Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-13
SiIyio PeIIico.

/
The following accounts Of Silyio Pellico, the Ital
ian patriot, is from the pen Of the Florence cor
respondent of the Newark Daily Advertiser His
account Of his Imprisonment Me P,igione---
in the Austrian fortress at Spieburg has been read
by almost everybody, and admired by all,
"Thc late death Of Silvio Pellico removed one
of the corner stones from modern Italian poesy /,
| the loss is much felt. Poor Pellco incarcerated
ten years Of his life for the libsraty Of his poi-
cal opinions, wss in religion q narrow bigot. Not
the only example where these extremes have met
| in italian patriots. Michael Angelo, who fought
like lion for the liberty Of his country was priest
led like lamb into obedience to superstitious
| muinmery
"Pellico was quite as celebrated for his effective
prose writings as for his Dramas and otherpoetry.
lie ME- Prigio,,e, written during his confinement.
In Spielberg, is widely known in Europe and Amer
lea. There is charm in this book which il easier
felt than accounted for. 1t is not in any wise
great work, though one which has great power
over the reader. A proof that the daily interior
history Of human soul, however monotonous,
will find response In the general heart, and awaken
particular interest that works on subjects relating
TO outer life, however stirring cannot do.
"There is not, throughout the book, one fine or
profound passage little incident varies its pages;
and in short nothing remarkable occurs in IL yet
it has all the unction Of living, suffering spirit.
and the irresistible force Of simple naturahcss. II
has found its way to the human bosom all over,
brought friends to the author from all parts, and
won for him many more than ever declared them
selves. To some of the softer sex ii became the
embodiment of their ideal of author.
A young English girl of a good family, on read
ing IL, became 80 in love with the picture which
her warm imagination drew Of Pellioo, as to leave
her home in search of him. She arrived at Turin
with the full intention of laying herself and her for
tune at his feet. Young enthusiasm stays not for
conventional rules She sought at once the house
of the hospitable Marquis Barolo, where the poet
found his home, and was ushercd into his pres.
ence, her heart beating with the rapid pulse Of
loving expectation.
"Seeing before her little, shiiyellcd, STOPPING
man of forty, with spectacles and bald head, she
inquired of him eagerly for Slyo--at the same time
looking eagerly about In search Of the dark-hared,
langnishing-eyed Italian poet, which her fancy
painted him. Behold the man, said PellIoo,
nothing daunted by the ladys sad surprise. She
fell into the chair offered her, her bright dreams
falling to nothing at her feet and the sober rcality
staring her In the facet Poor damsell She had
come for something--that was eyidcnt--tchdt had
she como fory was now the question.
"The charitable soul Of good Pellco thought Of
anything but love, save love for all mankind wo-
manhood only included in the lump. She never
told her lovep-i. C., she did not tell il then, and
why she was there. Something came tremblingly
from her lips about Ls Me Prigionc and Pellico
then only thought what he had heard true, that
English maids we're patterns of modcsty. He did
his best, howeyer-bis best was not the least awk-
ward--to raise the young lady's courage TO speak
ing pitch, and thanked her methodically for her
compliments on his writings She left, 10 say the
least In reactige state OF mind and heart sought
her lodging, and went 70 bed, She had no dreams
that night
"The next day Pcllico, Of course returned her
call In conversation, tho very soul she had 80
sympathetcnly embodied in fancy, seemed all at
once to beam out from his sunken eyes. She saw
the dried up case which enclosed Il no longer, and
IN fresh ht Of enthusiasm declared her passion,
offering the hero Of Spielberg a generous maiden
hand and heart lie regarded her pitifully mo-
ment, and then broke out into a discourse on love,
its naturc, It's principles and effects, so eloquent,
80 convincing, that the poor young lady saw, for
the first time, the difference between love and ca
price, and ielt, for the first lime, that she loved
him--not her ical Silyio--but that such as he
could never love her -
She returned 70 England wiser maiden than
she came, and, if not more In love, more capable
Of loving, more worthy Of love.
"Silvio Pellico was one Of the few Italians who
were incapable Of taking advantage Of any weak
meas in woman. lie was emphatically pure and
true man. and though he never married, his dis
courses on love and matrimony declayS~his deep
capabity Of love, and just idea Of the married state.
lie was man Of sympatbes, and Of course awak-
cned sympathy II Is said that other ladies besides
the tender Anglaise, offered him devoted hearts,
but, as he did not take advantage OF such offers,
neither did ho boast OF them.
"0n returning TO Turin, from his long imprison-
ment, he was received into the bosom oftho noble
family there, whore he lived until his deccasc.
Here be was visited BY the celebrated Madame Lu-
riaseo, of Amsterdam, whose enthusiasm 10 see him
was also incitcd BY his prison memory This rich
and gifted lady had the misfortune 20 learn on ar
riying at Turin, that syio wasvery III. He, how
ever, consented TO SEQ her, and she was admitted
20 his sick chamber. Throwing herself on her
knees by his bedside, she took his offered hand,
and bathed Il with her tears. lie was suffering so
violently with asthma that he tried IN vain 20
speak; but his own sobs spoke deeper than words
the grateful sense he had Of this noble ladys devo
tion. The scene is said 10 have been most touch
ing. This was a man, living or dying, 70 be loved
An Italian indeed In whom waa no guileP
tone of his most effective tragedies--Francisca
da Rmini--was recently produced at a leading
theatre here, by the excellent company belonging
10 tho Sandman King. The chief actress Of this
troupe Is only second 10 Rachel a. tragedy
queen, and in person Is FAR more commanding
ERIE CoUNTY, N. ", has bcen carried by tho
Ar,aricans nofwith at ndino, tho Qfatemenf az