Southern shield., 1840-03-28
NJ aria D 0 W e r

In the year l540 fisherman having landed in front of the palace of St Mark, crossed this celebrated place, and stopped before the door of an inn, on which was ve- " roughly painted lion, emblematic oi Venice The man was tall and athletic his dark complexion and brown hair had that warm coloring indicative of strength and intelligence so peculiar to the inhabit- ants of southern countries but his eyes had lost their animated expression, and thoughts of most painful nature bowed down the head of this robust gondolier.
 On entering the tavern, he perceived in the most obscure corner of the room. a stanger, who appeared buried in deep med tation. He too, had one of those manly and imposing countenances which denote moral energy--His expressive face re- fected the flames of q thousand ardent passions, and there was seen incontestble signs of the brilliant mission which God had given him His dress was simple in the extreme; doubtet and trunkhose of black velvet covered .his muscular limbs; silk cap sloped out over the temples, and with two bands tied under the chin accord ing to the fashion of the times, partly con- cealed luxuriant head of hair the ringIets of which little verging on the grey fell neglgently over his neck.
 "Glnnetrini!'' said the gondolier, address ing man with broad chest and red face, who was walking about the tavern, do you still persevere in your refusal2"
 Il do'' answered the Venitian
 .sJ. L, am not2 Before you consider the happi- ness of your daughter you think of her for tune! But to persuade you, Ginnettini, must recall to your mind the debt which is due to mel-Have you forget that ] sa- ved your life at Lepanto, when all Venice men and woman, were armed to defend the Republic against the soldiers of Barbar- rosa2-Do you know, that reared with Ma ria, we swore from our infancy neither of us shonld ever belong to another, and re- newed the oath when our age gave to our attachment strength and solidity2 Do you wish to cause both her misery and mine2 Are you Doge to be sosambitious2 Are you a patrician to be so ungrate- ful?"
 No, but 1 am rich, Barbarigo."
 And shall become so, Ginnettni; I have vigorous arms, and enterprising mind, courage, youth, and confidence in God; fortune may, before long, come and seat herself in my gondola"
 "A lunatic's dream!" said the tavern keeper.
 "Who knowsl" replied the fisherman "Laurant de Medicis was shopkeeper; Francis Sforza was a coward Why should not be general2"
 Because, for three men whom the Al mighty favors, there are thousands he dis dains, Barbarigo. One thing is certain, that will never be the father-in.law of a man whose only fortune is barque with sails It wouidbe better for Maria----',
 "To be sold to patrician than to be the wife of an honest gondolier. You would rather she would sleep in the lap of degra- ded opulence, than live obscurely, but res pectedl"
 aCertainly. Maria has attracted the attention of the nephew of the proveditor; this young lord paid me a visit, and offered ne"
 @To marry her2"
 Not exacty-as popular as the Vere- tian arstocracy aspires to become, they do not make so free with their heraldry."
 ITO purchase her, then!" replied Barba- rigo; most infamous! and would you, then sell the honor of your daughter, Ginnetti- ni2'
 The stranger who had listened with much curiosity to the conversation of those two Venetians, rose from his seat, and laying