Year: 1859

a gentleman, lately returned from tour
in Switzerland, has sent to the London
Times an account of visit he paid, with
some friends, to Gen. Garibaldi, at Como
The most interesting portion of the letter 10
as follows: After lunch we sent in our
cards, end message came from the aid.de-
camp saying that the general was asleep,
but that as soon as he awoke he would pre-
sent them, and had no doubt he would be
happy to receive US. After an hours sumter
among the volunteers we were informed that
the General would be happy to wait upon
the ladies', and in short time he wOs shown
in. He proved as different from what we
expected as was the town from that report
ed. From his portraits and warlike exploits,
| had pictured to myself very tall, large
man, of sallow complexion, with long black
hair and beard, with something Of the ro-
mantle air of those Spanish guerilla chiefs,
who sang their own songs to the guitar, or
killed people with equal gusto. Just the
reverse. could scarcely believe that
the quiet, unaffected, gentlemanly man who
entered and sat down with US, was Garibaldi.
He is of middle height, not more than five
feet seven or eight inches, should think;
square shouldered, deep. chested, powerful
man, without being at all heavy. He has
healthy English complexion, with brown
hair and beard, rather light, both slightly
touched with groy, and cut very short. His
he ad shows a very fine development. mental
as we'll as moral, and his face is good, though
not remarkable to q casual observer-noth.
ing 10 show the man who could form and
carry out such plans as the retreat from
Rome or the capture Of Como, but when he
spoke Of the oppression and suffering OF his
country, the lip and eye told the deep feeling
long suppressed, and the steadfast daring
character of the man. A child would stop
him in the street to ask him what O'Clock it
was, but the man condemned to be shot in
half an hour would never, after look Of
that calm, determined face, waste time in
asking mercy upon earth.


During our long interview he spoke much
Of passing events, Excepting his own share)
but without southern gesticulaton. He has
the calm manner and appearance of the
English gentleman and officer; it was only
when he spoke Of the generous sympathy OF
the people of England with the sufferings
Of Italy, that his Saxon. like calmness gave
way; then, as he assured Us how thorough.
ly it was appreciated by Italians of every
clase, and how grateful they were for it, he
showed that the warm blood of Italy burned
in his veins. My impression had been that
his operations were more the result Of rash
impulse, than military calculation; but i
was palpable that strong as may be his i'm
pulses, they are thoroughly under CONTROL
Bold and enterprising. even to apparent
rashness, he is, no doubt; but he is also COO
and calculating; and as I watched him or
the opposite side of the table, telling the
ladies' Of bis voyages to China and the anti
podes 90 pleasantly and calmly as if in {
London drawing room, while at any momen


he might be interrupted by the fire of al
overpowering Austrian force brought by rail
way to his outpost, felt, no doubt, that il


case of the very worst he had arranged ex


actly what to do, and would do it. But wha


impressed me most was the mental calibr


of the man; / met him with the idea that HI
wos little more than dashing popular mill


tary leader. I parted with him with tn


conviction that his warlike career is mere


episode in history, and that his true great
ness will be seen in the political regenera
ton and government Of his country.