-looking lii
tie girls, and it was indeed a touching sight
when their father gave them the bread, fol
which they had been anxiousIy waiting -
Unobserved by him, slipped trife into
the hands of the eldest girl, and, greatly
moved by the spectacle, | walked away
following up train of reflection which
many others suspect, will, share on the
blessings of Bourbon dynasty and the
benefits of despotic rule. Every morning
Garibaldi distributes in this way about 3 00C
ioaves. The like is done by Capuchir
| Convent, which gives also small cup o.
soup"