The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-18

THE power of the poet is shewn in few things
Hore remarkably than in that of his giving
Psrpetuity of remembrance to the places hemay
chance to mention in his song. What would the
generality of English readers have known of
Vallcmbrosa, had not Milton named it? And
who, since he spoke of it, has not dreampt of its
tangled wilds, and dim religious bowers; of its
awful groves, strewing the brooks 'swith their
autunnal leaves" and all the other sad or sol
em images of sEtrurian shadesw But never
did poet fix upon richer scene from which tc
draw the forms that people his world, than Val.
aombrosa. The perfect solitude of its thickets,
preserved from intrusion by the height and al
most impossible crags OF the mountains, fits it
Tor the constant residence of meditation, and of
winds that have hidden adieu for ever to the
world and its concerns. 1t has been elegantly
observed, by the author of the stPhilosophy of
Nature that the founders of abbeys and other
religious houses, have evinced remark able taste
IN selecting the most delightful situations for their
zeFotisnal retreats. The woods and rocks, how
ever, which give beauty or sublimity to the
scene, create, in fact, the solitude; and the lat
ter, in such country as Italy, could rarely be
Hound without the former. 1t is not, therefore, in
all instances that we can attribute the beautiful
situation Of monastery to the taste of its found
srs for the charms Of nature. But Vallombrosa
rsed its selection to individual enthusiasm, and
whatevar strongly affects the mind and heart in
hcnJunction, disposes to the love of scenery.
The founder of this far famed Abbey was
John Gualbertus, Florentine of noble family,
sEho lived in the early part of the Elerarth CEN
1my. He was led to think more seriously of
religion than he had hitherto done by singular
circumstance. One of his relations having fall
lena sacrifice to the resentment or avarice OF
fseme person, the murderer became an object of
pursuit to the rest Of the family, who, according
- the custom of the age, considered themselves
scharged with the duty of avenging, on his per-
son, the death OF their relative. 1t SO happened
shat John Gualoertus was the first to meet the
criminal in place which admitted not of his
escape. That one must fall seemed the necess..
Try result of this encounter. But whether the
,uTetched man had truly repented of his crime
sor was struck with a sudden sense of fear that
prevented his defending himself, he fell PROSTATE
at the feet OF Gualbertus, and s0lemnly besought
him to spare his life for the sake of Jesus Christ
The appeal was hardened to, John felt his desire
s1 revenge overpow cred by new sentiments of
aasrry; and yielding to the benign impulse. he
zade the offender depart in peace.
This occurrence made powerful impression
~ the mind of Gualbertus. No sooner ,..sbs
left alone than he hastened to a neisbbor;no
rshurch, and there, with fervent prayers. blessed
xhe Almighty for having given him grace to for
give SO great an enemy. The pleasure he ex-
xerienced from this first act of religious devo-
zisn induced him to determine thencefortb to
pass his days in the service of God, and utterly
- fcrsake the world and its concerns. Ha was
Hsr some time opposed in this resolution by his
aatter; but his mind fixed on the attain
ment OF virtue and holiness which he did not
bslicyc could be efiectually pursued without re-
firing fzsm all secular intercourse The firm
with which he persisted in his resolution. at
asngth overcome the unwillingness of his rcla-
sises, and he was allowed to enter the Benedic- |
tine monastery of St. Minias, at Florence. On |
the death of the Abbot, his piety Recommended |
him to the Monks as the worthiest of their NUM-
Der to succeed the late superior, and he was ac-
eozdingly elected to the chief station in the es-
Establishment But he had no greater inclination
dpincur the responsibilities Of such an Office than
be had to engage in the business of the world.
Finding, therefore, that the brothers were intent
nfop forcing him to accept the vacant dignity, !