~ 
greater part of that class, and the other 
Superior ranks, who were rich proprie- 
tors, being borne down by the weight of 
taxes and contributions, and unable to 
reimburse themselves for their losses by 
following any particular branch of indus- 
try, are wretchedly involved in debt, 
and many of them cannot conceal the 
evidence of the most deplorable poverty. 
On the other hand, as is getierally the 
case in all revolutions, several of the 
lower classes have risen to opulence, and 
lollin their coaches, while others, long 
accustomed to ride in coaches, are now 
obliged to move very humbly on foot. 
Instances of this nature, are not, how- 
ever, strikingly frequent. i 
The Neapolitans have certainly been 
reduced to a better state of order than for- 
merly. ‘That natural vivacity for which 
they were peculiarly distinguished, and 
which appeared so striking to every 
observer, has given way to an appear- 
ance of reserve and fear==that fear, how- 
€ver, is not a sensation of 
anxiety, but rather the result of a cav- 
tious judgment, arising from the natural 
perspicuity of a sharp-sighted people. 
That great advantages have been derived 
from the system pursued by the present 
Government, must be allowed by every 
person who gives credit to the ofticial 
report of the minister, according to 
which the number of robberies has dimi- 
nished one-third, and of murders two- 
thirds, since the occupation of the coun- 
try by the French. 
Tt would be a great pity, if the natural 
bonhommie and original naiveté of the 
true Neapolitan, in short, his peculiar 
national character of mind, shou!d be en- 
tirely lost, which seems to become the 
case more and more every day, though 
it can scarcely be supposed, that any ex- 
tcrnal circumstances, operating upon a 
sation, should have so decided an ef- 
fect on the national character.-It is very 
difficult to bend any péople to the adop- 
tion of foreign manners, or give them a 
foreign turn of mind. It is that origina- 
hity of character, arising from the advan- 
tages of soil and climate, which the 
Neapolitans derive from nature, which 
will oppose the greatest obstacle to the 
admission of foreign intrusions. 
Two points have been remarked as the 
most striking tyatés in the character of 
the Neapolitans, viz. their vehement 
possions ; and the coolness of mind with 
which tiey contrive their plans of ven- 
geunce. Esth points seem to cast a 
‘@ark shade upon their character; but in 
slavish - 
452 ~— State of the Kingdom of Naples, April, 1809.' [Dec. 1s 
reality, they prove no more, than that 
this people possess the original qualities 
of a noble aud powerful nation. On a 
slender enquiry it will be impossible to 
refuse the Neapolitans our esteem, not- 
withstanding their real or apparent faults, 
on Considering then in the various points 
of view in which they are reptesented 
-in the latest histories, 
In comparing them with their neigh= 
bours, they are distinguished from them 
by anatural vaiety and ceaseless acti- 
vity. In all his misery, the Neapolitan 
will not yield to despair; there always 
remains an energetic spark of animation 
in him, which glows in secret, and often 
suddenly revives into a flame, when it 
secus entirely extinguished ; like the 
vevetative power in the vine-branch after 
it has been stripped of its leaf. Very 
often you behold him deprived of all, 
and reduced to the utmost want and 
misery, yet supporting all his privations 
with a dignity which claims respect. Even 
on observing those miserable wretches, 
formerly called Lazzaroni, you would be 
induced to suppose, they had never ex- 
perienced any difficulties or disasters, so 
proudly, and with such a contemptuous 
look of indifference, do they seem to res 
gard the world and their existence. 
The attachment of this people to its 
former government is peculiarly striking, 
though they openly acknowledge its nu- 
merous imperfections: though the taxes 
increased every year; though the perso- 
nal expenses of their sovereign were 
enormous and oppressive; and though 
the wickedness of the government was 
not only conspicuous, but notorious; 
yet no where could there exist less ap- 
prehensions of an approaching revolus 
tion. The sensations produced by the 
impossibility of fulfilling their promises 
to Queen Caroline, were of the most 
poignant nature; but the violence of 
their emotions, by degrees, subsided into 
a calmer state of feelings. 
Tn the year 1805, when Bonaparte had 
evacuated Turento, and withdrawn his 
troops, the unanimous prayer of the 
people, as if animated by one voice and 
spirit, was, ‘“ That if might please 
God to moderate the passions of the 
Queen ;” and yet after the consequences 
had justified their apprehensions, and 
they had every right to consider them- 
selves as the victims of a mistaken policy, 
they would have still continued to exert 
themselves to the utmost of their power 
for their old government, had there been 
the smallest probability of success. 
a 
“Ta 
