The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-05-01
tempest ; our hearts commnned with
aaen ,tbar .---,ee ,ng,., t,.,efL.,.

course oftrue love seemedto run smooth.
II is true we could not vet he united |
was as yet only a student AT Bologna, and
! had "A mother and sister who mainly
depended on my exertions for support.
But in a few years my studies would be
flushed should be settled inn sphere
Of humble usefulness my hopes my
wishes, were fixed on domestic enioy-
ments---on that happiness, which is to
be tasted no where butin a happy homo !
| is one of the frequent effects OF asuone
and virtuous passion in early life TO ac-
eclerate, by many years, that taste for
simple and domestic pleasure which all
men feel as they approach the decline OF
years. | have since been wandcrer--
have travelled over large portion of
the earth, but, if the hopes Of my youth
had been realized, should have been
happy--oh more than happy--in the
narrow circle around my humble home
for she would have been its centre.
We parted that night in youth, in
health, in hopo---l never saw her again
alive
II was midnight; was returning
home from the lecture which had beer
attending for | had lately devoted
much Of my tlme to the prosecution OF
my studies, as II celebrated professor OF
medicine was, at that time, resident in
Florence. As | approached the Piaa-
"a dl ST. Maria Novclla, perceived an
unusual crowd and hustle i'll the street,
aud advanced hurriedly 10 ascertain
the cause, for that square held all that
was most dear to me on earth My ca
ger inquiries, as 10 the cause Of alarm,
were Spccdily answered. When en-
tered the Piazza, | porceivc3 several
houses in flames hers was one OF them
rushed through the crowd VIII nocbco
round the place man inspired viii
! feelings such as those winch instigatcl
me, can make his way through any OBJ
stacleS, | gdned the door: smokc and
flames were pouring through the aper-
ture as from the crhtcr OF Nesuyius.
pulled my bonnet over my brows, ana
rushed up the stairs. On the first land
ing tho chamber Of Beatrice was to the
left; that OF her mOtnrr to The right.
turned to the left the room was va
cant. | began 10 hope she escaped. |
rushed into the opposite room. As
entered, | stumbled over something Oh
the floor it was her body, with that of
her mother i'll her arms She had sunk
in attempting TO save her. ! was only
now that perceived the terrible dcnsi-
~ Of the smoke TO remove her was
the only hope left. Imam instant bore
her through the SMOKE, and flames, and
erumbling ruins into the street. She was
dead J
What were my feelings 7 Heaven on
ly knows In its mercy it has dccrced
that blow like this shall numb the
heart it crushes. Those who have gone
through the ordeal can give no account
Of ii, those who have not, can form no
idea Of 1t. The first thing which made
any impression upon me was IA fellow
student, whowdsto me as brother, poin-
ting out the effect which the indulgence
Of my despair, had upon my mother and
sister, They have had claims upon
you, he said the nearest,the most ho-
"; live for them = The truth of what
he said struck me to the heart and,
like most persons whose minds are sha-
ken by some great sorrow,l rushed from
ono extreme into the other. bad pas
sed the few days which had elapsed
since tho night III a state Of alternate de-
spalr and stupor. ! could not now re-
store myselfto calmness. ! needed Il
violent resolution, and | formed one.
determined, III despite of all my friend
could say to dlssuadc me, to resume my
studies at once and ! determined to
accompany him that very evening to "A
lecture which the professor was TO give.
II was the FIRST time had been in the
fresh air since the catastrophe had hap
pened. TIE state Of the atmosphere,
the aspect OF the heavens, were precise
ly similar to what they had been when
| looked upon them with her. The
clouds racked over the moon the Ar
no looked dark and troubled, and rushed
by with moaning noise. When 1 had
last heard these sounds, she was by my
SIDE. Oh God where was she now z
Those who have suffered great aiilic-
ton can, | am sure, full well recall to
my mind the impression Of cutting pain
which the contrast between the present
time and a few short days before has
made upon them. Every thing in the
external world, every thing on the sur
face OF society, seems to be proceeding
in lis usual ban. No length Of time
aspassed to &C count forsoyast a change /;
few days only have elapsed but life
is closed for them one cxpanse of inn
penetrable gloom is all that the future is
TO them
We walked hastily onward / had no