Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-03-12
NO. BE-.

where lis budcd his days in misery. This
same story has been told by that endless writei
GasPur Ems, in Latin work called Pausilypus,
'u' very much soridged. Al
There was once gentleman of Verona.
named Messer Ugo da Santa So6a. who dcvo,s,,
himself with such assiduity TO the study Nth.
arts and sciences, and especially TO tho con-
temptation ofthc heavenly bodies. that he had
become famous throughout tho whole country.
i-"h"ther planets, or fixed wandering stars.
no'J eoihots, satellites, or lunar orbs he BOAST
CD the most intimate Acquaintance -w,.'----..
their motions, nud fotetold their revolutions in
heaven, without the risk which he incurred,
when he venturcd to prophecy respecting those
which should happen on earth. He foretold tho
the death Of King Robert, and the succession Of
a female to the hrone.-The confines of Hun
gary, he predicted were 10 extend even as far
as Greece, and would Afterwards reach the plain
of Troy and he smolt the approach of that
horrid pestence, which committed such dread.
full devnstations in the memorable year, I34e.
But suffice 1t to observe, that the accuracy Of
his predictions was such, that his reputation
spread through Europe, and none of it's princes
over found themselves in difficulty without
sending for Messer Ugo, 10 enjoy the advantage
OF his sage admonitions. We must not be sur.
prised, therefore, to hear that he became lit
tie vain OF these, his unearthly powers, which,
in his opinions, we're altogether infallible Now
it so fel! out, that ono day during the harvest
time, he went TO his country house, for he took
great pleasure in seeing the corn throshed in
the barn whom one Of his neighbours, an an
Giant vii xuell off in la
upon him TO communicate what he considered
to be rather important information at that sea-
son ofthe year. Being somewhat lame in ono
of his legs, he was in the habit of riding beau
tifu ass, from which he now alghted at the
door Of Messer Ugo. "I have called upon you,
as was riding by just to tel; you, Messer Ugo,
that think it would be prudent in you to take
caro- of your corn, which has been cut SO long,
during this threatening weather for, within an
hour hence, we shall have such tremendous
storm, that you will imagine tho very Heavens
are about to tumble upon our eads."-tlur
philosopher, with great GOODNESS, inquired how
his neighbor alone came to be in possession of
this secret, and anar. gazing roand4 he horizon
on all sides, unable to detect the least black
spot, which freqhently portends the distant
storm, he turned look of quiet contempt upon
good countryman, observing, a" tho sky is quite
clear, the sun mild, and not even n cloud upon
the mountains, and yet you are bold enough to
prognostcate storm. Why, there is soft
south wind blowing, and the sun is in the right
sign, and the right degree nothing less than
miracle can make it rain Nature himself
could not make it rain now with the help of
Providence, to be sure, she might but, as she
afa ndS 6ispOSad NJ -,
can have any rain."-He continued to debate
the point with the countryman, for long while,
without making the least impression upon him
the only answer that he received was, that
Messer Ugo would be much better employed in
giving orders TO have his grain quickly housed,
than in wasting arguments upon him, as the
approaching tempest would not merely destroy
the corn, but beat down trees, scatter herds
and focks, and shake the houses to their founda
tons. Messer Ugo's choler now rose to such a
height at the countrymans pertinacity, that he
was much inclined to bestow n box ON the ear
but instead of this, he so far controlled his indig-
nation as first to consult his telescope and com
passes, with which he once more examined the
heavens moro narrowly than before, yet still
drawing the same conclusion that rain for that
lpectng as soon to see the mountains levelled
with the plains, tho river flowing on the
hills. Finding that he could be ofno use, tho
villager at length took his leave, and no had
scarcely dismounted at home, before a dark
lspeck became visible in the horizon and, swell
ling with the rising wind, in a short time OBJ.
scured the face of the sun itself Strongly
lightnings soon afterwards began to play towards
the north, wbilo the wind changing gradually
into the east floods of rain resemb, mo water.
Ispouts, rather than a common slower smnt;ed
themselves into the bosom of tbn west ,Ira.s,,
torn by the rising conflict of The elements &.
the torrents of rain increased, tbs reverbero,;n,
: thunder and the lived lights instead of dvino
away, seemed to- gather double force in an alnoa,
unheard OF monner such as we may suppose
pcaled over the heads of the fierce Titans wbor
risingio rash revolt, they experienced the ind;c.
j nation of their father Jove Towers and etc..
pies tottered to their base the lofiest oaks Inv
PROSTATE tho river hGige rose and burst its old
emoahkments while the proudcst palaces, with
their royal inmates, trembled as if anticipatine
tho dissolution of the groaning fabric of thu
= world But where was poor Messer Uro, will
l. his famous astrological observations during tbi
C time and where was all his unhoarded grain
h. 1t was an equally severe blow upon his proper
c ty and his pride +; lie almost wished he had moi
c become verscd in knowledge of tho stars, sine
u he found himself thus shamofuliy imposed upor
S by The weather. His fine corn was firing al
! abroad, prey to the force elements and h
C sorcly repentod him having turned deaf en-
o TO his neighbour, whose precaution would hav
g so well cvai(ed him. Away he flung his sauar
aud compass lis nstrolabe, and his whole apar
f atus, the rage ofthe moment, while he watch