DE'LFICO, MELCHIORRE, born of a noble family at Toreroo, in the Abruzzo, August I, 1744, studied at Naples under Genovesi, Mazzoceld, and other learne I teachers, and applied himself particularly to the study of the law and of political economy. After his return to his native country he published his first work, an essay in defence of matrimony, against some loose opinions of the time—'Sagglo Filosofico nel Matrimonio: 1774. In 1782 he published a treatise on the advantages of a provincial militia —‘Discoree sul Itistabilimento della Milizia Provinciale: He next wrote a ' Memorin walla Coltivazione del Rho Comune in Provincla dl Teramo,' in which he reoommended the removal of the unhealthy rice grounds from the neighbourhood of towns and villages, a suggestion which was approved of and acted upon by King Ferdinand. He also wrote several memoirs against the laws restrictive of the trade in provisions—'Memorie sul Tribunalo della Grascia e sulle Leggi Ec000micho nelle Provincie confinanti del Repo.' These memoirs being addressed to the king, had also tho effect of removing the obnoxious restrictions on the sale and exporta tion of rural produce. The government of Naples was at that time disposed to useful reforms, and much was done to improve the con dition of the people, until the French revolution broke out, when the Italian governments became suspicious and averse to change. Previous to that however Dclfico continued to assist by his suggestions the progress of social improvement. He wrote in 1787 a memoir against the abuse of the winter transmigration of sheep from the highlands to the maritime districts of the Abruzzo, by which a largo tract of fertile land was kept out of cultivation, 'Memorials(' i Regii Stucchi, ossia sulla Servitfi dei Pascoli luvernali nelle Provincie Maritime degli Abruzzi,' and soon after he published another treatise on the like practice in the plain of Apulia—' Discern° snl Travoliere di Puglia,' 8vo, 1783. About the same time he wrote a Memoria sti i pest e he tnisure del Rogue,' recommending a uniform system of weights and measures throughout the various provinces of the kingdom of Naples. His next work was in favour of the free sale of fiefs which reverted to the crown at the extinction of baronial families—`Riflessioni eulla Vendita dei Feudi,' 1790, and Lettera al Duca di Cantalupo sfi i feudi devoluti,' 1795. Here again his recommendation prevailed, and
a law was issued for the sato of feudal estates reverted to the crown as allodial property.
Delfico also addressed to the king a Rimostranza; or 'Memorial,' by which he obtained the establishment of a 'Regis Udienza,' or royal court of justice for the province of Teramo, which till then was dependent on the court of Chieti. King Ferdinand made Delfico a Knight of the Order of Constantine. In 1799 the French invaded the kingdom of Naples, and a few months after they were obliged to evacuate it. In the midst of those blood-stained vicissitudes, Delfico thought it prudent to emigrate, and he repaired to Sau Mariuo, where he was inscribed among the citizens of that republic, and where he waited for more peaceful times. In gratitude for the hospitality which ho there met with, he wrote the history of that little state from the documents which he found in its archives—' Memorie storiche della repubblica di San Marino raccolte dal Cavaliers Melchiorro Delfico cittadino della medesima,' 4to, Milan, 1804. When Joseph Bouaparte became King of Naples in 1306, Delfico was made coun cillor of state, and was also for a time intrusted with the manage ment of the home department. He contributed to the now judiciary organisation of the kingdom and other useful measures, among others to the establishment of the house for the insane at Averse. On the restoration of King Ferdinand in 1815, Delfico was mode President of the Commission of the Archives. In 1823 he tendered his resignation on account of his great ago, and the king allowed him it handsome pension for life. He left Naples, and returned to his native Teramo, where he continued till his death, which occurred on the 21st of Juno 1835, at the age of ninety-one. A few years before his death, as the new king, the present Ferdinand IL, being on a tour through the provinces, repaired to Teramo, in 1382, Delfico, who in his youth had known his great grandfather King Charles Bourbon, the founder of the Neapolitan dynasty, caused himself to he carried to the presence of his youthful king, who received him with marks of respect, had him seated by his side, and conversed long with him.