a low or a disgraceful nature; and although, whilst resident in the city of Naples, all the persons who' generally formed her court and household during her stay in Italy did not constantly reside at her house, it will be proper, to prevent repetition in' future, here to take some notice of those respectable individuals, and others who subsequently proved that they were any thing but respectable, who composed her suite. Besides those already mentioned, we have to notice several who joined" her afterwards. The Countess Oldi, of Cremona, a sister of the Baron Bergami's, and a lady respectable for her qualities and misfortunes, was for a long time lady of honour to her Royal Highness. She afterwards resided with the Queen in England. Dr. Mochetti, of Como, formerly professor of botany, agriculture, and natural history, the author of many esteemed productions, forming part of the records of various academies, of which he is a member, had the honour to be her physician. This gentleman was well known to the republic of letters, by his skill as a physician; and his name, which is still celebrated in Italy, is not unknown to foreigners. He attended her Royal Highness on a part of her travels. Mr Robert Hownam, already mentioned, a lieutenant in the navy, came from England at the invitation of her Royal Highness. He attended her as a private secretary; and is a brave man of an excellent character, and elevated principles. He also remained with the Queen. The Count Schavini, of a noble and opulent family of Cremona, was first equerry to her Royal Highness. He is as estimable for his integrity of character and cultivation of mind, as for his noble He also came to England. manners. The young W. Austin, Knight of Jerusalem, was also her equerry. Mr. Louis Bergami presided over her household. Mr. Vallotti Bergami, formerly under prefect at Cremona, was comptroller of disbursement, and brother of B. Bergami. Her Royal Highness honoured with her particular confidence the Chevalier Tomasia, prefect of a department under the late government of Italy. His intimate knowledge of the belles-lettres, of philosophy, of politics, statistics, and public economy, is well known in Italy, by various useful works, which have given him a distinguished place among learned men. He thus merited all the esteem and consideration with which he was honoured by her Royal Highness; as did also the distinguished professors, Count Volta, and M. Configliachi. In the same manner, M. Caveletti, formerly equerry to the late Emperor Napoleon, and the Chevalier Vassali, attached to the Queen's interest, persons of consideration, had frequently the honour to attend the court of her Royal Highness. Her law adviser was the advocate M. Joseph Marocci, of Milan; well known in his profession. She subsequently appointed as her Italian advocate Mr. Codazza, whose name we shall have occasion again to mention further on. Her Royal Highness purchased of the Countess Pino a pleasant casimo, upon the bank of the Lake of Como, at a short distance from that city. A delicious climate, the surrounding country varied and beautiful; a house, the front of which is directly upon the lake, gardens which seem almost suspended in the air, form altogether a scene of enchantment.* Her Royal Highness had an avenue of trees planted at her own expense, of nearly two miles in length, reaching from Como to her house. Generous and splendid in her ideas, she formed of the house of a private individual a royal palace; peace, order, and harmony reigned in her family; it could scarcely be believed that it was the court of a great Princess. Many persons were astonished that she did not receive the nobility of the neighbouring town; but her Royal Highness, who, by principle, did not love etiquette, who wished to be at liberty, and whose mode of life was always simple, never sought the society of any noble, at the same time, those who were presented to her were never ill received. She was accessible to all, she was affable; in her there was no affectation or caprice, she was mild * See the annexed plate. |