The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-18 00:00:00

THE LATE AUSTRIAN OUTRAGE AT

MAJ!TUA.

We regret to learn, from the following more cir
cumstantial narrative of the late affair at Manilla
which we find in the Opinione of the 14th inst., that
the original story, though incorrect in some par-
ticulars, did not exaggerate the brutal ferocity of
the Austrian officers on this occasion, and that the
young Italian who was their victim died, after all
in consequence of the terrible injuries they inflicted
on him : •

The following are the details of the affair at
Mantua ;you may consider them official. A per-

► ' son named. Bianchi, by profession a veterinary sur-
• geon, was at the theatre at Mantua.. He was quite
silent, when an officer gave him a reprimand. Bianchi
► answered him by stating that he had not spoken, but
that if any any other persoa had done so he had
, a right to speak. There was an exchange of angry
, words ; on the following day the officer sent him a
challenge. It was agreed between the seconds,
, after some resistance on the part of the officers, that
the duel should be fought with pistols, and not with
swords. The place of meeting had been chosen
near the city, at a spot called the " Wood of the
Fountain." In the morning, just as the young
man, accompanied by his_ second, was proceeding
. to the ground, he met some guards, who ordered
him to return home. He gave notice of this
hindrance to his antagonist, and as the authori-
ties had interfered, told him to choose some other
spot in the neighbourhood, where they might be
free from interruption. It is doubtful whether
this message was delivered. The officers repaired
to the place of assignation, and, not finding their
adversary, took the matter in a serious light. In
the evening Bianchi was at the play, when the
officer entered, and violently attacked him. Bianchi,
in his defence, alleged the circumstances as they
bad occurred, and added, for the rest, that he
was ready to go the next day to whatever spot
should be indicated to him. The officer would not
listen to any reason, and said to him, " You are a
coward and a hog, like all the -," but could not
end his speech, because Bianchi gave him two slaps
M the face, and with another blow struck him to
the ground. At this moment four offic•rs entered,
who had been waiting at the door, and at the same
time a patrol, which had been attracted by the noise.
The patrol arrested Bianchi, but the officers ordered
the guards to release him, which they did, after a
few observations had been made. No sooner had
the patrol left than the officers drew their sabres,
and Bianchi defended himself with a chair. The
bystanders, who were without arms, endeavoured
in vain to interfere ; the unfortunate .Bianchi fell,
after, receiving thirteen wounds. It is not yet
known whether he is dead. There has been
great agitation prevailing in Mantua. A deputa-
lion, consisting of the municipality, chamberlains,
and other personage°, has gone to Milan. The
Marquis Guidi del Bagno, the Marquis Cavriani,
the Marquis Castiglioni, all partisans of the Govern-
ment,
indignant at this crime, and grieved at the
consequences that may be occasioned by the popu-
lar exasperation went to the director of the police,
who behaved like Pilate. They applied in• vain to
the lieutenant-governor ; they then went to the
minister Bach, who was ill. Being in such uncer-
tainty when they were admitted to an audience,
they did not know what to say ; but after they
had left they understood how their visit had been
turned 'to derision, sothat they are now endeavour-
ing to obtain a fresh audience. To-day his Majesty
is at Lodi, and consequently everything remains in
suspense. _ _ _ _ _ •

We read further in the Staffetta of Feb. 12

"A letter from Milan announces the death of the
brave Bianchi, from the wounds he received when
resisting seven Austrian officers, in the county of
Mautua."