The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-05


youth, of risking it on all possible occa-
sions, had taken an active part, chiefly
as an DELICIOUS spectator, in all the prinei-
pal events of those stirring years. 1t was
in the Spring of 1862 that l found matters
beginning to settle down to degree that
threatened monotony: and with the ter
mination of the Winter gaieties at Naples
and the close of the San Carlo. I seriously
bethought me of accepting the offer of
naval friend who was about TO engage IN
blocka le-running. and offered to land me
in the Confederate States. when recru-
tescence of activity on the part of the
brigand bands in Calabria induced me to
turn my attention in th;tC direction. The
first question | had to consider was,
whether 1 should enjoy myself most by
joining the brigands. or the troops which
were engaged in suppressInS them. As the
former aSpired to Il political character ana
called themselves patriotic bands fighting
for their Church, their country and their
King-the refugee monarch of Naples
one could espouse their cause without eX-
actly laying ones self open to the charge
of being Il bandit: but it was notorious In
point of fact that the bands cared for
neither the Pope nor the eXiled King nor
their annexed country. but committed the
most abominable atrocities i'll the names
of all the three. for the simple purpose of
filling their pockets. | foresaw not only
extreme difficulty in being accepted as a
member of the fraternity. more especially
as l had hitherto been identified with the
Garibald,ans: but also the probability OF
finding myself compromised by acts from
which my conscience would revolt, and for
which my life would in all likelihood pay
the forfeit. On the other hand. 1 could
think of no friend among the officers of
the Rersagleri and cavalry regiments,
then engaged in brigand-hunting in the
Capitanata and Baslicata. to whom
could apply for an invitation to join them.
- Under these circumstances. i determined
to trust to the chapter of accidents: and
armed with a knap-sack. sketch-book.
and an air-gun, took my seat one morning
in the Foggia diligence. with the vague
idea of getting as near the scene of opera
tons as possible, and seeing what would
turn up. The air-gun was not so much
a weapon of offence or defence as n
means of introduction to the inhabitants:
1t had the innocent apDearap of rather
thick walking-cane. with little brass
trigger projecting; and in the afternoon l
would join the group sitting in front of
the chemists. which, for some reason or
other. IS generally a sort of open-air club
in a small Neapolitan town, or stroll into
the single modest cafe Of which it might
possibly boast. and toy abstractedly with
the trigger. This, together with my per-
sonal appearance-fOr do what | would. 1
could never make myself look like .Nea-
pOlitan--wOuld be certain to attract atten-
ton. and some one holder than the rest
would make himself the spokesman. and
spolitely ask me whether the cane in my
hand WIS an umbrella or a fishing-rOd: on
which | would amiably reply that it was
a gun. and that 1 should have much pleas
ure in exhibiting my skill and the method
of its operation to the assembled COM
pany.,- Then the whole party would follow
me to an open space, and would call
for a pack of cards, and possibly-for |
was a good shot in those days-pink the
ace of hearts at ID PAGES. At any rate,
my performances usually called forth plau-
dts and this involved Il further inter-
change of compliments and explanations,
and the production Of my sketch book,
which ICON procured me the acquaintance
of some ladies. and an invitation as an
English artist to the house of some re-
spectacle citizen.
So it happened that. getting out of the
diligence before it reached Foggia. struck
south. and wandered for some days from
one little town to another. being always
Hospitality entertained. whether there
happened to be an albergo or not, at pri-
vate houses. seeing in this way more of
the manners and customs of the inhabi-
tants than would have been otherwise pos
sibie, gaining much information as to the
hants of the brigands. the whereabouts
of the troops, and hearing much local Cos
sip generally. The Ignorance of the most
a respectable classes at this period was
astounding; it has doubtless all changed
since | have been at town of 1000
inhabitants. not one of whom took a news
paper: the whole population, therefore
was in as profound ignorance of what was
happening in the rest OF the world as il
they had been in Novaia Zemlia l have
rad Will n Il
that England was an island: l have been
the guest of a citizen who had never heard
Of Scotland. and to whom. therefore. ms
nationality was an enigma: but | never
met any one-I mean of this same class
who had not heard of Palmerston. He
was mysterious parsonage. execrated by
the blacks and adored by the "reds u
And l shone with n reflected luster as the
citizen of a country of which he was the
Prime Minister. As a consequence. we
had political discussions. which were pro-
tracted far into the night, for the principal
meal of the "A hours was a 10 o'clock r.
m. supper, at which, after the inevitable
macaroni, were many unwholesome
dishes. such as salads made of thistles
cows ndders, and other delicacies, which
deprived one of all desire for Sleep Not
understanding which, we rose early, my
hostess and the ladies of the establishment
appearing in the early part of the day If
one occasion when ! was first introduced
into tie family of a respectable citizen
and shown into my bedroom, l mistool
one of two females who were making tn,
bed for the servant. and was surprised I,
see her hand little dOuceur I gave he
as an earnest of attention on her part. t.
the other with smile She soon after
, wards went to bed; we all did. from Il
a. m. till about 3 p. m. at which hour
was Mortified to meet her arrayei in silk!
and satins, and to find that she was tn,
wife of my host She kindly took me
driva with her in a carriage and pair, ant
with coachman in livery.
1t was by this simple means, and b,
thus imposing myself upon the hospitaIit.
!. of these unsophisticated people, that
worked my way by slow degrees, chief,
on foot. into the part of the country l de
sired to visit: and trust that in a meas
ure repaid them for it by the stores o
information which | impaired to them
and of which they stood much in need. am
by little sketches of their homes and tn
surrounding scenery. with which I pre-
scented them. ! was. indeed. dependent il
some measure for hospitality of this dc
scription. as l had taken no money wit
me, partly because, 20 tell the truth, ha
scarcely got any. and partly because
1. was afraid of being robbed by brigand
of the little l had. ! therefore eschewe
the character of milordo Inglese; but
never succeeded in dispelling all suspiciO
that l might not be nephew of tn
Oueen or ar least n very near relatiy