Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Vol. 3): 3. ed., rev. and enl (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

Ch. IV.

THROUGH ITALY.

117

mention. One day, shooting, an amusement of
which Ferdinand is passionately fond, happening
to be the subject of conversation at court, the
King expressed a dislike to double-barrelled
guns, because the attendants were exposed to
some danger from the unexpected discharge of
one of the barrels; when a German Prince, not
very remarkable for the humane treatment of his
subjects, observed, that, after all, the persons so
exposed were only game-keepers and servants.
The K mg’s countenance instantly reddened; and
he replied with a warmth very unusual to him-
Sir, I would sooner break all my guns, and re-
nounce shooting for ever, than hurt the little fin·
ger of the lowest human being on the face of the
earth. These instances of benevolence, strength-
ened and developed by an affability and good
humor that seemed to increase as he advanced in
life added considerably to the partiality and at-
tachment which the Neapolitans had conceived
for him, from the circumstance of his being· des-
tined to remain with them, to govern them in
person, and to deliver them from all the evils of
delegated authority. This popularity, though
founded at first rather upon the hopes and wishes
than the experience of the people, he has had the
good fortune never to forfeit; and after a reign
of more than forty years, the latter part of which
has been marked by reverses and disaster, he