DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67375#0229
FERDINAND I.
179
were made mysterious by their symbolism. All Italy,
France, Germany, and other countries were the homes of
secret societies; but the first swarmed with them, and
while presenting a somewhat hardened and indifferent ap-
pearance outwardly, it was, in reality, torn and convulsed
within by vehement rebellion against present wrongs, and
a growing determination toward better conditions.
However faithful to their oaths the Carbonari might
be, so large an organization could not be wholly con-
cealed; but while its existence was known to the sover-
eigns of Europe, its danger was not appreciated. Ferdi-
nand, however, was in great fear of them; and his police
director, Canosa, employed spies and money for their
detection. His agents not only joined the society, but
they stirred up dissension within it. Canosa established
an opposition to the Carbonari in the secret society of
the Calderari, or Tinkers, who also had their rites and
oaths, and swore to befriend the Bourbons.
Had the Carbonari been blessed with a prudent and
able leader, no limit can be placed to wrhat they might
have accomplished, having imbibed the revolutionary
spirit, after being goaded to desperation by centuries
of frightful oppression; but wanting such a leader all
sorts of theories and disagreements sprung up in their
lodges. Doubts and jealousies existed where confidence
and good feeling alone could avail. They knew how
actively Canosa pursued them, and they distrusted each
other, in spite of the terrible fate which hung over a
Carbonaro who violated the ironclad oaths he had taken.
Even the astute Metternich, when he made a progress
through the kingdom in 1817, failed to apprehend the
full significance of the society of the Carbonari. He
perceived their want of union and their need of a leader.
He argued that as they had accomplished little they would
die out if left to themselves; and for a long time this
179
were made mysterious by their symbolism. All Italy,
France, Germany, and other countries were the homes of
secret societies; but the first swarmed with them, and
while presenting a somewhat hardened and indifferent ap-
pearance outwardly, it was, in reality, torn and convulsed
within by vehement rebellion against present wrongs, and
a growing determination toward better conditions.
However faithful to their oaths the Carbonari might
be, so large an organization could not be wholly con-
cealed; but while its existence was known to the sover-
eigns of Europe, its danger was not appreciated. Ferdi-
nand, however, was in great fear of them; and his police
director, Canosa, employed spies and money for their
detection. His agents not only joined the society, but
they stirred up dissension within it. Canosa established
an opposition to the Carbonari in the secret society of
the Calderari, or Tinkers, who also had their rites and
oaths, and swore to befriend the Bourbons.
Had the Carbonari been blessed with a prudent and
able leader, no limit can be placed to wrhat they might
have accomplished, having imbibed the revolutionary
spirit, after being goaded to desperation by centuries
of frightful oppression; but wanting such a leader all
sorts of theories and disagreements sprung up in their
lodges. Doubts and jealousies existed where confidence
and good feeling alone could avail. They knew how
actively Canosa pursued them, and they distrusted each
other, in spite of the terrible fate which hung over a
Carbonaro who violated the ironclad oaths he had taken.
Even the astute Metternich, when he made a progress
through the kingdom in 1817, failed to apprehend the
full significance of the society of the Carbonari. He
perceived their want of union and their need of a leader.
He argued that as they had accomplished little they would
die out if left to themselves; and for a long time this