The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-14 00:00:00

2.11 E KING OF ITALY AT NAPLES.

A letter from Naples, dated Naples, May 8, says:
—lt was a most brilliant ball at the Royal Palace
on Tuesday evening, the largest and the only one of
its kind ever witnessed in Naples. In the first
place, invitations were issued for the rational hour
of half-past eight, for Victor Emmanuel is a man of
early hours, and the visitors began to arrive atnine
o'clock. A little before ten o'clock the band struck
up the National Hymn, and, the doors of the splen-
did ball-room having been thrown open, the well-
bred mob crowded in, shoulder by shoulder, and
found themselves in the presence of the "Re Ga-
lantuomo." Around him were the members of the
diplomatic body, and some privileged persons of
both sexes who had been admitted before the gene-
ral company. Among these I observed the Viceroy
of Egypt, with Mustapha Pasha, his nephew, and
six other persons, the Commendatore Rattazzi and
Admiral Persano, the Ministers of Portugal, Turkey,
Sweden, Brazil, Belgium, and Greene. France was
not represented, as M. Benedetti was suffering, un-
fortunately, from an attack of gout ; nor was Eng-
land, as Sir James Hudson arrived late in the
evening from Rome; but the Secretaries of both
Legations were there. The whole of the Consular
body were present in this brilliant group, as were
also the French Admirals; and the scene was as
striking to the eye as it was morally impressive, for
it was the first time in Southern Italy that the
King of its united fragments had ever met his sub-
jects surrounded by such a strong amount of politi-
cal support. The general company consisted of
250 officers of the National Guard, 300 officers of
the army and marine, 70 officers of the French
and 25 of the British squadron ; the complement
of upwards of 3,000 persons being made up of
members of the Liberal aristocracy, of distin-
guished foreigners, and others of the middle classes
commerce being very extensively represented.
I note this last fact with special pleasure,
for, whereas every element of progress and enter-
prise was excluded by the Bourbons, it is to the
praise and honour of Victor Emmanuel that he
assembles around him every one who contributes to
the wealth and improvement of this interesting
land. Madame Della Marmora did the honours of
the evening, and both she and the General displayed
their usual affability. But no one was thought of
but Victor Emmanuel, and certainly his manner
could not have been more affable or more un-Royal
in the best sense of the term. The King, in fact,
was laid aside, or rather the reserve of Royalty, and
the Sovereign mingled as a friend with his subjects,
encouraging them and giving them good wishes for
the future. At about 11 o'clock his Majesty left
the room, for his habits are very early, but dancing
was kept up till daylight.
Yesterday morning came off the long-expected
ovation at Salerno. I shall describe, perhaps in
tedious detail, everything I saw and heard, for
'whatever illustrates public opinion at the present
moment is of importance. Let us start, then, by
Portici end Torre del Greco, whose ruined houses
are adorned here and there with a flag; by Torre
del Annunziata, famed 'or maccaroni, all alive with
tri-coloured banners; by industrious Scafari ; by
Angri, with its hedges of bunch roses ; through fields
teeming with all the wealth and beauty of spring
and Summer. Man need not have moved a finger
to welcome a King, for surely never did Nature put
forth herself more effectually, and never was a
brighter creation than that which dazzled the sight
by its light and excess of wealth. At Pagani and
Nocera t he demonstrations o f loyalty were increasing
in fervour; the stations were richly decorated, and
great numbers of people were assembled, who
shouted their " Titres" lustily. Many of the Hun-
garian Legion were here, who have done good
service lately on the mountains which frown on
either side over this rich valley, and approxi-
mate so much as you get near La Cava that
one fancies it would be possible to throw
a stone across. Here preparations for the
Royal reception were on a still larger scale; the
station was very gaily decorated, and the Bishop of
Cava and all his clergy presented therigg:lvee to his
giving him a hearty welcome, while the
people shouted themselves hoarse. At Vietri, which
was decorated, the municipality and all
the civic verycivic and military authorities of Salerno and
Vietri were in waiting to receive his Msjesty.
Situated beautifully at the apex of two roads, one
of which verges to Amalfi and the other runs down
to Salerno, Vietri was literally covered with flags
and tapestry of all colours, Every human soul in
the place had turned out, and the shouts of applause
were one great united voice. Perhaps the interval
hotwern the two cities is from two to three miles,
and throughout its entire mega, is se iieea
either side by National Guards, who are not mere
popinjays, but men who would fight as they have
already fought. Poles were fixed in the ground on
both sides of the road at intervals of 20 or 30 feet
wreathed round with box and myrtle, while floating
from the top of each were two tricoloured flags.
What a dense mass of human beings it was which
thronged in ecstasies around the King ! How slow
the carriage went by Royal order, and how pa-
tiently he received petitions from some, and be-
stowed encouraging w ords on others! The people
will go mad wtitheyjocyrieadndfreonnatbutshieastahar‘;,Satnopd
then
wi
with
tithseyMa dadjdeesty;o" h
each other, " Whowould have thought
the King would have talked with ns so freely and
so kindly? The view as you descend to Salerno is
one of the most superb in the world ; the shore