Tins is a remarkably interesting book, dealing with a period
of history by no means well known. It is a little unequal in execution, parts of it being quite delightful reading from the historical imagination and descriptive power shown in them, while other parts appear rather dry and hurried, if not some- times rather confused, so that without very exact attention a reader is likely to lose his way among political intrigues and changing movements of armies. But, on the whole, the author keeps a strong grasp and a clear outlook on the details of a most puzzling time. Any defects are fully accounted for by the unfortunate fact, mentioned in a postscript to the preface, that more than four-fifths of the MS. was lost and had to be rewritten, truly, as the author says, an ungrateful task. It is only wonderful that, far from his original authorities and on the other side of the Atlantic, he should have been able to produce a book of so much value. Like a true historian, he was possessed by his subject. Mr. Johnston's book covers the affairs of Southern Italy during the first twenty years of the nineteenth century, and begins with the state of the kingdom of Naples from the revolu- tion of 1799 and the return of the Bourbons after the fiasco of the Parthenopean Republic. There had been no improvement whatever in the original condition of the Two Sicilies. The changes worked in all Europe by the French Revolution had no effect here beyond disorder and discontent. It is true that • The Napa/costa Empire in Southern Italy and the Rise of the Secret Societies. By B. M. Johuston. 2 vole. Loudon ; Macmillan and Co. [20.. net.) feudalism was destroyed in theory, but all its worst abuses survived in practice, and the state of things in 1800 was far worse than that existing in France before the Revolution. The country was trodden down by feudal barons and infested by brigands, so that the miserable peasantry had no chance to live or cultivate. Naples was ruled, in the last resort, by the lazzaroni, kept in subjection under the Bourbon Kings by three methods, described by Ferdinand, who understood them if anybody did—"festa, forca, e farina"—" holidays, scaffolds, and bread." Ferdinand and Mary Caroline, with all their faults, were a fair match for the people they governed : he, at least, was not unpopular, which is fairly proved by the rejoicing of Naples at his return in 1815. She, like some of our own Kings and Queens, has been painted black by political prejudice. But even Mr. Johnston, to whom the Bourbon rule is unspeakably odious, grants that she was not the monster that the French of her own day called her. On her side, it must be remembered that the sister of Marie Antoinette, and a strong character among dying Royalties, had no cause for anything but hatred of the Revolution.
This kingdom, one of the oldest strongholds of feudalism and mediaeval customs, was conquered by Napoleon in 1806. In one of his characteristic proclamations to his army, be announced that "the dynasty of Naples has ceased to reign; its continued existence is incompatible with the repose of Europe and the honour of my Crown." The King and Queen had had the chance of saving themselves, if they would have submitted to Napoleon and sent away the British Ambas- sador. This they refused to do ; and it is rather difficult to understand why her spirited opposition to the universal bully should not be counted a virtue in Mary Caroline. It is still more difficult to share an historian's satisfaction at the conquest of Naples by the French, when we know what Napoleon's motives really were, while he talked of setting "the most lovely land on earth free from the yoke of the most perfidious of people." A very instructive page in Mr. Johnston's history reminds us that "Napoleon had already embarked on his ruthless policy of making war self-supporting." In order not to ruin France entirely by his campaigns, he planned new conquasts, keeping his armies on foreign soil, supported by the countries they were invading. This policy was at the bottom of the attack on Southern Italy. Another motive, personally as strong, was hatred of the whole Bourbon family. Through all his negotiations with the Neapolitan King and Queen, he had intended to destroy them and to put a creature of his own in their place.
So followed the rule of Joseph Bonaparte at Naples, and afterwards, when he was removed to Spain, that of Joachim Murat and his wife Caroline. Mr. Johnston tells all this story excellently well. He gives a most spirited account of all the French doings in South Italy, which reads indeed, with its wild background of mountains, forests, and savage popula- tion, more like romance than sober history. The siege of Gaeta, the rising in Calabria, the campaigns of Stuart and Massena, the vulgarity of Joseph's Court, and yet the real intelligence and good intentions of the man who tried to reform the laws, who encouraged art and excavated Pompeii, but was only, after all, a pawn on Napoleon's chess-board, to be moved here and there as it suited his game,—there is hardly a more curious story in all the Napoleonic time. Joseph's rule, however, only lasted two years, and a far more romantic figure succeeded him.
We do not think we are mistaken in saying that Mr. Johnston wrote one part of his book especially con antore, and that was the history of Joachim Murat. He is not the first writer who has placed Murat on a higher level than the usual one,—that of the handsome, daring cavalry soldier, without much more genius or character than most of his comrades, and owing his advancement completely to being Napoleon's brother-in-law. But we can think of no modern book of historical value in which the "tragic fortunes of King Joachim" are so fully and BO kindly chronicled. Mr. Johnston concludes that in Napoleon's view—and he was a good judge—Murat was "one of the six most serviceable men in France." An empty-headed man, with nothing but good looks and a certain quality of dash to recommend him, would hardly have been the most trusted, with one or two exceptions, of Napoleon's lieutenants. Mr. Johnston brings a good deal of evidence to bear on this fact, which looks at first rather startling ; and his account of Murat in the difficult part of King of Naples is also more favourable than we have seen elsewhere in history. This is strong praise : 'in political ability he was the equal of most of the European sovereigns, in goodness of heart he excelled most, in the military virtues he was the superior of all." This may be true, but it is also true that "his qualities proved not sufficient to retain the difficult crown he was called on to wear." To us it seems that Murat was something of an actor and a great deal of a parvenu ; and that he owed even more than
is allowed to his wife, the worthy sister of Napoleon. Few Queens have behaved with more heroic dignity than Caroline, when her serene courage kept Naples from dis- order in Joachim's hour of ruin, before she was forced to take refuge with Commodore Campbell on board H.M.S. 'Tremendous.'
It certainly cannot be denied,—Joachim Murat is the hero of Mr. Johnston's book. When writing of him, apart from the confused campaigns in Italy, he rises to a delightful and almost poetical style, and his description of the last scenes is truly excellent. He feels to the full the pathos of a wonderful career.
It is an interesting question what benefits, what advance in civilisation, the Napoleonic rule left behind it in Italy. The answer is the wonderful history of the Secret Societies, which grew up out of the idea of liberty, born in the Revolution, slowly making its way into the depths of every nation. Through the remaining years of the restored Ferdinand, through the political and social ramifications of Carb011ari, Calderari, and the like, with tyranny and brigandage still reigning in the provinces, but more and more effectually put down, a brighter time, illustrated by many patriot names, unselfish and otherwise, was slowly and gradually dawning. The period ended with the Revolution of 1820, when the Austrians entered Naples, and liberal ideas seemed dead ; but the Carbonaro Parliament, falling to pieces among the mockery of lookers-on, had done something for Italy, and was a step towards her future independence. Mr. Johnston's second volume is full of information on these subjects, difficult to collect, and set forth with sufficient clearness. We may add that he concludes his book with an appendix of justifying documents, and a very full and lengthy bibliography.
AN ARTIST'S LOVE-STORY.*
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