The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-19
From the Knickerbocker.
Foreign Sketches.
MOONLIGHT ON THE BAY OF NAPLES.

MOONLIGHT ON THE BAY OF NAPLES.
Vending my way down the hill, and looking
affectionately, as passed, at the gate that LED
TO Virgils tomb, at length reached the bottom
and crossing tn, road took my way along the
shore. The walk was now covered with az.
zaron, fishermen, and other boatmen. either
standing about in groups, in the dusk Of the ev-
ening or engaged in drawing up their 6oats
and securing them for the night. Passing
through these crowds Of strange people, hastily
and not without some feeling of insecurity, as |
called to mind the fearful plage and massacre
which had been lately perpetrated by them,
when they had arms in their hands, continued
my walk along the shore, and entered the
grounds of the Vale Reale, fine promenade,
adorned with trees and shrubbery. After walk.
ing on short distance, perceived, on my
right, through the trees, semi-circular proec-
ton, built out into the bay. set round with mar.
BILE seas, and protected from the water by an
iron raing-a pretty place. Here at once
took my seat. 1t was favorable time and
place for meditation. The waters Of the bay
were dashing with a sullen and somewhat mel
ancholy sound against the shore around me all
else was still, or only distant sound of men,
their movements and merriment, came through
the quiet evening air. Now and then SOLITARY
gentlemen, in earnest conversation, entered and
took seat for few mon ents and again, n
father with two pretty children came, and sitting
down, looked out with them on the bay. But
it was time now for those who had happy
homes to gather round the evening table: none
of these remained long, and soon was left
again quite alone. The rosy hues of the west
had now quite faded away, and the stars were
coming out one by one, and taking their places
in the sky above me. All along the shore, and
far up the hill side, the lights were appearing one
after another, in the houses, till at length the
whole range was illuminated.
1t was the time for reflection. sand this
said to myself, "this is the bay of Naples, the
far-famed bay, one Of the beautiful spots of tie
world. And here, by its edge, am |, a son of
that distant western land, far beyond the dash.
ing waters-here, alone" How, at such time.
will the thoughts Of home and friends steal on
the mind, "like the memory" as Ossan says, "of
days that are gone, pleasant and mournful to
the soul" In the quiet twilight hour, when the
toll and hustle of the day are over, and the stars
are looking peacefully down from the heavens,
and forms of all earthly things are dim and
shadowy about us the soul, no longer drawn
forth in action or sight, reircs into ts secret re-
cesses, and forgetting things present and near,
communes with the past, the distant the invis-
BILE. Whether wandering back to the sports Of
or stretching forward TO the glories
of eternity, or, like mine at this moment, filed
with liz ages of loved and absent friends, and
distant but well remembered scenes, the thoughts.
at this hour, seem to be more elevated and
tender than at any other. If day be the season
for business and action, if midnight be, as the
poet declares, "the noon of thought yet is the
twilight hour the time for sentiment and feel
ing for pensive meditation, and the flow of az
feciion h is the hearts own time.
Crossing now, in fancy, the wide ocean that
rolled between me and my native land. with
what interest and clearness of mental sight did
revisit those scenes Of by-gone dsys How
often, at such an hour as this, had stood on the
banks Of the beautiful Ohio, while the light of
the rising moon was reflected on its waters, and
the 'star of eve" hung gittering In the west
while in the clear northern skies the constella.
lion ursa major was shining. though family ms
yet, and the north star was just becoming visi-
BILE, where he stands on his perpetual watch,
Over the hills, too, that encompass the Queen
City,"s other stars were peering, from the east
and from the west; the former about to rise
higher, and marching in their slow course, kept
guard over the sleeping city; the latter, which