Evening star., 1929-12-21
THE EVENING STORY
One of WOrld-Fam Works of Literature

pire; he lived in England as Q resident
from Genoa for % years and married
q woman born in Britain.
The father of John Bernardo was
Francis, who succeeded to the of1lce
(of resident from Genoa) held by his
grandfather. But he became disguised
with some measures adopted by the
senate at Genoa and resigned. He
then retired to EveSham to amuse him.
self with gardening. He spent a con.
siderable sum Of money In pursuing his
hobby of the soil. but he set an excel
lent example Of good gardening for his
neighbors.
The son of the preceding. John Ber-
nardi by name, Is the subject of this
sketch. John was of spirited and
restless temper, having received some
harsh treatment from his father. He
ran away at the age of IS to avoid his
parents sternneSs. Probably when he
left home he had no definite purpose.
He kept many Of his friends. at any
rate, and for while they contributed
generously to his support, but beyond
that their friendship did not 60, ap-
parently. For 1t was not long before
John enlisted as a common soldier In
the service Of the Prince Of Orange.
In the service of the prince, John
and in a short time obtained a cap
tain's commission in the service Of the
states. In April. 1877. then. he married
a Dutch lady Of good family, with
whom he enjoyed much conjugal hap
piness for IL years.
Subsequently the English regiments
in the Dutch service were recalled by
among those few being Bernardi's,
would obey the summons and, of
course, he could not sign the aSsocia,
tion into which the Prince Of Orange
wished the regiments to enter. He thus
lost his favor, and having nothing else
that he could do and probably wishing
to do noting else, he followed the abb
dicated James II into Ireland. The
exiled monarch sent, soon afterward,
on some commission into Scotland, and
learning there that the ruin of his
masetr was inevitable, John departed
again for Holland.
Nevertheless, he ventured to appear
IN London in 1895 and was at that
time apprehended and committed to
Newgate Prison on March IS, 1896, on
suspicion Of being an abetter Of the
plot to assassinate King william. AL
though sufficient evidence could not be
brought to prove the fact, he was sen.
fenced and continued in prison by the
express decree of six successive Parlia-
ments. with five other persons, where
he remained for more than 40 years.
Forty years awaiting trial.
AS this was a circumstance wholly
without precedent, it has been supposed
that there must have been something
In the character Of John Bernardo that
was particularly dangerous to induce
Tour SovereignS and six ParliamentS to
protract his confinement without either
legally condemning or pardoning him,
In his long confinement, John had
the courage to venture on q second
MARRIAGE which
nate event to him. He thus enjoyed
not only the soothing companionship
OF true friend, but was even support.
ed during HIS whole imprisonment by
the care and industry Of his wife. Ten
children were the result Of this mar
rlage; they inherited his misery and
confinement.
In the meantime John Bernardo. or
Major, whichever you choose to cali
MIN, Is reported to have borne his Inn
prlsonment with such resignation and
evenness OF temper as to have excited
much respect and love in the few who
enjoyed his acquaintance during the
trying period.
In the earlier part of his life. when
his career had been adventurous and
sometimes stormy. he had incurred sew
erai dangerous wounds. These now
oroke out anew and gave him great
torture and suffering. They also af-
forded fresh trial Of his equanimity
and f1rmness of spirit.
At length he died, on September 20.
1885, leaving his wife and large family
In a destitute condition. Whatever be.
came OF them afterward Is not on
record.
As a man John Bernardo was rather
small. but brisk and active His dis.
position was at all times most cheer
tui. And. as may appear from this
brief sketch Of his eventful and un-
usual life, he was possessed of great
courage and peace of mind.