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ranean dungeons of the Castel Nuovo , were confined toge-ther the celebrated and good men, Doctor Cirillo, MarioPagano, Albanese, Logoteta, Baffi, E. Carafa, Rotonda,and Anibale Giordano, the celebrated mathematician, nine-teen in number,—but a host in intellect and virtue. Intothis hole an illustrious lady, the Duchess of Cassano Serra,by dint of perseverance, contrived to introduce files, crow-bars, ropes, and some other instruments. With these theprisoners succeeded in penetrating the wall on a level withthe water near the arsenal, where a well-manned boat waswaiting to receive them. The work was all but completed,when suddenly rushed into the cell the judge Duecce, sbirri,and turnkeys. One of the prisoners had betrayed hisfellows, who were all speedily executed, whilst he wasspared, condemned to live a life of infamy, and which thegold so plentifully bestowed upon him by the tyrants, couldnot save from speedily being extinguished by a processmore terrible than that to which he had betrayed his noblefriends,—remorse and deep despair. This wretch wasnamed Bassetti: he had been a priest and then a soldier.Pity t’was he had not stuck to his first profession !
The illustrious Duke of Monteleone, who is also a! grandee of Spain , as distinguished for virtue and learningas for his immense wealth both in Italy and Mexico , wascondemned to death. But so urgent were the intercessionsof the Pope, Pius VI. and the King of Spain , that the sentencewas commuted to imprisonment for life in one of the desertislands!
Besides the inflictions of death and of perpetual confine-ment in the caverns and dungeons I have spoken of, aninfinity of minor torments were inflicted on the far greaterportion of the most innocent, the most virtuous, and amiable! members of society. The best educated young men, adoles-| cent youths, were publicly whipped, imprisoned, or exiled ;
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