The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-02 00:00:00

BRIGANDAGE NEAR ROME.

The Chevalier Guidi's enthusiasm in the cause of
archaeology and art has more than once (says a
letter from Rome in a contemporary) brought him
into personal peril in the more desolate parts of the
Campagna round Rome. A novel kind of disaster,
however, for a lover of antiquities, beset him a few
days ago. lle had been to Naples for the purpose
of purchasing some recently discovered and interest-
ing objects, but was suddenly recalled to Rome be-
fore having had time to complete the negotiations.
Returning to Rome with the courier in the mail-
coach, while passing a cane plantation in the
locality so celebrated for brigand exploits, between
Velletri and Gensano, about halfatihour after dark,
a whistle was heard, and the postilions immediately
stopped their horses, dismounted, and prostrated
themselves with due submission in the dust. Three
highwaymen immediately ran out from the canes
and presented themselves on both sides of the car-
riage, demanding money from the courier
eand
The
Chevalier Guidi, who was the only passengr, l
brigands, whose faces were masked, were armed
with guns and daggers, which they held up to en-
force compliance with their requests. Signor Guidi
at once gave up his watch and a dozen of piastres,
which he had for his travelling expenses in his
waistcoat pocket, but the brigands intimated with
scornful gesture that they were not going to
be satisfied with a paltry sum like that. Signor
Guidi, who had with him a sum of 200 scudi, which
he had taken with him for the purchase of antiqui-
ties at Naples, fancying, perceiving or fancying that the bri-
gands had information of that fact, reluctantly
drew forth his bag of gold, bidding them observe
that the sum was correct; "for," says he nalvement,
" I was only three days in Naples, and I was not
even obliged to spend anything for my dinners, as
I dined the first day with the Prince of Bisignano,
the second with the Apostolic Nuncio, and the third
at a convent of friars." The brigands having grimly
listened to this explanation, pocketed the cash, and
hauling out the courier on one side and the cheva-
lier on the other, placed them with their faces down-
wards on the road, one of their number mounting
guard with levelled blunderbuss over each of their
prostrate victims, while the third robber jumped
into the vehicle, which he actively rummaged for
more hidden treasure. Nor would their operations
probably have come even then to a speedy conclu-
sion had not distant carriage lights announced the
arrival of the diligence from Rome. Signor Guidi
requested his plunderers, before their final leave-
taking,. to return him some trifle to enable him to
get some cordial at Gensano to restore hime a little
from the agitation which so unexpected an inter-
view had caused him, upon which the brigands,
after consulting in whispers, returned him and the
courier the watches which they. had previously
taken from them, doubtless considering that por-
tion of the spoil more likely to lead to detection
than the silver and gold coinage of his Holiness's
realm.

TESTIMONIAL TO A SOLICITOR AND MAGISTRATE'S
CLERIC—On Monday last a presentation of plate to James
Bradford, Esq., a solicitor, residing at Swindon, and upwards
of 30 years clerk to the justices there, took place at the Town..
hall. The presentation in the name of the subscribers was
made by Ambrose Lethbridge Goddard, Esq., M.P., sup-
ported by the ftev. Canon Power, and the magistrates of the
division, and a numerous body of friends. The plate corr.
sisted of a noble candelabrum richly chasad, weighing 182
ounces, and standing 36 inches high, having four lights,
with centre glass for an epergne, the lights being constructed
to move, when silver baskets take their place, for fruit,
flowers, Bcc., the whole being mounted upon an ebonised
stand, with engraved silver corners and bead ornaments ; a
massive silver salver, weighing 175 ounces, with richly
chased border and engraved centre, the salve being 24 inches
in diameter, and extremely fine ; and a tea and coffee ser •
vice, richly chased with flowers in bold relief. The follow-
ing inscription was engraved on the shield of the candela-
brum and the salver .—" Presented to James Bradford,
Esq., by the magistrates of the Swindon Petty Session.
Division and private friends, as a testimonial of their re-
gard and essteem." The plate was from the establishment
of Mr. C. F. Hancock, of Bruton-stroet, and was much
admired.

MEXICAN BONDHOLDERS.—The following is from
the Committee of Mexican Bondholders :—" The committee
have received advices from Mr. G. S. Whitehead, dated
Mexico, the Ist ult. The authorities at Colima had made a
forcible seizure of 7,247 dols. belonging to the dividend
fund, and in the hands of the agents of the committee there,
Messrs: Oetling and Co. ; and Mr. Mathews, who acts as
British Charge d'Affaires since Mr. Otway left, had
promptly instructed the British Consul at Vera Cruz to re-
cover the amount from the Constitutional Government esta-
blished at that port, and recognised in Colima. Deducting
meanwhile this sum, the funds in the hands of the agents
of the bondholders in Mexico amount at present to 357,076
dols. in money, and 54,063 dols. in bills received from Vera
Cruz for the month of September. The agents in Tampico
also write, under date of the 28th September last, that they
had received a further amount of 11,000 dols. in bills for
collection. The aggregate amount of money and bills to the
credit of the dividend fund in the hands of the agents in
Mexico is therefore now about 430,000 dols. San Blas, the
only port of the Republic considered to be accessible to the
Government of the capital, appears to be now also lost to it,
as Tepic has been taken. Another expedition against Vera
Cruz had been talked of, but lately it had been given out
that the President's presence would be necessary in Guada-
lajara. In encounters between the contending forces the
Constitutionalists generally appear to have been losers of
late. Vidaurri had also separated from them, but more re-
cent accounts (through the United States) state that since
then he had been deposed and expelled."
THE LATE EARL OF WALDEGRAVE.—The fol-
lowing letter e.ddresged by the late lamented earl to the
chaplain of the county gaol, the Rev. R. Burnett, at a
period when his lordship was in deep affliction at the loss
of his son, Viscount Chewton, will be read with great in-
terest at the present moment. The truly Christian spirit
of the noble earl can only be fully appreciated when it is
borne in mind that those to whom ho was desiroljs to present
God's Wordwere fellow-countrymen of the men to whose
terrible cruelty a beloved son had just fallen a sacrifice :
" Hastings, Nov. 15, 1854.—My dear Sir,—l write to you
to counsel me. I have lost my eldest son at the battle of
the Alma. His worst wounds were inflicted by the Russians
shooting him whilst lying on the ground with a broken
thigh. ile was again shot the day after the battle. I have
20 Russian bibles, which I have sent you to present to
the Russian prisoners, for them to learn that our Saviour
Jesus Christ desires us to love our enemies. Are the pri-
soners fit to receive these inestimable inspirations, or are
they too rich, and have they been made too much of ? Pray
tell me. I will come towards the end of next week.—Yours
truly, WALDEGRANE.—Rev. R. Burnett, County Gaol,
Lowes,"—Moscx derertiser.