THOMAS MASSIANELLO. 
057 
threw into a great fire of straw, and burnt to ashes in the streets. The 
people meeting with no resistance, assumed more boldness, and made 
towards the palace of the viceroy. The first militia of the Massianello, 
consisting of 2000 boys, marched on, every one lifting up his cane with 
a piece of black cloth on the top, and with loud cries excited the com- 
passion, and entreated the assistance, of their fellow-citizens. Being 
come before the palace, they cried out that they would not be freed 
of the fruit tax only, but of all others, especially that of corn. At 
last they entered the palace, and rifled it, notwithstanding the resist- 
ance of the guards, whom they disarmed. 
The viceroy got into his coach, to secure himself within the church of 
St. Lewis; but the people, spying him, stopped the coach, and, with 
naked swords on each side of it, threatened him, unless he would 
take off the taxes. With fair promises, and assurances of redress, 
and by throwing money among the multitude, which, they were greedy 
to pick up, he got at last safely into the church, and ordered the 
doors to be shut. The people applied to the prince of Basignano, 
who was much beloved by them, to be their defender and intercessor. 
He promised to obtain what they desired ; but finding himself unable, 
after much labour and fatigue, to restrain their licentiousness, or 
quell their fury, he took the first opportunity of retiring from the 
popular tumult. 
After the retirement of the prince, the people, finding them- 
selves without a head, called out for Massianello to be their leader 
and conductor, which charge he accepted. They appointed Genoino, 
a priest of approved knowledge, temper, and abilities, to attend his 
person ; and to him they added for a companion the famous banditto 
Perrone. Massaniello, by his spirit, good sense, and bravery, won 
the hearts of all the people, insomuch that they became willing to 
transfer unto him solemnly the supreme command, and to obey him 
accordingly. A stage was erected in the middle of the market-place, 
where, clothed in vihite like a mariner, he with his counsellors gave 
public audience, received petitions, and gave sentence in all cases, 
both civil and criminal. He had no less than one hundred and fifty 
thousand men under his command. An incredible number of women 
also appeared with arras of various sorts, like so many Amazons. 
A list was made of about sixty persons, w'ho had farmed the taxes, 
or been some w'ay concerned in the custom houses ; and, as it was 
said they enriched themselves with the blood of the people, and 
ought to be made examples to future ages, an order was issued, that 
their houses and goods should be burnt, which was executed accord- 
ingly, and with so much regularity, that no one was sulfered to carry 
away the smallest article. Many, for stealing mere trifles from the 
flames, were hknged by the public executioner, in the market-place, 
by the command of Massianello. 
While these horrid tragedies were acting, the viceroy thought of 
every method to appease the people, and bring them to an accom- 
modation. He applied to the archbishop, of whose attachment to 
the government he was well assured, and of whose paternal care and 
affection for them the people had no doubt. He gave him the origi- 
nal charter of Charles V,, which exempted them from all taxes. 
