The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-24 00:00:00

ITALY.

NAPLES, Dec. 14.
The proclamation of the Empire in France has had
no perceptible influence hero—at least as far as the
funds can indicate, since they continue firm. The
government paper, the wretched Giornalo dells flue
regularly reports the important events which
are passing in Paris, from which circumstance, as
well as from others of a moro speaking character, it
is obvious to conclude that the present policy of the
government is to clap their hands and hail the star
of the morning. There can be no honesty, however,
about this silent acquiescence, or even apparent con-
gratulation. Napoleon will never be pardoned the
sin of his connexion with Murat by the Bourbons,
and the apprehension which the very mention of the
name of the victim of Pizzo awakened some months
rine., but too clearly shows that the approbation
by a Neapolitan government of the fad aceinapli
at Paris is but the result of fear. One strong
bond of sympathy, however, between their Majesties
of France and Naples is their encouragement and
love of Jesuits. The Giornale. &c., not many days
since, quoted a long article from a French paper in
defence and praise of that holy body, maintaining
their highmindedness and indifference to all worldly
ambition ; whereupon the holy fathers are waxing
stronger in their zeal, and I have heard in several
instances of their visiting teachers of languages and
questioning them as to the purity of their faith, and
leaving with them a catechism, highly instructive as
to saints and miracles, in which they are of course
expected to be sound believers. Never, surely,
were Mr. Gladstone's principles carried out more
consistently than they are being in Naples at the
present time.
In my last letter I spoke of intended military pre-
parations ; I may now mention that two large vessels
have been put In commission. Of what size they
are or by whom they are to be armed and manned, I
cannot tell; but everything indicates an uneasy feel-
ing on the part of government. It is much to be
desired, however, that whilst such precautions are
being taken against a foreign and a visionary danger,
some steps were taken to insure the property and
lives of peaceable citizens against the hosts of thieves
which prowl about the streets. Many cases have
occurred of persons being stopped in the street, and
with knives at their throats rubbed of every thing
about them. A few nights since a man was mur-
dered near the entrance to the Villa and thrown into
the sea. lie had been watched out of a billiard room,
it is supposed, and then robbed and dispatched; but
who commits these acts one seldom hears. Had
some thoughtless Wight, however, been playing at
peck and toss with a airline), and uttered some
words which by a refined ingenuity could be
construed into disrespect to royalty, the " Viva-
ria," or the tardy mercies the Ergastolo
would have awaited him. The government gives
liberty to upwards of 500 galley slave', and thus
keep the whole city in apprehension. Apropos of
the poor fellow who was murdered the other night,
when he was first found, blood was issuing from his
noes or mouth ; but all passed by on the other side,
as, by a police law, whoever touches or is found near
the body, is apprehended and detained on suspicion.
The consequence of this regulation in the present
case was, that the poor fellow was kept many hours
in the open air in the same spcbt where he was dis-
covered, when, had prompt assistance been procured,
there might have been the possibility of saving him.
Woo be to the man who, when such police regula-
tions exist, falls down in a fit of apoplexy, or is
shinned by a cut-throat.
Of the condemned for the events of the 15th May,
I have heard recently that they have all been sent to
Montefuseo, where Poerio is confined.