Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Account Of The Vicissitudes Of The Neapolitan Masonry;
The Masons re-united , several lodges were formed , and in the space of eight months they increased considerably . The enlightenment made rapic'i progress ; but to accomplish the instruction of the lower classes , which were plunged in ignorance , and filled with prejudices , was a difficult task . The clubs , which had been formed , consisted of public re-unions , into which the lower classes were admitted , ancl they effected some proin knowled but the time was too shortasunfortunately for the
gress ge ; , , Neapolitans , it lasted but eight months . The queen , who , at this moment in Sicily , vexed at having left the kingdom in the power of the French and of the republicans , did not lose a moment , and sent an emissary to Calabria , in order to stir up this cruel , ignorant , and superstitious people against the republicans . This emissary was the Cardinal Ruffb , who , putting himself at the head of some men liberated from the galleys , of some bandits and slaves , devoted to the tyranny for their own interest ,
came from Sicily , disembarked in Calabria , in order to preach to this rapacious people the right of legitimacy of the king . He made them believe that the holy faith was opposed to all principles of liberty , that the republicans were excommunicated as enemies to that holy faith , and in consequence damned ; that they must fight and destroy them ; that their possessions and inheritance became the property of the defenders of the holy faith . He would put himself at their headand would give
, them leave to pillage the whole population , who should dare to defend themselves , and to resist the army of the holy faith . He would grant them full indulgence and remission of sins for every murder which they might commit . These promises , given to a rapacious people , were followed by the
greatest results . An immense number of Calabrians joined themselves to the cardinal , ancl marched upon Naples . It would be impossible for me to relate the atrocity committed by this mass of tigers , eager for blood and prey , who robbed whilst assassinating the peaceful inhabitants whom they met . It was reason enough to have the hair cut , that is to say to those who wore no tail , to be put to the most cruel death , under pretext that they were Jacobites ( that was the name these robbers gave to the republicans which they robbed and killed . )
But all this is nothing in comparison with that which they committed on arriving at Naples—there the pillage and carnage lasted four days . No regard was paid to old age , children , or invalids , if they only were pronounced Jacobites . This name was sufficient for the unfortunate citizen being robbed , killed , cut to pieces , thrown into the fire , and devoured by this kind of very brutes in the human shape . Excited and encouraged by the cardinal their leader , these brave and faithful followers
gave themselves over to the most horrible of atrocities . Fires were blazing in all open spaces , in order to throw into them , alive , the most respectable inhabitants of the town ; the heads of the fathers of peaceful families were paraded on pikes through the streets , and with them they played foot-ball . I shudder with horror whilst writing these recollections of my boyhood , and I am almost too weak to write them . Some readers will think that I exaggerate things bmaking use of such definite
y terms in my narration ; but no , I relate truth anil real facts , without exaggerating or changing them : ancl I appeal to history as my witness . After this most barbarous carnage , the parallel of which is not to be found in the history of any nation in the world , they proceeded to the imprisonment of all the citizens who had filled public situations , or who had written or acted in favour of the republic . But , who were those men ?
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Account Of The Vicissitudes Of The Neapolitan Masonry;
The Masons re-united , several lodges were formed , and in the space of eight months they increased considerably . The enlightenment made rapic'i progress ; but to accomplish the instruction of the lower classes , which were plunged in ignorance , and filled with prejudices , was a difficult task . The clubs , which had been formed , consisted of public re-unions , into which the lower classes were admitted , ancl they effected some proin knowled but the time was too shortasunfortunately for the
gress ge ; , , Neapolitans , it lasted but eight months . The queen , who , at this moment in Sicily , vexed at having left the kingdom in the power of the French and of the republicans , did not lose a moment , and sent an emissary to Calabria , in order to stir up this cruel , ignorant , and superstitious people against the republicans . This emissary was the Cardinal Ruffb , who , putting himself at the head of some men liberated from the galleys , of some bandits and slaves , devoted to the tyranny for their own interest ,
came from Sicily , disembarked in Calabria , in order to preach to this rapacious people the right of legitimacy of the king . He made them believe that the holy faith was opposed to all principles of liberty , that the republicans were excommunicated as enemies to that holy faith , and in consequence damned ; that they must fight and destroy them ; that their possessions and inheritance became the property of the defenders of the holy faith . He would put himself at their headand would give
, them leave to pillage the whole population , who should dare to defend themselves , and to resist the army of the holy faith . He would grant them full indulgence and remission of sins for every murder which they might commit . These promises , given to a rapacious people , were followed by the
greatest results . An immense number of Calabrians joined themselves to the cardinal , ancl marched upon Naples . It would be impossible for me to relate the atrocity committed by this mass of tigers , eager for blood and prey , who robbed whilst assassinating the peaceful inhabitants whom they met . It was reason enough to have the hair cut , that is to say to those who wore no tail , to be put to the most cruel death , under pretext that they were Jacobites ( that was the name these robbers gave to the republicans which they robbed and killed . )
But all this is nothing in comparison with that which they committed on arriving at Naples—there the pillage and carnage lasted four days . No regard was paid to old age , children , or invalids , if they only were pronounced Jacobites . This name was sufficient for the unfortunate citizen being robbed , killed , cut to pieces , thrown into the fire , and devoured by this kind of very brutes in the human shape . Excited and encouraged by the cardinal their leader , these brave and faithful followers
gave themselves over to the most horrible of atrocities . Fires were blazing in all open spaces , in order to throw into them , alive , the most respectable inhabitants of the town ; the heads of the fathers of peaceful families were paraded on pikes through the streets , and with them they played foot-ball . I shudder with horror whilst writing these recollections of my boyhood , and I am almost too weak to write them . Some readers will think that I exaggerate things bmaking use of such definite
y terms in my narration ; but no , I relate truth anil real facts , without exaggerating or changing them : ancl I appeal to history as my witness . After this most barbarous carnage , the parallel of which is not to be found in the history of any nation in the world , they proceeded to the imprisonment of all the citizens who had filled public situations , or who had written or acted in favour of the republic . But , who were those men ?