Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-08-10
3DopuIar Rraoinp1.
From the LaSiss' Conpan,s. for .ssgsa
THE LAST OF THE BRlGANDS.

aief fesoence OF s2Ss@7nonlhs In Italy, vas on
the eve oil Departing for Pans having Toasted my eyes
upon the various wonders in the land Of the Cesar.
stu there was one which regretted no, having seen
more than all the others. This was no less Than |
bngand-a bona fde bngand, about which personsges |
so many tales have been told, ballads sung and dra
mas founded. So anxious was to behold one ofthe,e
romantic gentlemen, that almost tempted to make
an excursion into the mountains and at the hazard of
my liberty u not my hie scrspe an acquaintance with
massaron or a Rinsldo Rinadini. How far would /
have carried my purpose into effect, cannot answer
as II was anticipated al beholdng the last Of the
Brgdnds as Cooper behed The last Of ihe Moh,cans
had hailed at CivItia Veccha, with other
travellers, and sought accommodation al the only hab
table hotel Of the city, hut with my usual luck found
the house completely full and the contents of the lar
der consumed by five English fsmllies who arrived
about some two hours previous. Weary, hungry, and
out OF spirits, requested to be shown 10 a couch. so
that might, at least forget my dsappontmen,s, 10
sum5er, but in this was likewise unsuccessful the
last mad been gwen up 10 an admiral, and they could
give me no bed, so said pretty Italian servan, maid
: Nmporfs,' cried in that case, imagine | shall
have to take the ground for my COUCH and the SKY for
my covering and was about Withdrawing from the
hotel.
No. no, sir inerposed the host, you shall al least,
have shelter but you must content Yourself for
hours, until can make accommodation for YOU
Willingly replied, aud in the meantime
view the Lions of your city. Pray what is worthy
Of observation in Civua Vecchia =
Nothing at all, sir, nothing at all, unless YOU can
procure admission TO the citadel There YOU will
tie famous Gasperoni and his band the terror of Ter
racina, and the Pon,inc Marshes
Enough, my good friend cried in exstacy, find
ing, when eas, expected, the wish OF my heart about
being grained; 'eaough say more. From whom
can procure this admission J.
! IF you call upon your Consul, have no doubt but
he will at once oblige you
was not long in dong So He received me polite
ly, and handing me ORDER for admission, desired 4
soldier OF the Pope, who was in attendance, TO wait up
on and conduct me TO the citadel.
The citadel Of Civtta Vecchia was erected under the
superin,endance of Michael Angelo who was as ex-
celent an architect as he artist. 1t is
menied with statues, and designs in fresco. Large
bas'lons overhang the which washes its base, and
all beiokens lis construction 10 be of the durable
material and workmanship The place. however, is
almost left to defend itself There only few sol
dIers and some rusty cannon, for lis guardians but
these are more for show than substance The prnci-
pal defence consists in the pOnica escutcheon nailed
against the door, which is regarded with respect, fear,
and veneraiion.
On road the officer spoke Of Gasperoni inform
ing that he had committed many forty five
sassinations with his own hand There is some
thing said he, which always makes me shudder
when stand in the presence o this horrible bandit
lie has desoated, in seventeen years the whole
try around staying burning, and DESTROYING but listen,
and Will tell you one OF bis most terrible acts.
a few years since, English nobeman, with his
da ighler young female Of great personal attractions
was stopped his way TO Naples, by Gasperoni, who
took from him his gold and every article oi value and
then permitted him to depart, but detained the dauqh
ter, whom he carried off with him into the mounta MS
until such time the father would send ransom or
her. The unhappy noblemdn on his arrival 10 Rome
fpo,ishly set price upon the head OF the Brgand -
The indignation Of peroni reused against III,
arstucralCal preensious OF the Englshman in daring
to set price upon the head Of such iNusiors eef
who had declared against the Pope, and IN iitesI
different battles suhdueI the poniifca dragons.
WAS an nsQence, the briRand said he could not suf
fer and, accordingly morning the noblernan
Ceivcd small box addressed to him, which, open
ing, he found to his horror TO contain the head Of hi
daughter
Al This recital started back several STEPS slmos
repented that had sought admittance 10 the citadel
II was like entering den of tigers nevertheless, m
curiosity was aroused and having reached the fortress
] made bold to venture within lis walls.
i 10 our left rose a high bastion mounted with sever
al rusty cannon, which overlooked and commanded
spacious co-r, IN which some twenty thirty brig
ands were walking ls'lessly about BY flight Il
steps we descended At our entrance, they all stop
ped shcrt, and saluied with awkward pohteness.
returned their courtesy, bu, felt by no means At cas-
IN the midst OF such sangulnaiy guests We repsde
each other for some Time, without speaking, hill,
length, vcniured to enquire for their chieitsin, %,
peroH,. All of them a; pointed VIII
T. stood IN the door OF wha, appeared little apartment
lie deIgned not 10 advance, but contened himself b
g ssuling me with an air Of soical indifference con
versaiion feared would be difficult 10 establish an
. assuming air Of nonchdiano., which ! had by n
means IN my heart, sand, Well, Gssperoni, tru,
that you find yourself comfortable in this ctsde =
rs well as any one can, Whcre mere I. no tfue Tree
dom he answered, Struggling up his shoulders whc
Q va. with HIN continual haiti.
a Bu, you could easily, think, obtain IT, II you tho
. Il worth your while You are, comparatively, quit
, unguarded'
II True signor, hut myself snd comrades have pleds
ed word to remain here until such time the Pop
y shall grant pardon he has also promised be
n ~ but he seems 10 have forgotten IT,, and shFuggn
his shoulder, again, and crossing his arms, dropped h
-, head upon his bosom
- The guide drew aside into corner Of the cour
20 and SAID will explain all that has past, sgnor.-
y Gasperon had berume ured ol the life he had led Il
a hlteen years among The mountains One DAY. whe
Is coniessing the cUraie Of village be informed him
=, was his wish TO abandon the calling Of bngsDd, IN
requested has advice huw 10 obtain pardon for h
= crimes. The priest promised 10 wriie 70 The Pope,
ende4VOr To further ms wish, and, n possible procui
p permission for him once m1fe 20 minge with socie'
F. For this Gaspero1 fell thsnkul bat stipulated expires
Is IN thai his comrades shnuli as1 parske Of the
d. Son. Negotiations we're accordingly euefsd into q.
: tween tie pr,e-, and he head aUihonties The 20,
eTnment had great ntere-a 10 fsin IN dsbsndng n
o. bugands. They had completely cesola,-d Ia.
L Naples, asssssinaied Travellers srsoied contribution
ard committed all kInds II dreadful eiossses. II
soldiers who were sesiu.t th.rn, II We. fonha
:, drank with them, instead Of fighting. The eoss,r
people slso sided against the military, becaOse the