A. NEAPOLITAN FESTIVAL DISTURBED

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 92, 29 August 1846, Page 4

A. NEAPOLITAN FESTIVAL DISTURBED

Near the entrance of the renowned grotto excavated by the ancients under the mountain of Posiligio, to serve as a short communication between Naples and Puzzuoti. there is a church dedicited to the Virgin Mary, whose shrine is almost oncealed by numberless offering in gold, silver, and other precious met d*. as tokens of the wonderful cures unci blessings obtained through her supposed mediation. Her festival is celebrated on the Bth February, and on that day the inhabitants of the capital ami its populoui environs, and even the court, go to pay their veneration to Miraculous Madonna, an I their annual offerings to the priests that monopolise her miracles. Joachim Murat, who, whilst King of Naples, had the means and opportunity of gratifying his fondness for Oriental display, always celebrated this festival with the utmost pomp and splendour. At the appointed day, in 18M. he appeared in the military cloak and sabre of Charles the-IV of Spain, (part of the spoil of his Spanish conquests) both | covered with jewels of the highest value, and'looked more like a knigfet-errant of old than a modern warrior. A military review having been arranged, several thousand men were mustered, and went :j through various complicated evolutions. After this 'i a navel review took place. The Neapolitan flotilla, consisting of two men-of-war carrying H guns, three frigates of forty guns, and several brigs and ?" sloops gaily decorated with flags, left the beautiful' bay in full sail, followed by numerous private yachts and pleasure boits, and steered towards the island of Capri. A nav*l sham fight had been arranged to take place on their return.

About three o'clock a grand procession was arranged on shore at the Villa Reale. It was headed by twelve magnificent carriages containing the King and his suite, guarded by a squadron of Royal lancers and their admirable band of music. Eleven of the carriages were=each drawn by eight thorough-bred horses, and in thpm rode the great officers of the household, the ministers,?the princes and princesses of thefoyal family j to the twelfth, which had formerly been -the state-carriage of Chirles IV of Spain, and which contained the King and Queen, were harnessed twelve Arabian gray horses. All the ornaments of this splendid vehicle —consisting of elaborate chasings and a massiws crown—were of pure gold. The carriages were followed by the King's staff and a body of cuirassiers. At this moment the Villa Reale (which is situated on-the sea-shore) presented a magnificent spectacle. A vast number of people of all classes had assembled on the spot to view the procession, whilst the windows and balconies of the houses were filled with elegantly-dressed company. The palaces of the Strada di Cbiaga, which overlook the Villa Reale, were filled with the wealthiest families in the Kingdom, ambassadors, and other distinguished foreigners. The concourse of spectators of all descriptions stretched for nearly two miles, in a straight line, and presented a coup-d'oeil extremely picturesque and imposing. Everything wasgoyous, and the entire city seemed sbaudoned to the pleasures of the festival. Scarcely had the procession began to move, before a brisk cannonade was heard from the sea towards Cape Posiligio. The attention of the multitude was immediately directed to that quarter; for it was believed that the sham had begun before the appointed time. Presently two frigates and several smaller vessels appeared doubling the Cape, and making their way into port witn all possible speed; the firing from the ships in pursuit being, all the while, kept up. In short, the fight was to all appearance so admirably managed, that the procession was entirely neglected, every person looking at its progress, and applauding the admirable look of reality which the Neapolitan flotilla was giving to the engagement. While the excitemeat produced by the chase was, however, at its highest, the crowd on shore were astounded by the firing of an alarm signal from the castle of St. Elmo, and which was never heard • unless at the approach of an enemy, or at the commencement of a revolt. This astonishment was turned into a panic of alarm, when it was perceived that instead of a sham, a real fight was going on ; for three English men-of-war now hove in sight. To add to the general distress, several stray shots struck the shore.

It would be impossible to describe the scene of terror and confusion which followed. The screams were truly terrific, and re-echoed mournfully in the bay and on the hills. Thousands of ladies end gentlemen threw themselves on their faces ; many fainted ; and the rest betook themselves to flight. As all wished to be the first out of danger, the gates of the Villa Reale were soon choked up by the fugitives, and became impassable to all. Murat, informed of this unexpected English visit, left the state-carriage, and, followed on horseback by his staff, went to direct, from the Castle dell 'Uovo. the defence of his fleet and his capital. After this, a real fight began by sea and land, which lasted until night put an end to the gallantry of the assailers and defenders. The latter, however, sustained great injury in their ships and batteries : while the former, after amusing themselves with disturbing the festival, and frighting almost to death the people of Naples, sailed away, and no vestige of them was to be seen the next morning. The Villa Reale, however, presented a sad aspect; its beautiful floweis, and exotic plants and shrubs, ware almost all destroyed ; its alleys were covered with broken hats, parasols, shoes, gloves, reticules, and other articles of wearing apparel; and the hospitals and private houses were filled with perions who had been injured—not by the English shots—but by the consequences of their panic - terror.

Treatment of Burns.—lt is stated by the Medical Times, that a Mr. Peppercorne has cured several cases of severe burns of the hand by the application of a single layer of lint soaked in a saturated solution of carbonate of soda. Mr. Peppercorne conceives that, besides acting as a direct sedative upon the nervous structure of the skin, it may possibly relieve paiu by neutralising the aciduous quality of the perspiration as it passes off through the irritated skin. Whether the proposed remedy should have the effect here ascribed to it or not, it is, at all events, worthy of a trial, as the solution can be readily procured, and as readily applied, without the possibility of doing any harm. The carbonate of soda is one of the ingredients of soda and seidlitz powders; it is also used in many culinary operations ; and scarcely any one need be at a loss to obtain it.