2-995-744 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Neapolitans proceeding to record their votes for annexation - from a sketch by our special artist, Frank Vizetelly, 1860. 'The streets of Naples were all excitement from an early hour on the 21st October, the day appointed for the voting on the annexation question to commence. Some quarters of the town poured forth their population in processional array, bearing the national Italian flags and singing in chorus the Garibaldi hymns. On some of the banners a gigantic Si! (yes) was fastened; whilst many of the people carried a similar placard on their breasts. Half-naked children waving small tricoloured flags, and dancing in time to the singing accompanied most of the processions. Our Special Artist in Naples has forwarded to us a vivid picture of one of these jubilant processions..."From slavery to liberty, from death to life - such is the change which I have seen come over the people of Southern Italy this day".' From "Illustrated London News", 1860.