The Sun.
London, England, 1826-07-04 00:00:00

ALLA GIORWATA," or To the Day, in S vole. Saunders and
Otley, 1826.
On the !minim of the. Arno, we are informed, stands
a marble palace, river the door way of which is inscrib-
,ed the motto which forms the title of the work before
us; to what the words allude has been a topic of much
curious research and enquiry ;—and. to give a most
satisfactory and authentic solution of the enigma, is
the business of this tale; this is accomplished by
means of no slight degree of romance. The descrip-
tion of manners and scenery is happily conveyed, and
the characters in general well discriminated and ably
I;ept up. The early part of the story we must con-
fess does not excite much interest; and the sentiment
inay be somewhat too high-flown ; but as we proceed,
the narrative assumes a more engaging form. The
heroine is a, young lady of large possessions, to
which she succeeds on the death of her father ; but
excessively romantic, and from her situation, possess-
ing the means of indulging in that propensity not
.
only, rin contemplation, but in action. We are left
for a considerable time in ignorance as to the date
of the story ; but at length incidentally learn that its
epoch is that 'of the conclusion of the crusades; and
at a period when some degree of intellectual illu-
mination and freedcim of thought had begun
to display themselves, in opposition to the enslaving
superstitions which had become rivetted on the minds
of the greater part of Europe by the influence of the
Papal Power. The heroine's father is in some measure
a convert to the new opinions ; and the adventurous
spirit of the 'daughter leads her still more cordially to
embrace them., The narrative has therefore through-
out much of a serious, not to say religious, 'cast ;
terspersed, however, occasionally with lighter scenes.
It is very long before we come to any thing like a
connected chain of events; and, when we do, it is
still longer before we obtain a glimmering of light as
to the meaning of the mysterious motto.. This,
however, is so important a secret that it is by
no means our intention 'to let our ' readers into
it. The heroine's peculiar turn of , opinions, and
those of her, noble lover, in accordance , with
them, but in opposition to those .of his family,
are the'foundation (of course) of•a series of perils and
misfortunes; and the plot is chiefly interesting from
the numbers of subordinate adventures, which it is.
the means of introducing, and in whieh there, is eon,
siderable spirit and variety; though, as to the natural
or probable character of some of' them we cannot sty
much.

As a fair seecimen. of the descriptive and- senti-
mental style of the writer, we will extract the account
of the heroine's visit to her own palace when in the.
possession of ber enemies
' When Ildegarda left Siena, to indulge herself in a parting
visit to her castle either loved. Volterra, the delightful freshness of
the autumnal air, its invigorating elasticitycomparect with that of
Pisa, 'seemed to inspire her with fresh 'hope and life.; 'even the
just cause eha had for alarm was for the moment lulled into foi-
'getfulness. The enchanting variety.Of the scenery ; the tender
recollections which crowded upon her at every approach she made
to her own palace, all combined to throw her into that dreamy state
of being, which places the material things of earth at immeasura-
ble distance, and makes them seem beneath the consideration of a
spiritual intelligence. Arrived at the foot of the- terrace which
conducted her to her favourite apartments, she endeavanred to
enter the great iron gates; but they were barricadoed; and it Wes,
a considerable time before she could-get any person to answer her
repeated demands for entrance. At length a stranger came, and
uncourteowily asked what she Wanted ?
" I want to enter, and see the Palace."
" T have orders to admit no one," was the reply.
" Who save you those orders?"
" Monteseudajo."
An expression of indignation escaped Ildegarda-
" It was not thus," she said, " in the Gherardesea't time; the
rites of hospitality were administered to all corners."
" It may be to, but I' have nothing' to do with that ; I only
know my orders, and I hive 'no time to parley with you ; so go
your ways
" Cottle," said Ildtgarda, " he persuaded, let me enter ; I only
wish to Walk about for an hour or 'two, and' take leave of a place
which is very dear to me, and which I May never: behold again."
The loan stared at her, and then laughed.
"'Take leave of a place !--why, the woman's mad-:-begoirer,
and trouble me not."
Ihlegartia saw that he 'was one of those rude creatures, who
scarcely deserve the name of human beings; but there was yet a
key even to hie feelings:, and she tendered' a piece Of gold M him.
Ilia astonishment was great, as he took the offered bribe with a
mixture ofaVarice and fear, scarcely knowing if so great a sum
could be real; or the illusion of some witchcraft. Ile turned
it over and, over, and at last, in sullen silence, opened the door.
" There," he said, tossing her a bunch of keys, " you may go
all over the }Mimi and ground', for there' is nothing you can pos-
sibly steal."
How did this en artle.greeting sliiek the feelings of the unhappy
fidegarde! Here, Where
erowdeTicl knelt to do her homage—
here, where the sweet breath of affection and of love bad hailed her
mistress--a boor; diveited of the gentle courtesies of nature,
in-
sulted and braved her.
4‘ It is time," she said, " that i receive these rebukes. I have
been too much adulated, too much exalted ; I have forgotten the
hand that placed me in my 'station, and showered down benefit'
upon me.l forgot my dependence; I forgot my responsibility;
it is well, lam humbled even to the dust--I bow resigned. The
viewless sword that Itlarinetla spoke of pierces nie. I remember
her words—they were net hers; but rather the warning voice of
she slowly wended the steps
them prostrate
Heaven which I disregarded."
thiStulcelcil twoertehelidgergeaart"ens ttrhanoucgehltaislaks
lay
paused to look around
~ 1. vases and statutes Ay many of
grew: rankly between the atones of the
he • Her favourite
anti breken ; the grill
munchers around, as
inhabitants were there except theism ,
if unconscious that any inhaln
ovule, and bird* of night.
avement ; the birdshwererseppfloreeskcihng;
lied when
she
turned
th:ve4,;
they started away at
d fla in 414 '
and
hem, and atsturned their un
411:futelliaoittrt(ti tah:iunratebreiorr°,fsberevais , „PP r hoary
at theday-light broke in upon t „
molested and dark abode. Fr"' the damp silleudlievainincAldeLlhgaledand' it
„
wee ,evident that
•no one had thought of Itinlig
I a shutter and obtained suf.,
it was with some difficulty she opens' desolate palace, with
fielent light to enable her to walk over b" . broke liar heart
rapid step, as if to assure herself of that which It e
lin Fart
to know. She sought every well-known clamber
nithichnief
;Slings
of many were torn, as it appeared, in wslitt „laces, some
piCturee and ornaments were removed front .tur4r r
sway, others no.
lying.on the pavement, tied together to be carried
longer thexe,
t beatio " More and more desolation," said lidegarde, her heart, bating
tumultuously. as she passed [um . One aPartillent S° -
alio • r and
last of all when the stand W the vest where lately
trophies of her, fagoteahatties, hot
where,
saw
all
was disout at.
a few plumes, “1010 of come of- calques colones wand tremulouslyto
fthulelynetowlanY
tip fruoi,tted brette ; and one black bann,er 041411144,
hn-
Idagardapansed.
Intiaes away all' humeri leeldneOlitie
Said ; and a sublime sensation, mingled with awe, seemed to give
her that composure of apiritwhieh aria, fmkthegroweas of aorroW,
the ; eelf h• • or the
-bamiattoo of e eaind chastened by the divine Iva I