144

DRESS OF THE ARMY.

of an old Tower musket. Like all true Garibaldians, when his chief went home he followed his example, and when he started for Sicily, Peard joined him. After Melazzo, a struggle of giants, he was rewarded with the rank of colonel for his services; but a more humane, noble-minded man does not exist, and his deferential and unassuming manner, to say nothing of his undeniable pluck, have captivated Garibaldi.

Since their arrival in Messina, a comparatively successful attempt has been made to dress the army in something approaching to uniformity. In general it is left to the caprice of the different colonels of regiments to decide what they shall wear, consequently there are not two alike. The red blouse, however, predominates, particularly amongst the Sicilians, who seem to have great confidence in it, together with the Garibaldian hat and feathers. Amongst the mass, cerise kepis are the rage, the Genoese carbineers alone wearing blue. All stick to a flannel shirt of some colour, and it is by far the most useful garment a man can wear for rough work. There are no fantastic knickerbockers, but the serviceable French gaiter is universal. Dirty, yet picturesque, they could not be better clad for fighting.

This movement has very naturally attracted the scum of European adventurers, who, together with the Sicilians, seemed to fancy they might come and go when they please. They threatened to give a great

DISCIPLINE OF THE ARMY.

145

deal of trouble, but met with a humane severity. The first offenders being shot, order has prevailed.

With regard to the general discipline of this army, it is, on the whole, wonderful; for it is never to be lost sight of that they are all volunteers, and the majority of them, though serving as soldiers, are of very different stuff to the usual material of which troops are formed. They belong to the classes which in England are conventionally termed respectable: many are the sons of gentlemen. The mass is serving from a sense of patriotism, and not for aggrandisement; no officer in the army, from Garibaldi down, gets more than two francs a-day, and the privates about three halfpence.

All have aroused themselves from the effeminacy which has of late years been a just reproach to their country, and have determined to emancipate it; in Garibaldi they see the incarnation of their hopes. The Northern Italian element is by far the finest. The students from the different colleges-as Brescia, Pavia, Bergamo, for instance-are to be found here brigaded together, having emigrated en masse. Boys of twelve and fourteen are to be seen in the ranks, whose delicate features stamp their birth; but Northern Italian mothers have long since cherished the destruction of Austrianism at the expense of their offspring. In Lombardy, that it is a dishonour to be at home whilst Garibaldi is abroad, is a faith which has taken far

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146

THE SUFFERINGS OF THE ITALIANS.

deeper root than foreigners imagine; and there will be no peace for Europe until every inch of Italian soil is free. As for that novel and monstrous diplomatic doctrine, that Venetia is an integral portion of the Germanic Confederation, and the quadrilateral is a necessary bulwark against Napoleon, twenty-four millions of people south of the Alps are of a different opinion, and amongst that number is Garibaldi. Besides, would it not be a greater bulwark in the hands of a united Italy?

Be that as it may, outraged feelings have brought this mass of armed Italians here, and have driven the nation to arms. After surging under their intolerable burdens for years, persecution has overrun its measure, and desperation has regenerated them. Aged mothers thrown into prison with the dregs of their sex, sisters openly insulted, fathers and brothers condemned without trial, some never heard of—torture and the whip, have completed the modicum of their sufferings, and all in the name of legitimacy and religion !

Who can wonder at revolution and infidelity being rampant in Europe?

A few short hours, however, and there will be another rent in the rags of Vienna. Garibaldi has left for Giardini, and in all probability will set his foot on the main before morning.

ON Garibaldi's arrival at Giardini, the port of Taormina, on the evening of the 18th, he found the embarkation of the troops destined for the main had already commenced, in the "Turino" and "Franklin"two steamers which he had sent round the island from Palermo for that purpose the former bringing 1000 men of the Bertani expedition from the Golfo d'Orangio. They were added to Bixio's brigade, but placed under the command of Zacchi. A portion of the brigade Eberharlt had also been sent down from Messina. Amongst them was Menotti, Garibaldi's son, with his picked company of bersaglieri, and four mountain howitzers. In all, the expedition amounted to 4200 men, as follows:

:

148

THE START FROM GIARDINI.

Shortly after ten o'clock the expedition, which will in all probability decide the fate of more kingdoms than one, moved off in the direction of Capo d'Armi on the opposite coast; Bixio, in command of the "Turino,” and Garibaldi himself in the "Franklin,” where he was personally superintending the stoppage of a leak, as she was making several feet an hour.

To convey any idea of the crowded state of the vessels is impossible. Bulwarks, paddle-boxes, and rigging, were alike clustered with troops. In the "Turino," a screw of 700 tons, there were 3000 men; and in the "Franklin," a paddle of 200, there were 1200.

The expedition being now fairly launched under most favourable auspices from the foot of old Etna, on a dark fitful evening, thoroughly adapted for the undertaking, let us take a glance at their destination, and the preparations made for their reception.

First, as regards the Neapolitan squadron of steamers, one can hardly believe that they ever wanted to fight. Be that as it may, they allowed themselves to be drawn towards Messina and the Faro, where mock expeditions were nightly organised for their entertainment. The Royal army in Calabria Ultra numbered about 25,000 or 30,000 men, under General Viale, and had its headquarters at Monteleone; and of the remainder, about 12,000 are echeloned along the coast