The Express.
London, England, 1855-11-24 00:00:00

ITALY.

(711011 OUR OWN 0011

NAPLES, Nov. 10.
I cannot refrain from making ene or two other
observations on the elevation of the detested Minister
of the Police, Signor Maus. Had it not been for the
antecedents of which I have kept you always well
informed, it might have been regarded simply ma a
proof of the system of government to be persevered
in in this country ; but, when it Is remembered that
his dismissal was demanded by the British govern-
ment—that it was yielded (so it was said), and that
our legation acknowledged itself satisfied in conse-
quence, though it was accompanied by other acts
which entirely neutralised it—what are we to say to
a royal decree which declares that Hears is to retain
kis pay and his rank as Director of Police, and is,
moreover, to be elevated to the Consults di State
The Neapolitan government rescind all that it wee
said to have done. It goes out of its way to insult
England. It says, "We have made you
withdraw your fleet by a fallacious promise—
we will keep our man in spite of you, and
we will make him one of our privy council." Such
is the character of the recent act. It is a defiance
and an insult. What will our government say to it?
Nothing P Doke parole P or will it bluster and
withdraw P There are especial reasons for firmnesel
in the present ease, inasmuch as a most hostile ani.l
mu, has been displayed towards a faithful and meri-
torious public servant, Mr. Fagan; and on the same
grounds that Mr. Freeborn, our consul at Rome, has
always been so honourably suppotted by Lord Pal-
merston, should Mr. Fagan be defended and upheld.
I repeat what I have already said, that there is no
one here who is so thoroughly acquainted with all
the intrigues of the Neapolitan government as he, and
therefore is it that he is attacked. In whatever
diplomatic affair he has been mixed up be has done
nothing on his own responsiblity, but everythipg in
obedience to superior orders; and it behoves our
home government to defend one whose fidelity has
been equal to his prudence.
The last few days have been marked by several
events which, taken in connexion with the present
state of the country, assume some little importance.
Thus the Marchese del V—, who was lately sent to
Vienna on some diplomatic mission, suddenly re-
turned to Naples. It appears that he bad acquired a
certain reputation as a spy, and a number of French
and Romagnoli bad combined together to give him a
farewell salute on the frontier. He must have feared
some such an affair, as he travelled under a false
name ; bat on seoertaining the certainty of his sue.
pic:ons, he returned hastily to the capital, leaving
his carriage, which is said to have be en utterly de-
stroyed. This is one of those many incidents which'
show the disturbed state of the peninsula and the de-
termined expression of public opinion.
On the contrary, two other facts show some of the
tricks by which the government seeks to acquire
strength and influence. There has been for a long
time confined in the Castle of St. Eramo a man called
Lansellotti, for having defrauded a military institution
of 283,000 due. How could he escape P it is asked.
The secret to the whole difficulty is that be was a
strong royalist, and that in 1848 he was very zealous
is the reactionary movement. The Neapolitan
government is grateful to those who serve it well.
A few days since, too, a kind of rejoicing was got
up in Santa Lucia, one of the royalist quarters, on the
return of some divers from the Crimea after an
absence of six month.. The church bells were rungl
and guns were fired, as in honour of heroes. Such at-
tentions are gratifying to the people, and they were
repaid by vigorous cries of " Viva it Re." In a
country. like Naples, where nothing is done but by
permission of the police, little events speak volumes,
therefore it is that I note them.
The commerce of the country is at the lowest ebb.
The imports are reduced to nothing. The foreign
exchanges still continue falling, but it is hoped that
the press will take up the subject. At the end of
next month the permission to export maccaroni and
biscuit ceases—meantime contracts for sale are still
made. The oil harvest has been most abundant, and
of the very best quality. Owing to the dryness of
the season the worm has not got into the olive, and
the fruit was got in in the best possible condition.
The cholera, I am sorry to say, has been on the in-
-ease daring the last few days.