The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18

domestic ties, he feels himself an exile
wherever he goes, and endures the greatest
anxiety on account Of those near and dear
to him that he has left, and is often haunted
with a sad forebodng that be is 10 meet
them no more When he is about 10 take
his leave, there is farewell repast, to which
the relations and the friends are invited;
when il is over, all the guests accompany
the traveller some miles on his journey
During this, and at the repast, it is the Gus
tom 10 sing farewell songs; many oil these
have been long in use, but some are CON-
posed specially for the occasion; and 1t not
unfrequenly happens that they are COM
posed extempore by some dearest to HIM, or
by himself. There was such meeting held
ore day near Pindus, on the occasion oil the
youngest Of three sons Of respectable parents
deyoting himself TO voluntary exile. The
deepest regret which he felt in leaving the
home of his childhood, was the conscious
ness that he carried with him no share oil
the affections of mother on whom ne do
ted. She, unlike the generality oil creek
mothers, had never marked him as an OBJECT
of her love, but had treated him with cold
ness painfully contrasted with her conduct
towards her other children; this he had borne
without a murmur, but now that he was
about to leave Der, perhaps forever, his
heart was breaking. The spot chosen for
the parting was wild and desolate scene,
among high and rugged rocks. Several oil
the mournful songs had already been sung,
when the young traveller, separating from ms
company, assembled a rock which overhung
the path; here he sang his last sad farewell in
tones that sank into every heart, and drew
tears from every eye. He expressed, with the
deepest psthos, the passionate grief which
he felt in quitting his home and those he
loved but his greatest anguish was IN think
ing he was going without his mothers afiec-
tion. The heart Of the mother was touched;
her emotion increased with every word anc
every note Of the pathetic air to which he
sang; the warm current Of affection gushec
from its hidden springs; she clasped him in
her arms, and weeping and kissing hum owe
and over again, she inueated forgiveness
and promised to love and cherish him a
long as she lived. The promise was invio
lably and tenderly kept.
The most simple music, or that which Il
hardly music at all, often finds its way L
the very heart. 1t is said that Curran at
uibuted his first impressions oil eloquenc'
and poetry to the wild chant of the lrist
city. or funeral dirge. The memory of som'
of those strains, which have been often de
scribed as something unearthly, and resem
bling the melody of an Eolian harp, NJ
doubt fitted across his mind, as he has sa
preparing himself for the defence of som
clients life, as was his wont, with his VIC
lin in his hand, from which ever and anoI
he drew forth wild and plaintive sounds.
is customary with the improvisation to sweeI
the chords Of an instrument as they com
pose their verses, to aid their conceptions
m Even the music of bells produces power
full effect. Who does not feel bis spin
tighten as he hears the merry chime of fes
tive bellsl Who does not feel a touch o
awe as the death-bell tolls = The inhabi
oil tants of Limerick are proud Of their cathe
ne dral bells; and well they may, for they ar
he passing sweet. They boast that they wer
s brought from Italy, and tell Of their havinJ
I'd occupied the skill of a clever young arts
a. for some years. By the time he had manu-
as featured them, their chime had taken sucl
P possession Of his heart, that he resolves
rs never 10 leave them so that when be solt
S them to the prior Of convent, he removes
" 10 their neighborhood that he might still
ie hear their music re hoped that they woult
lg toll his requiem. Troubles came-he los
te his property-the convent was laid waste
y the bells were taken away-and this grievet
q the artist more than any Of his losses; b
oil wandered over many Of the countries o
e Europe. hoping to reach the spot where hi
e. bells might be. Years after they had beer
Z manufactured, it happened that, towards tn
q close of spring, on lovely evening, yes
L. sci had anchored at some distance iron
&c Limerick. and a boat was seen to Gid
from its side along the Shannon. 1t hs,
e been hired by one Of the passengers-th
9 Italian aItist-now grown old and gray
., He was impatient to reach the city, to whicl
q he had traced his much-loved bells A
Is thew rowed along the smooth waters, tn
l. steeple Of the cathedral appeared in the dis
D. lance above the surrounding buildings; tn
/ boamen pointed it out to the stranger. as b
P sat in the stern he fixed his eyes earnestl
a. 2. and Gondly upon it. The boat glided on
Ii but all at once, through the stiffness Of tn
e hour. the peal from the sweet cathedral bell
D burst upon the air; the stranger crossed hi
q arms upon his breast and leant back. Tn
i shore was reached; the face Of the Italia
le was still turned towards the cathedral, but tn
II spirit had fed, and the bells had tolled hi
= requiem
ST :.