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SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

THE ROBBER SPATOLINO.

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,