392

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

Whilst Murat was in Paris on this occasion, the islandsof Ponza and Ventotene, which had been so long garrisonedby the Sicilian Prince Canosa and his robber band, wereevacuated, not through fear of any attack from the Neapo-politans, but in utter despair of raising any more tumultsin the land. Such of the felon emissaries as had latelybeen sent on shore, having been instantly captured by thecivic forces; the conciliatory policy of Joachim hadquelled all discontent: sentiments of patriotism and affectionfor the government were now universal, —Sir Hudson’s“ occupation gone.”

Upon the return of Murat from Paris , he occupiedhimself with fresh improvements and beneficial institutions,agricultural societies, and schools in every province.Botanical gardens and professors ; prizes for the best agri-cultural instruments and products; fairs and markets, freefrom taxes were established wherever thought useful; manyother social benefits were insured.

But, on the other hand, I am bound to record that toomuch care, money, and impunity, was accorded to the army.Many acts of violence, and even tumult, of the soldiery oftenwent unpunished ; this prepared the way to future evils—afeeling of distrust and antipathy between one portion ofthe community and the others. Being on my way one dayfrom Puzzuoli to Naples in a hired cab, I met a battalionof the Royal guards on their way to Baja; a party of threeor four who were much in advance of the others, and whohad with them a woman of the lowest description, stoppedme and insisted upon my giving up the cab to take thewoman on their journey. Of course I resisted, when Ireceived a violent blow with a musket on the arm, and onmy returning it with my whip a fellow actually made a thrustat me with his bayonet which I parried so that it onlypassed sideways through my shooting jacket and waistcoat.