Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-10
T Translated for the New- York .an'erican' from
lie Courier des EtdiS UniS."
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THE NJ A DM 4 !

residence in Ferrara, determined to WISH inc NOS
pital. or rather prison, of St. Ann, in which are
confined the unhappy victims OF insanity Inc
eldest of the travellers was entirely oaid' ana Ills
countenance exhibited a mixture OF shrewdness
and simplicity. and certain airof noble bene'o-
lence. Whenever he questioned the conductor
assigned them by the keeper of the Hospital, he
fixed his piercing gaze upon his savage ana llnmo-
veable features, and seemed to wish to read IN
them his answer.
The other traveller was some years younger.
His perfumed hair escaped from under cap gilt
tering with Jewels. A short cloak of scarlet vel
vet, richly embroidered, was tastefuIy Hung over
his shoulders; under this was vest trimmed with
the richest ermine, upon which were visible the
links of brilliant gold chain. He wore game.
lets of silk, and one hand rested upon the punmei
of rich sword, suspended by satin scarf, and
the sound of his silver spurs alone broke the ST.
lence in the long corridors they traverset.
EtidAne de la Beetle, said his companion in
French, this jailer appears to me as stupid as he
is hideous, and am sure he will be unable to give
us any information respecting the place we are a
bout to examine; this is unfortunate, for my curl
osity IS much excited. At this moment young
Italian, who was walking the corridor, approached
them, and expressing himselfin French, whclrhe
spoke fucnrIy, offered to be their guide through
the different wards of the Hospital. | can tell
YOU, added he, the different kinds OF madness
these poor people labor under. The offer is made
with too much polieness for Monsieur de Mon
taigne and myself to refuse. replied La Boetle.
Strozzi, for that was the name OF the Italian,
entered long hall formed by narrow cells, before
the doors of which we would stop and describe
with singular outeness the various descriptions
of insanity of the inmates. His sound remarks
and his agreeable manner Of communicating them
delighted the travellers, and gave rise to crowd
of reflections which they mutually lnterchanged.
often with the tribute OF tear.
The poet and Montague were in the midst OF
an argument in the melancholy mood. when they
when they were suddenly interrupted by the
creaking of the door of CELL A man covered
with RAGS and bowed down with suffering rather
than age.jssued forth with caution, casting around
him fearful chances. His beard and hair were III
disorder, and his pale and eytenuated features
possessed, Notwithstanding. something noble
and commanding in their expression. He adj
yanced cautiously towards the strangers, and
drawing letter from his BOSOM" If you are
Christians" said he. in a low and solemn tone,
"cause this to be delivered to the princess Leo
nora d'Est.'' La Boetic exchanged smile with
Montaigne and StroZZl, at the same time taking
the paper to avoid irritating the feelings Of the
poor creature who addressed them.
IL appear to you mad" continued he; "a and
you class me with the degraded beings with whom
am immured. Alas | know not how have
been able to preserve my reason and support the
infamous tOrtures they have heaped upon me-
From the bosom of brilliant court to be thrown
into loathsome dungeon. to be torn from bright
visions of fame, of friendship, of love, to groan
seven years alone,-yes, alone. or among mad
fat Left nj
Jus. and the fame attached to my name; alb! who
could thus exist? In the name of the Virgin"
cried he, embracing the knees of Montaigne, and
bathing them with his tears, "put an end to this
horrible torment. Let Leonora but know where
I exist. and she will come to my deiverance.-
You hesitate: YOU fear her brother-yes, dread
him; his revenge is dreadful-implacable. Well
then. tell Conca. the Prince of Mantua, or the
friend of my YOUTH the faithful Cardinal Cin,hio,
that here. under fictitious name"- suddenly
was heard the dreadful voice Of the jailer, and
the echo of his heavy and hurried steps; the poor
creature shuddered, was silent, and skunk at.
frighted to his dungeon, and the irOn-featurerl
taller barred the door upon him without interrupt
inc the ,anzonncha he had been humming when
approaching the group.
The deluson of this man" observed the young
Italian to the travellers, ''is to believe himself
beloved by lady of rank" Sometimes he weeps
over letters he maginss he has received from her;
at others, he is heard talking of leies, tourna-
ments, and victories. Sometimes he is heard re-
citing verses which he traces upon the walls of
his cell, for they occasionally allow him light,
as his madness is never furious; it is rather deep
melancholy, an habitual gloomy sadness. His
stanzas are always addressed to the imaginary
object Of his passion, and the letter he just gave
you, am sure, is filled with expressions of love
and tenderness.
ut is indeed" said Montaignc, who had
Just finished reading 1t. He writes to the prin-
cess of Ferrara in the language of the most ia
vored lover; he recalls to her the private inter-
views she once granted him. and doubts not
that his Leonora will fly to his deliverance when
ever she shall know that he is here injured
Poor human nature!" said he signing; g what we
have Just witnessed would go strongly TO sup
port the bold assertion of Plny-s' Nothing can
exceed the degradation and vanity of man.
He had just finished this comment, when the
sound of approaching footsteps was heard and
his highness Cardinal Cinthio (whon1 Montaigne
had seen the day before at Court entered in the
utmost haste and AGITATION followed by the keen