The Sun.
London, England, 1829-11-02 00:00:00

MAGAZINE DAY.

BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE.
In every succeeding number of this spirited
but wayward Micellany, we have abundant
cause for admiration and regret. Admiration at::
its varied sources of intellect, rich with all the
freshness of original talent, for ever teeming,
yet for ever new ; and regret that the bright
streams flowing from such. well-springs of genius
should be tainted by those political hues which
they assume in their mazy-wanderings from the
natural fountain of inspiration. It is indeed
marvellous pity that the demon of politics
should ever intrude his gothic foot into the
flowery fields of literature, for we may as wilt
endeavour individually to change the colour Of
our hair as to hope that arguments against which °
the reader is forewarned, and consequently fore-
armed, can change the steadfast purpose of hie
mind. Where conviction is established, every
attempt to shake it only serves, like the baffled.:
fury of the waves, to confirm the security of the
rock. Religion and politics are therefore only
fit subjects for vehicles professing their separate
creed—not for the generous and mind-enlarging
pages of purely literary publications. The
spirit of " Blackwood " would still shine out►
and more virtuous than ever, if there were no
Whig and Tory antipathies and propensities to
give a fictitious and frequently a personal OA'
racter to its pages. True genius—

" Newts not the foreign aid of ornament,
But is when unadorn'd—adern'd the most."
The first article in this number is entitled,
" Malavolti, a Neapolitan Story," by Mr. Mud'
ford, the author of " First and Last," and par'
takes in an eminent degree of his peculiar"
beauties and defects. With much that is natural

there is more that is artificial. He hits upon •
well-spring in the desert, but fences it round
with superabundance of brick and mortar. hie
gets hold of nature by glimpses, and fills up the
portrait by supposition, which proves, though be
had caught the leading features, yet that he had
not made himself sufficiently acquainted with the
divine lineaments of the perfect original. But
after all, his delineations of particular parts pro-
duce a strong impression, and often tell with
masterly effect. The following description of
jealous rencountre is striking :
" It was in the saloon of the Duke de Montrefelto, and
in the presence of some of the most distinguished inhabit"'
ants of Naples, that Count Brittorno happened to enconlitet
Malavolti on an evening subsequent to one in which le
believed he had been serenading the fair Angelica under
her garden window. Malavolti observed' that his hrs'r
was more tetnpestueus than usual, and that the firm coal'
pression of his lips, and the scowling wrath of his 014'
indicated he was writhing under the torment of swag
emotions. It so chanced, too, that Malavolti, who 'va°,,
a little flushed with wine, felt an inclination to sport oit''
his moody humour; and advancing towards Brittorno, be;
remarked, in a tone of careless freedom, that he bad
never seen the incomparable Angelica look so lovely 0
when last I saw her at the opera. She seems passionatsii
fond of music.' a
Yes,' replied Brittorno, curling his lip into an sl
pression of cold disdain, so fond of it, that I believe ti°
sometimes finds pleasure in the discordant twanging of 1"
cracked guitar.'
" I dare say,' rejoined Malavolti; ' for the soul hol4°
intercourse with the divine melody of an air it knows, 11/
spite of its bungling cxecution, as we can withdraw oori
selves from the rant and monotony of a bad actor, elf
suffer the mind to settle upon the inspired conceptions 0
the bard whose language he profanes.'
"' You seem to understand the power of music over
heart susceptible of its charms,' answered Brittorno.
" Oh replied Malavolti, gaily, it is not the power,
of music only over susceptible he.trts that I understand.
have studied every avenue to them.'
i;;orAnno,d
imroandiecaylolyu.reelf master of all, I doubt not,' ssia
Br
And made myself master of all,' repeated Malavolti,
from a burning look, and an inexpressible tender sigh 0
morning prayer '----
" "10 the lascivious treachery of a midnight seresadg
under a garden window,' interrupted Brittorno abruPtir'
'' Aye,' said Malavolti laughing ; an evening Pepe_
mule by moonlight under your mistress' wind°w'inedloW,
cially if you can find your way to her bed-room isr. the
is our charming Italian method of delicately offering tut
hemarre of an impassioned heart to its refined idol. P.,.
for the grossness of what you call the `lascivious treacllN
of a midnight serenade,' I am no follower of such past'°
They are apt to give a min the quinsy ; or, as it 111%
chance, provide a grave for bias before he has thougu
seriously of dying.'ie
" And yet, signior,' answered Brittorno, folding
arms in his mantle, while he fixed his eyes steadily ull;
Malavoti, ' there are fools in this city of Napless ‘e

tempt the chance you mention.' , •
" These are fools every where, as well as in Nap
retorted Malavolti, giving a marked emphasis to his 10:
but the fool to wonder at in my mind, is he who ra9,710
Aeeks to play with a lion till ha rouses him. Rousing
at once were better, if he have nerve for the encounter'
" Your pardon, signior,' said Brittorno, with o'llyo3
caustic bitterness ; ' I can imagine a climax of folly ',err
that, and my school-boy reading furnishes me wick the end
ample—the ass who clothed himself in the lion's skin, 5-be
thought he was a lion; bat when he meant to rtia_...rr,
only brayed,—and laughter, not terror, was the c°'""

'Coculnosterßtroitthoirmno;!',
tehxecrleaiims edoffenAclealianvoyhoiulf.ie:oce;
stepping
quence.'
Am I their aim?'
Signior Malavolti,' replied Brittorno, earcastiefol,l;
a Neapolitan does not ask that question. Or if be te;
it is only of himself, to be directed in his resolves hi
answer. But you are a Florentime !'
" ' Moregh thansa enough,'avo replied Brittorno,
Enou !' id Mallti.
centellif
ously ; and yet, I dare say, less than sufficient.' xi,
" Malavolti's person seemed to dilate itself with in
nation, as he glared upon Brittorno, and addressed
in a stern and angry voice ier
" ' Florentine, or Neapolitan,—either, or both be
birth and breediog dispute the distinction in ti reer'in
high blood of Italian nobility runs in my veins, and 1-1
have to learn I shall not dishonour it. Why you are!sse
enemy, I know not; and because I know not, I ,P 4
avoided being yours. For months you have crossetc;#
path, at every turn meanly seeking to fasten a Pe.l)4
quarrel upon me, and so make a cause for illdiet.,.4
strife to hide the true one. Was this manly? If Ytrgi
could dare to think I bad wronged you, you should hi
had the greater daring to tax me with the wrong..:*
not bait me with ambiguous taunts and obscure allualiol
like a foul bird of ill omen, who shuns the ligilt)eio
screams portentously, shrouded in darkness. I aman bsg
and proud enough to be stung with injury ; AO
chafed, as now I own myself to be, prompt snood
strike at my assailant. Follow me, Count Britto
added r
Malavolti, pointing to his sword, and retreat°
few paces. '
" • If, as you say, signior,' replied Brittorno, llob,
air of cold, insulting mockery, it has taken 1013,„pt
chafe you, perhaps the noble heat that burns so 6:17,41
present will hardly cool before the morning.
pleasant appointment an hour hence, that might be oilvare•
were Ito go forth with you now; but you kno°.,ol/
treat,' he continued significantly, ' the silvan villa
sleep during these sultry nights of summer.'
" ' It contents me,' said Malavolti, after a Po', pi°
it so.' I'hen advancing to Brittorno, he added, ottt
Count, that there be no mistake in this boine7etrei!:
the morning comes, I make my pleasant aPP-wit'fr
with you, thus '—striking him gently on the aralk
glove. lie then turned on his heel, and quitted the
" The blood rushed into the face of Brittern",,ell:(
sword was half out of its scabbard ; and if th
were standing round had not held him back, tbe,eo4,
the Duke de Montrefeltu would have been the o
sudden
widen combat, where nothing less than the deg' 0
or both of the combatants must have ensued. 940
" That night, in repairing to his villa, CountA.,,..
wee way-laid and assssin ated. He was disco' "'
ditg
following morning, at the foot of the Bop kit
ootoi