Ferdinand II

of the Two Sicilies (surnamed Bomba, from his bombarding Palermo and other cities during an insurrection, son of Francis I. of Naples, by Isabella of Spain; born in Palermo, Sicily, Jan. 10, 1810; succeeded his father in 1830. At the outset of his reign he profe ed to adopt constitutional measures for the regeneration of his unhappy country, but unhappily placing himself in the hands of the Jesuits, he became the instrument by which the most odious tyranny was carried into effect. In 1848, when half the thrones in Europe were trembling in the balance, Sicily burst out into open rebellion.