The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-07

the Spaniards n scheme for the assassina-
ton OF the fisherman-leadcr.
Accordingly. when Masanicllo stood on
the altar steps, surrounded by mobiles and
church dlgnitaries, seven carbincs were
fired at him, but not one ball touched his
person. Then the church rang with the
din Of battle, and two hundred poles were
that day set up, the head Of bandit ON
each one.
Then Masaniclo took apparently harm
less. hut in reality most potent, measures.
lie collected in the mafkct-placc a knot Of
boys. taught them a formula OF words. and
gave each little stick hearing q streamer
Of black cloth. Soon thousand Of these
volunteers were going mp and down the
city, uttering these words:
God be with us, and our Lady and the
King Of Spain. But down with he Gov
eminent, the fruittaN, and the de go
The seed was s0wn. Soon after this was
70 be celebrated an old festival, ip honor Of
an ancient victory achieved against the
MCors. While the people were waiting idly
in ;he market-place for proceedings 20 be-
gin. a fruit-scllcr. MasanicllO's cousin. re-
fused 10 pay his tax, and crying:
"G0d gives us plenty. and orr cursed
government a famine, The fruit Is not
worth selling; let il go" kicked over his
basket on the ground.
'No more taXesm cried Masanicll0; and
the crowd took mp the words. and OaIed
them in thunder. The fisherman sprang
upon a table. and addressed his country
men I'm such burning words that the crowd
quickly turned into mob. broke open the
prison, sacked the yiceroy's palace. and
burned i'm the street the riches accumulated
by the Spaniards.
When night fell Masanicllo was master
Of the city. and at the head Of fifty thousand
men: the yiceroy had fled. In the days that
followed, the palaces Of opaniards ana the
government buildings, which had been the
scenes Of cNtOrtion, were burned 10 the
ground. and a tribunal was established, at
which MasaniellO was both Judge and jury.
I'm everything but name the former fisher
man was governor Of Naples. and the vice
roy. shut up in Castel Nouv0, in state of
siege, sent word that he would grant the
prayers Of his faithful people.
Ii was "A terrible warning. Next day the
treaty was ratified with pOmp and splend0r,
and MasanicllO was allowed tOmaintain his
forces in arms until confirmation could ar
rive from Spain. For wO days, flattered 10y
cardinals and mobiles. he ruled the city like
"A c0nqueror. Then it happened that the
Duke of ARGOS invited him 10 a banquet,
where Masaniel o was given a cunning
poison, which did not take effect immediate
is, but next morning sent him raging up
and down the city, shouting and attacking
the bystaudcrs with his naked sword.
"MasanielO is mad!' whispered his
friends.
Placed under guard, he escaped, and
finally wandered into a convent, where
four hired assassins followed him, and
firing at him simultaneously, shot him
dead. His head was at once displayed upon
a spike. and his body thrown into a ditch.
I'hap tho NiserpX wont fg I he cal Nplr9I fn
give public Thanksgiving for his downfall.
and the Oppress0rs, great and small.
crawled forth from their hiding-placcs.
The people, perpleXod by his madness, re-
covered all their enthusiasm for him al his
death, and his body was taken from It's
vile resting-place, drenched with perfumes,
and next day buried with the pomp and
splendor displayed for kings.-Ihe scots
man.