GARIBALDI AT HOME.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5450, 14 September 1878, Page 3

GARIBALDI AT HOME.

(From the World.) Caprcra in a small narrow island —a groat rook in fact, with a few patches of soil here and there —of about, twenty-two miles in circuit and throe to four in width, separated from the northormost point of Sardinia—as Yalenlia is from the coast of Kerry—by a strip of sea some two and a half miles across. It wan once well known to the British sailor, for it lies close to the Maddaleua, one of Nelson's stations in the Mediterranean. The only habitations arc a few shepherds' huts and Garibaldi's house, situated on the western side, about three-quarters of a mile on the higher ground. It is a one-storied building, i.c., a ground floor only, divided into seven plain, unadorned rooms—a kitchen, with appliances any small farmer’s wife in England would consider very insuflicient; a dining-room, with a plain deal table, largo enough, however, to acemnmodato a-party of twenty-five ; a little storeroom ; three bedrooms for , his 'children and any friends who may laud upon the island, and his own bed-chamber and study combined—a good-sized room witli two windows (one to the east, the other to the; south), a carpetless boarded floor like the deck of a ship, and whitewashed walls. Its chief articles of furniture are 1 a plain, roomy, iron bedstead, four common chairs, a simple wilting table, an oldfashioned chest of drawers, and a shower-bath. Everything of the most ordinary kind, hut there is no affectation of Spartan simplicity, and in striking contrast to the modest aspect of the place are a number of. tilings scattered about. Onthobedisa splendid counterpane of ; white cashmere, most exquisitely .embroidered for him in silk by the ladies of Milan; standing in ono corner,..as carelessly placed as if they were a bundle of sticks, arc several swords'oflKiaor with Damascus blades

anil hilts of gold set with gems, presented to him by bis fellow coun'rymeu of Nice, Rome, aud other cities; but what ho prizes f .r more is a box of toois for cultivating aud engrafting vines, sent him by some friend in England. Flung over the back of ono of the chairs is a bandre pm cho of‘a rich white materia! lined with red, the gift of a distinguished Milanese lady. Hung against the wall are a telescope and a binocular glass, both presents from England. These were used by him iu the campaign of ISO'O ; and on his writing table, together with a volume of Plutarch and soma works ou mathematics, lies a book of harbor plans given to him years ago at a moment of need by captain of ah English ship in the port of Canton. On the floor by his bedside there is a tiger skin to step upon ; above the head of the bed hangs his mother’s portrait, and at the side is a stand on which lie a revolver and a dagger. Tills dagger is another record of his wife. She always wore it hanging from her waist; and after her death, during the retreat'from Romo, iu 1819, Garibaldi continued to carry it in remembrance of her until be lost it from his side during the fight at Oasevta on the Ist of October, ISaO. It was found, however, by a Calabrese, who restored it to the General, aud since then its place has bceu by his bedside. Unless the General rings his bell, uo ono is permitted to enter his room, with the exception only of bis son Menotti. Ou the walls of the diningroom hang some water colors representing episodes iu the Montevidcan war of independence, a photograph of an incident in the siege of Venice, iu 1819, and iu one corner a Brazilian lance carried by one of his favorite troopers in South America. Outside the door of his room is a Mexican saddle, with stirrups of silver made iu the form of reversed crowns. This was a present from a Mexican friend, aud is a record of tho battle of Meluzzo. It was when lie used it there that part of one of the stirrups was shot away by a cannon ball. A little to the north of the cottage stands one of those portable iron habitations for colonial use scut to Gnvibaldi from England. Its four little rooms and kitchen are occupied by Bassi, his secretary, aud opposite to it Is the mill where the flour for the General s family aud household is ground. The household, however, is not numerous. It numbers only three persons—au old soldier, a Venetian emigrant, who acts as the General’s orderly, and serves for love v not for money; another man who cooks, and a woman to do the washing and tidying up. The guests at Caprera arc required to make their own beds. The first on foot iu the morning is the General himself. Ho rises at four o'clock, and without taking anything to eat goes off to look after some pats who infest, the border anil surface of a small pond not far from the house a flock of geese. On tiie alert for his coming, they waddle, cackling aud clapping their wings, to meet him. Ho feeds them, and then, having gone back to the liouao for a few moments to get bis cup of black coffee, ho sets to -work in the fields until about au hour before midday, whou be returns home, looks over and signs letters. Bassi, his secretary, has written according to his instructions, and attends to other matters until dinner-time at noou. Home twelve or thirteen years ago he used to employ this hour before dinner in teaching a little shepherd lad named Luca Spauo. The boy was little more than a cretin, but by dint of steady, quiet perseverance and kindness Garibaldi succeeded in making something of him. He bad learned to read well, write a good band, and was progressing well when, on the 21th of July, ISflfi, ho felf by the General’s side fighting like a hero, at Monte Snello, in the Tyrol. Of this brave death, aud other incidents 'connected with lus adventurous life, the general freely discusses as lie sits at the head of the board, bU sou Meuolti and Iris friends on one side aud the other, and the servants “ below tho silt.” Dinner at Caprera is a very simple meal—uuiiestra, i.c , soup with Italian piste or vegetables iu it, followed by two dishes at tho most, and no wine on tho table. The conversation continues after the plates are removed —Garibaldi is ever ready to talk of his early adventures in South America, ami if his Sicilian exploits arc spoken of he always says that ho would never have been able to pass tho Straits of Messina but for the tacit assistance of Euglaud. At the cud of about au hour the general leaves the table, and going to his room throws himself dressed upon the bed, sleeps for a while, aud then reads the papers or any book be is interested in. At I o’clock be goes back to bis work iu tho fi-dda until (1 or 6.30, when he returns home again to sup. After supper he returns, to his room, never neglects to write a page in his journal, and note the meteorological changes of the day, and is. generally in bad at the time iv’hen a great p.ait of the world are beginning to turn night into day. But this simple, methodical life, which follows the same general course, whether his guests are humble shepherds over from Sardinia, or the Duke of Sutherland and Lord Stanley, as he then was, just landed from his Grace’s yacht, has many things to diversify it, aud prevent it falling into mere monotonous routine. After clothes wero paid for, Garibaldi’s means would nut, until very recently, go far towards providing food for even so simple a table or such modest needs as his ; fish'must be caught, and game snared or shot. The days devoted to. these purposes are occasions of excitement, expectation, and of that hearty recreation which sporting gives. When fish are wanted tho whole of tho little population of Caprera arise at midnight. The signal is given by a trumpet-call by the general’s orderly ; tho boats are lauucho I, aud the party, going well out to sea, cast the nets for a haul, and return soon after daybreak with sufficient to feed the few inhabitants of the island for a couple of days, and leave a quantity to bo smoked or dried for future provision. If tlio general has any guests staying with him, he, while going with the party, takes a separate boat for himself and his friends, and fishes, as he much prefers, with a line and bait. For game there are excursions over to Sardinia; where it abounds; and, according to the season, good bags of pheasant, partridge, wild duck, quail, aud woodcock arc made. From time to time a wild boar is shot, but that is as chance offers, for being a sport involving expense, Garibaldi’s party have not generally pursued it. •