The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-06-21

the lecture which had been attending--for
had lately devoted much Of my time to the prose-
cnton Of my studies, as celebrated prof, ssor OF
medicine was, at that time, resident in Florence.
AS approached the Piazza di St. Maria Novel
la,I perceived an unusual crowd and hustle IN
the street, and advanced huriedly to ascertain
the cause-for that square held all that was dear
TO me on earth My eagre enquiries, a3 to the
cause of alarm, were speedily answered. When
entered the Piazza, perceived several houses
in hames-her's was one of them! rushed thro'
the crowd who focked round the place;--A man
inspired with feelings such as those which insti-
gated me, can make his way through any obsta-
clcs. | gained the door; smoke and hames
were pouring through the aperture as from the
crater of Vesuvius ! pulled my bonnet over
my brows, and rushed up the stairs. On the
first landing, the chamber of Beatrice was to
the left-that of her mother to the right. !
turned to the eft--the room was vacant! BE-
gan to hope she had escaped. rushed into the
opposite roon As | entered, stumbled over
something on the hoori It was her body, with that
of her mother in her arms!-She had sunk IN at
tempting to save her. 1t was only now that
perceived the terrible destiny of the smoke to
remove her was the only hope left. In an instant
| bore her through the smoke, and flames, and
crumhling rains into the street.--She was dead!
What were nv feelings Heaven only knows!
III its mercy, it has decrccd that a blow like this
shall numb the heart it crushes. Those who
have gone through the ordeal can give no ac
count ofit; those who have not, can form no idea
il. The first thing which made any impress
ion upon me was fellow student, who was to
inc as a brother, pointing out the effect which
tile indulgence Of my despair had upon my moth
er and sister. ssThey have claims upon you, he
said; ;-sthe nearest, the most holy-ve for
Is, hfe lcfrtt ms
the heart and like most persons whose minds
are shaken by some great sorrow, rushed from
one extreme into the other; had ipassed the
few days since the night, III state OF alternate
despair and stupor could not now restore
myselfto caImness. I needed violent rcsoln-
ton, and formed one determined, II des-
pite Of all my friend could say TO dlssuade lnc to
resume my studies at once, and determined to
accompany him that very evening to lecture
which the professor was to give.
4 1t was the first time had been in tie fresh cir
since the catastrophe had happened. The state
of tha atmosphere, the aspect OF the heavens
we're precisely similar 20 what thay had been
when looked upon them with her. The clouds
.aclsel over the moon--thc Arno looked dark
aud troubled, md rushed by with moaning
noise. When had last seen these sghts-when
I had last heard these sounds-shc was by my
side. Oh Gotlt where was she now' Those
who have suffered great affliction can, am
sure full well recall to my mind the impression
of cutting pain, which the contrast between the
present time and few short days before, has
made upon them. Every thing in the external
world, every thing on the surface of society,
seems to be proceeding in its usual tram. NO
length oftime has passed to account Tor SO vast
change; few days only have elapscd-but life
is closed for them one expansc ofimpenetiable
i li,i,o 81. F,t,, SC IN IN
We walked hastily onward-l had no incllna-
ton to loiter on the way We entered the room
lust as the lecture was beginning. 4 crowe! OF
students had gathered round the table On which
the sssubiect'' lay joined them; and having,
by degrees, penetrated the circle, carelessiy
cast my eyes upon the body Whlca lay before
me-It was her'st-The room reeled round with
mel fell senseless!--and there was an idiotc
blank OF forty years in the picture Of my memo
rv