The National Register.
London, England, 1821-05-07 00:00:00

No. 1,310.—V0L. XS .J

ITALIAN BANDITTI.

The extent and daring` e brigands in various
parts of the Continent have been the theme of con-
stant animadversion, and in one instance the heir
presumptive of one of our noble families (the Hon.
Brownlow Colyear, only grandson of the present
Earl of Portmore) died in consequence of the vio-
lence used towards him by one of these gangs of
desperadoes. A book just published by Mr. Keppel
Craven, being a sketch of the southern provinces of
Naples, gives the following account of one of these
attacks, made even in the face of a garrison :
"'flee remains of the Verdurelli baud had presented
themselves that morning before the general coo 1111 l ending
at Foggia : they formed, in fast, part of the troops I had
seen, and were at the moment I passed engaged in a war
of words, which soon was waged with more deadly wea-
pons. It seems that the general, who had received the
Intimation of their arrival, gave orders fur them to be
inspected the Instant that it took place. After they had
dismounted and given a satisfactory account of their late
proceedings, they received directions to repair to Lucent,
and there await further commands. This mandate they
positively refused to obey ; and a long altercation took
place between them and an officer sent from the coin-
mender's house, before which they were ranged, to re-
monstrate ou the imprudence, not to say teens,' ity, of dieir
behaviour. The general finally commanded the two
leaders to repair to his own apartment to speak to them:
this they objected to do without their arms, which they
declared they would never part frosn; and it is supposed
that the language they made use in the course of their
argument so exasperated the officer, that he roughly
pushed one of thew back, who was using threatening
gestures, on which the other fired his musket at him, but
having missed his mark, was shot dead by the sentry at
the gate. This was the signal for an attack from his com-
panions, that was immediately answered by • round of
musketry from the troops who were drawn out close to
them, which killed several, and *mead consternation
among the crowds of towns people who had assembled on
the spot. Four of the band, who had presence of wised to
spring upon their horses, escaped in different directions
out of the town, though followed by cavalry, and fired at
as they Bed. Auuther portion were made prisoners t but
• third division sought security in a cellar, the first place
of refuge which offered itself, and which having only one
very tow entrance, afforded them a defensible asylum fur
some time. The depth and darkness of this receptacle
made it difficult to attack them with success, for they
killed a soldier, and wounded 1 others, who had
ventured too near the aperture. Of this last desperate set,
four gave themselves up, and made known the number that
remained. In order to bring as speedy a terioination as
possible to the dismay and agitation which this event had
spread thronghout the city, twu of those who had been last
taken were son In to their companions, with their hands
tied, to persuade them to surrender, and to inform them,
that if they persevered in a resistance, winch from the
local stature of their retreat must be unavailing, a straw
fire would be lighted at the edifice, as the only means of
hastening their compliance or destruction. The inifor-
Innate men never returned ; and no answer being gisen,
this threat was put into actual execution? and the aperture
blocked up with Stones. Imagination pictures their situ-
ation as most horrible! but its terrors were eluded by the
last resource of despair. Two hours afterwards, the
cellar was entered without opposition, and their lifeless
bodies, covered with wounds, indicated the death they
bad received at each other's hands.
" In about five hours some degree of tranquillity was
restored to the city ; and it was evident that the leelings
of alarm occasioned by the singular event, and even those
of aversion and universal reprobation which the excesses
of tbe banditti lied excited, now yield to the emotions ut
compassion, called forth by so terrific and utetswcly a
death. Even the policy which prompted this • pu-
nishment met with comments and comiti uetions by uo
ineeus favourable to those whose duty it was to inflict it.
" In the evening the shops were re-opened, and 1 ven-
tured to send icy letters of recommendatiou to the general
somitimidant of the division. mid the intendante, who
hulls thew ed tne every attention and civility delimit my
stay. But I had with me a document of similar import
add J to a very different character from either of
these distinguished personages.
" On My leasing Benevento, one of its most respectable
lishabitants, fearing I might encounter the Findarelli troop
on their way to head-quarters, gore WC u letter of introduc-
lieu to one of them, which lie assured use would be the means
or securing me (coin all such danger as the existing uncertalins
or their prqjects and moveioeuts might render possible, duet
probable. The person to whoa it was addressed lied been
employed on is form of the writer, and retiiiiied a friendly
and even respeettal feeling towards his former master, sa huh
had Sheet. Itself On Win rill toCCaLlene since they hail parted.
Curiosity led use to inquire st holier this pet bull was sououg
the MU VIVOIS of the dreedful eutustroplie of the niurniog;
mid having sent to the prison N here they were confined fur
Os purpose of iisceriaiiiins; the fact, I ens eft:leered In the
affirmative, mid COOdUCtril, as I imagined, to the cell which
counties/1 the object of my inqou res. It SCCIIII• Ohl thee
substance of my Mt 1411:0 havin,f been conveyed fluor 111OUlll
to Moth, had undergone a mates int change in its purport;
And before I NUS statute of the misondristunding, I touted
myself to a low Mailed rimia, lit the bnrk of tau puislic
prison, and stunting; opposite to several caked Audis. exposed
on some straw. Otte of these was puiuted out to me as the
individual whom 1 sought.
" The indtctioN of o sadden and violent deatb on a reborn
cad active frame is ter bum producing thane ennui which