16

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

take refuge in the port of Taranto , already in possessionof Cardinal Ruffo and his felon bands, self-styled “ the armyof the holy faith.” Ignorant of this occupation, confidingin the protection of their neutral flag, the laws of nations,and of humanity, these helpless men might have expectedmercy and hospitality, even from the most uncivilised ene-mies. But they were seized and thrown into loathsomedungeons. Dolomieu, being at the point of death throughdysentery, blind with ophthalmia, was sent to Messina, andcast into a subterraneous prison. He was reclaimed fromthe clutches of the Bourbon, by the French government,by the Royal Society of London, twice by the king of Spain ,and by the indignant voices of all the learned men ofEurope . But he was still retained in cruel chains ! In thisdeplorable situation, Broadbent, who then, I believe, exer-cised the functions of British consul at Messina, throughthe most strenuous and persevering representations towardsthe Bourbon government, obtained Dolomieu’s removal fromthe cellar, or rather hole, in which he was confined. Theheight of the subterranean cell would not allow him, whowas a very tall man, to stand upright. The floor wascovered some inches deep in water and filth; no light foundentrance but from the chinks in the door; a pitcher ofwater and a loaf of bread was all allowed him !

From this abode did Broadbent convey the illustriousDolomieu to his own residence, in which he remained a pri-soner on parole. Fresh victories of the French enabledthem to stipulate in the treaty of peace with Naples, theliberation of Dolomieu, after he had suffered twenty-onemonths of such captivity. His health, however, was fatally in-jured ; he shortly afterwards died at the age of only fifty-one.

One more instance I will give, at this convenient oppor-tunity, of the always consistent spirit of despotism andcoward legitimacy.