The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-08-28
SELECTED TALES.
MARY OF MANTUA.
A TRUE HISTORY.
By g. p. n. JAMES.

The noble house OF Gonzsga,' saws an Ital-
ian writer, in the year 1927. had declined from
its former splendor, and forgetful of its ancient
valor and wisdom, had given itself up TO luxury
and inteinpersnce.' Three brothers had sue
cessively filled the ducal chair, Franscesco,
Ferdinand and Nincenzo, and each had dis
tinguished himself rot by restoring any vigor
TO decaying line, but by introducing new
modes and forms Of vice.
! The first Of these brothers. francesca, had
left one child by neglected and injured wife
but that child was daughter. in her mere in
fancy when her father died and while the un-
doubted law bestowed the Duchy Of Mantua on
the brother Of the deceased prince, the arm of
power gave him also the Duchy Of Montferrat,
which the lawyers Of Italy held TO belong of
her own right, TO Mary Of Mantua. Under the
guardianship Of her uncle Ferdinand, she rose
towards womanhood, acquiring new graces and
new accomplishments every hour, but rarely
suffered TO appear at his court, and kept care
fully from the eyes and tongues Of all who
might be captivated by her beauty or inform
her of her rights.
At length, however, in the year 1926, the
Consequences of vices and follies carried Ferdi-
nand childless TO the grave, and the last male
of the race, Vincenzo,, bound his brow with the
ducal wreath of Mantua. Scarcely had he
taken possession of the Dukedom, when Mary
received summons To appear in his presence,
and hastened TO obey. She was at the time in
the Convent Of --=, few miles from the
city Of Mantua, in which she bad been educa-
ted, and usually resided. No state, no display,
marked out the princess from amongst the
nuns; aud it was only greater degree of lib
erty, different dress, and the practice Of the
various accomplishments which formed the re-
lief Of her solitary life, that dsting uished the
fair young Duchess of the Monrferrat from her
clostered companions. Two servants, indeed
were allowed to her; the maid who had atten-
ded upon her from her youth. and the good
man who had been ordinary ecuyer to her mo-
ther. She had mules, too, to take the fresh air,
beyond the limits of the converts gardens so
that her life was easy, If not happy and feel
ING no passions, knowing no Joys, beyond the
simple ones Of her condition, she sought not
10 change fate calm, amidst that sea OF
troubles, the distant roaring OF whose waves she
heard even in her tranquil solitude.
1t was evening when she received the sum
mons to attend upon the new Duke, and her
heart beat somewhat quickly. for many daring
tale had been told within the convent walls ofthe
crimes and faults of Vncenzo of Gonzaga, the
faithess priest, the married car1nal.--It was
evening, and in the autumn. but yet warm and
bright, with glowing skies and rich verdure,
and grapes swinging from tree 10 tree, ready
for the basket Of the husbandman; and as
Mary stood IN the convent garden waiting for
the carriage which was TO convey her 10 Man
tua, as fair and beautiful scene was spread
out before her eyes as the pencil ever borrowed
from that land of sunshine. Wide extended
beneath her view, lay the fair Mantua plains
towards Nerona-plains and scenes which new
er quilted the memory Of the great Roman
poet, though he abandoned his birth place for
more southern lands-and there bathed in pur-
pie light with every blue shadow, mingled with
liquid gold appeared the gentle sweeps and soft
lines Of trees and manifold streams, with here
and there the feuda castle crowning an emf
uence, on the tower Of some village church ris-
ing up out Of the dell The songs Of the vine
gatherers, for they had already begun, made
the air tuncful; and the ght of manifold living
objects IN the distance, trains Of gay pea.antry,
the loaded cart, the quick-driye car, and the
silver-grey cattle swimming in the Mincio.
rendered the landscape gay as well as beautiful.
Nor was Mary herself (could any eye have
seen her there) an object worthy Of but slight
remark. ExquisteIy lovely, with an air ard
expression not exactly OF melancholy, but Of
that calm pensiveness which her life and situa-
ton were so well calculated to give, she stood
by the wall of the convent garden, partly lean
ing upon OrO-StOue tdDle WDIcn han much
the character Of an ancient tomb. partly resting
against high gothic cross which rose from
the low wall Of the garden; and marked out
TO the eyes Of those who travelled the road that
ran at the bottom OF the deep bank below-the
abode Of those who, dedicating themselves to a
life Of religious solitude, found peace or dis
content sccoiding TO the feelings Of their own
hearts. Her whole person was Of loyeliDess,
her whole attitude replete With grace. Her
hands rested crossed on the book. which she
had taken to while away the time, her head was
slightly bent forward, and her eyes gazed upon
the distant prospect-the distant prospect al
ways more striking. because more aided by
fancy than that which Is near; and the warm
loveliness Of her compeIion-with the white
drspery IN which she was clothed. contrasted
beautifully with the cold grey Stone and yel-
low lInchens Of the ancient cross and table
Of stone.
As she thus stood and gszed. she heard
voice not far distant say, Lady = in low and
gentle tone. Those were days, however, in
which danger was frequently close to the do
mes'Ic hearth that preparation was ever the
part Of manly courage, apprehension a natural
part OF womsnly weakness.
\ Mary Of Mantua started suddenly hack, and
looked around with fear, but the same yoic.
repeated, Lady, be not alarmed tisa friend
Who would inform you Of matter touching your
safely
\ At the same time, from behind the ruined
column Of what had once been a small chapel
attached TO the walls. came forth a stranger
With slow step as II afraid. by any sudden
movement. Of scaring the fair girl away. The
wall was still between them It is true but the
stranger held his giddy footing easily on the
top Of the high bank, and the wall was there
not breast high.
\ Mary Of Mantus drew back she turned one
tiuid glance towards the monastery-ii va.
within sight; the people. who we're slowly pre-
psring the carriage, we're within call: the
stranger was alone, too. But that was not all
7 there v,s an open eabdor 10 his loos. nobili-