The government, being founded on conquest, is of course despotic. The King generally keeps up near thirty thousand men, who seem to be tolerable troops. The officers are obliged to have a public military education, and are astonished that this is not the case with us. The navy consists of three two-deckers, about a dozen frigates, and twenty galleys. They are at war with the Algerines, but seldom take a prize.
The revenue of the King of Naples is near a million sterling. When supplies are wanted, his Majesty has only to issue an edict, mentioning the cause, and the manner in which they are to be raised. He generally says, that it is by the desire of his Council, which only consists of his principal Ministers, and the Queen, who is allowed a considerable share in the administration of the kingdom, from its independence being in a manner obtained through the female line, as I conjecture; for the short time I have been in this country has not permitted me to make myself master of its laws, which, as well as several other matters, I must pass over till my return. As to churches and convents, I will not detain you with any account of them; for they are nearly alike in most Roman Catholic states.
Naples is in Lat. 40° 53′, Long. 14° 12′ East, and, by the shortest course, about a thousand miles from Gibraltar.
LETTER X.
TO CAPTAIN SMITH.
Off Salerno, October 2d.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
Lord Hervey and Captain Barnard, who have had the goodness to accompany us thus far, being about to leave us, I embrace this opportunity of sending you a continuation of my Journal; a form of writing, which, in conformity to your wishes, I shall always prefer whenever we are at sea.
Friday, September 28th.