Litchfield enquirer., 1837-11-16
A TALE OF THE PASSIONS.

Antonio JomeIIi was the hest artisan of his profession in Naples. He was W"k- CT in brOmze, department of the arts foT which the Italians have been long celebra- ted. AntoniO's skill had gained him Tepu- iation and abundant employment. and from his workmanship had issued the greaIer number of candelabras and other metallic ornaments Co be found in the palaces of Naples. The bronze-worker had grown rich by his occupation, but the usual con- comitant Ofriches, pride, bc had "schewcd. He still labored away at his trade. with his own hands, con6ning his personal attention chiefly to the finer and more difficult aIti- cies which he was required to fabricate, while men in his employ manufactured, in large aud separate workshop, the com mon articles ofthe trade.
 One evening, as Antonio sat alone in his little apartment where he pursued his la bors, he was informed that lady wished to speak with him. He desired her to be admitted immediately. The visiter was a female of tall and stately form and carriage, with dark thick veil thrown over her head and face, SO as to prevent the bronze- worker from discerning the features be- meath. The lady, for such her dress be- tokened her to be, did not speak until the servant who had admitted her had left the
 room for some moments. Turning then
 her gIanccs from the door to Jomelli, and seating herself in the chair which he had
 placed for her, she said, in a voice which
 her nearer thought the most sweet and mel- lifiuous that had ever fallen upon his ear, but which seemed strangely agitated, con- sidering the common place matter which it uttered, You work in bronze-you can make bronze ornaments of all kinds Is 1t soT It is, lady, replied the artisan, and shall be proud to execute any thing of that nature for you.' 'Yes. yes,' said the lady, l wish piece of work done. ] have a statue of great value-,he statue of a conqueror and king-done by the hand of a first rate sculptor. It is perfect in every respect but one; it wants chaplet of flowers to adorn its temples; and this is what wish you to make for it, Is the statue of bronze madame 2 was the artists question. 'No,' replied the lady, it is of pure white marble, and you must paint the chaplet of that color when you have made it, What form, then, lady, do you choose it to be of2' said the artist; 'what shape 0: pattern shall the ornament have! But, perhaps, had better see the statue, and measure the dimensions of the head 2'- No, mo-, exclaimed the visiter hurriedly, it will not be necessary. have looked upon it so often that can tell you perfect Iy well how large it is. Your own head is very near it: yes, you cannot go wrong, if you fit the chaplet to your own head.'- And the fashion of the ornaments, mad anne 1? Let it be heavy, very heavy re- piled the lady, sinking her voice to con- cen,rated whisper i; let it be very weighty, that it may not fall off easily :; and make il jagged aud full of spikes inside, that j. may adhere to the brows of the statue.' Still, lady, the baud should be wrought in some ornamental fashion, said Antonio. Do that as you please,' was the lady's reply |: but remember it is 10 be heavy and full of spikes, and forget not that it isito be paint ed white, so as to resemble flowers. And now, when will it be finished ? 'Oh, in a few days, madame,' said the artist. A few days!' cried the lady vehemenily, ri- sing from her chair at tho same time; it must be ready tomorrow evening, sir! must have it tomorrow Il cannot do justice to the chaplet, lady, said the bronze worker, astonished at her violence of tone: : the ornamental part--' Il care not for any ornaments, was the nasty reply make it as have directed and to-nsor- row I must have it, becausc-bccause am 10 have party, and wish the statue to be then ornamented.' Well, madame. said the artist, resignedly, shall do my endeavor. And whither shall have the honor of sending it?' Il shall call for it myself at this hour tomorrow, and shall pay you what you will for it. Remember what have said, heavy and full of spikes With these words the lady departed, leav- ing on JomelIi's mind the impression that, fanciful as many of his former employers had been, this new one was the most fighty of all. .tsa t.
 On the evening following that ono on which this singular order was given to the artist Jomslli, all the grandees and fashion ables of Naples, and not small part of the popuIace, were on the move towards the splendid theatre San Carlos. A piece of grea. interest was to be performed, and the prima donna, who was young and beautiful, was the exquisite vocalist Signora Marina. The lady had but lately been appointed to take the part of the chief singer, and had therefore superseded one who had former ly been her acknowledged supericr-Mad- anne GanIbrici. Considering the compar- alive humiliaiian which Madame Gambrici had endured in the eyes Of the Neapoli.aPs, it was not to be supposed .Iia, she would on the present occasion make her appear ance in the House. But few knew the re-
 i Il al..