The Express.
London, England, 1859-04-29 00:00:00

(Stamped td. Additkmal.) [TWOPENCE.

THE TWO BICILIEt3.

MOIL OVN OWN 001118PONDINT4
NAPLES, A,PRIL 23.
I have so often reported the illness and approach-
ing death of the King, that you will be disposed
to imagine that I have been writing at random, or on
insufficient information, since the final event does not
take place. Such is, however, the character of the
illness of his Majesty that he oscillates between tem-
gcrporary and relapses. From this, however,
oi:t1 suppose that the King's health can ever be
re-established ; the malady is dangerous, and does
I not admit of • are. There are some indeed who
have formed the wild idea that his Majesty has prac-
tised • long and clever lotion regardnig the ex-
tremity of his illness, for purposes of his own : it will
not, however,bear a moment's inveetigation.'fhe cour-
tiers have gone so far as to 'weft that the recovery of
the King has been assured; and should it tarn out
to be true, people will be at a Ism to deals to which
of the many sawed spondee that have besa tried to
attribute the fast, whether to the Boa Homo of the
Padri Operas[ of Saint Nicola, se the Immaculate
Virgin, or St. Luigi, or St. Gomm, or St. Geetano,
or other minor saints whose menthe, or vests, or
sticks, or bones, or teeth, or hair, or Mood, had been
applied to the toys) pufimt when all earthly mime-
dies appeared to hi& It is even said that the de-
ceased Queen Maria Christina has appeared in a
vision to a blind person and made some communica-
tion with regard to the restoratiosof the King's health.
I Do not imagine that I narrate these circumstances in
a light spirit; they area feature in Neapolitan civili-
satioe, a state which is practically encouraged by
all the efforts which are made to keep the minds.
of the people in ignoreses and subserviency to the
priesthood. The simple fact is, I believe, that there
can be no reasonable expeetation of the King's re-
covering, and those about the atm who are per-
suaded of the fact, threatenDrs. Raineglia and Leone
for having removed the celebrated quack,. Mani
Gruel, from about the person of the 'Ling. The
Hereditary Prince remains in the same retirement,
1 and maintains the same reserve ; and as long am the
King continues alive, there is little probability of
his resigning any portion of ha power.
It is mud that her Britannic Majesty's steamer
the Scourge has been telegraphed for frern Leghorn,
and that she is to be stationed at Naples. If true,
I think it a very proper means., for surely it is no
time to stand too much on delicacy, amd fear of
wounding the suriceptibilites of the Neapolitan govern-
ment. The King may die at any moment,and grave
complications may arise that cannot be anticipated,
and may render very desirable the appearance of our
flag in these waters.

The following is en extract of a private letter
net received from Naples :
" Young men from Romagna and Tuscany con-
tinue to emigrate to Piedmont, animated by. the
noble motive of fighting for .their country's inde-
pendence. The King is dying ; from day to day we
expect to hear that all is over. The Queen, who is
Austrian, is doing all she can to get a share of the
government for her son. The hereditary prince is
the son of King Ferdinand's first wife, who was •
Sardinian princess. The young prince is said to
have leagued himself with Filengieri, Ceriati, and
others, moderate liberals and men of talent. If this
be true there is great reason to hope something good
will result. As soon as the King dies a total change
of measures will be proclaimed : this will be suc-
ceeded by reforms throughout Italy. It will be
curious if Icaples, which for the lest ten years has
been so badly governed, should, as in 1848, be the
first to grant a constitution. It appears reason-
able to hope that any concessions now granted
will have a much longer duration than at
the former period. We are anxiously looking for
the lipeeches in parliament on Italy. If the Derby
ministry goes oat war may be avoided, and Italy
may be allowed a little liberty and independence to
re-organise her institutions without the assistance of
France. If things continue as they now are, and
the emigration goes on at the present rate, Piedmont
would have an army of volunteers amounting to
60,000 men. England did not send more than this
number to the Crimes. By letters from Lucca, we
learn that 24 soldiers there have forced the guard
and deserted their colour.. This is very deplorable,
and shows the inclination of the troops, who share
the opinions of their officers. But we must
confess that the demoralisation of the army
is entirety owing to the obstinate resist-
ance of the government, which refuses in this
important crisis to make a single concession. In
Tuscany, we understand the University of Siena is
ekeed, and that of Pisa about to be so. The young
am cannot escape the contagion of general opinion,
and when so many emigrants are leaving for Pied-
mont they, too, want to join the army, to the great
grief and distrem of their parents and relative*. It
is reported that Professor Mattencei, en enlightened
and very moderate liberal of constitutional opinions,
has written a letter enforcing order and tranquillity.
As he is greatly distinguished as a man of science,
we are glad to hear of his exerting himself for the
good of his country. It would be a happy thing for
Italy if the government of each state would listen to
the counsels of men of his stamp."
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