The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-09-04

A few days finished my task. Blanca re-
turned to her convent, but her image remained
indelibly impressed upon my heart. IL dwelt
IN my Imagination. II become my perrading
idea Of beauty. IL had an effect even upon my
pencil. became noted for my felicity in de-
picting female loveliness; but II was because |
multiplied the image OF Blanca. ! soo,hed and
yet fed my fancy by introducing her in all the
productions Of my master. have stood with
delight, in one OF the chapels of the Annuncia-
IA, and heard the crowd extol the syraphc
beauty Of a saint which had painted. have
seen them bow down in alteration before the
painting--they were bowing before the loveli-
ness of Blanca.
existed in this kind Of dream, might al
most say delirium, for upwards ola year Such
is the tenacity OF my imagination, that the i'm
age formed in il continued in all its power
aud freshness Indeed, was a solitary medi-
tatlve being, much given 10 rcvere, aud apt 10
foster ideas, which had once taken strong
possession Of me. | was reused from this fond,
melancholy, delicious dream, by the death of
of my worthy benetactor. | cannot describe
the pangs his death occasioned me. Ii left mo
alone, and almost broken-hearcd lie be-
quea,hed TO me his little property. which, from
the lberalty of his disposition and his expen-
sve style OF living, was indeed but small aud
he most particularly recommended me, in dy-
ing, to the care OF nobleman who had been
his patron.
The latter was man who passed for munG-
cent. He was a lover and an encourager OF
the fine arts. and evidently wished to be though,
so. He fancied he saw in me indications OF fu-
turc excellence; my pencil had already at
tracted attention he took me al once under his
protection. Seeing that ! was overwhelmed
with grief, and incapable Of exertng myself IN
the mansion of my late benefactor, he invited
me to sojourn for time AT a villa which he
possessed on thr border Of the sea, in the pic
turesque neighborhood OF Scsri dl Ponente.
found al the villa the counts only son, FL
lippo. lie was nearly Of my age; proposes
sing in appearance, and fascinating, in his man
ners; he attached himself to me, and seemed
To court my good opinion. | thought there
was something Of profession in his kindness,
aud of caprice in his disposition; but had
nothing else near me to attach myself TO. and
my heart felt the need Of something TO reposo
upon His education bad been neglected he
looked upon me as his superior in mental pow
crs and requirements, and tacity acknowledged
my superiority. felt that was his equal in
birth, and that gave independence to my mau-
ners, which had its effect. The caprice and
tyranny saw sometimes exercised on others,
4ss ssitd Yhs hrs%nra as had @ 00wss sns ns'sF %na
| friends, and frequent companions. Still low
, ed to he alone, and to indulge in the revcries
= Of my own imagination among the scenery by
c which | was surrounded.
= The villa commanded wide view ofthe Me-
! ditenanean, and Of the picturesque Ligurlan
coast. Ii stood alone in the midst Of orns-
] men,cd grounds, finely decorated with statues
| aud fountains and laid out into groves and al
Loo nd ia Hv WA a.. m
bed here that could crafty the taste. or agree
, ably occupy the mind Soothed by the tran
guilty of this elegant retreat. the turbulence
Of my feelings gradually subsidized. and blend
ing with tho romantic spell which still reigncd
over my Imagination, produced a soft, volup-
tuous melancholy.
had not been long under the roof Of the
count. when our solitude was enliyened by an-
other nhabant. l, was the daughter Of re-
lsiive of the count. who had lately died in re-
duccd circumstances bequeathng tins only
child to his protection. ! had heard much of
beauty from Fiiippo, but my fancy had become
so cngrossed by one idea of beauty. as not to
admit Of any other. We were in the central
saloon Of the villa when she arrived. She vas
still in mourning, and approached, leaning on
the counts arm. as they ascended the marble
portico, WAS struck by the elegance Of her
figure and movement, by the grace with which
the mez:aro the bewiching veIl Of Genoa. was
folded about her slender form. They entered.
Heavens what was my surprise when be.eld
Blanca before me IL was herself; pale with
grief, bat still more matursd in loyeliness than
when | had last bcheld her. The time that
had elapsed had developed the graccs Of her
person. aud the sorrow she had undergone had
dffused over her couDteDsncc an irresistible
tenderness.
q She blushed and trcDIbled at seeing me- and
tears rushed into her eyes. for she remember
ed in whose company she had been accustom-
ed to behold me. For my part, ] cannot ex-
press what were my emotions. BY degrees
over came the extreme shyDess that had for
merly paralyzed me in her presence. We
were drawn together by sympathy of situation.
We had each lost our best friend in the world
we were each, IN some measure, thrown upon
the kindness of others. When | came to know
her intellectually, all my ideal pcturings Of
her were confirmed. Her uewness to the
world, her delightful susceptibility TO every
thing beautiful and agreeable in nature. re-
minded mo Of my own emotions when first |
escaped from the convent. Her rectitude Of
thinking deIig hted my judgment; the sweet
ness Of her nature wrapped itself round my
heart and then her young. and tender, and
budding loyeliness, sent delicious madness 10
my brain.
I gazed upon her with kind Of idolatry, a.
something, more than mortal and | felt hu-
inflated at the idea Of my comparative unwor-
thiness. Yet she was mortal and one Of
nortality's most susceptible and loving COM
pounds for she loved me
How first discovered the Transporting truth
I cannot recollect. believe it sole upon me by
de grees as wonder past hope or belief We
we're both at such a tender and loving age; in
constant intercourse With each other; minglng
/ in the same elegant pursuits for music. poe
try, and painting. were our mutual delights,
and we were almost separated from society a.
mong lovely and romantic scenery. Is il
strange that two young hearts, thus brought
together, should readily twine round each 9TH
srl