An interesting letter from an expat. living in Naples with lots of gossipy news, followed by an alarming account of a violent robbery.
“Extract of a letter from Naples, dated Dec.6:- ‘Till lately nothing has occurred of much interest here. Vesuvius has been as quiet as Primrose-hill; the Carbonari* exist no longer – at least give no signs of existence: the Austrians move about just as if they were in Vienna, relieving their sentinels, who are in great numbers in all parts of the town, and amusing the loungers in the Villa Reale with their music bands. Half a dozen Neapolitans are digging at Pompeii, and occasionally adding an odd bracelet or urn to their museum. The measures of Government are managed without giving any trouble to the public, and the royal Nimrod hunts and fishes with as much ardour as he did 50 years ago. The launch of an 80-gun ship, put on the stocks by Murat took place at Castelamare last week, and, such an event not having happened with the memory of man, excited great interest. For what purpose this vessel is designed it would be difficult to guess, unless for that of bearing the annual royal tribute to the Algerines. The British shops of war come in without any one knowing why, and leave us without telling wherefore. The revenge is gone to winter-quarters in Baia Bay, about five miles distant, and is to go to Malta for provisions in the beginning of the next month. The English visitors are numerous, but none of any particular note. Lord Harrowby passed a few days here with his two daughters. Their beauty, together with his Lordship’s gentlemanly deportment, good French, and skill at whist, excited a sensation amongst those who enjoyed his society.
I am sorry to be obliged to terminate this uninteresting bulletin with the account of a very unfortunate occurrence which took place near Paestum three days ago. The fine weather had attracted several English parties to view the ruins, situate, as you know, in a march which pestilential exhalations render barely habitable. The few inhabitants are not much removed from savages. A lady with her two daughters, on returning, was stopped and robbed by three men with their faces masked; the party were, however, suffered to proceed without further violence. This lady’s carriage was followed at a short distance by that of Mr. Hunt, late sheriff of Northamptonshire, who was accompanied by his lady. They were stopped by the same party. On their demanding his money, Mr. Hunt gave them a purse, containing 4 dollars and a few carlins to carry him to Naples. They replied, ‘We know you have more, and if you do not surrender it, you must die.’ Mr. H. rejoined, ‘You dare not shoot at this time of day.’ He had scarcely uttered this observation when a shot was fired, and a ball entered his left breast, passing out at the right side although it seems only one piece was discharged, another ball struck Mrs. Hunt in the left breast, and passed through the lungs.
The foremost robber instantly turned round, crying ‘Who fired that shot?’ and the three immediately ran off without searching for plunder. Some Officers of the Revenge were within hearing, who conveyed them to the miserable place called an inn at Paestum, where Mr. H. expired almost immediately, expressing his regret at having refused his money. Assistance, such as could be had, was procured. One of the officers even returned to Naples, and procured an English Surgeon, together with Gendarmes. Mrs. Hunt recovered in a slight degree, but only lingered till yesterday, when she expired. Mr. Hunt was an only child; he was in possession of large property, and had been married only seven months. This event has caused Gendarmes were immediately sent from Naples to search for the perpetrators of the crime., but such a police as exists here is not likely to discover them. It is evident that they were not professional brigands, or they would not have been so alarmed as to have neglected their booty, on perceiving the effect of their fire-arms.”
*The Carbonari were a secret revolutionary society.
The Stamford Mercury, 31st December, 1824.