Ciro put himself at the head of the Patrioti Europei and Decisi, two associations of the most desperate character. The institution of the Decisi, or Decided, is so horrible, that it makes one shudder to contemplate it. The following translation of their patent will give some idea of the society.

No. 5.-Grand Masons.-The Decision of Jupiter the Thunderer hopes to make war against the tyrants of the universe, &c. &c.

The mortal Gaetano Caffieri is a Brother Decided, No. 5, belonging to the Decision of Jupiter the Thunderer, spread over the face of the earth, by his Decision, has had the pleasure to belong to this Salentine Republican Decision. We invite, therefore, all philanthropic societies to lend their strong arm to the same, and to assist him in his wants, he having come to the decision that he will obtain liberty or death. Dated this day, the 29th of October, 1817.

Signed,

PIETRO GARGARO

(The Decided Grand Master, No. 1.)

Vito de Serio, Second Decided.

Gaetano Caffieri,

Registrar of the Dead.

As the number of these decided ruffians was small, they easily recognised each other. We find that the grand master bears the No. 1; Vito de Serio, No. 2; the proprietor of the patent, Gaetano Caffieri, No. 5. He figures himself among the signatures with the title of Registrar of the Dead, which does not allude to the deceased members of the society, but to the victims they immolated, and of whom they kept a register apart, on the margin of which were found blasphemies and infernal projects. They had also a director of funeral ceremonies, for they slaughtered with method and solemnity. As soon as the detachments employed on this service found it convenient to effect their purpose, at the signal of the first blast of a trumpet they unsheathed their poniards; they aimed them at their

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victim at the second blast; at the third, they gradually approach their weapons to his breast, con vero entusiasmo" (with real enthusiasm), in their cannibal language, and plunged them into his body at the fourth signal.

The four points which are observable after the sig nature of Pietro Gargaro, indicate his power of passing sentence of death. When the Decisi wrote to any one to extort contributions, or to command him to do any thing-if they added these four points, it was known that the person they addressed was condemned to death in case of disobedience. If the points were not added, he was threatened with milder punishment, such as laying waste his fields, or burning his house.

The Salentine Republic, the ancient name of this district, was also that destined for their imaginary republic, which they called "un anello della Republica Europa," a link of the European Republic.

The symbols of the thunderbolt darting from a cloud and striking the crowns and tiara; the fasces and the cap of liberty planted upon a death's head between two axes; the skulls and bones with the words, "Tristezza, Morte, Terrore, and Lutto," Sadness, Death, Terror, and Mourning, sufficiently characterise this association. Their colours were yellow, red, and blue, which surround the patent.

Worn out with fatigue, Ciro and three companions, Vito de Cesare, Giovanni Palmieri, and Michele Cupoli, had taken refuge in Scaserba, to repose themselves for a few hours. He had previously provided this and all the farm-houses of the district with ammunition and some provisions. When he saw the militia of S. Marzano marching against him, he appeared very little alarmed, and thought he could easily cut his way through their ranks. He shot the first man dead who came within range of his musket. This delay cost him dear: the militia sent information to lieutenant Fonsmore, stationed at the " Castelli," a strong position between Grottaglie and Francavilla. This officer hastened to the spot with forty men. On seeing him approach,

Ciro perceived that a vigorous attack was to be made. He shut up the people of the Masseria in the straw magazine, and put the key in his pocket. He took away the ladder from the tower, and loaded, with the aid of his companions, all the guns, of which he had a good number.

Major Bianchi, informed of what was going on, sent on the same evening a detachment of gendarmes, under captain Corsi, and the next morning proceeded in person to Scaserba. The siege was formed by one hundred and thirty-two soldiers; the militia, on which little dependence was placed, were stationed at some distance, and in the second line.

Ciro vigorously defended the approaches to his tower till sunset. He attempted to escape in the night, but the neighing of a horse made him suspect that some cavalry had arrived, whose pursuit it would be impossible to elude. He retired, after having killed, with a pistol shot, a voltiguer, stationed under the wall he had attempted to scale. He again shut himself up in his tower, and employed himself till morning in making cartridges. At day-break, the besiegers tried to burst open the wooden gate of the outer wall. Ciro and his men repulsed the assailants by a well-directed fire; they killed five and wounded fourteen men. A barrel of oil was brought, in order to burn the door. The first man who set fire to it was shot through the heart. A four-pounder, which had been conveyed to the place, was pointed against the roof of the tower. Several of this calibre had been contrived to be easily dismounted from their carriages, and transported on mules. This little piece produced great effect. The tiles and bricks which fell forced Ciro to descend from the second story to the first. He was tormented with a burning thirst, for he had forgotten to provide himself with water, and he never drank wine. This thirst soon became insupportable.

After some deliberations with his companions, he demanded to speak with general Church, who, he believed, was in the neighbourhood, then to the duke of

Jasi, who was also absent; at last, he resolved to capitulate with major Bianchi. He addressed the besiegers, and threw them some bread. Major Bianchi promised him that he should not be maltreated by the soldiers. He descended the ladder, opened the door of the tower, and presented himself with the words, “Eccomi, Don Ciro!"-Here I am, Don Ciro!

He begged them to give him some water to quench his thirst, and desired them to liberate the farmer and his family, who had been shut up all this while in the straw magazine. He declared that they were innocent, and distributed money among them.

He suffered himself to be searched and bound patiently. Some poison was found upon him; he asserted that his companions had prevented him from taking it. He conversed quietly enough with major Bianchi on the road to Francavilla, and related to him the principal circumstances of his life.

In prison, he appeared to be interested for the fate of some of his partisans, begging that they might not be persecuted, and declaring that they had been forced to do what they had done.

He had entertained some hope, till the moment when he was placed before the council of war, under the direction of lieutenant-colonel Guarini. He addressed a speech to him, taking him for general Church. He insisted on speaking to that officer: this was refused, and he resigned himself to his fate, drily saying, "Ho capito," I understand.

When condemned to death, a missionary offered him the consolations of religion. Ciro answered him with a smile," Lasciate queste chiacchiere; siamo dell' istessa professione; non ci burliamo fra noi.”- "Let us leave alone this prating; we are of the same profession; don't let us laugh at one another."

As he was led to execution, the 8th of February, 1818, he recognised lieutenant Fonsmore, and addressed these words to him: "Se iv fosse re, vi farei capitano." -“If I were king, I would make you a cap

tain." This officer was the first to arrive at Scaserba with his soldiers.

The streets of Francavilla were filled with people : there were spectators even upon the roofs. They all preserved a gloomy silence.

On his arrival at the place of execution, Ciró wished to remain standing; he was told to kneel: he did so, presenting his breast. He was then informed, that malefactors, like himself, were shot with their backs towards the soldiers; he submitted, at the same time advising a priest, who persisted in remaining near him, to withdraw, so as not to expose himself.

Twenty-one balls took effect, four in the head, yet he still breathed and muttered in his throat: the twenty-second put an end to him. This fact is confirmed by all the officers and soldiers present at his death. "As soon as we perceived," said a soldier, very gravely, "that he was enchanted, we loaded his own musket with a silver ball, and this destroyed the spell." It will be easily supposed, that the people, who always attributed supernatural powers to him, were confirmed in their belief by this tenaciousness of life, which they considered miraculous.

Monthly Magazine.

A TALE OF WONDER.

SIR,-When I was a young boy, I had delicate health, and was somewhat of a pensive and contemplative turn of mind it was my delight, in the long summer evenings, to slip away from iny noisy and more robust companions, that I might walk in the shade of a venerable wood, my favourite haunt, and listen to the cawing of the old rooks, who seemed as fond of this retreat as I

was.

One evening I sat later than usual, though the distant sound of the cathedral clock had more than once