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

consultation between my father and the monk,
about the means Of getting me back quietly TO
the convent. My resolution was taken. | had
no longer home nor father. That very nigh,
leit the paternal roof. got on board n yes
sci about making sail from the hmbor. and a
bandoned myself 10 the wide world. No mat
ter 10 what port she steered any part OF SO
beautiful a world was better than any convent.
No matter where | was cast by fortune; any
place would be more at home 10 me than the
home ] had left behind. The vesselwa bound
TO Genoa. We arrived there after voyage of
few days.
AS | entered the harbor between the mo'es.
which embrace IL, aud beheld the amph,heatre
OF palaces, and churches, and splendid gardens
rising one above another, felt at once its title
10 the appellation of Genoa the Superb.
landed on the mole an utter stranger without
knowing what TO do, or whittier to direct my
steps. No matter; ! was released from the
thrldom of the covent and the humiliaiions OF
home. When traversed the Strata Babi aud
the Suada Nuova, those streets Of palaces, and
gaZed at the wonders OF architecture around me;
when | wandered at close Of day amid a gay
thropg OF the brilliant and the beautiful, through
the green alleys of the Aqua Verde. or among
the coonades and terraces of the magnificent
Dora gardens; thought il impossible to be
ever otherwise than happy in Genoa.
A few days suttced TO show me my mistake.
My scanty purse was exhausted. and for the
first time IN my life | experienced the sordid
distress OF penury. | had never known the
want OF money, and had never advered TO the
possibility of such an evil was Ignoran, Of
the world and all its ways; and when first the
idea of destltution came over my mind its ef-
lao 4
through the streets which no longer delighted
my eyes, when chance led my steps into the
magnificent church OF the Annunciata.
a celebrated painter OF the day was at that
moment experimenting the placing OF one of
hls pictures over an altar. The proficiency
which had acquired in his art during my res
idence in the convent had made me an en,hu-
siastic amateur. | was struck, at the first
glance, with the painting. 1t was the face Of
a Madonna. So innocent so lovely. such di-
vine expression of maternal tenderness | lost,
for the moment, all recollection Of myself in
the enthusiasm OF my art. | casped my hands
together, and uttered an ejaculation Of delight
The painter perceived my emotion. lie was
ilattered aud gratihed by II. My air aud man
ner pleased him, and he accosied me felt
too much the want of friendship to repol the
advances OF a stranger; aud there was some
thing IN this one so benevolent and winning,
that III moment he gained my confidence.
1 told him my Story and my situation, con
ccaling only my name and rank. lie appeared
strongly interested by my recital, invited me I,
his house and from that time | became his IA
vorte pupil. lie thought ht perceived in M
| extraordinary talents for the art, and his enco
mums awakened all ardor What a blissiu
period Of my existence was that ! passed be
meath his roof! Another being seemed crcaiec
within me; or rather, all that was amiable anC
excellent was drawn out. ! was as reolusc a,
ever had been at the convent but how differ
ent was my seclusion My time was spent il
storing my mind with lofty aud poetcal ideas
M mcdItating on all that was striking and nobl,
IN history and fiction; in studying and tracing
all that was sublime and beautiful in nature
was always visionary imaginative. but now
my rcvcrIes and imaglnIngs all elevated me 10
rapture. looked up to my master as bcnev-
olont genius that had opened TO me a region OF
enchantmcnt He was not native Of Genoa.
but had been drawn thllher by the solicitations
OF several Of the nobility, and had resided there
but few years, for the completion Of certain
works he had undcrlal en-. His hra.,!; w.s
delicate, aud he had TO confde much Of the I'll
ling up OF his designs to the pencils Of his
scholars. He considered me as particularly
happy IN delineatng the human coubtenance /:
IN s,Izlug upon characteristics, though fleeing
expressions, aud fixing them powerfully upon
my canvas. was employed continually, there
fore, III skctchlng faces, and often when some
particular grace or beauty Of expression was
wanted in acOuntenancc, ii was intrusted 10 my
pencil My bcneiactOr was fond Of bringing
me forward aud partly, perhaps, through my
actual skill, and partly through his partial pra-
ses, began 10 be noted for the expressions OF
my cOuntenaDces.
Among the various works which he had un-
deraken, was an historical piece from one Of
the palaces Of Genoa, in which were to be in
troducod the likenesses of several Of the fami-
ly. Among these was one iDtrIsted 10 my
pencil. II was that Of young girl, who as yet
was in a convent for her education. She came
out for the purpose Of sitting for the picture
first saw her IN an apartment Of one Of the
sumptuous palaces of Genoa. She stood be-
fore a easement that looked out upon the bay !;
a stream Of vernal sunshine fell upon her. aud
shed kind Of glory around her. d. It 1T upthe
rich crimson chamber. She was but sixteen
years Of age-and oh, how lovely The scene
broke upon me like a mere vision OF spring
and youth and beauty. / could have fallen
down and worshippcd her. She was like one
Oi those hcu0ns OF poets and pantefs' wben
they would express the beau tdtdL that haunts
their minds with shapes of ndescrlbabs per-
fectlon. was permitted to sketch her coun-
tenance IN various positions, and ! fondly pro-
uacted the study that was undoing INC. The
more ! gazed on her, the more | became en-
amOred there was something almost painful
ia my intense admiration. ] was but nineteen
years Of age. shy, diffident, and inexperienced.
was treated with attention by her mother; for
my youth aud my enthusiasm IN my art had
won favor for me; ; and am inclined to think
that there was somethiu, in my air and man
ner that inspired interest and respect Still the
Kindness with which ! was treated could not
dispel the embarrassment into which my own
INA agination threw me when in presence Of this
lovely being. IL elevated her into something
almost more than mortal. She seemed too eS-
quiste for earthly use ; too delicate and exalted
for human attainment. As ! sat tracing her
charms on my canvass. with my eyes OCCASION