Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-04-22
THE MAClCIAN'S VlSITER.

JT at the close OF noe ""5 a''
The shades Of evening we're beginning 10 game
over the civ Of Florence, when "A low, quick raj
wa, heard at the door Of Cornelius AgfiPPh, anf
shortly afterwards stranger was introduced IN
10 the apartment IN which the philosopher was
sitting Mt hrs stud'es
The stranger although finely formed and o
courteous dem.anor, had certain indehnab'c
DIR Of mystery abou; him, which excited awe, u
indee ed Il had not "a repel'snt effect. Ills years
was difficult guess, for the marks oil youth ana
age were blended in his features IN a most extra
ordinary manner. There was not a throw IN his
cheek or a wrinkle on his brow, aud his large
black eye beamed with AL the br,liiancy and VI
vaci,y Of youth, but his stately figure was bent
apparently beneath the weight OF years: his HAIR.
although thick and clustering, was gray, ana MS
voice feeble and tremuions. yet It's tones
wero Of the most ravshing and soul searching
melody. His costume that OF 4 Florentine
gentleman; but he held staff Like that OF pain
ter in his hand and siken sash, inscribed with
oriental characters, was bound around his waist.
Iii. face deadly pale, bot every feature OF II
was singulariy beautiful, and ats expression was
that Of profound wisdom, mingled with poignant
..Pardon me, learned sir, said he, addressing
the philosopher, ''your fame has travelled INTO all
lands, and has reached all ears, and could not
leave the fair City of Floronce without seeking
an Interview with one who is lis greatest boast
and ornament"
you arc r,gh, welcome, sir" eturned Agrip-
On; '.but | fear that your trouble and curiosity
will be lily paid am simply one, who instead
OF devoting my days to the requirement OF wealth
and honor, have passed long years in painful, IN
profita Bile study, in endeavoring to unraVei the
secrets of nature and initiating myself Ia the
mysteries of the occult sciences"
"Taikest thou of Iong yearsl" echoed the s,ran-
yer, and a me ianchoiy smile played over his iea
lures "thou, who hast scarcely seen four score
since thou left thy cradle, and for whom the quiet
grave is now waiting eager 10 clasp thee IN her
steItering arms! l was among tho tombs to day
tho still, the solemn tombs, saw them smiling
IN the last beams Of tho setting sun. When was
boy used TO wish TO be like that sun, his ca.
so long, so brighi, 40 glorious. But night
I thought it was better to siumber among those
tombs, than to be like him To night he eank
behind tho hills, apparently to repose. but to-
morrow he must renew his course, and run the
Same dull and unwearied, but ,oilsome and unqui-
o, race. There is grave for him. and the nigh,
aud morning dews tho tears that ho sheds
over his yrannous destroy.
Agrippa was a deep observer and admirer OF
external nature and of all her phenomena, and
had often gazed upon the scene which the strau-
ger described but the feelings and ideas which It
awake led in the mind Of tho latter were so dif-
ferent from any thing which he had hmseli eX-
perieuced, that he could not help, Tor season.
gazing upon ham IN speeches. wonder. It's guest,
however, speedily resumed The discourse.
..i1ut / trouble you:-to my purpose IN making
this visit. / have heard strange tales Of won
drous Mirror, which your potent art has enabled
you to construct, in which whatsoever looks may
see Inc distant the dead, which he IS desi-
Yous again to fix his gaZe. MY eyes see nothing
in this outward visible world which can be Pien'
sing their sight. The grave has closed over all
] low ed. Time has carried down its streams every
thing that once contributed To tny enJoyment-
The world IS vale Of tears, bot among all The
tears which that sad valley, not one is shed
for me--ihe fountain Of my heart too, is dried up
I would again look upon the face l loved would
that eye moro bright and that step more state
" than tho anieinpe's that brow the broad smooth
page Of which God had inscribed his flares, cha
racier. I would gaze all loved and all lost.
Such gaze would he dearer To my heart than all
the world has to off.r me except my grave"
Tho passionate pleading of The stranger had
such an effect upon Agrppa, (~ho was not used
TO exhibit his miracle Of art 10 the eyes of all
who desired to look into II, although he often
tempted by eNorotant presents and high honors
to do SOY that he readily consented 10 grant the
request OF bis extraordinary visiter.
'.Whom wouldss thou seef' he inquired.
'.My child, my own sweet Miriam" answered
the stranger.
Cornelius Immediately caused every raw of
the light Of heaven to be excluded from the cham
Der. placed the stranger on his RICH, hand and
commenced chanting in q Low, soft tone, and in a
strange language, some lyrical verses. TO which
the stranger thought he heard occasionally a re-
sponse, but il a sound, faint and indis,inct
:hat he hardly knew whether il existed any where
but 10 his own fancy. AS Cornelius continued
his chant, the room gradually became illuminated,
but whence the light proceeded it was impossible
10 discover. Al length the stranger perceived
large mirror which covered the whole OF the
sse'ne end Of the apartment, and over the surface
o. Witch u dense haze cloud seemed TO be
rapidly passing.
"D'ed she in wediock's holy bandsy' inquired
Cornelius.
"She was virgin spotiess as the snow"
SHOW many years have passed away sioce the
grave closed over herr"
A cloud gathered over thu strangers brow, and
he answered soe1e what impaiien,lv, s'Mauy moro
.han now have time to number"
may" said Agrippa. "but l must know-for
every tea years that have elapsed since her death,
0nco must I wave this waad; aud when wsve