PLATE IV.

THE LONDON AND PARIS

LADIES' MAGAZINE OF FASHION,

POLITE LITERATURE, ETC.

LUDOVICO LANA.

A TRUE STORY OF MODERN SICILY.

In the summer of 1811, I was travelling in Sicily, and in crossing the island from Girgenti to Palermo, paid a visit to the town of Castrogiovanni, built on the site of the ancient Enna. I was surprised to find how little interest was caused by our arrival, as in most of these classical spots a host of beggars assail the stranger on one side, as the guides beset him on the other, both eager for prey and for spoils, while the idle and unemployed, forming ninetenths of the population, lounge around to swell the crowd. But, on this occasion, we passed almost unnoticed through the streets, and I could scarcely bribe a half-naked urchin to direct me to the house of the Abbate, to whom I had an introduction.-From the worthy Abbate, however, when at last found, I soon learned the cause of the unusual excitement which thus had changed the general aspect of the ancient town of Castrogiovanni. A brigand, belonging, it is said, to the band of the celebrated Ludovico Lana, had been arrested, and it was expected that he would make disclosures of great interest when condemned to death, which it was decided that he should be by the judge and other authorities before the trial took place or a question asked. He been arrested on the deposition of a dying Dan, who had been robbed and mortally Founded on the road between Catania and Castrogiovanni; but the accused stoutly mainained that at the time mentioned he had been engaged as a porter at Palermo. Unfortunately, he had neither time allowed nor the means of procuring the attendance of witnesses, and the judge had fully made up his mind beforehand, as is very generally the case, and the sentence was passed just at the time of my entering the town; all the world, therefore, were assembled about the tribunal, and employed in discussing the merits of the case, which accounted for the deserted state of the streets, never at any time crowded with population.-Soon after my establishment with my host, my servant returned from the locanda, and congratulated me on my good quarters, more particularly as a very great personage had arrived a short time previous, who occupied, together with the unfortunate man just condemned, all the thoughts of the innkeeper and his family. I inquired who the great unknown might be, and was told that he was a very fine-looking young man, about twenty-eight or thirty years of age, in the uniform of an English officer of rank, and attended by two domestics. He had arrived from Palermo; and though from his dress he appeared to be in the English service, yet his

MARCH, MDCCCL.

accent and dialect were evidently Maltese,
which circumstance strongly excited the
curiosity of the worthy landlord, whose house
was seldom visited by such distinction. The
stranger had asked the distance from Castro-
giovanni to Palermo, and was told about seven-
teen miles. He then ordered dinner, and
desired his attendants to see to the horses, as
he should proceed that evening to the place of
his destination.-The host ventured to repre-
sent to his excellenza the danger of the route,
at which the traveller laughed, and asked in
what the mighty danger consisted.
"Had his excellenza never heard of Ludovico
Lana?" inquired the innkeeper.
"Lodovico Lana! and who may he be?"
was the reply.

"Oh signor! the most terrible brigand in
the island, and who just now will be more
furious than ever."

"One of his band has just been arrested and condemned to death, here in Castrogiovanni; and Ludovico is capable of setting fire to the town, aud cutting all our throats."

The stranger laughed at the alarm of his
informant, and asked when the execution
would take place.

"The day after to-morrow, no doubt."
"And at what hour?"

'Eight in the morning, excellenza, is the usual hour."

"I have a great curiosity to see the execution," observed the officer.

Nothing is easier; your excellenza can return hither from Palermo to-morrow evening, and I will take care to provide a good place for you to witness the execution of this bandit. I have the honour to be acquainted with the judge, and can, I doubt not, procure you a seat by him."

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ecution. Meanwhile the host of the White Cross had informed not only his friend, the judge, but all the town, of the great personage who had become his guest, detailing his magnificence with no little exaggeration, and easily obtaining promise of the place he sought to witness the execution. During the whole of the intervening day the only subjects of discussion in the town were the arrival of this great personage at the White Cross, and the approaching event, many believing the assertions of innocence so stoutly maintained by the accused, from whom the confessor had obtained no avowal of guilt. The confessor himself seemed inclined to believe in the protestations of the condemned. At night another monk had an interview with him in the chapel where he was to pass the last hours of his existence, and remained with him till past eleven o'clock, declaring when he left him that he did not believe him to be guilty, and promising to pray for his deliverance. After this visitor had departed, the penitent seemed more tranquil and resigned than he had been at intervals during the day.

At midnight Colonel Sancta Croce arrived as he had promised at the locanda, and seemed perfectly satisfied with the arrangements he was informed his host had made for him to witness the spectacle of the next day. During the whole night the bells of all the churches and convents were tolled to keep the good people of the town in mind of their duty to pray for the condemned; and at daybreak crowds began to assemble, and the peasantry to arrive from the neighbourhood. At seven o'clock the judge and other officials took their stations on a platform prepared for them, and were joined soon after by Colonel Sancta Croce, who was received with all the attention his wealth and rank demanded. At eight o'clock the bells again tolled forth, and announced the approach of the victim, who soon made his appearance mounted on an ass, with his face towards the tail, preceded by the executioner, and surMy servant then went on to narrate the rounded by the Brothers of Mercy, whose wonder of the host when about to prepare the especial duty it is to form a part on such melantable for his guest, at learning from the servants choly occasions. The procession moved slowly that they carried with them various articles of along without any interruption, till it arrived plate and linen for their master's service, who, opposite the spot where the authorities were unaccustomed to the rude furniture of a Sicilian seated, when suddenly the condemned gave a locanda, looked with amazement at the prepara-loud shout, and nodding with his head towards tion made for his accommodation. His curiosity being excited to the highest degree, he contrived to learn that the stranger was a Maltese, enormously rich, who had obtained a high rank in the English service, and was called Colonel Sancta Croce.

Just the thing," replied the stranger. "I will return to-morrow night, and in the meantime you will take care to make the proper arrangements."

The colonel soon after started, as he had said, for the residence of his friend, Prince Paterno, leaving one of his servants with part of his baggage at the locanda, purposing to return the next night to be in readiness to witness the ex

Colonel Sancta Croce, (for his hands were tied behind his back,) cried out to a monk who walked beside him," Father! father! there sits a gentleman who can save me if he will."

Where, my son?" asked the priest, with no little amazement.

"There! there-by the judge! that officer in an English uniform-God has brought him here, no doubt, to save an innocent man—a miracle, father! a miracle!"

J

"A miracle! a miracle!" shouted the people