按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
bolder than the rest would make himself the spokesman； and politely ask
me whether the cane in my hand was an umbrella or a fishing…rod； on
which I would amiably reply that it was a gun； and that I should have
much pleasure in exhibiting my skill and the method of its operation to the
assembled company。 Then the whole party would follow me to an open
space； and I would call for a pack of cards； and possiblyfor I was a good
shot in those dayspink the ace of hearts at fifteen paces。 At any rate； my
performances usually called forth plaudits； and this involved a further
interchange of compliments and explanations； and the production of my
sketch…book； which soon procured me the acquaintance of some ladies；
and an invitation as an English artist to the house of some respectable
citizen。
So it happened that； getting out of the diligence before it reached
Foggia； I struck south； and wandered for some days from one little town to
another； being always hospitably entertained； whether there happened to
be an /albergo/ or not； at private houses； seeing in this way more of the
manners and customs of the inhabitants than would have been otherwise
possible； gaining much information as to the haunts of the brigands； the
whereabouts of the troops； and hearing much local gossip generally。 The
ignorance of the most respectable classes at this period was astounding； it
has doubtless all changed since。 I have been at a town of two thousand
inhabitants； not one of whom took in a newspaper； the whole population；
58
… Page 59…
STORIES
therefore； was in as profound ignorance of what was transpiring in the rest
of the world as if they had been in Novaia Zemlia。 I have stayed with a
mayor who did not know that England was an island； I have been the guest
of a citizen who had never heard of Scotland； and to whom； therefore； my
nationality was an enigma； but I never met any oneI mean of this same
classwho had not heard of Palmerston。 He was a mysterious personage；
execrated by the 〃blacks〃 and adored by the 〃reds。〃 And I shone with a
reflected lustre as the citizen of a country of which he was the Prime
Minister。 As a consequence； we had political discussions； which were
protracted far into the night； for the principal meal of the twenty…four
hours was a 10…o'clock…P。M。 supper； at which； after the inevitable
macaroni； were many unwholesome dishes； such as salads made of thistles；
cows' udders； and other delicacies； which deprived one of all desire for
sleep。 Notwithstanding which； we rose early； my hostess and the ladies of
the establishment appearing in the early part of the day in the most
extreme deshabille。 Indeed； on one occasion when I was first introduced
into the family of a respectable citizen and shown into my bedroom； I
mistook one of the two females who were making the bed for the servant；
and was surprised to see her hand a little douceur I gave her as an earnest
of attention on her part to the other； with a smile。 She soon afterward went
to bed： we all did； from 11 A。M。 till about 3 P。M。； at which hour I was
horrified to meet her arrayed in silks and satins； and to find that she was
the wife of my host。 She kindly took me a drive with her in a carriage and
pair； and with a coachman in livery。
It was by this simple means； and by thus imposing myself upon the
hospitality of these unsophisticated people； that I worked my way； by slow
degrees； chiefly on foot； into the part of the country I desired to visit； and I
trust that I in a measure repaid them for it by the stores of information
which I imparted to them； and of which they stood much in need； and by
little sketches of their homes and the surrounding scenery； with which I
presented them。 I was； indeed； dependent in some measure for hospitality
of this description； as I had taken no money with me； partly because； to
tell the truth； I had scarcely got any； and partly because I was afraid of
being robbed by brigands of the little I had。 I therefore eschewed the
59
… Page 60…
STORIES
character of a /milordo Inglese/； but I never succeeded in dispelling all
suspicion that I might not be a nephew of the Queen； or at least a very near
relative of Palmerston in disguise。 It was so natural； seeing what a deep
interest both her Majesty and the Prime Minister took in Italy； that they
should send some one incognito whom they could trust to tell them all
about it。
Meantime； I was not surprised； when I came to know the disposition of
the inhabitants； at the success of brigandage。 It has never been my fortune
before or since to live among such a timid population。 One day at a large
town a leading landed proprietor received notice that if he did not pay a
certain sum in blackmail；I forget at this distance of time the exact
amount；his farm or /masseria/ would be robbed。 This farm； which was in
fact a handsome country house； was distant about ten miles from the town。
He therefore made an appeal to the citizens that they should arm
themselves and help him to defend his property； as he had determined not
to pay； and had taken steps to be informed as to the exact date when the
attack was to be made in default of payment。 More than three hundred
citizens enrolled themselves as willing to turn out in arms。 On the day
preceding the attack by the brigands； a rendezvous was given to these
three hundred on the great square for five in the morning； and thither I
accordingly repaired； unable； however； to induce my host to accompany
me； although he had signed as a volunteer。 On reaching the rendezvous； I
found the landed proprietor and a friend who was living with him； and
about ten minutes afterward two other volunteers strolled up。 Five was all
we could muster out of three hundred。 It was manifestly useless to attempt
anything with so small a force； and no arguments could induce any of the
others to turn out； so the unhappy gentleman had the satisfacti