PANEGYRICS ON GARIBALDI

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2551, 12 June 1882, Page 3

PANEGYRICS ON GARIBALDI

The Exhibition on Saturday, both afternoon and evening, was very well patronised by visitors. In accordance with the request of a deputation of Italian residents the promoters, through M. Joubert, placed tho concert hall at their disposal, for what may be called a requiem gathering, to express tho sorrow felt by them at the death of Italy’s greatest ion Giuseppe Garibaldi. The arrangements made were, although novel to British ideas, most complete. In the centre of the concert hall a platform was erected, upon whioh was Jplaced a ccffio, on tho lid and around the sides of which were white camelias and laurels. Tho platform under the coffin was draped with a black velvet pall, while at each end of the coffin was the Italian colors draped in crape. The sides and ends of the platform also bore rosettes of the Italian colors. On the lid of tho coffin was the historical red shirt and a sword, and at the end a crape wreathed picture of Garibaldi. The floor of the platform was carpeted with the flags of all nations, and generally the effect was exceedingly good. Captain Da Montalb, who fought with Garibaldi in many of his campaigns, took a lively interest in the movement and rendered valuable assistance. Chairs were disposed around tho bier in the form of a square for the accommodation of tho Italian residents who took part in the ceremony.

Shortly after half-past two a procession formed in the entrance hall to reoeivo the Consul for Italy here, Mr A. O. Wilson, who with Captain De Montalk and M. Joubert, headed it into tho concert hall.

Captain Da Montalk, on behalf of the Italian residents of Canterbury, asked the consul to take the chair.

Mr Wilson said : —" Sons of Italy and Friends of Freedom, —I need nob tell you why we are here to-day. I need not state why tho fljg o£ Italy to-day droops halfmast hl,<h ! A warrior has gone full of years to his rest, and a nation weeps. Not alone does Italy weep—the sister nations of the world also lament. We, as representing a distant section of the Italian nation, divided from those classic shores by many a league of ocean, we, small in numbers but warm in heart, assemble to pay our humble homage to departed greatness. Naples is free, Rome also is free, and Italy herself is free, from the mountains to the sea, but tko chains o? Death bind the Liberator of his country. His was not the fate to fall fighting for the cause ho loved so well—the causa of freedom—the cause of opprersed nationalities. America, Italy, and France, have seen his banners wave, hio followers advance to glory and the soldier’s grave ; his stormy span of life is ended, hia body, marked with many a soar in battle gained, rests in tho peaceful tomb.” The Austrian Baud, under tho conductorship of Signor Forge, then played Beethoven’s “ Marche Funebre.”

Captain Da Montnlk, having first Con behalf of the Italian residents) thanked the Consul for his presence there that day, and M. Joubart for his kindness in placing the concert hall at their disposal, proceeded to deliver an eulogy on the departed loader, tracing hia career throughout his adventurous life, and dwelling more particularly upon the unselfish patriotism with which he had carried out the great work of the freedom of Italy. He then, in the name of the Italians there present, and those who wore unable to bo so, laid a laurel crown on the coffin. The Austrian Band having played the Italian national hymn, M. Joubert come forward, and said that there was no need for thanks to him for having done hia little mite towards the ceremony of that day. It was in the cause of liberty, dear to the hearts of all nations, that the celebration was held to express the sorrow felt at the death of a great patriot. He felt that when they had there a gathering tojelher of the nations of the earth in friendly rivalry, no fitter place could be found wherein to enable all nationalities to take part in the expression by the Italians of Canterbury of their grief at the loss sustained by their country. But not alone Italy, but the world mourned the less of the great leader. It was not only as a soldier that he was renowned; ho laid down the sword to take up the role of the politician, and he was equally great, equally unselfish and devoted to the cause of freedom. Ho trusted that in this the youngest and fairest of England’s colonies the example of the great man whose loss they mourned would stimulate their youth to emulate his patriotism, and, above all, his thorough abnegation of self and moderation in the hour of triumph. Signor Eoderli, who spoke next, said volved upon him that day to express the sorrow of his countrymen there present and his own, and to convoy from their adopted home to their beloved country the sorrow felt at the death of the illustrious patriot General Garibaldi. They had been induced to make this demonstration

ot the great sorrow which General Garibaldi'* death has cast upon ue as a public loss, having tho well founded conviction that many others amongst them, especially British people, would join with them in paying a tribute of respect to the memory of a man ■o world wide in hia fame. He felt convinced ot this, because when tho late General Garibaldi many years ago paid a visit to England, tho welcome he received was a very hearty one, which showed plainly that the English people had the estimable quality of recognising greatness, and were not ton proud to pay homage where homage was due, without respect to nationality. What General Garibaldi was to them and their beloved Italy it was not easy for them to express in a few words, -suffice it nay that ho was the greatest man in Italy of the century. That General Garibaldi was born to be a hero showed itself almost from his earliest ago. When on board ship for his first voyage he had occasion to save a child from drowning by risking his own life. When the first excitement of the parents had passed at having their child restored to them they made enquiries for the young sailor boy who had performed the heroic action, to reward him with money and praises. But, alas, be could nowhere bo found, he having hidden himself to evade praise and thanks, and he did not appear again till tho ship wp.r at sen. Tho same sentiment had pervaded the life of General Garibaldi. Tho conqueror of a kingdom, he resigned all honor aud glory himself, and saluted another, intolwhcse pld.ee ha might easily have gone, as King of Italy Immediately his work was completed he retired to seclusion on the island of CLprera, thus avoiding all honor and reward which would have been his from a grateful King and people. The hero of Monte Video, the hero of the siege of Borne in 1819, the hero of Varese, Como, and Brescia in lf-59, the hero of Calatafimi, Palermo, Milazza, and Volturno, in 1860, the hero of Oaffaro Ooudino and Brezzia in 1866, has passed to another world, but his footprints wou’d live for ever in the history of this. Signor Pozzi also spoke, and after the band had played “II Marcia Beale ” the proceedings terminated. It may bo mentioned that the Italian Court in the Exhibition was draped in crape.