Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-09-20
From the Observatory Romano, August 10.
A ROMANTIC SUICIDE IN NAPLES.
BETROTHED LOVERS BOUND WITH CORD
FOUND FLOATING IN THE BEAUTT-
FUI. BAY-WIIAT 4 BANKER's
OBSTINACY DID. .--.... ..

A melancholy occurrence, which has no |
parallel in the records Of romantic crime, |
recently took place i'll Naples. In the
River di Chiaja resides Big. Seraphino
Rissi, who is the official agent in Naples of
the Royal Lottery bureaus, and the owner
Of magnificent silk bazaar and private
clearinghouse on the Toledo. He has
son, Giovanni, and two daughters. Mrs.
Rissi died several years ago. The son had
long lived in an Euglish clearinghouse, in
the Strata Catrina di Chiaia, kept by one
Byrne.
In old Bomba's flourishing days groom
was sent 20 England to purchase valuable
horses. While in London his Majesty's
! groom died. By the old Kings permission
| the horses were given to Byrne, who was
an expert Jockey. Byrne went to Naples,
and was engaged in his Majestys stables.
Step by step he advanced to the position
! of master Of horses. When the old King
was dying he did not forget the horseman.
During the brief and unhappy reign Of
Francis the Second, Byrne retained his old
position, and when the new King was
driven from Naples his Queen promised
! the horseman that he or his family should
never want as long as her purse could
| assist them. Byrne had saved money, and
when quiet reigned in Naples he fitted up
a commodious and respectable boarding
| house, which has ever since been the IA
vorite resort Of tourists in moderate cir
| cumstanCeS.
Young Giovanni Rissi had been for sew
eral years visitor at Byrne's house, osten-
sbly to procure knowledge of English,
but really to court one Of Byrne's daugh-
ters. Mr.. ByrEe had two daughters, eliza
and Martha, who were accomplished and
Of great beauty. Eliza, the elder, added
to her remarkable personal charms an ami
ability of character sufficient TO win the
most fastidious. She formed a union with
young Itissi, and both lived with the firm
determination Of becoming one day man
and wife. The marriage day was finally
settled upon, but Rissi's father objected
Mr.. Byrne was indignant at the elder
: RissIs objection, and refused to permit
, his daughter to hold further commUnica
ton with the bankers son.
From the 9th to the 9th instant, Whicl
3 included the day assigned for their wed
l ding (Aug. 81 nothing was heard Of Mis-
1 Byrne or Giovanni Rissi. RumOrs Of al
elopement were inevitable, the general be
lief being that they had fed To Wemys
Bay, near GreenOck, Scotland, Where Mis-
Bylne had many friends. About o'clOcl
! on the evening of the proposed nuptial day
. when the sun had just set over the gram
" bay Of Naples, and while thousands wer
I going to the princely grounds of the Viii
Reale to hear the music of revel in til
Z luxuries of the daintily-fashioned saloons
: the attention Of policeman was attracte
: to something which was occasionally 1Olle
y by the tide up the convex waIling of III
- public garden on the bay.
- TresoeS, the folds Of a si]ken dress, an
- also the garments of man made tn
- cend'arme hasten to the authorities Of tn
=, dead house and announce what he be-
q been. The mOrgue boat, with its dust
a. covering, was sent to the spot and the oil
" sects We're hOisted on board. a young ma
and woman bound together with core
"a around the ankles and necks were revea
~ ed to the men in the boat. The girl ia
20 been beautiful. The poarly teeth, chiselle
- features, and splendid auburn tresseS pl
" the cOrpse-mOngeAS out Of :heir routine
~ cold careiessuesS for once. The pOrtly for
4, A. of the well-knOwn and universally admire
~ Giovanni RiSsi was then discovered.
~, The music in the garden was hushe
l'' and the news CT the discovery sped throus
every circle Within the Villa Reale-n
~ bles, untitled arislccracy, and plebeian
~ The point Of the public garden, opposi
~ gloomy FesIvius, where the cOrpses we
~ found was tEronged with spectators, al
IL the boat was followed on its way up il
u. bay to the dead-hOuse. A phial Of pruss
lu acid was found on Rissi, and it was prove
=, that he and the girl died from the effects
PI poison. The bodies were taken to The Ia
7t0 dwelling of Miss Byrne, and afterWard t.
~ remains of Giovanni Rissi were sent to !
80 fathers house.