The Express. — 1851-08-23 (London, England)

NAPLES, AI*MST 14. The universal interest which the publication of Mr. Gladstone's pamphlet has excited, not only in England, but on the continent, has no doubt induced many generous minds to hope some change of policy —some cessation of suffering—some return to justice, will take place in Naples. lam sorry to say I have no such good news to communicate; nor have I the least hope of being able to report any improvement in the government of the Two Sicilies, whilst the present system is supported by Austria and Russia. The King, lam assured, has sought the advice of his northern allies, and those cabinets know perfectly well he has so Mr committed himself, by- a violation of his oath, and the persecution of many thousands of his subjects, that his Majesty can only rule with bayonets, or retire to Mivart's Hotel. The common cant of the dishonest few is, "The King is not aware of what is going on." Certainly his Majesty cannot know every individual case of misery; it would occupy the ordinary life of a man to do So ; but the King must know .he has called about him dishonest advisers—men without heart and soul, pledged to any amount of injustice and cruelty, and placed ut their disposal a physical force executive. Instead of blushing at the revelations of injustice and cruelty which are now before the world, it is thought right to combat the huge accusation by ingenious counter statements, which I have already seen in some of the French prints. I can personally testify to the truth of Mr. Gladstone's statements. The number of political prisoners he has himself treated with caution, as no doubt lie anticipated that was a point open to contradiction, because the statistics of the prisons in Naples are as great a mystery as any other subject. I have vainly endeavoured to oStain correct returns, but hare only succeeded in being able to see the prison registers of a particular period. What I pave' sought to find is the number of "orders to arrest" since the closing of the parliament up to the present time—that is the only way to arrive at the truth. On a late visit to the islands of Naples I found about 1,200 political offenders distributed over these retreats, and paid by government a earlino (4d) per day. Now all these men had been in prison and were removed to make way for others. I am told the prisons of Naples, including those of the Neapolitan provinces, will hold 30,000, and yet they were not large enough for the vengeance of the Neapolitan government! Who has ever revealed the number of prisoners in Sicily ? The dungeons of Messina are known to be crowded with dying men, who actually rot in eaves under the level of the sea —surely, more merciful was the tyrant of old, who caused his victims to leap the rock! Mr. Gladstone has only narrated a few of the cruelties which have taken place in Naples since In4B, and probably those which came immediately under his own eves, but I could fill a copy of the Daily News with instances equally revolting and horrible Here are two or three of recent date : The sister of the unfortunate Leunica was thrown into prison fur ten days, accused of assisting a politically persecuted relative in his escape. This is following vengeance beyond the grave of her murdered brother ! Two e °lht)huenierrobnroti,aditwiro cosfwaihrumenolrdiellaesnihi: imprisoned brnflntnaftoneiudsednnnybdoy!ntfuotohnrnecontmAtl.acceemet"nom!arnc,ph:ittibeh.nwoietnnn,asg,Ntlot' to ROUE, pnhlocesawrloiwifbcwtrahthotneled as innocent, but ordered to leave NaROME, Atousr 8. Mr. Gladstone's remarks upon the dungeons of the paid spy—the old story—no trial—no investigaNaples. and the paternal mode in which the Dour- tion—the victims of a system—Er uno discs mows tonic sovereign treats his ex-ministers, have been The readers of the .Daily News have known the widely although secretly circulated in this country, state of Naples for months past. The facts in the inin_ltahcee and have produced a most profound sensation, not so narrated by Mr. Gladstone may be found Kinge c Ferdi assuchat toxfulsturatiporitratatitt:Teicongndmltthroughoutnand when ns hoifothissieilijonuornNaila—jefoactyts found supporters wer were taking gthpe c°Ibarape. The government of his holiness may more British House of Common facts which se Ins be subjected to the same strictures, and it is place when the nines put on a convenient were taking an iee/ily to be regretted that the French government mouthed the praises or Ferdinando ll.—facts should have had the power, without the will, to were taking place when that journal covered which prevent so many crying sins of misgovernment. It puties of the Neapolitan parliament withthe detrue that the French government, as re tedabuse, deprawn signating men as demagogues and revolutionists who