Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT. 65
your bosom stronger and more loving, because among soldiers
one learns to love, and with a depth of affection that 'softens
both heart and soul.
In proof of which I will relate an incident that took place
some years ago in a regiment of our army, and which was
told me by a friend who played an important part in it. I
will try to recall to mind his own words.
II.
Upon one of the last evenings of 1866, our division, which
in the afternoon had left Battaglia (a large place on the eastern
slopes of
the Euganen Hills), entered the city of Padua by
the Porta Santa Croce, as they were to pass through
it en route
to Venice. Although many other corps had passed through the
town, and the streets we crossed were farthest from the centre
and the least frequented, yet the welcome accorded us by
the people was very warm. I, however, only remember it as I
would a dream ;
I retain a faint recollection of it,
as one does
of the first conversation with his inamorata, when he trembles
all over, becomes white in the face, and every thing
grows black around him. Yes, in approaching Padua, the
first great city in the Venetian district that we reached, my
heart beat wildly and my thoughts grew confused. When we
entered later, and an immense multitude, breaking out into a
loud cry, dashed into our ranks, broke them, surrounded and
scattered us in a few moments on every side, so that there was
no trace of order in the columns, then my sight as well as my
mind became clouded. I remember feeling myself squeezed
around the throat and waist several times by two convulsive
arms, and tapped on the shoulder and arms by two trembling