Giuseppe Garibaldi: “The people stood firm and heroic, at the voice of noble-hearted men, who proclaimed that the Republic was in danger, and…”

I was enlisted in a new and hazardous enterprize, and, for the first time, turned a helm for the ocean with a warlike flag flying over my head—the flag of a republic—the Republic of Rio Grande.

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.

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?

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.