The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-10

Indies" and regrets he had II not in bis power
TO assist her to escape One Of the ANNALS
also has her portrait, as The Beautiful Nun
of Madeira" On account Of some jealousy
between Maria and her sister, she was placed
in this convent, more than eight years ago, by
her father, at an age when any thing but Sc
Guided life would have been her choice, being
full Of wit, and possessing great personal at
fractions She is now in her twenty-sixth year;
and, though grief and anxiety have left their
impression, yet she is still lively and fascinat-
ing. In a conversation l. had with her, she
informed me that some time ago, a change IN
the constitution Of Portugal was the means OF
llberating all the nuns who wished to appear
again in the world. She was one; but, I'M
fortunately, at the time was seriously III. She,
however, lett her rooms, and removed to an
other part oi the convent, till her health was
so far restored as to allow her to leave. But,
alas ere this took place, another change had
occurred in Portugal; and poor Maria was
again taken to her old rooms, to which, she
thought, she had bid final farewell On my
first visit TO the convent had provided myself
with few triling presents for this celebrated
nun, to whom was introduced by distant
relative and favorite she had in the city which
introduction has often since proved key to
Maria's waiting room. She thanked me in
the kindest manner for what had given her;
and begged would sit down whilst she sent
for some sweetmeats, which she handed or ra-
Their turned round in circular box, fixed on
pivot in an orifice in the wall. She afterwards
sung several songs with great taste, accompa-
nying herself on the guitar. Inquired II she
was happy, and whether she would not prefer
life more at liberty. She replied that she
was perfectly content, and wished 10 remain
in the convent. After presenting her with my
card, and promising to visit her soon again,
was about to take my leave, when she beckon-
ed me to the grating, and taking flower from
her breast, kissed it, and handed il through the
bars, with f." .4deos, Senior Inglez"
Twas Of no use attempting to follow a
look at the ponderous double grating was suf-
fcient the box in the wall, too, appeared to
bid defiance SO was obliged TO take my de-
parture, and content myself with the expecta-
ton that poor Maria would some day or other
be released. During my second visit to Ma
ria C, she informed me, that the answer
she had previously given TO my inquiries were
not agreeable with her inclination; and that
she had long wished for an opportunity to make
her escape from the convent that, when l
asked the question, as to whether she was hap
ply and content in being debarred from the
pleasures Of the world, she felt compelled to
answer in the manner she had done, as several
ofthe sisterhood were, at the time, within hear
ing. Maria C, the celebrated nun of
Madeira, left the Santa Clara Convent soon
after my departure from the island, and is now
residing at Funchal. A change in the consti-
tuition was the means of setting her at liberty.
D-irpr5s Tefieys from MndpirH-
AFFECTING STORY OF MATERNAL LOVE.
In the village of Canegg, whether it were
that due precaution had not been taken, or
that the disease was OF particularly malignant
nature, one after another, first the young and
then the old, Of whole family dropped off.
A woman who lived on the opposite side of
the way, the wife of aborer, and mother of
two little boys, felt herself attacked by fever
in the night in the morning it greatly IN
creased, and in the evening the fatal tumor
appeared. This was during the absence of
her husband who went to work at distance
and only returned on Saturday nights bring
ing home the scanty means of subsistence for
the family for the week. Terrified by the
example of the neighboring family, moved by
the fondest love for her children, and deter
mined not TO communicate the disease to
them, she formed the heroic resolution Of
leaving her home, and going elsewhere to die.
Locking them into room and sacrificing to
their safety even the last and sole comfort Of
a parting embrace, off she ran down stairs,
carrying with her the sheets and coverlet,
that she might leave no means Of contagion.
She then shut the door with sigh, and went
away but the eldest hearing the door shut,
went TO the window, and seeing her running
in that manner called to her in a voice so ten
der that she Involuntary stopped
Good bye, mother, repeated the youngest
child, stretching his little hand out Of the win
dow, and thus was the poor afflicted mother
compelled for time to endure the dreadful
conflict between the yearnings which called
her back, and the pity and solicitude which
urged her on. At length the latter conquered,
and amid flood Of tears and the farewell Of
her children, who knew not the fatal cause
and import Of those tears, she reached the
house of those who were to bury her. She
recommended her husband and children to
them, and in two days she was no more
Surely nothing can equal the heart Of mo-
Their. How pathetic the expressions Of poor
woman on hearing her parish priest relate the
story of Abraham's offering his son Isaac as
a sacrifice All God would certainly never
have required such a sacrifice of mother
POETRY. What is poetry? A smile,
tear, a glory, longing after the things of eter-