Year: 1861




The Naples correspondent of the London
Star writes, under date of December 4th:


/ told you In my last letter that the
Cardinal Archbishop of Naples had been in
vited to return without any conditions, that
the priests and their deVotees had prepared
a demonstration in his favor, which was TO
consist in their going to meet him outside
the gates, with crucifxes and banners flying,
and their heads uncovered, on which occasion
they intended 70 raise the cry Long live
the Cardinal long live Francis Ill" | fur
ther told you that the police had prevented
this demonstration from taking place, and
that the Cardinal had disembarked dur
ing the night incognito. But things have not
rested there. a '- 'ns


On the morning after his arrival a large
crowd assembled before his windows to de-
maud his benediction, and that he should re-
move from his palace the arms of the Bour-
bons and substitute those Of Savoy instead.
His eminence replied that as for the benedic-
ton, the people had got it already from
Garibaldi, and ought to be content with that;
as far as the arms were concerned, he had
spoken about them already directly with
Farini. receiving this ironical reply, the
people broke out into fearful tumult, and
his eminence FASTENED to make off to the
cathedral, where he had 7e Deum sung in
celebration of his return.


In the meantime the people before his
palace had procured ladders, took the Bour-
bon arms down from over the door Of the
palace, and placed large portrait of Victor
Emmanuel in their stead. They then arranged
themselves in double file from the palace all
through the streets through which the
Cardinal was to pass on his way, up to the
very entrance of the cathedral, with large
flag here and there, or a portrait of Victor
Emmanuel. #.iflr o.


The Cardinal at last issued from the cathe-
dral. He did not lose his presence of mind
in face of the extraordinary reception pre-
pared for him, and of the serious and threat
ening attitude of the people. He bowed
right and left, but obstinately ayoided giving
his benediction, and whenever he passed one
Of His Msjesty's likeness held in his way he
composed his countenance into the most
sardonic smile he could command.


At this the fury of the people went on in
creasing and with it the noise-a noise such
as only Neapolitans can make. People who
had heard of it at distance came running
to the palace, where he had now arrived, and
the crowd before it thus went on increasing
from minute to minute, all now shouting,
"Down with the Cardinal /" At last the
National Guards arrived on the spot. 1t had
struck seven o'clock. In the meantime, the
Cardinal had set down to his desk and had
drawn ups protest against the violence to
which he had been subjected.
But finally he was seen to open the door
of his balcony on which his servants placed
the bust of Victor Emmanuel, with two wax
candles right and left, which his eminencf
lighted himself He then stepped forward to
the railing of the balcony and gave the peo.
| pie his benedietion, who all shouted, "Ah
| ahl at last was near enough to see the
sullen and angry expression ofhis face Will,
he was performing this religious act. l have
been told that the Prefect Of the Police haC
| got into the palace by the back-door, and haG
placed the prelate in the dilemma, either tt
declare his adherence to the new govern
ment as the people demanded, or to qui
Naples again in the space Of FIVE days.