284

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

MATERIALS OF MODERN HISTORY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE.

“ Sib— du The Chronicle of the 15tli of August last, you published aletter by which I have overthrown the pretensions to authenticity of acompilation, called ‘Memoirs of a French Serjeant,’ which I thinkyou honour too much by a comparison with ‘The Memoirs of a Cava-lier,’ or ‘ Memoirs of Colonel Jack.’ By such comparisons I fearyou wrong poor Harriet Wilson , who, although of a different tribe,must be regarded as the prototype and mother of the present brood ofimpudent compilations of lies and anachronisms, fraudulently palmedupon the public, for authentic historical materials.

“ Through your paper of this morning, I have been introduced to ano-t her of these mendacious offsprings of adventurous cupidity, called‘ The Young Rifleman’s Comrade.’ This facetious young man in-forms us, that ‘when Joachim Murat became King of Naples, heentertained various propositions for the improvement of the capital;and among other things, introduced the system of lighting up thestreets. This innovation, however, upon established custom, by nomeans pleased the good Neapolitans, who, not relishing such an inroadon ancient darkness, set about, with laudable industry, to demolish thelamps. In vain were they renewed from night to night; the morningalways found them shattered to pieces. At length the King bethoughthimself of calling in the co-operation of the priesthood ; summoning tohis council a certain monk, who enjoyed infinite popularity and in-fluence over the multitude. Having contrived to propitiate this man,Murat obtained from him a promise to do his best; and accordingly,the next Sunday, the holy father commenced his sermon by pronounc-ing against the abandoned people, everlasting condemnation; adding, itwould be in vain to hope forgiveness, as they had thrown down andshattered in pieces the lamps which were lighted in honour of the HolyVirgin. The people were thunder-struck, and covered with dismay;deputations were immediately dispatched to the Royal Palace, to im-plore the restitution of the lamps; and since that time (thanks to theHoly Virgin!) the streets of Naples possess the advantage of being

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