Volume 2

Wonderful characters : comprising memoirs and anecdotes of the most remarkable persons of every age and nation. / collected from the most authentic sources by Henry Wilson.

  • Wilson, H. (Henry), 1864-1934.
Date:
1821
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Wonderful characters : comprising memoirs and anecdotes of the most remarkable persons of every age and nation. / collected from the most authentic sources by Henry Wilson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    t TOMASO ANIELLO. 65 It has been thought by many, that the viceroy did not act with that vigour upon this occasion he ought to have done. Had he had resolution enough to have opposed them at the beginning, he might easily, it is supposed, have suppresed the tumults ; and even in this stage of the commotions, had he put himself at the head of his troops, and exerted his authority, the rioters must have laid down their arms. The duke, however, took a more lenient course, and thought to win them by acts of kindness and popularity; he proposed several salutary regulations with regard to the price of provisions, and an abatement of the taxes; but it was now too late. The fury of the people was not in the least abated by any of his proposals; nothing but fire and desolation could satisfy them, and they pro- ceeded in their outrages. Towards the evening they began to range themselves under some order and discipline; and during the night they kept regular watch, and made every preparation for pursuing their plan of reform. On the 8th, before it was clear day, Masaniello ap- peared in the great market-place; and, having taken an account of the arms and ammunition that been collected, he computed how many troops could be supplied with them ; this done, he divided his military rabble into re- giments and companies, among whom he distributed the arms. And with such exactness were all his orders, even thus early, obeyed, that by a motion of his hand, they would have cut the throats of all the nobility, and have set every house on fire. Nothing now was to be heard in the streets but the noise of drums and trumpets, and the clashing of arms. The colours of each corps were regularly displayed ; and Masaniello's followers no longer appeared to be a rabble rout, but a formidable and well-ordered army, absolutely at the command of their general. And what was still more surprising, and tended to increase the VOL. II. ,