, 1860-08-03
The SiciIian ReyOIuliOn.

The following translation Of letter from
Palermo, which we find in the Florence cor
respondence of the Newark Daily Adrer-
tiscr, is an interesting account, by an eye
witness, Of the rise and progress of the ST.
cilan revolution:
The matin-bell of the monastery de la
Gracia was the signal for the rising of
April 4th, the troops being encamped out
side of the city walls. All at once, large
body of the people, led by their yalorous
fellow citizen, Riso, (the greater paft with
out arms, and divided into brigades) march
ed through theprincipal streets, proceeded by
the tri colored banner, crying: Kca PItaliai
Pira VittOria Emaauela, VIVA cdSO di Sa-
cola! This went on for more than an hour
when the police and troops received the or
der for attack. The insnrreetionsts, soon
surrounded on every side, poured into the
solid, old ediGce Of the Gancia, where they
gave valorous resistance to the fire Of
the troops, who, to get better position,
penetrated by force into the neghboring
houses, which they remorselessly sacked
They finally resorted 10 cannon, when the
people were obliged to cede.
Many were saved; some hid themselves,
and numbers were killed francesca Riso
a fountain-buildcr, brave man Of intell-
gence and cultivation, was the last to yield
at the Gancia Though seriously wounded
seeing he was about to be taken, he stab
bed himself twice with his dagger, but still
lived Arrested and carried to the hespt-
tai, he made the judges grow pale with his
answers to their questions. "What is your
name?" francesca Riso" Your pro-
fession 2" "a conspirator." Have you
accomplices?" g. have none. Alone have
L Thought all my life on preparation for
this day, in which would prolong my pain
full agouy to enjoy the spectacle OF your
terror. am, moreover, sure that l shall
be avenged with the blood of the oppress-
ors OF my county"
A horrible sack of five days ensued. The
monasteries were robbed, and inmates tor
Ared; no respect being paid either to sex
or age Drunk with excess Of fury, blood
aud wine, the soldiers entered private
houses, destroyed what they could not car
ry away, and left many destitute OF iuhah-
itants or goods. But no hint could they
force out of the indignant populace as 10
where the insurrectionists, who had fed,
were hidden; all the ingenuity of their un-
fortunate brothers was united to deceive
the canning officers, who finally abandoned
the pursuit. In the meantime the civil and
military authorities, far from putting any
obstacle iu the way Of these excesses, or
dered state of seige The inhabitants
were forbidden to appear on their balconies
or in the streets Every face which for q
moment approached the windows, every
hard slamning Of shutter, was the signal
for the discharge of musketry; aud all the
peaceful citizens who had their houses near
barracks, or other military posts, were OBJ
liged to abandon them TO the fury OF the
soldiers.
The insurrection, begun in town, was ex'
tended to the country, and the royal troops
in turn were surrounded by the insurrec-
tionists. The chief promoters Of the reVoH
amongst whom were the most Respectable
citizens Of the place, in order to preserve
the city from bombardmeut, and stop the
Internal excess Of despotism, escaped to tlle
neighboring country In several oil tue
suburban towns the reyolutionists were VIC,
torious, aud the tri-colored banner ana
cross of Savoy waved triumphantly. Inc
city yauquished, but not Quilted, the troops