Giuseppe Garibaldi

Her tender affection for me has, perhaps, been excessive; but do I not owe to her love, to her angel-like character, the little good that belongs to mine?

Although certainly not superstitious, often, amidst the most arduous scenes of my tumultuous life, when I have passed unharmed through the breakers of the ocean, or the hail-storms of battle, she has seemed present with me.

With courage, cheerfulness, and perseverance, no enterprise is impossible; and, for these I must do justice to my favorite companion and usual forerunner, John Griggs, who surmounted numerous difficulties, and patiently endured many…

That battle, with so many dangers, and with so brilliant a result, gave much confidence to our troops, and to the inhabitants of that coast, who had been for a long time exposed to the inroads of that adroit and enterprising enemy…

She knew me when I was in misfortune; and her interest in me, stronger than any merit of my own, conquered her for me, and united us for ever.

I have in fancy seen her on her knees before the Most High—my dear mother!—imploring for the life of her son; and I have believed in the efficacy of her prayers.

Reflecting on the injury I had done to the harmless insect, I was so much affected with grief, that I retired to my chamber, mourned over the poor little creature, weeping bitterly for several hours.

Although I was quite young and small, I jumped down and saved her life; and my success afforded me the highest pleasure.

On that occasion, and in various other circumstances of a similar kind, I never hesitated for a moment, or thought of my own safety.

When I recur to the principles which were inculcated at school, and the motives used to encourage us to study, I am now able to understand their unsoundness and their evil tendency.

We were in danger of growing up with only selfish and mercenary views: nothing was offered us as a reward for anything we could do, but money.

How everything is embellished by the feelings of youth, and how beautiful appeared, to my ardent eyes, the bark in which I was to navigate the Mediterranean, when I stepped on board as a sailor for the first time!

They sang of love, until I was transported; and they endeavored to excite themselves to patriotism by singing of Italy!

But who, in those days, had ever taught them how to be patriots and Italians?

Who, indeed, had then ever said, on those shores, to those young men, that there was such a thing as Italy, or that they had a country to be ameliorated and redeemed?

Rome, once the capital of the world, now the capital of a sect!

The Rome which I had painted in my imagination, no longer existed.

The future Rome, rising to regenerate the nation, has now long been a dominant idea in my mind, and inspired me with hope and energy.

Rome, which I had before admired and thought of frequently, I ever since have loved.

I not only admired her for her former power and the remains of antiquity, but even the smallest thing connected with her was precious to me.

Even in exile, these feelings were constantly cherished in my heart; and often, very often, have I prayed to the Almighty to permit me to see that city once more.

In cases of difficulty or danger, I have never, in all my life, been disheartened.

Being an ardent lover of Italy from my childhood, I felt a strong desire to become initiated in the mysteries of her restoration; and I sought everywhere for books and writings which might enlighten me on the subject, and for persons…

In mentioning my mother—I speak it with pride—she was a model for mothers; and, in saying this, I have said all that can be said.