Giuseppe Garibaldi: “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.

Spurning every suggestion of fear, she came forward to the assistance of the tortured prisoner; and from that time I wanted nothing—thanks to my benefactress!

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.

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?