FERDINAND IV (1751-1825, King of Naples and Sicily from 1759)

Autograph Letter Signed 'Ferdinando R' (in Italian with translation), to an unnamed correspondent, saying that he quite understands "from your letter why you have not written before ... I have been fully informed about everything to do with the Controller [of the Royal Household]", adding that he is "glad you now have all the Seratti papers by you ... and will be able to come here with Falco the day after tomorrow. My health keeps up unchanged but tomorrow I end my stay in paradise and begin purgatory all over again. Look after yourself, enjoy yourself ... ever your devoted Ferdinand R", 1½ sides 4to., La Ficuzza (the king's hunting lodge in Sicily, about 30 miles from Palermo), 3rd [of January] in pencil, a little faint but quite legible

Ferdinand spent 1806-1815 in Sicily while Napoleon occupied the mainland. On 26th December 1812 he 'escaped' to his beloved Ficuzza while his Austrian-born Queen MARIA CAROLINA (1752-1814) stayed at S. Margherita. Lord William BENTINCK, British ambassador and head of the Sicilian armed forces, suspected the queen, correctly as is now known, of intriguing with Napoleon, and established a regency, refusing to treat with the king while the queen was with him. However, she was due to join him at La Ficuzza on 4th January. Later in 1813 Bentinck insisted that she return permanently to Austria. In 1812 Bentinck had established a constitution for Sicily on British lines. Bentinck aimed to pay the king just enough to keep him out of the way at La Ficuzza. Franco SERATTI had been Secretary (head) of the Council for the Royal Household, 11th December 1800, then Secretary of State and President of the Council for Finance, 14th April 1803, but was dismissed 'for reasons of health' (incompetence) on 26th July 1803. No doubt Ferdinand had asked his present correspondent for information in the battle over expenses.

Item Date:  1813

Stock No:  9165      £225

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