ADVERTISEMENT. THE humiliating servitude under which Italy groans, rendered more intolerable by the remembrance of her former greatness, was the original motive (which stirred within me while yet a child,) of my persevering though unfortunate patriotism; and when, in consequence of political vicissitudes, I could no longer bear arms in my country's cause, I was impelled by the love with which she has ever animated me to commit to writing the events of my life. I was also stimulated to write my Memoirs by a desire to refute the calumnies which have been circulated against the South of Italy by foreigners through ignorance, and by some wretched sons of that land, who defamed her, in order that they might the better conceal their own errors. My countrymen will perhaps find in these reminiscences, facts, which may inspire them with confidence in themselves; while the road to regeneration is pointed out to them, whenever Fortune, who seems capriciously to exalt, or degrade nations, shall afford them an opportunity of regaining with their independence, a portion at least of that pristine greatness, once the admiration and the wonder of the world. My readers of other countries may find in these pages a useful political lesson, and many incidents, which, though related with all the strictness of truth, carry with them the wildness and extravagance of romance. LONDON: DECEMBER, 1846. G. PÉPÉ. CONTENTS TO THE FIRST VOLUM E. Memorable earthquake in Calabria-My birth-My education in the Royal College-My flight from it twice on account of my desire to embrace the military profession-I am entered at the Minority of Ferdinand IV.-He marries Caroline of Austria-Fall of the Minister Tanucci-Acton is called into the kingdom by the Prince Caramanico-Acton succeeds the Marquis Caracciolo in the foreign affairs-The administration of Acton-He calls foreign officers into the kingdom-The French fleet of Admiral La Touche threatens Naples-Origin in the two Sicilies of the Freemasons-The Queen joins them, and protects them— They are afterwards persecuted by the Queen and Acton-First blood of the patriots shed on the scaffold-The prisons of the kingdom full of patriots of great name-Neapolitan cavalry assist the Austrians in Lombardy-Means employed by the |