The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-11

more burdensome while he was alone, and
he gladly made acquaintance with these
gentlemen, in whose society he found great
| relief The manner of their existence was
rnuch TO his taste, for they mingled with
the serious and active business of war the
elegant accomplishments and amusements
of polite life. Some occupation, he felt,
was absolutely necessary for him, ands he
yielded very readily 10 their persuasIons
that he would Join them. The command
| ing officer, who saw that Leopold's high
spirit and requirements would make him
valuable acquisition to the service, offered
him commission, which the student, how
ever, declined, proposing TO join the army
as gentleman and volunteer.
In this character he served throughout
| the Italian campaign, and had, in great
degree, overcome the impressions which
the fatal All-hallows Night had made up
on his mind, although he had not forgotten
them, when a circumstance happened
which recalled them with all their original
| force.
II was on a beautiful summers evening
that the party to which he was attached
drew near The place appointed for their
quarters. The fatigue oil a long march had
not rendered him irsensible to the beauty
of the country he was traversing. He was
in remote and unlTequented road among
the hills beyond Bergamo; and the emin-
ence which he had attained commanded
an extensive view OF the fertile country
The setting Of an autumnal sun shed
blaze of liquid radiance over the plain,
which lay assA'ng ana F'sl'" ., asst were,
with plenty; while the rich and varied col
ors of the foliage and the fields glittered
under its beams with indiscribable splendor.
AS the march led him through the hills,
which sometimes hid the landscape from
his sight, and somtimes presented il sud-
denly and strikingly, Leopold thought he
had never seen the beauties of nature in so
fascinating poin. of view. The day rapid
ly closed In; and the sounds, which denote
the activity Of country life, one by one
ceased; the lowing Of the homeward-drl
cattle, the song of the husbandman, the
horn of the shepherd, and the deep-mouth-
ed baying ofhis dogs, died away gradually;
and now nothing was heard but the mel
ancholly notes of the yesper-bell-fit music
for such an hour.
Leopold thought Of the beautiful verses
of Dante; and, although he had no friends
To whom his heart turned, as the time and
place softened and saddened it, vet there
was yearning after some such object, on
which its affections might rest, which made
him feel his utter desolateness still more
Tears, such as he had not shed for many
day, started TO his eyes as he repeated
Era gia Pliora che volge u desio
Al naviganti e'ntenerisce Z core
Lo di, chan detto i dolci amici, A do;
f che 10 novo peregrin dAmore
Plunge, sc ode squilla di lontano,
Che paia 1giorno pianger che 81 more.s
Before the day had quite closed, the de-
| tachment had reached the place at which
they were to halt for the night: it wns call
ed the Convent of Santa Croce, and was
situated upona gentle eminence, command
ing the whole of the view which had 50
much delighted Leopold
The appearance of the French soldiers
threw the fair recluses into no small eiubar-
rassment. A party had been despatched
To announce the arri, al of their compan-
ions; and the ,ahsess had made such good
use of the time which & is afforded her,
that all her flock were safely locked up in
the high chambers OF the building, and be-
yond the profane touch of the French sol
diery. Experience had taught the neces-
sity OF this precauton; for, notwiihsland-
i 'g the devoted sanctiy of the gentle nuns,
there had been instances of their not being
able TO Withstand the persgasions of les
braces; and, during the campaign, many Of
the fair sisters had renowned their rash
vows of celibacy, and hal become the
wives of the soldiers. The abbess Of ST
Ursula was ofsuch iucorruptibe piety, and
the strictness Of her discipline was so IA
nous, that she had no reason to fear the
backsldng of any Of her holy sisterhood;
bui, although she was fully convinced OF
this, yet like very prudent cid lady, who
had been once young, she thought there
was great virtue in lock and key, and she
therefore had every one of her flock, with
the exception of the lame porteress, whose
ugliness was a sufficient projection 10 her
virtue, fairly fastened up until the troops
should have departed.
She, however, had provided for the re-
ception offhe soldiers, who found a repasi
prepared FOE themn large out building,
aud where alsu they were TO take up their
abode. The officers and Leopold were her
own guests, and were received in her par
lour, where a simple, but elegant, supper
/ was laid nut. The abbess was lady whom,
the misfortunes of her noble fairly, and the
changes of affairs in the country, had driv.
>The late lamented Lord Byrcn's translation o.
this exquisite passage-to all but to him untrans-
latcable--is so beautiful, that reckon upon be
! ing thanked for inserting it'd. 80
Soft hour, which awake the wish and melts tbs
heart N gttsA ,sr JESS s.
OF thoye who sill the seas on the first day
When they from their sweet friends are TORI
II apart a.iieFses ffe
RI Or fills with love the pilgrim on his way,
[ As the far bell Of vesper makes him start,
Seeming to wrepthe dying days decay!
| IS ss.s Don JrAS, Cant. Ill s.. cyil