certainly France had then no idea of preaching the Propaganda throughout the other States of Europe. The preponderance of the English influence, abetted by Acton, and the relationship of our royal family to that of France, contributed to inspire sentiments of hatred against the revolutionary movement in that country. It was our Queen, in a journey she made to Vienna, on the occasion of her daughter's marriage, who gave the first impulse to the famous league of the sovereigns of Europe against France. On her return to Naples, the war was decided; and this unfortunate determination was the cause of a long series of evils both to the dynasty and the nation.

The fears and the suspicions of the Government were not a little increased by the establishment of the French Republic, and by the execution of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, nor did the wily minister cease for a moment to aggravate both in the mind of the Queen, already profoundly exasperated by her sister's death. Warlike preparations, upon so large a scale as to render it impossible that they should escape the vigilance of the new Republic were set on foot, and were soon followed by the arrival of a French fleet of fourteen vessels in the Bay of Naples. The Admiral La Touche, who commanded this expedition, intimated to the Court of Naples, that it must declare immediately what part it meant to take in the events then going forward. Intimidated by the appearance of such a force, our Court engaged to observe a strict neutrality. This illusory engagement only sufficed to avert the immediate danger; a few months later, Acton, whose influence over the Queen's mind was all-powerful, secretly formed a league, offensive and defensive with England. The bond of neutrality was soon openly

broken by the landing of the allied forces at Toulon, where the Neapolitan Government sent as its contingent several vessels and other ships of war with troops, who distinguished themselves by the valour they displayed in that unfortunate enterprise. ·

Before I proceed further with this chain of events, it is necessary to recur to others of an anterior date. The progress of civilization in the kingdom of Naples has been recorded and testified in the learned works of Gravina, Vico, and Gianone; and at a later period still, by those of Genovesi, Galeani, Pagano, and Filangieri. But the new and philosophical political system which had spread over the whole of Europe, but more particularly pervaded France, had been secretly nourished amongst us by an association of Freemasons. I have never been able to acquire any positive information as to the period or manner of their first introduction into the country. What I have, however, fully ascertained is, that the most illustrious Lodge of Freemasons which has flourished in the capital of our kingdom since the beginning of the last century, was that founded by the much esteemed Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of St. Severo, which was composed of members equally renowned for their talents and their high sense of honour. It is an incontrovertible fact, that long before the French Revolution, the order of Freemasonry flourished, not only in our cities, but all over our provinces more vigorously than in any other part of Europe; and that it reckoned amongst its members men distinguished equally by their birth, fortune, and abilities. This circumstance, combined perhaps with the example of her brother, Joseph II., induced the Queen to associate herself with a body of female Freemasons; and to this day, the custom of drinking to her

memory is preserved in all the banquets of the order. Utterly incapable of any half sentiment, the Queen began by honouring her fellow sectaries with a degree. of fervour which she afterwards showed in persecuting and driving them to the scaffold.

The kingdom of Spain, disappointed at having lost the Two Sicilies, endeavoured to insinuate itself into a share of its political management, pleading the youth of its sovereign. Amongst other requisitions, the Castilian cabinet insisted upon the abolition of Freemasonry throughout the kingdom. Finding that such a request was unavailing, and perfectly aware that the Queen was herself a sectary, they notwithstanding obtained from the Minister a promise that one of the societies should be broken in upon when in the midst of its operations. This was accordingly effected by the agency of a certain Pallanti, whose ill-advised zeal was punished by the Queen, who had him dismissed, and never again restored him to favour.

Immediately after the French Revolution, the Freemasons of Naples, casting aside the veil of mystery, laboured openly to attain what had hitherto been their secret aim-a Republic. They were the first who in the south of Italy joyously hailed the banner of liberty which floated on the masts of the French fleet, commanded by Admiral La Touche, and then stationed in the Bay of Naples. Their constant communication with the French on board the fleet, gave rise to the conversion of their lodges into political clubs, and caused their labours to become acts of conspiracy. Such a conspiracy was, however, limited to speeches and desires-to vague and unavailing projects; for the members having spent the greater part of their lives peacefully in the capital, and being rich

and youthful members of the aristocracy, such as the Colonnas, Riarios, Serras, and Cignatellis, had no knowledge of the provinces, nor had they ever held any communication either with the inferior or middling classes of the nation, without whose assistance no possible rise could take place.

"Ora incomincian le dolenti note."

From the very first outbreak of the French Revolution, the Queen had ceased to belong to the order of Freemasons. The hatred she conceived against the partisans of the new political creed, the unbounded. ambition of her favourite-Acton-ever intent upon gratifying her vindictive soul, and the persecution of the liberals, which was carried to the utmost extent, tended more to increase their number and their influence than years of neglect would otherwise have done. The Government arrested all who were guilty of having held any communication with the French who had accompanied La Touche to Italy. All the young men belonging to the different clubs, as well as others who had, either by their discourse or their actions, shown any sympathy towards the rising Republic were likewise placed under confinement.

A tribunal, denominated "the Junta of State," was constituted, to judge the numerous prisoners thus arrested. Although it was chiefly composed of men devoted to the interests of the Court, there were some of them not completely devoid of every sentiment of humanity, and who raised their voices in favour of the inexperienced young men, whose chief crime had been a too great degree of imprudence. They represented to the King that it would be unjust to exercise all the severity of

the State Penal Code upon youths whose crime had been limited to emitting liberal speeches and opinions. These efforts however were unavailing, for the Queen, instigated by Acton, regarded them as the most formidable of her enemies, and imperiously demanded blood and vengeance. Her wishes were gratified. Three unfortunate youths were condemned to die on the scaffold. One of them, the virtuous Emanuel de Deo, who had scarcely attained his twentieth year, was offered his life on condition of betraying his accomplices. Such an ignominious offer was firmly and contemptuously rejected by the noble youth, who was accordingly put to death.

From the year 1792, the office of Reggente della Vicaria had been bestowed upon Luigi de Medici, a young man of noble birth and of the greatest rectitude in the execution of his magisterial duties. He had shown so much aptness in the management of business that he had acquired an unusual degree of credit with the Court. This awakened in the mind of Acton fears lest he should at some time or other gain sufficient power to deprive him of the monopoly of influence he himself possessed. Not satisfied with keeping him away from the Council, he determined upon effecting his ruin.

The wily minister, who, as we have already said, possessed the unlimited confidence of the King and Queen, and who could turn them any way his interest required, fixed upon a calumny of the blackest nature to bring about the overthrow of the man he feared. He made them believe that the late executions, far from having quelled the conspiracies formed throughout the kingdom, had only added fresh fuel to the flame: that they were at the then present moment fomented and joined, not merely by inconsiderate youths, but by