Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)Holyoake, George Jacob
Philosophy
Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Holyoake, George Jacob
Holyoake, George Jacob, 1817-1906; Social reformers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Working class -- Great Britain -- Biography
The Government no doubt knew all about the expedition. Captain De Rohan,
or, as he styled himself, "Admiral De Rohan," was in command of
the "Excursionists." He marched up and down the platform, wearing a
ponderous admiral's sword, which was entirely indiscreet, but he was
proud of the parade. By this time he had assumed the title of "Rear"
Admiral. De Rohan was not his name, but he was, it was said, paternally
related, in an unrecognised way, to Admiral Dalgren, of American
fame. Of De Rohan it ought to be said, that though he had the American
tendency to self-inflation, he was a sincere friend of Italy. Honest,
disinterested, generous towards others--and the devoted and trusted
agent of Garibaldi, ready to go to the ends of the earth in his service.
When the English Committee finally closed, and they had a balance of
£1,000 left in their hands, they were so sensible of the services and
integrity of De Rohan that they gave it to him, and on my introduction
he deposited it in the Westminster Bank. He was one of those men for
whom some permanent provision ought to be made, as he took more delight
in serving others than serving himself. In after years, vicissitude came
to him, in which I and members of the Garibaldi Committee befriended
him.
As our Legion was going out to make war on a Power in friendly relation
to Great Britain, Lord John Russell was in a position to stop it.
The vessel (the _Melazzo_) lay two days in the Harwich waters before
sailing. There were not wanting persons who attempted to call Lord
John's attention to what was going on, but happily without recognition
of their efforts. No one was better able than Lord John to congeal
illicit enthusiasm.
Mr. E. H. J. Craufurd, M.P., chairman of the Committee, myself, my
brother Austin,--who was unceasing in his service to the Committee and
the Legion--W. J. Linton, and other members of the Committee, travelled
by night with the Legion to Harwich. Mr. George Francis Train went
down with us and explained to me vivaciously his theory, that to obtain
recognition by the world was to make a good recognition of yourself.
Train did this, but all it gave him was notoriety, under which was
hidden from public respect his great natural ability and personal
kindness of heart. When I last met him, I found him--as was his
custom--sitting on the public seat in a New York square, interesting
himself in children, but ready to pour, in an eloquent torrent, the
story of his projects into the ear of any passer-by who had time to
listen to him.
It was early morning when we arrived at Harwich. As the ship lay some
distance out, it took some time to embark the men, and it was the second
day before she set sail. To our disappointment De Rohan did not go with
the troops, which we thought it was his duty to do, but suddenly left,
saying he would meet them at Palermo. He alone had real influence over
the men. No one being in authority over them, feuds and suspicions were
added to their lack of discipline.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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