The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-11

Extract Of Letter from Naples.

Il Il
Extract OF u Letter from Naples.
Celebration of The Feeof The Church of Pie di Grof
ta-NeapoljtIn Populace, &c, SC.
NAPLES, September 10, 1850
On the sth ultimo was celebrated one of the
most brilliant festivals of Naples-that of Pie di
Grotta This tete, which is partly political and re-
| ligious, commentaries great victory of the Nea
poltans the Turks, and also the foundation Of
the Church, which vas built at the expense of three
pious individuals, upon whom the Madonna laid
the injunction of its construction in dream at the
same hour, on the same mig Whatever may be
the pretext, however it gives occasion every year
| to public holiday and grand military display.
The preceding nightwas given up to all kinds of
revelry. The Villa Reae, directly opposite our
windows-access to which is usually prohibited to
the lower orders-was for this night and the follow
ing day abandoned 10 the populace. What with
| the noise of tambounnes, vocal and instrumental
music, the shoutings of the Tantarella dancers,
and the cries of the naccaroni and pastry venders
we found it impossible to sleep. BY dawn the
whole populace was agog, and military music was
heard moving along the streets, mingling with the
discordant cang ofthe church bells, which were
sounding in most j,rring rivalry.
At one o'clock al the troops in the capital, forty
King on the Piazza Reae, from the balcony of the
palace. They thence proceeded to take position in
double lines Zach side Of the quays and the Ri
viera di Chiaju; from that point to the Church Of
Pie di Grotta, distance of nearly two miles The
Neapolitan fleet drawn out on the bay in front
of the city, gaily decorated with signal flags.
At four O'Clock, The guns of Caste d. Uovo an
nounced that the King had left the Palace and
that the processionwas in movement. All the other
forts opened their batteries at this signal and kept
up continuous firing for two hours; the fleet,
with yards manned, Numbered out its salvos,
while the concave hill of the yomero against
which the city is built, answered with rephcated
echoes to the salute. The royal vehicle was pre-
ceded by an escort twenty thousand strong, the
rear guard Of which composed of the Swiss
regiments, uniformed in red coats and white PAN
falcons This is a reliable force at all times, as
the Swiss point Of honor is fidelity to their engage
ments let the Character and actions Of their royal
master be what aey may. But for this portion of
the army, the REBELLION of ls4S would not have been
suppressed, and hing Ferdinand might have lost
both his life and hrone The desperate courage
with which they fought in the Toledo in May,
lS4S, and their ssnguinary revenge when yictori-
Gus, is wildly remembered, and treasured up for
future retribution by INC insurgents.
The troops having passed, the State coaches next
came in sight Immediately before that of the
King and Queen, was the old coach used by the
Spanish Yiceroys, covered with pumes, and ts
sides glittering with FURNISHED gold. The royal
carriage preceded by twelve volantes -foot-
men in fanciful Spanish costume Of satin brooches
and stockings, and pumed caps, each carrying
silver mounted whips The lie-guard cnveloped
the vehicle on all sides, with drawn swords and
loaded muskets on the hips. The persons of the
King and Queen were distinctly visible through
the plate glass by which the coach was surrounded.
The Queen wore silver coronet around her
brows, the hue Of which was too light to con.
trast with the pallor Of her complexion. The
King was dressed in a military uniform, and
his breast covered with orders. The royal pair
slightly bowed to the people as they passed, but,
throughout the whole line, did not hear from the
military the people single shout Of Vipo IL
Re-" II would have been treason to have cried,
"I,ira Il Cosfihizions, although tho King pledged
himself by oath from the palace windows in Feb
ruary lS4s before the whole population Of Naples,
the young hereditary prince, fourteen years old,
followed and in other vehicles two in each, were the
remaining seven children Of the King. Last, but not
least in noise was baby princess, twelve months
old, whose ccasoless squ,lling seemed to be trou-
blesomc annoyance TO her princcly maids Of honor.
All the members Of the royal family were in the
procession, excepting the Prince Of Syracuse,
whose liberal sentiments and course Of life arc not
acceptable TO his royal brother, who, II s said, has
menaced him with second exile from the king.
dom. After hearing mass at the church, the pro.
ccssion returned in the same order.
The immense array Of troops, together with the
gala dcckod ieot tho countless multitudes citizens
and peasants, in every variety Of costume, consG-
tutcd spectacle Of the most magnificent descrip-
ton. Il sadly wanted, however, that enthusiasm
which gives such zest 10 the receptions Of Queen
Victoria by her subjects, and 10 our own republi-
can demonstrations. II was, nevertheless, day
Of genuine enjoyment for Inc people, who throngcd
the gardens Of the Trattorias in the environs and
who might be seen dancing the Tarantella until
long after midnight ] give you this, as single
specimen OF the many fetss Of this pleasuro-loving
metropolis. Naples contains some three hundred
churches, each one Of which has it's peculiar fefe
while the Carnival, Easter, The liqueiaction Of the
blood Of St. Januarius, four times year performed
for the lovers Of miracles, constitute the sig
nihcant festivals.
The Neapolitan populsce arc incredibly reckless.
They arc devoted 10 pleasure, and never economize
their earnings for future vicssitudes. As soon ms
they have gained small surplus, they break of
from labor, aud give themselves up to fcasting and
frolicking until the last Torncse is gone. The lux
urous habits and mannersof the ancient Parthcno-
plans 70 have passed 70 their modern descend
ants for doubt IT, in any part OF the world, pop
ulation be found pessionatcy and universally
addicted 10 sensual indulgence as the Neapolitans
The church kindly patronizes the popular pleasures
in the festivals consecracd 10 ts innumerabe saints
and madonnas, in whose honor come part or other
Of Naples s nightly illuminated
The Neapolitan populace is brutally ignorant, and
that portion of them who live in the old quarters and
on the sea-front Of the city unciyilized Be
douin Arabs, to whom thoy bear some physical re-