Coghlan's handbook for travellers in southern Italy, comprising Rome, Naples, and Sicily

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ...fruit. On the 16th June, 1647, he went to the shops of the fruiterers and proposed to them to come the next day to the market place together and publicly declare that they would not pay the duty; the assessor, however, having obtained information of the proceeding, repaired to the spot, where he gave the people hopes that the tax should be removed, and thus dissipated the tumult. On the 7th July, however, the tumult having recommenced, he attemptedineffectually to quell the disturbance, and had nearly been killed by the populace. Masaniello took this opportunity of assembling the most determined; he conducted them to the place where the offices and chests of the collectors were situated; these they pillaged immediately, and after breaking open the prisons and freeing the captives they proceeded to the palace of the viceroy, whom they compelled to promise that the duty should be taken off; he afterwards took refuge in the new castle; the people,.however, besieged him there, and not contenting themselves with his promises, made him pledge himself to suppress the duty, and to maintain the privileges and exemptions granted to the Neapolitans by Ferdinand I of Arragon, as well as by Frederick and Charles V. They likewise insisted that the council and all the nobility should ratify this engagement. At the same time the people pillaged the houses of the collector, and of all those who had any share in imposing the duty on fruit; and they were about to commit similar depredations on the palaces of several noblemen had they not been diverted from their intention by the timely interposition ofCardinal Filemarino, archbishop of IS aples,for whom the people entertained great friendship and respect. Masaniello was, however, elected captain-general of...