Page:Poetical works of Mathilde Blind.djvu/43

 Rh must embrace the two. I hold it quite a prejudice, this admiration of the rose and the nightingale. I love the lark far more, it is the most spiritual of birds, singing far up in the sky, and full of unutterable joy and song."

Mazzini said on one occasion: "All that I have achieved in my life has only succeeded through perseverance." His influence on Mathilde Blind was shown by his inducing her to undertake a task of all others most repugnant to her nature, that of sturdy begging for patriotic objects. No one who knew her will doubt that it would have been easier for her to have herself contributed a pound than to have asked another person for a penny; nevertheless, she heroically approached the postman, who actually did give a penny, and by and by another postman came voluntarily with another penny, saying he understood that there was a collection for Garibaldi. It is a proof of the superior efficacy of persons in comparison with principles that few would give anything unless Garibaldi's name was somehow introduced. Altogether a sovereign was raised, and Mathilde accepted an honourable discharge from the duties of collector from that time forth. On one occasion, however, she endeavoured to convert an Irish girl who declared herself on the side of the Pope by telling her that if Garibaldi got the upper hand he would send all the little girls in Rome to school. It does not appear whether the little girl from Ireland thought this a captivating prospect, and in fact Mathilde Blind was always rather magnetic than persuasive.

The Polish general Langiewicz was deservedly considered a hero in his brief day, but, having found no opportunity for a repetition of his exploits, has almost passed out of remembrance, which Mathilde 's description of him may help to revive:—