The history of Spatolino exhibits rather the character of a man bred
where men are in a state of nature, than of one born in the midst of an
old European state. This extraordinary character, furiously irritated
against the French, who had invaded Italy, desperately bent himself upon
revenge, and directed his attacks unceasingly upon their battalions. He
might perhaps have become a great general, had he entered the military
profession: had he received a competent education, he might have been a
virtuous and eminent citizen. His first crime was an act of vengeance,
and all his following delinquencies flowed from the same source. An
enthusiastic feeling placed the blade in his hand against the invaders
of the Roman States, and a superior sagacity aided his terrible
energies. He died stigmatised with the titles of brigand and assassin;
but the French, on whom he had exercised the most striking acts of
revenge, were his judges, his accusers, and executioners. In all his
acts the man of courage could be distinguished, finding resources, in
whatever dangers, in his own genius. He never was a traitor himself,
although often betrayed by his most intimate friends. His vindictive
exploits were prompt and terrible. The French greatly dreaded him. His
life presents traits truly romantic; sometimes they may appear
exaggerated; but his history is from an authentic source, and from his
voluntary confession.
The reader may wish to know something of the person of Spatolino. He was
of low stature, long visage, fair skin, but his face of an olive pale
hue; his eyes of a light blue, and full of animation; his aspect fierce;
hair light; long whiskers; lips pale; broad back; swift of foot; and
particularly animated in his action. He wore a jerkin lined with red, a
dark yellow waistcoat, blue breeches, a breast-pouch with fifty
cartridges, four pistols, and a small hanger by his side. In his
breeches-pocket he kept a small stiletto. He also bore a long gun. On
his head he wore continually a net, and upon that his hat. His wife
followed him in all his excursions, and he greatly esteemed and loved
her. He remained some time in the mountains near Rome, and with his
associates laid in a store of whatever was necessary for their new
avocation. He then resolved upon proceeding to Sonnino, the common
rendezvous of the greater part of the banditti in the papal states. In
Sonnino he found some followers, who, going deeply into his notions, did
not scruple to join him. They swore to entertain an eternal friendship
for each other, implacable hatred against the French, and laid it down
as a duty to rob and kill them. Spatolino, before commencing his career
as brigand, repaired to the curate of Sonnino, and requested absolution
for all the crimes he had or might commit; the curate, surprised at this
request, observed to him, that absolution was only given after sins were
committed. Spatolino very soon quieted the scruples of the curate, by
making him a present of a very handsome watch; upon which he immediately
raised his hands and gave him the desired absolution. Sonnino may be
compared with Pontus, where Ovid was in exile, and which is thus
described by that celebrated author:--"The men I meet with are not even
worthy of the name; they are more fierce than wolves; have no laws, as
with them armed force constitutes justice, and injury rights. They live
by rapine, but seek it not without peril, and sword in hand. Every other
way of purveying for their necessities they view as base and
ignominious. It is enough for them to be seen to be hated and dreaded.
The sound of their voice is ferocious; their physiognomy horrible, and
their complexion cadaverous." Just such are the inhabitants of Sonnino
and its vicinity at present, and among such Spatolino came to complete
his band, which, when formed in Rome, consisted of seven only.
Before proceeding on his expedition, and to attach his wife more closely
to his person by proving his strong affection, he left his band and
proceeded to Civita Vecchia, and seeking a sailor who had seduced her,
he expressed a wish to speak with him a little distance from the town.
The sailor, conceiving it might be something to his advantage, followed
immediately. Spatolino conducted him a little beyond the gate of Civita
Vecchia, and giving him two thrusts of his stiletto in his heart, cut
off his ears and nose, to carry them as a present to his wife, and then
departed immediately for Sonnino. On his arrival, he proceeded to seek
Mary and his band. After the usual salutations, he took out of his
pocket the small bundle containing the nose and ears of the sailor, and,
presenting them to his wife, said, "From this you may judge my
affection. I was desirous of avenging your wrongs, and have done so by
killing your seducer. Here are the pledges of it, which you should keep,
in order to remind you of the betrayer, and as a guard against future
temptation. You cannot mistrust me, when I promise ever to afford you
proofs of true attachment, and I hope you will be faithful to me!" After
this they embraced affectionately, and swore to each other eternal
fidelity. Nor is it possible for any man to have kept his word more
scrupulously towards his wife. The following day Spatolino departed at
the head of his band, which was composed of eighteen persons, himself
and wife included, and proceeded to the vicinity of Portatta, near the
main road leading from Rome to Naples, which at that time was much
frequented by the French of every rank and condition, who proceeded
under orders between these two places. Towards night, Spatolino placed
himself and comrades in ambush on the high road, intending to take
advantage of a military body of which he had information. Ere long a
sound of horses was heard; they were immediately on the alert, and
succeeded in arresting a French escort of seven soldiers on foot, and
the same number on horseback, conducting the baggage-wagon of a French
colonel of the line. It contained all his effects, and money to a large
amount. Upon the first fire of Spatolino's band, five of the soldiers
were killed, and three desperately wounded; he then threw himself
amongst the others, who were placed on the defence, and who had expended
their fire without hurting a single individual of the band. Spatolino,
with his pistols, killed two, and a few moments saw him and his band
masters of the field. Spatolino ordered his men to strip the dead, and
placing every thing in the wagon, after digging a pit for the bodies,
they retired to a cave in a wood near the road, where the booty was
equally divided. He took himself two of the best horses, and armed and
equipped his band in a superior manner. He also presented to his wife a
part of the spoil, she having been armed in the action, performing the
duty of a sentinel on the highway in advance about half a mile off, to
give notice, in case of an overwhelming force appearing. Spatolino,
having made a fair division of the spoil to raise the courage of his
companions, sent all his own money to his parents, informing them at the
same time, that for the future they should be released from misery, as
he would ever bear in mind the beings who gave him birth.--_New Monthly
Magazine_.
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