The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-06-16
Origin of the Republic Of San Marino.

we cannot conclude our sketch of 'small be-
SIhnihgs without speaking of certain singu-
lat ht'ie Republic which has some claim to be
remembered under such a heading, though its
H's'o'y ~ no modern instance, and will lead US
some fourteen or fifteen hundred years into the
snaoo"s OF the past, 1t is only beitting the an
tiqulty OF the tale, to say that once upon a time
there existed certain peasant of Dalmata, ma
lnea Marino' who was by trade mason,-a
worthy, honest, Industrious man, and devout
according to the light vouchsafed to him. This
artisan was employed in the reparation of the
town OF Rlmini; and when his task was ended,
ne retreated to p neighboring mountain, built
ior himsef cell, and embraced the life OF IL
| hermit Alter time, his sanctity and charity
were rumored abroad and the lady of the land,
the Princess OF Rimini-visited his hermitage
was charmed by his piety and intelIicenca and
DeStowed on nm as a gift the high ard crorcr
mountain where he had fixed his home. no vaTv
great bounty, II we consider that it's summit
uSu'iy 'eiied In clouds, was covered with eter-
uAI snow; out Marino, or as he was now e,vla5
st. Marion, turned the barren land 10 goo3 CO.
count ~ so"1 &c
he invited all whom he deemed worthy of sba
ring ms solitude-nlany lowly and homeless.
peasant, many Wanderer seeking a precarious
uS'-'o oweil with him il this eagles serie
NOR cld ne, as might have been supnoead nroba
ole, enJoln monastic life on them On +ba
contrary he assisted and directed their labor in
Nhe construction of town. aud in the cultiva,ior
Oh such parts of the mountain as were canehla
OF being rendered productive. A more usefnI
SAINT never lived As there was neither snrjnp
nor Iountil on the hill, he taught them to con.
struet huge cisterns and reservoirs. which they
hIied with snow-water, or left for the reception
of rain.
tney planted vineyards on the mountain sides,
Which produced excellent wine, and became, in
orief space. hourishing colony.
San Marino gave them wise and lust laws
lVed to see his poor brethren prosperous and
happy, and dying became their tutelary saint.
had church dedicated IL his name, and a stat
ue, erected to his honor.
The miniature Republic of San Marino exist
ed for centuries free and unchanged, amidst all
the mutations of the governments of Italv and
Addison, in his 7rauels gives US pretty pic
ture OF this tiniest of Independent States to
which there was but one road severe law pro-
hioItng its people from liking a new way up
the mountain where the chief officers of state
were two capttanos answering to the old Roman
Cousuls, but chosen every six months) a COM
missary or lawyer a physician and schoolmas--
ter,-where everybody chad some tincture of
learning" and the ambassador of which, when
sent to foreign State, ''was allowed out of the
treasury ore shilling d4y where the people
possessed the simplicity and virtues of the gold
en- age, and revered for centuries the memory of
the peasant who had given their forefathers
home. and bequeathed to them an Inheritance of
freedom and contentment-C Chambers Eain5ur2h
Journal