Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-20
Sketch Of tie Life and Execution Of
FRA DIAVOLO.
(Concluded from first page.

Of inc NcapOlltan InIdnIy 'teoe"'seu "i"s
and on the 5,h Of November he was sent TO
Naples 10 be tried.
The capture of Fra Diavolo was an i'm
portant event inasmuch as it put final end
to that species Of civil war which desolaled
part OF the two Sicilies. Already had the
principal leaders of that bandhti, the elder
Comilzii, Piecole and Bclardi, made their
submission others had been killed, and there
only remained Fra Davolo, the most formi-
dable of them all. The government, with
the view Of making terrible example, re-
solved to make use of the greatest solemnny
in the trial and execution of this celebrated
brigand. An extraordinary criminal trlb''-
nal was created, before which Fra Diavo'o
was brought the 10Th of Nov. 1906. His
trial was conducted with the most regular for
mality, and Mirena, Que Of the most dsin-
guishcd advocates IN Naples, was assigned
to him to defend him.
Fra Diavolo saw that he was lost he,
therefore, threw himself on the mercy of the
lndecs, and confessed every ,hne that was
brought agains, him. lie declared. in the
most solemn manner, that FROM the time Of
his landing at Sherlunga, he had only acted
in implicit obedience to the orders of Sin SID
ney Smith, and that the latter had en- oned
him to put every thing to fire and the sword,
to open the prison doors to the criminals, to
grant impunitv to malefactors, on condition
that they should STIR up revolt, inlcst the high
ways, and spare noihi g, but spread disorder
and anarchy every where. This, confessed,
as it was, with the accents of truth, as well as
the depressed and unhappy air Of this brig
and, once so proud and so powerful, produ.
ced some impression upon the minds of his
Judges. They all regretted that one so great
" endowed by nature should have been re-
duced TO the vile and miserable life Of
highway robber. His advocate awaited him
self of the interest which he inspired to make
an eloquent AID overpoweIing defence,
which excited more than once the tears and
the applause of the magistrates. But his
crimes were too numcrous-lhe evidence
against him too conclusive, for him TO hope
for the least success.
The criminal tribunal, by sentence of
entire unanimitv condemned Fra Davolo to
be hung on the public square of Naples, in
expia,ion of his crimes. The unhappy man,
when he heard his condemnation, became IA
prey TO the most violent despair. He rcfns-
ed all religious consolation, and broke out
with imprecalions against all those whom he
regarded as the Cause of his mistortunes.
In the evening, poor woman entered
Naples by the road frem Costello Mare; she
seemed to have been worn out with fatigue,
and was weeping bitterly. After having
rested few moments at the entrance of the
city, she demanded leave to speak with the
Ling, and sought to enter the palace. The
guards told her that it was not a proper hour
to see their master. She replied, with tears
in her eyes, that she was the wife of old PEI.
"a, and the mother of Fra Diavolo, and that
she had come 10 implore the royal clemency
for her son. Mura,, who like all men of true
courage, was kind and humane man, direct
ed her to be treated with due regard TO her
age and misfortunes, and sent word to her
that she should be well taken care Of Upon
her leaving the palace, the unfortunate wo-
man repaired TO the prison. Upon her en-
trance, Fra Diavolo who had not seen her
for 30 years, recognized her at once he
threw himself into her arms, burst into tears
and sobbed aloud. That which the enircates
and reasoning of men had been unable to
effect, was brought about in few moments
by the prayers of his mother. Fra Diavolo
was filled with better sentiments, and from
that moment he was willing to die as he
should have lived. His poOi old mother,
when she took her final leave Of him, car.
ried away at least this last consolation.
The next day, the 1lth of November,
1906, the city presented an unusual aspect.
The Palace Marche, and the street of Tole.
do, as well as all the adacen. streets, were
filled with an immense crowd, DESTROYS OF
MI tho nF
if il were a rare and curious spectacle. At
the first break of day, chariots, private We
hicles, curricles, and equipagcs of all kinds
were stationed along the streets the con.
demned was to pass through. In the Palace
Marche, a scaiiold had been erected, on
which was stationed an armed force.
General Carvaisnac, who was then in
command at Naples, made the whole garri.
son assume their arms, in order to add &c
the solemniy of the scene, and to make the
people ,eaze all the importance attached &c
the destruction Of the Calabrian bandill ant
their chiefs.
AT 2 o'clock, Fra Diavolo left his prison
md advanced with a firm step, conducted b.,
the soldiers. A monk was stationed on hi
right, bearing, crucifx in his hand.
roll Of the drums announced his arrival il
the Palace Marche. Soon after he appear
ed on the scafold, embraced the crucfix an,
delivered himself up to the execu'ioner. Du
ring the rest of the day and till night, tn
body of Fra Diavolo was left suspended
exposed to the eager gaze Of the populace.
Thus lived and died this celebrated bri
gand, whose adventurous life has fnrnishe
such fruitful theme 10 the dra nalst, the pc
ct and the novelist