GARIBALDI'S RECEPTION OF THE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 176, 9 June 1862, Page 5

GARIBALDI'S RECEPTION OF THE

VICTORIAN SWORD;

We take the following' exceedingly; interesting extract frosn the Glasgow Courier of the;lsth of March. It is from a -review by that paper of a translation of- a recent work, by Colonel Vccchj, called '•Garibaldi at Caprera:"—

A Family Piotdrk.—The post.Jms come in, and also many interesting visitors, among whom are Teresita and husband, Canzio. They had not been since their marriage. We had great rejoicings. The Gfeneral, who had been much cast down of late was quite revived by the joy her presence occasioned him. Teresita ran at once to the piano and began to play. The General little by little, forgot: the pain in his knee, and calling for Azueena's song in the "Trovatore," began to sing it. His daughter sang to him. The delightful time, when we used to have a vocal arid instrument concert every day at Caprera, seemed to have returned. Several cases had also come, containing presents for the great man from all parts of the world. We opened one box, and found a case made of precious woods, containing a sword of honor, sent by the General's worshippers in Melbourne, in Australia, with an adJreos from their deputies, James Smith, A. Martelli, B. Dardanelli. There was also a little book containing the names of the subscribers, and the cost £300. Oivthe hilt, which is of sold gold is sculptured Italy arisen—her chains broken asunder, brandishing aloft the sword of Spartacus, had cleaving the coils of a serpent. On theguard that protects the hand is a brilliant in the shape of the star of Italy. The, scabbard-is of green velvet.

The General examined it attentively, then turning to me, he said—" This is the first sword on which I have seen our revered Mother —ltaly —represented us I always see her in my thoughts. ' The Niobe of nations,' sword in hand, animating her sons to redemption or death." . I read him the letter that accompanied the splendid gift, and he said—" Tell them that my heart responds to their words." I took up the pen, and -wrote his acknowledgments, which-he signed. • . . ,

European Armies and Navies.— The following according to the Almanack de Gotha, was the state of the disposable land and sea. forces of the great Powers of.Europe in 1861: — France: Army on war footing, 767.770 men, 130,000 horses; peace footing, 414,863 men, 72,850 horses. Navy, 000 vessels afloat, building, and under transformation, carrying together 13,353 guns. Of that number there are 373 steamers, of which 56 are iron-cased. The crews of the lleet, who, oa a peace footing amount to 38,375 men may, incase of war, be increased to 06,000. The seamen forming part of the maritime inscription are 170,000 in number. The effective strength, of the marines is 22,400 men in peace, and 26,879 in war. Custom-house officers or coast-guard, 25,501 men.— Great Britain: Army, 212,773 men, 91,904 horses. ■Navy, 893, carrying 10,411 guns. The crews number 78,200 men, of whom 18,000 are marines, and 8,550 coastguard men. —Russia: Army, 577,859 men regular troops; and 136 regiments of cavalry, 31 battalions, and 31 batteries of irregulars. Navy, 313 vessels, of which 242 are steamers, carrying together 3,851 guns. .The Russian government has also 474 vessels actingas guardships at different places and* for transports.— Austria :' Army, 587,095' men. Navy, 53 steamers and 7!) sailing vessels, carrying together 895 guns.— Prussia : Army, peace footing, 212,649 men; war footing, 622.306 men. Navy, 34 vessels, of which 2G are steamers.—ltaly: Official effective strength of the army on the 10th June, 1861, 327,290 men divided into 68 regiments of infantry, 26_ battalions of bersaglieri, 17 regiments of cavalry, 9 of artillery, 2 of engineers, and :3 wagon trains. Navy, 106 vessels, carrying 1,036 guns and 18,000 men.