The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-02 00:00:00

Bianchi the Brigand.

In 1860 Pietro Bianchi was 20 years of ago, a
day laboUrer at Soveria, noted from his early boy-
hood for his agility and surprising strength. He
was the best hunter in those mountains, and was
reputed quick with a blow and dangerous to offend.
When Garibaldi entered Calabria he took to the
road. At first he stole sheep, but soon he betrayed
sanguinary instincts, and his atrocities on various
occasions made his name a sound of terror. By
long and rapid marches he constantly eluded pur-
suit; the authorities despaired of taking him, un-
less by surprise or strategem. A girl of 17, Gene-
rosa Cardamone, accompanied him in all his expedi-
tions, and was often seen on horseback at the head
of the band, encouraging them in the fight. She
was worthy of her lover, and almost surpassed
him in ferocity. She is said to have repeatedly
cooked human flesh and served it up to'him and
his coinpanions. This monster in the form of a
young and pretty woman is -no** 21; priests of
her country are said to have thrown her into the
arms of the brigand by working on her religious
fanaticism. When lately arrested a religious book
and a Madonna were found on her person. She
believed they rendered her invulnerable: Bianchi
loved her passionately, and was madly jealous of
her. One day one of his band dared to kiss her.
Just then Bianchi came up and requited his auda-
city with a scorn of dagger stabs.: A lieutenant of
gendarmes, stationed at Soveria, lately received in-
formation as to the position of a den to 'which
Bianchi from time to time retired with his mistress
for a feW days's repose. With some gendarmes and
a detachment of the line he betook himself to the
village of Colla, near Castagna, in the district of
Nicastro. The village was surrounded by surprise,
and Lieut. De Angelis went directly to the house of
a certain Colosimo, whom he believed to be Bianchi's
manutengolo —his "fence" and secret agent. But he
was unable to discover the entrance of the cave
where Bianchi ought to be. After a long search a
gendarme noticed some freshly picked chicken bones
in a ditch. Presently an artificial hedge was detected,
placed so as to conceal the entrance of a cavern. The
hedge overthrown, a stentorian voice was heard
"Fate largo/" it cried, "Stand back!" "Surrender,
or you are dead," retorted the lieutenant. "Save this
woman !" It was Bianchi, who wanted to save
Gcnerosa, probably intending afterwards to defend
himself desperately. But De Angelis left him no
time. No sooner had the woman passed out than
he rushed in with his men, and seized the bandit
before he could defend himself. Seeing escape im-
possible, Bianchi dashed his revolver to the ground
and resigned himself to his fate. The cave was
spacious within ; a lamp was burning before an
image of the Madonna. Generosa's prayer-book
was there, the places marked with bills given for
ransom. The brigand was provided with abundant
ammunition, a double-barrelled gun, and a revolver.
In a corner was a bed of blankets and a good store
of wine, cheese, bread, and sausage ; also a little
pastry, supplied by the manutengolo of Colosimo's
house. On Bianchi were found a gold hunting-
watch and a considerable sum in gold and silver
coin. On parting from his mistress he threw him-
self into her arms and kissed her. Thenceforward
he did not utter a word, his eyes lost all their ex-
pression and assumed a glassy look. This was the
end of Pietro Bianchi, after he had for seven years
stained the district of Nicastro with-blood.

THE METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENT BILL.—A
meeting of the ratepayers of the ward of Cheap
was held yesterday at the Guildhall Cone-house, to pro-
test against the levying of the metropolitan improvement
rate. Mr. Alderman Allen occupied the chair, supported by
Mr.. Deputy Tegg, Mr. J. F. Bontems, 0.0., and the follow-
ing i'lignibers of the :Common Couucil :--Messrs."Bennetti
Wild, Morley, Orridge, Bannister, &c. Mr. Bontems
tuoied the following resolution :-7" That, in the opinion
„of this Meeting,' the Metropolitan ImproveMenf Bill now
before. the House of Commons is highly objectionable,
and, ought to be opposed--first, because it increases the
burden of the already overtaxed ratepayers of the metro-
polies • seeoad, because it makes no provision for the more
equitable distribution of local taxation; third, because it
increases the already overgrown power ef the Metropolitan
Board of Works; and fourth, because it still further inter-
feres with the right which the citizens of London have
for centuries enjoyed of controlling the expenditure of,
their own rates." Mr. Peyton seconded the motion,which
was put and carried unanimously. Mr. Bennett moved a
resolution to the effect that petitions to both Houses of
Parliament, in accordance with the foregoing resolution,
be adopted and signed by the alderman on behalf of the
meeting. This motion was also seconded and carried nen%
con., and the usual compliment to the chairman closed the
proceedings. •
MR. STANSFELD AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.---MT.
Stansfeld will visit his constituents at Halifax during the
Easter vacation, when it is probable a town's meeting on
Reform will be hold, at which, writes the hon. member,
"he %nada feel it his duty to attend." "In any case," he
says, "I shall seek some opportunity during my stay of
addressing my fellow-townsmen on this all-important and
engrossing subject."

rWe notice the following iu Frank Leslie's Illus-
trated Paper:—"Mr. J. W. Farmer, of 47, Ludlow-street,
Now York, whose philanthropy is always leading him to
do such eccentric things as feeding the poor, gratis, with
excellent soup, distributing tobacco to the soldiers of the
army when they had none provided for them, opening
free lodging-houses for the homeless when the winter is
at its severest., and other schemes of the saute timely
nature, now advertises that his hall is at the free disposal
of persons who desire a place for meeting to discuss
schemes of co-operation. Also, that a supply of soap and
other applianceS for.the toilet is kept constantly on hand
at the same place, for use gratis."
The untiring efforts of Mr. A. R. Spoffolcl to
secure for the library of Congress, which is under his
charge, the extensive historical collection of Colonel Peter
Force, have been completely successful.