The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-02-05


adjacent church of" Maria Anlica," and
exhibit the last remains of Vcronese
magnilicen
lfhistory was silent, these monuments
would attes, the grandeur of the Scali.
geri Upon the walls of an old house
contiguous to the tombs read this in
scrlption:
Habitoeionc dci Sogristano custo-
dc del cimitcr0 ScaiigerO."
The Franciscan Convent, upon whose
grounds stood
"That same ancient vault
Where all the kindred OF the Capulets lic >
is situated $50 PAGES beyond the ancient
walls Of the city. You at that distance
turn TO the left aud proceed up Il narrow
lane called the " Vicolo Franceshine" "
AT the end Of this lane you ring bell,
and an old woman soon opous the gate
aud admits you INTO The garden This
garden was once the cemetery aud burial
ground of the convent, but the monu>
ments that once studded lis surface have
entirely disappeared. The garden is
qGite spacious, aud is at present in Il
very nonrl,hlnn condition Tie spot
where the tomb of the Capulets was sits
nated is pointed out From this site a
red marble sarcophagus, which once
served for the reception of Juliet, was
taken up many years ago aud lodged in
another parl of the garden. This re-
moval prob'b!s took place contemporary
with the suppression of the convent and
HE conversion of the grounds into agri.
cultural purposes. The earth of this
garden is said to be well stocked with
bones, which are, of course, at this mo-
ment all mingled together in promiscu~
"ns confusion. The sarcophaqus of Ju.
liet IS empty; even It's head has been
lost, and as to her bones and the bones
of her kindred, and those OF Romeo.
they are all missing, and will never be
found until the morning of the general
resurrecton
The convent is now used as barrncks
Tor Austrian soldiers. In one of the
outside chapels of the convent rests the
sarcophngus Of Juliet it is of an OBJ,
long form, cut out Of red Verona mar,
BILE, aud only calculated for the reception
oi one person. The bottom of this sar.
cophagns rises little at the head, as if
10 form low pillow. The tomb is quite
rough, aud contains no marks or nscrip.
lions of any kind. One corner has been
much brokeL, in order to furnish frar-
ment, for souvenirs Maria Louise. the
Empress Of Napoleon, took away a part,
and had a necklace and bracelets made
thereirnm; aud many noble ladies' Of
Verona did the same.
Tine Government has very wisely in,
terdlcled the continuance of such ap>
preparations, The roof of the chanel
la. been destroyed, aud the heavens now
serve as the canopy of the tomb. On
the walls of the chapel noticed an old
lrcsco painting OF the crucifxion, with
two families weeping at the foot Of the
cross. Tbi, painting, from exposure, is
much damaged sud dlsiigured. A small
clubhouse at The side Of this chapel is the
dwelling place of an old woman aud her
daughter to whose charge the tomb Of
Jullel is committed.
This tomb is said to have been shown |
by the Italians previous to the time of
1t has certainly for several |
centuries been visited by thousands and |
thousands of pilgrims from all parts of |
The world, aud not few, according TO
credible Information, have wept upon it.
A bout block beyond the convent may
'e seen long, low, stone cottage, with
iothc windows. This house served as
he residence of Louis XVIII, during
he French Revolution.
Even the llIe ragged beggar boys
understand by heart the story of Romeo
md Juliet, and are capable Of pointing
'ut the localities identified with the trar-
dy. juliet, according to Shakespeare,
vas to have been married to the Count
'aus, (the rival of 'Romeo,) in the ST.
'eter's Church, Verona. This is not
ne of the principal churches IN The city,
nt ii was most probably the parish
hurch of her lanlly.
DeATn OF AUDUBON, THE ORNIrnoL, |
Gisi.-Mr. Audnbon, the distinguished