Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/276

 240 A N E L L O. the next day, they fliould come all united to market, with & refolution to tell the country fruiterers, that they would buy no more taxed fruit. A number of boys ufed to aflemble in the market place to pick up fuch fruit as fell. Maflaniello got among thefe^ taught them fome cries and clamours fuited to his purpofe, and enrolled fuch a number of them between 16 and 17 years of age, that they came to be 500, and at laft 2000. Of this militia he made himfelf general, giving every one of them in their hands a little weak cane. The ihopkeepers observing his inftruflions, there happened the next day a great tumult between them and the fruiterers, which the re- gent of the city fent Anaclcrio, the elei of the people, to quell. Among the fruiterers was a coufm of Maflaniello's, who, according to the inftru<5lions given him, began more than any to inflame the people. He faw that he could fell his fruit but at a low price, which, when the tax was paid, would not quit coft. He fell into a great rage, threw two large bafkets on the ground, and cried out, God gives plenty, and the bad government a dearth : I care not a (haw for this fruit, let every one take of it. The boys eagerly ran to gather and eat the fruit. Maflaniello ruftied in among them, crying. No tax, no tax. But Anaclerio threatening him with whipping and the gallies, not only the fruiterers, but all the people 3 threw fig?, apples, and other fruits with great fury ill his face. Maflaniello hit him on the breaft with a ftone, and encouraged his militia of boys to do the fame: but Ana- clerio faved his life by flight. Upon this fuccefs, the people flocked in great numbers to the market place, and exclaimed aloud againft thofe into- lerable grievances under which they groaned ; protefting their refolinion to fubmit no longer to them. The fury fli'.l increafing, Maflaniello leapt upon the higheft table which was among the fruiterers, and harangued the crowd, comparing himfelf to Mofes, who delivered the Egyptians from the rod of Pharoah ; to Peter, who was a filherman as well as himfelf, yet refcued Rome and the world from the flavery of Satan ; promifmg them a like deliverance from their opprtflions by his means, and protefting his readinefs to lay down his life in fuch a glorious caufe. Maflaniello repeat- ing often thefe and fuch like words, wonderfully inflamed the minds of the people ; who were difpofed in their hearts to co- operate with him to this purpofe. To begin the work, there was fire put to the houfe that was next the toll houfe for fruit, both which were burnt j to