"The enemies of Italian unity have done so much at all times to mislead public opinion on the reactionist movements which have agitated the Southern provinces of Italy ... that I thought a work containing a truthful history of brigandage in the ex-kingdom of Naples would be at the same time useful and interesting ... I thought I could not do better than begin my work by acquainting English readers with the narrative of M. Monnier, who, an eye-witness for the most part of the time, related the history of the first period of the Neapolitan troubles ... I have then continued the history of these sad annals from the point left by M. Monnier up to the present day, availing myself of every investigation that has been made on this subject--of every official document published, and chiefly of the admirable report made by .. Commendatore Massari ... presented to our House of Deputies ... In the second volume I have also been able to introduce a report kindly sent to me by General Pallavicini, on his last brilliant expeditions into the most infested parts of the Southern provinces, and have concluded by some remarks on recent political events, and the progress that has been made by the young kingdom of Italy ..."--Preface