The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-13

"
continued Herwaldsen, pointing to his
watch that lay on the table, sit is already
seven o'clock the hour at which usually
visit Hortense so put on your hat, and
come along with mel will introduce
you to her; nay, more, you shall sup
with us to night"
did so and never to the latest moment
shall l forget that delightful evening. AT
the very extremity of the large island OF
Sodermala, and removed from the more
busting tumult Of the city, stood Her
waldsen's cottage--homely, it is true, but
the very picture of health, peace, and
happiness. Hortense was at the window
when we arrived she was dressed in a
simple but attractive attire, eminently
calculated to set off the luxuriant graces
of her person. I'm statue she was rather
above than below middle size. of a slen-
but thin figure, easy and digni6ed in her
gait with bust modelled by nature in
her happiest and most classic mood.
But her eyes, her dark, languishing, Ital-
ian eye, eloquent of passion, but temper
ed by the nataral softness of the woman
her Grecian nose-her small but char
acterstic mouth-her ringlets, glossy.
luxuriant, and wantoning in wild profu-
sion round her forehead, and down
neck ssch as Canova would have loved
TO model from-these were the attrac-
tions that joined to set of features whose
general character was tenderness, but
which varied according to each varying
emotion of the mind, imprinted them
selves at once on my imagination, never
thence to be Withdrawn.
have before observed, that Herwald-
sen was man of the world here re-
peat that assertion.--Though devoted to
his incompatible mistress, his affection
for her was not of an engrossing charac-
ter it was shared equally with his am
bition. Hortense, on the other hand,
had but one idea--that ofen.husiastic at
tachment to Herwaldsen. Never, yet
did Hindoo worship his fayorite idol with
one half the earnestness with which she
devoted herself to my friend. Father
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
country, in his presence, were all alike
forgotten: for him alone she lived-of
him alone she thought-he was her study
by day, her dream by night--for his sake
she was content to immure herself in
solitude-to forego even the commonest
privileges of her sex, and bloom n shy,
sweet flower, preserved in native fresh
ness by the yivifying power of that spirit
which abideth in hearts that know no
guile, and thoughts that need no restraint.
Sometimes when cloud passed over
her, drawn from the recollection Of her
father, word of kindness from Herwald-
sen-even look-a smile-a fond pres
sure ofthe soft white hand held gently
out to his, would at once dispel the
gloom; and she would rise the lovelier
from her tears, like violet, when the April
shower had passed ovsrit. Once, ,and but
once, / saw her ,even in his presence over
come. We had all been to pay visit to
the cathedral, and were standing absorb
in observation-disclosures, especially, to
whom the scene was new--at its grand
harmonious proportions, its rich gothic
fret-work, its vaulted roof, its tall umber-
ed columns, its magnificent stained win
dows, through which the red evening
light shot in upon the broad stone floors
with brilliant but mellowed effulgence |;
when, suddenly the organ, accompanied
by the fine tones of the choristers, who
were rehearsing for the ensuing Sabbath,
began pealing forth its awful hosannahs.
AS the music rose on the ear climbing up
the futed columns, rounding the arched
roof, and filling up each nook and Granny
ofthe cathedral with its sonorous and soul
stirring melody, the eyes of Hortense
filled with tears; sobs, deep convulsive
sobs, burst from the inmost depths of her
heart she recalled to mind the scene,
the hour, when she had last heard that
music in the convent ofTerracina, while
her father stood beside her; and would
have sunk to the ground, had not Her.
waldsen, surprised and half vexed at her
weakness, whispered me to lead her out
the chapel, land accompany her back to the
cottage, whittier he promised he would
shortly follow.
1t was dull evening, and our road
home lay chiefly through the long streets
of the Normalm, which, just at this peri
cd, happened to be less crowded than usu-
al. Hortense, however, was too deeply
depressed to be influenced by external
objects: her thoughts were abroad over
the waters with her father and her home,
at Terracina once or twice she turned
imploringly towards me. AS if to apollo
gize for her unavoidable gloom and
there was such agony-such remorse-
such utter abandonment of all hope and
happiness in her looks, that it cut me