AN ITALIAN BRIGAND
by Anon
The Young Englishwoman (November 1875)
It would seem that the Italian brigand of the "Fra Diavoli" type, gentlemanly in manners and dress, fascinating in conversation, who makes a bow of the most engaging fashion when asking for money or any little valuables travellers may chance to have about them, is not quite extinct. At any rate, a very dashing brigand of this class, one Capraro, whose "gay recklessness and savage generosity of character made him the idol of his younger followers and the natural leader of the older ones," has been shot by a party of soldiers, sent to attempt his capture. He lived in a cave, of course - all poetical brigands do - and in the cave were many images of saints and madonnas which, as Dr. Johnson once remarked, "showed the rascal had good principles." When captured, he wore a jacket and pantaloons of black-coloured cashmere, a flannel shirt of a livelier tint, high boots of white leather and, slung over his shoulder, an excellent binocular field glass of long range and elegant manufacture. Round his neck was a gold chain with guard, to which was attached a silver watch; while on his finger he wore a massive ring, with "Vincenzo Capraro" engraved on it. Two pocket-books were also found upon him, one of them with his name artistically embroidered in gold. This picturesque gentleman, who fought desperately even after receiving a formidable wound, could no doubt have sung "Gentle Zitella" almost as charmingly as did Wallack when he played Massaroni in "The Brigand" fifty years ago, and set the hearts of sentimental young ladies palpitating, and made the song very popular. We rather regret to add that the attractive Capraro was, with some of his associates, something more than suspected of a tend towards cannibalism.