The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-01-29

A singular adventure, which exhibits the
character of the people in tho remote parts
Of the kingdom in a strong Light, occurred
in another district Of Puglia. A few Corsi-
can emigrants, who had left their island
when the French occupied it, and had Ia
ken refuge in the kingdom Of Naples, hap
pened to be, in the early part of February
1899, in the town Of laramie, whence they
intended to sail for Sicily. But the wind
being contrary, they found themselves de-
tanned until messengers from the republican
government established at Naples reached
the place. The town acknowledged tn,
new authorities. The Corsicans then thought
it prudent to quit laramie quietly, and, eros
sing the lapygian peninsula, try their chance
at Brindisi, on the Adriatic coast, where
they might meet with passage for Trieste.
After walking on foot through part of the
country, they stopped for the night at the
village of Monteasi, where they asked for
lodging at the house Of an old woman.
There was rumor afoat at the time that the
kings eldest son, the hereditary prince, was
concealed somewhere in the country. One
of the Corsicans, it appears, either as joke,
OF in order to insure better treatment, limited
TO their hostess that the prince was one Of
their party. The appearance of the stran-
gers, and their language, were different from
what those villagers had been in the habit OF
seeing and hearing. The old woman ran
to one Of her relations, substantial farmer
in the place, named Girunda, and told him
the news. The latter came Immediately to
pay his homage to his royal highnsss, and
was directed to one of the youngest of the
party, who was thought to bear some resem-
blance to the royal family. Girunda knelt
before him, and offered ali he had, and all
he could dispose Of. He then Withdrew for
the night. Being left to themselves, the Cor
SCANS, and especially he who had been thus,
without his consent proclaimed a prince,
began to reflect seriously on the probable
consequences Of this freak. French de-
tachments were known to be approaching
in that direction. Our psrty, therefore,
thought prudent to make their escape in the
night, and pursue their way, towards Brn-
disi. The old woman, as soon as she mis-
sed them in the morning, went to inform Gi-
runda, who, mounting his horse, followed by
some Of his men, went to seek after the lu-
gitve prince, giving at the same time the
alarm to the country around. The news
spread like wild6re; the population ran to
arms-the village bells were ringing. The
king forever! Down with the republicp
was shouted from a thousand mouths. At
last the Corsicans were oveItaken at the vii
lage Of Mesagna, not far from Brindisi; they
would fain have undeceived the people, but
they perceived it was now too late. The
pseudo prince was Obliged to assume his new
honors with the best face he could. He
praised the loyalty Of the people, gave direc-
tons to the local authorities to introduce
some regularity into their tumultuary move
ments, especially if they intended to oppose
q successful resistance 10 the French; and
then, as measure Of security, he removed
his headquarters to the castle Of Brindisi,
where, rejecting on the dangerous predica-
ment on which he stood, having against his
will usurped title for which he would be
called to account, yet Judging that the in
surrection thus raised might DO Of service to
the king, he bethought himself of the e1pe-
dent of proceeding himself to Sicily to give
the first information of the event. He told
the people that he had positive orders from
his royal father to repair to him; that he
would soon return with reinforcements; and
he would leave them two of his
companions as his lieutenants, to organize
the defence Of the province. He did so,
and was reluctantly allowed by the natives
to sail. Having proceeded to Palermo, he
stated candidly to the king and queen all
that had happened, and he had the satisfac-
ton Of having his conduct approved Of, and
a pension allotted to him, which he contin-
ued ever after to enjoy. He afterwards held
a commission in a foreign corps In the Brit
ish service. met him many years after at
Naples, where he had taken up his residence
since the peace, and he confirmed all the
circumstances Of this singular story. He
must have been very young man, at the |