Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-14

no picture can show more beautifully than the +
Emperor Titus Suctopius is quite enraptu
red whilst dwelling on the theme, Gin Titus,
saws he, "the accomplishments Of both mind &
body shone forth with unparalleled lus,re"-
Racine, therefore, adhered strictly to histori-
cal fact, in saying Of Titus, in his "Berenice,"
"Enquelque obscuritc lie cicl Peut fat naitre;
lie monde, EN- lie voyant, cut reconnu son maitre;"
but was guilty Of the most distinguishing fat
terry in applying such an observation 10 Louis
the Fourteenth. 1t is said, that Louis was not
only aware that he was designated in this ira
gedy under the name of Titus, but also that the
two lines Just quoted were specifically intended,
when delivered by the actor, to be addressed to
and pointed at him. IF there be any truth in
this tradition, it is difficult 10 decide, whether
the meanness of the poet in offering, or that o!
the monarch IN receiving such excessive adula-
ton, is most deserving OF apprehension and con-
tempt
Ipass from those whose names are preserved
for immortality in the pages of Greek and Ro-
man literature, to those glorious spirits, who are
entitled to our everlasting gratitude for having
preserved that literature for US, when the de-
mon OF destruction had almost clntched it With
In his grasp. / speak oil that noble Forentine
| trlumvirate, which first reused Europe from its
letharsy, and pierced through the thick night
OF ignorance which tor ages had enveloped it.
Though the complexion Of Dante was bilious,
and the expression Of his eyes and mouth was
indicative of strong and deep and smothered
passion, there was an indiscrlbable charm about
his countenance that riveted the affection of all
who beheld it. The figure OF Pre,rarca was so
distinguished, that it attracted general admira-
ton. His features were large and manly, his
eyes full Of fire and briIliance, and his complex
ion SO blooming, that he could not refrain, as
he candidv confesses in one of his letters, from
viewing it himself with much complacency-
Hi, hair, however, was completely gray before
he completed his twentyffth year; and though
he pretends that he Indifferent about the
appearance Of this premature sign of old age,
it is evident that he was considerably ANNOYED
by it, from the curious erudilion which he dis
plays in collecting instances OF great men, who
were afflicted by similar fate. Among these
he reckons julius Cesar, Virgil, and Domi'ian;
but unfortunately for such part of his consola-
ton as rests upon these instances, they were not
prematurcly grey, but prema,urely bald In the
Treatise which Domitian published upon Hair
dressing, of which Fortune, equally cruel to
emperors and hair-dressers, has only preserved
single fragment, he lamenled with much pa
thos over bis melancholy badness. do you
not see, said the imperial tonsor,' who some
times sheared off the head as well as the hair OF
his visitors, 'do you not see how beautiful and
tall | am?" And yet the fate, which brought
old age upon my hair whilst was yet young,
will ere long bring old age prematurely upon my
whole body.I will struggle, however, against the
ills life, * will bear the loss Of my youth with
the same equanimity as have hitherto borne the
loss Of my hair" Julius Caesar was not, how
ever, quite so much a philosopher as the
"bald Nero" to whom the Roman people were
so long subservient. Numerous were the arti-
fees, and curious the cosmetics which he en-
ployed to recall the love locks, which each sue.
ceeding day saw Struggling more and more
from his forehead;-but alas! all were vain; for
no Macassar oil then existed to repair the ra-
wages of disease and time, and no bears were
imported into Italy from regions "beyond the
Gauromete and the icy ocean," to bring resur.
rection and life to departed ringlets. A scratch
from Truehtt's, had he lived in our DAYS, would
have concealed his badness much better than
the crown Of laurel, which the Senate permitted
him 10 wear in public, and would have likewise
saved him from the misfortune Of having grey
hairs prematurely attributed TO him by Pe;rar-
ca, in order 10 render his own early greyneSs
less remarkable. But, whilst on :his subject,
let me not forget, that, though the SHOWS of age
showered before their time on the youth
full head Of the enamoured poet, his mind re-
manned free from their power TO the ates, mo-
men. OF his long protracted existence, and that
the death, which al last overlook him in the
midst OF his studies, found Linn as eager and en-
!huaastic in the pursuit of knowledge, as he
was at the first moment of youth, when he com
menced it. His friend Boccaceio was the admired
* the beloved of the fair sex, no less on account
of the readiness Of his wit and the felicity of
his Imagination, than on account of the exqui-
site beauty of his face and person. The prin-
cess Maria Of Naples, whom he celebrated in
his writings under the name of Fiametta, and
whom he loved so passionately, though not quite
purely as Petrarca loved Laura, could not
look upon his eloquent eyes without being in
fected by their melting softness; and it is the
influence which she exercised over him, that
Italy is indebted, if not for The first, at eas, for
the best, collection Of novels it possesses. She
willed that the Decameron should be written;
and her lover was but too happy in writing it
10 please her.
In the days of Castiglone, if a courter could
run we'll, dance well, leap wel ride well, joust
all. oil ,,,l -, nnI,ta of