Litchfield enquirer., 1840-09-17

young ana pdSSlOnatc HtttuFe-OuTnUuS tears of entreaty and sobbing remonstrances brought her forced vigils and heavy pen- ance. The struggle had the usual termina- tion-the weaker was the victim; and Elena was led about in triumph-the loveIlest and most unwilling SpoSa IMonGcG that Florence had known for years. Where for her was the loye-dream which makes up the lie of of m Italian ?-Where the joys that, like iirds of Paradise, fit in the future hopes of raiders! Forbidden all! What had she 10 do with cloister, that grave CT WrecKeo hopes and buried memories? She--so young-so beautiful! Yet such IS lle-
 We do but row--'tis fate that steers the boat"
 How very white she was-a clear, bril- liant tint like that of the snow -dropas though the hot sun had never shone on her, she locked so fresh and pure--the long dark blue eye, and the dropping upper !!::::!, were 'n keeping with the repose that seemed to have once been the character of her expression-- but the pouting scarlet lip of childhood was compressed by the grave thoughts that lP had uttered, and the mouth was stern. ! thought of Elena very often that day, and occas sionaly the next, But on the third day we left Florence to be absent year, ana III the hurry of departure one casts aside torn gloves and worn recollections, as though these were as easily replaced as those, ana thought no more of Elena. ; returned the following year to the Artni- da of cities-sweet Florence--and fell into my accustomed ways and means-loitering in galleries enjoying mornings ln studies. with mannakins and their masters, or sitting hours on stone, like llzard, just enjoying existence. They told me had seen every thing furious except the taking of the veil; and as was resolved to have no roc's egg to disturb my peace ot mind, l sent to an au- thority to request free admission to the next nun. making that might take place.
 l Shortly afterwards l received ilne or permission to witness the taking of the veil by Elena M. Then l rememoered r5ter-and felt almost criminal that she had so long passed from my mind.
 The day came, bright and warm-one of those days in Italian summer where there is uXuriance of vegetation, teeming ot life, a gushing oflight and lovelness, thatmakes the blood flow thick and slow-and you feel
 "Dazzled and drunk with beauty"
 And to this fair world Elena was to bid adieu: the thought seemed to fall like chill shadow on my heart, and felt one of those mysterious shudders that came to remind us that spirits are about us and around us, ana an unear:hly presence has moved the "eiec- tric chain wherewith we're darkly bound.
 Before the altar stood Elena in white, with her jewels as l had seen her the year before but she herself how changed There was no trace of youth-years seemed to nave condensed their wearing misery into twelve
 months :: the rounded cheek was hollow, und the features were sharp--the lips were white and parted, showing the teeth glittering with unpleasing lustre-life had retreated to the eyes, which glanced like meteors with rest less flickering light. Through the long. night she had wept and prayed for release, and hoped until "iiopv lay mute n US own sullenness"- troubledt feVered sleep she had started to feel that dull pain Of wa king which the wretched 50 well know, when life and daylight return like curses ana when burning sorrow had done its work, soaring the heart it scathed. and she sat De- numbed and made no outbreaks, because:her spirit was broken--then said they. she rejoic. ed to be nun. Oh what tale of crushed passion and dead affection was writ on tnat { young brow!
 The service begun with pomp and circum- stance as it proceeded they dsrobed her. and the long brown hair was cut of-she put on the serge dress and check veil of the or der; the dismal black pail wns brought she shrunk back and looked wildly around: The priest whispered; she appeared not to near; again he whispered, and then reluctantly and slowly she stretched herse't on ins mar ble, and the pail was laid ovcr her. They chaunted in low harsh voices solemn ser vice rose leaves were strewed over the palD what sweet mockery !---agnin they chantcd, and so for an hoIr. Then the pail was lifted, and beneath lay corpse!' What heart does not beat with indignation at this! What lip can restrain the bitter generation of these ghostiy murderers of sweet blooming youth nunnery! What is it! A prison built by inhuman priests to doom 10 death every sweet hope, every en- dearment of friendly and social bliss, and tendcrest ties A nunnery! The grave of beauty, and lovrliness. and virtue! A num- nery charnel. house, containing the bones of young blooming maidens, where tho l demons of hell in the garb of priests revel in scenes of violence, pollution. and murder No vrtuous mind can think of nnnnerE without necessarily associating with it the idea of every thing that is hOrriblc--the bro- ken heart-lhe shriek of the violated-the moan of the clanking chain of the victim of priestcTaft doing mortal penancc, the shrick of the maniac, the low "bubbiGg cry" and heightened groan of the murdered female!s ProtcStaat VindicGior. At the recent mass convention For the nomination of Electoral and Congressional I tickets, in w-Jersey, when thousands upon thousands of inc people were present, the following resolution was unanimously adop- ted. It is a complimentary but just ac- acknowledgement of the untring, and not less meritoriOus, because unavailiDg. exertions Of the gentlemen named, to defend the rights. not only of New Jersey, but of every state.
 Al aRh