The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-14
february %.

an that del;vbtfpl promenade was clear and
still-tbe sky soft and blue, without one threat
enipe cloud, and the sunlight such as seems TO
melt through your very flesh, till you fancy it
flows with q golden and whey richness through
your veins. Whether it played in the gardens
of the slopes, glistening over the laurel leaves,
adding a richer tinge to the ripened orange,
nesting passionately in the hearts OF roses, or
kissing pityingly the rain-tears from the faces
of the chilled violets-or, flashing on the dome
of ST Peters. and against the snow-crowns of
the Sabine bills-it was the same peculiar, deli
cious. Italian sunshine, tender and loving in its
utmost splendor-not darted down in trenchant
rays, but falling softly and slowly--a dew of
light.
| Scarcely an hour has gone by, and Nature
has returned 70 her frowning aud stormy
mood-the whole heavens are overcast and the
rain is falling in torrents.
These are hard times for the beggars, as they,
| like Italians of better estate are extremely sus-
| ceptible to wet and cold. During a rain, you
will scarcely meet one in a long walk but in
| the sunny interludes they come out upon you,
from unsuspected places thick and fast, hungry
and clamorous, the lame and the lazy, bound
| less in impudence and inexhaustible in imposi-
tons. Some two weeks ago, as | was coming
down from the Trinita di Mont, | found
| poor man lying by the way, apparently dying
of hunger and disease. Having no money with
me, ran into a studio near by, and begged u
| few bajocchi of an artistfrieli1, while woman
who had come up to the man while stood by
him, applied at neighboring house for a piece
| of bread. She brought whole loaf which he
grasped and began to eat ravenously, pocket
| ing the bajoechi | gave him, without word
| He seemed suffering from low fever, and was
SO frightfuly pale, weak, and emaciated, that
| | did not believe he could live twenty-four
hours But yesterday in nearly the same spot
| | found him again, in quite as critical state,
apparently Again | gave him money, which
he took with feeble groan, not even lifting
| his face from the pavement. His hearing was
dulled, or his voice too weak to answer my
questions and, seeing some Italians approach
ing, hurried away, fearing he might give up
the ghost at my feet and not choosing to wit
ness the melancholy scene. About two hours
after, came across the same man, carrying on
his dyifss agonies in the Via della Croee, on the
other side of the Piazza di Spdgna. He was
lying PROSTATE, and with his face hid, as usual
but as approached him, observed for an in
slant keen eye peering up through struggling
his expiring energies for one last appeal to my
humanity and womsnhood, he sent forth
fearful groan.. But was up to him this time.
There is one little beggar-boy | frequently
meet, who is an actual delight to me for his
witty persuasion and graceful impudence. He
is child of about nine-not handsome, but
remarkably er.loOking, with lively, saucy,
laughing eyes, musical voice, and the most
easy, dasbing, insoucidnt manner imaginable.
He begs for blind father but whenever no
sees any of us whom he knows, he will leave
| the old man to grope forlornly, and run at our
side, hat in hand, talking smilingly and coax
ingly in this wise: Good morning, kind la
dies! You have several baiocehi for me to-day
MOI Then perhaps you have poolo-that's
all the better. Remember my poor father; he
is blind he cannot see the sky, the flowers,
and the beautiful ladies. Oh, yes, yes, you will
give me something tor him" And we are sure
to give, if we have bajoccho in our purses; if
not, he still smiles cheerily, saying, I'm afro
giorno," another day; and on the next occa-
sion Of our meeting, he never fails to remind us
of our promise, though always in the most gal
liant and agree able terms possible.
am a good deal interested and amused by
the professional models, who most do congre-
gate" on the great fight of steps leading up
to the Trinita di Mont from the Piazza d.
Spagna. There are often to be seen picturesque
and varied groups, and single figures of striking
character. Handsome peasant women, with
charming brown babies-wild, long haired
BOYS from the mountains-raven.b bearded young
men and snowy -headed old men-and coquet-
fish young girls, with flashing eyes and dash
ing costumes There is one grand-lookng old
man, with bounteous white beard, who is
said to do great business in the sanity and
patriarchal line. He is nulttudinous Moses,
an inexbaustible st. Joseph, and the pictorial
stock Peter, of many seasons. There is also a
powerful handsome, dark and terrible-looking
fellow, who does the brigand and bravo.
These various candidates for artistic favor
seem to have the most social and agreeable
relations with each otber-indeed have re-
marked the patriarch chatting and laughing
with the brigand, in familiar manner scarce
ly in keeping with his own venerable charac-
ter But, let an artist or two ascend the steps
and, presto, the dark-eyed young girls cease
their idle gossip and spring into position-look
archly or mournfully over the right shoulder,
or with clasped hands modestly contemplate
the pavement-the pretty peasant woman
snatches up the baby she had left to creep
about at its own sweet will, and bends over it
tender and Madonna-like, while, at a word
from her, skin-clad little shepherd boy drops
his game of pitch-penny, and takes up his role
Of St. John. Perhaps dark, dgni6ed, but
somewhat rheumatic old woman, with her head
wrapped up in brown cloth, makes modest
venture of herself as St. Anna, while the fine
old man have described makes the most of
the comparatively unimportant character of
ST. Joseph, or, separating himself entirely from
the group, looks authoritative as Moses, or in
spred as Isaiah, or resolute as Peter The
handsome bravo or brigand gives fercer twist
to his moustache, slouches his pointed black
hat appears to be concealing dagger under
his brown cloak, or on the point Of drawing an
imaginary pistol from his belt-sets his teeth,
scowls and cultivates the diabocal generally
in attitude and expression. 1t is altogether a
very amusing and skillful piece of canvassing.
Though nine years have rolled by and
brought revolutions and few other little
changes in Rome, since Dickens spent a winter
here, yet these steps are to-day precisely what
he pictures them Indeed | believe that our
friends, the patriarch and the brigand, are the
identical personages whose portraits stand out
so livingy in his grotesque but exquisite de-
scription
Mr.. Cass Charge d Afaires from the United
States to Rome, gave large musical soirse on
the 18th, which was one of the pleasantest
evening parties have attended since came
abroad yet the entertainments given by Mr..
Cass are invariably pleasant, as Mr.. Cass, him
self most accomplished host, is ever especial
ly attentive and kindly TO Americans. II surely
will be matter Of regret ON many accounts
If he is Withdrawn from or resigns his present
official position--s position for which he seems
admirably fitted, by. intelligence, cultivation,
taste, and experience.
BY the last mail, have heard, with much
pain, Of the death Of the sculptor, Bracket A
loss to our country and to art Is this uutimelv
taking away of a life whose powerr fettsred by
discouraging cares and unpropitious crcum-
stances, accomplished some noble things, and
promised yet nobler. But bitterer and heavier